Travel Guide to Gandhiji's Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad was a key city which was involved in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests for independence against British rule. It was here that Gandhiji set up his first ashram in 1915 after returning from South Africa. It was named Kochrab Ashram. Two years later the ashram was shifted to what is now known as Old Vadaj.

Located on the banks of the pristine Sabarmati River, the Sabarmati Ashram became the core of the freedom struggle movement and is today a national monument. One of the most iconic Satyagrahas was the 1930 Salt march to Dandi, a village on coastline of the Arabian sea, as a protest against the imposition of tax on salt.

Sabarmati riverfront near the Ashram

Unique Features of Sabarmati Ashram

Hridaykunj

The humble home where Gandhiji resided with Kasturba from 1918 to 1930.

Gandhiji's room in Hriday Kunj

Kasturba's Room

Magan Nivas

Home of Maganlal Gandhi, one of Gandhiji’s first disciples. Read more about him at http://www.mkgandhi.org/associates/Maganlal.htm

Magan Nivas

Vinoba Kutir

Another modest home on the ashram premises is where Vinoba Bhave lived from 1918 to 1921. He was regarded by Ganhiji to be a model satyagrahi due to his commitment to truth. This same house came later to be known by the name of ‘Mira Kutir’. The reason: Madeleine Slade, a young English lady, on learning about Gandhiji’s idealogy  through a book by Ronald Rowland, came to stay here (from 1925 to 1933) as his disciple and was given the name of Mira by Gandhiji.

Vinoba Kutir

Somnath Chhatralaya

In 1921, with financial assistance from Shri Somnathji, Gandhiji set up a hostel block as a training centre to impart values to freedom fighters on how to serve society and become leaders of the community. Post-independence, his disciple, Parikshitlal Majumdar, started training women at the centre to become primary school teachers. Ladies from the rural areas thus gained economic independence and, at the same time, a literacy movement started with the children of their localities getting education.

Somnath Chhatralaya

Gandhi Samarak Sangrahalaya

This is a pictorial and written documentation gallery which depicts Gandhiji’s life and work. There are life-size paintings and over 200 enlargements of his life.

Depiction of Dandi march

Charkas
There are various models of Charkas from around the world.

Library

It is wholly devoted to Gandhian literature, home to over 35,000 books on Gandhiji’s life & work as well as his teachings and aspects of the freedom movement. 

Library Archives

There is a wonderful archive of letters, too, written by Gandhiji, as also his articles and over 6000 photographs of Gandhiji and his associates.

Reading room

Here you can browse through numerous periodicals in three languages, namely, English, Hindi and Gujarati.

Souvenir shop

You can purchase post cards, books and bookmarks, stationery, Khadi garments, miniature models of charkas, etc.

Souvenir Shop

Don't miss the postal letter box at the entrance. 

Letter Box

Visitor tips

The Sabarmati Ashram has various names, namely:
(1) Gandhi Ashram
(2) Harijan Ashram
(3) Satyagraha Ashram

However, if you wish to visit Gandhiji’s first ashram and the auto driver does not know it by the name of Kochrab Ashram, then you have to specify that you do not wish to visit the Sabarmati one but say that you want to visit the Gandhi Ashram at Paldi near the V.S. Hospital.

Timings: 8.30a.m. to 6.30p.m. The Ashram is open on all days.

Location: Old Vadaj, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad.

For details contact: +91-79-27557277