Sabarmati Ashram: The Place where Gandhi Ji Feels Alive

Mahatama isn’t just a word. It’s a title that governs the history and the life we’re living, directly or indirectly.

While pursuing a doctorate, the choice of the conference/workshop is largely governed by two things. The first one, obviously, is your research area, and the second is the ‘place’ where it’s going to be held. In some cases, the latter succeeds the former. For security reasons, let’s not discuss my priority about which conference to be part of. Instead, let me tell you an interesting fact. After my abstract got accepted, whenever my friends enquired about my next trip, I used to reply that I’ll be meeting Gandhi ji on my next. October came, and I was at Gandhinagar, mainly to attend the workshop and explore the city. Since the workshop was scheduled to start the day after I arrived, the first thought was to explore the far-off places. Hence, I, with a bunch of like-minded friends, ran off to Ahmedabad. And guess what, we landed directly at Sabarmati Ashram, to take the blessings of Gandhi ji before exploring anything in Gujarat. Ahmedabad is around a 20 km drive from Gandhinagar. The cab arrives before you book, and that too, at a lower price than in other cities.

How to Reach: Sabarmati Ashram is 11 km from Ahmedabad Rly Station (AMI). However, Sabarmati Bg Rly Station (SBIB) is just 3 km from here. The Rajdhani Express from Delhi connects the place in 12 hrs of running time. Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) is 14 km away from here.

When to Visit: Winters to avoid scorching heat. We were there at the start of October and were travelling with AC on.

Timings: 10 AM- 6 PM, Open all days of the week

Duration: Usually 3-4 hrs

Sabarmati Ashram is located on the bank of the river Sabarmati. After passing through the gate (no entry fee to my surprise), I could see the children navigating through the maps. The place was well-managed and moderately crowded.

The hut behind the signboard is known as the Gandhi Heritage Portal, where various kinds of spinning wheels (Charkha), besides other belongings, are on display. Your trip starts from here, and believe me when I say, I instantly recalled Gandhi’s call for swadeshi and his famous Non-Cooperation movement. The next moment, I saw myself decked up in a T-shirt and jeans, and wondered who might have woven these.

After having a look here, the path directs you to a gallery which leads to several chambers. I found a group, sitting on the floor, relaxing and contemplating on Gandhi ji. They appeared as if they came from a distance. It’s not unusual for people to travel a great deal just to see this place.

These chambers are embellished with the portrait of Gandhi ji, his messages, artefacts and paintings related to the freedom struggle movement and Gandhi ji’s life. Some of them are in digital format too. Walking through these galleries feels like peeping into the life of Gandhi ji on one hand and, on the other, living during the days of independence.

I found myself muttering Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye Je, which used to be a prayer at this Ashram. I could also recall those intense slogans which were taught during school days. After spending some time here, I took an exit from the chamber, which opened onto a concrete road where I met the three monkeys of Gandhi ji.

Out of all Gandhian thoughts, if anything is ignored the most in today’s world are these monkeys. We’re increasingly dwelling on bura suno, bura kaho and bura dekho, which was the other way round. I wondered if we could ever go back to them, as our habits are turning worse with time. There is a little hope. Strolling further, while lost in these thoughts, I came across two centres which further dipped me in them.

These two souvenir shops, located at the periphery of the ashram, delight you. The first one collects a plethora of books written by Gandhi ji and on him, besides on the ideas of spirituality, medidations and the freedom movement. It also has diaries, bookmarks, postcards, fridge magnets, and other stuff to be grabbed. Khadi shop collects Kurta, sarees, Nehru jacket, shawl and other clothing apparel, made from Khadi. I would suggest that you collect some of these as a token. After collecting souvenirs, I strolled through the open lawn where I came across two huts.

The first was Vinoba and Mira Kutir, as the signboard said. Both of them stayed there and followed Gandhi’s principles of truth and nonviolence. Let me tell you an interesting fact. The actual name of Mirabehn was Madeleine Slade, who was a British supporter of the Indian Independence Movement. She left her home in England to live and work with Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s. And finally, I was at the place where I wanted to see ardently.

It’s the abode where Gandhi and Kasturba ji lived, where Gandhi ji attended his meetings, and endless discussions on the freedom movement happened. It’s a historical spot where visitors can see the simple living, a part of the larger ashram complex that served as Gandhi’s home and base for major movements like the Dandi March. Let me give you an inside glimpse of the Ashram.

This house served as a testimony to whatever I read in history books and heard from the people. Truly, the quote “Simple living, high thinking” gets justified here.

While entering Gandhi ji’s abode, I found some older people sitting there. It gave me a feeling that I am in the Gandhian age where these people are waiting to meet Gandhi ji to discuss either their personal problems or the state-related affairs.

The trip to Sabarmati Ashram ends here, but the reflection continued. I reached the point where I started and found this view to my right, which was in stark contrast to what I experienced. Also, why river an important component in every peaceful place?

I came out of the main gate, where I could find several vendors selling fabrics, clothes, artefacts and eatables. One can check and grab them too!

©Shashank

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