Tracing The Life Of Gandhi At Sabarmati Ashram

Being an ardent Gandhi follower, I always wanted to visit the famous Sabarmati Ashram and witness the magnificent place where Gandhi lived an inspiring life. Finally, I got the opportunity last year. During my semester break at Nirma University, I decided to rent a car in Ahmedabad with an experienced driver to head to the Sabarmati Ashram to learn about Gandhi's life there. 

Nestled in the heart of Ahmedabad city, Sabarmati Ashram is the humble dwelling of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The Sabarmati Ashram is not just a place to step back in time to take a glimpse at the life of Mahatma Gandhi, but it is a place for contemplation as well. 

Situated gracefully on the bank of the peaceful Sabarmati River, this is a must-visit place in India that holds fascinating tales to impart from the life of Gandhiji. Here is a brief overview of my trip to the famous Sabarmati Ashram. 

The entrance

As soon as I entered the Sabarmati Ashram premises, I witnessed the black shiny marble stone on the right-hand side with a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi followed by the Ashram map with some added information and a patio leading to the Library, Museum and Exhibition area.  

The museum and library 

The library and museum at Sabarmati Ashram are recent additions by architect Charles Correa. Also, with stunning brick piers, stone floors, and red-tiled ceilings, they are a sight to behold. 

A large door on the right-hand side of this museum takes you to the photo gallery called 'Gandhi in Ahmedabad', which holds illustrations, models of famous Dandi March, and details on the life of Gandhiji in Ahmedabad.

Mangal Niwas 

Leaving the porch from the backside of the building, we reached Magan Niwas, which was once the abode of Maganlal Gandhi, Gandhi's nephew and one of the most influential persons in his life. 

A cosy place now converted into the Charkha exhibition Hall, Magal Niwas is unquestionably the 'the Soul of the Sabarmati Ashram'. Entering the Mangal Niwas, I was amazed to get a glimpse of various Charkhas in different shapes and sizes used to spin yarns in 1924.

Sabarmati Riverfront

The patio outside links to a getaway of stairs, a few meters from the famous Sabarmati River in its refinement. The white benches on the top stairs appeal to you to relax for a while and watch the mesmerizing sun setting on the banks peacefully. Here I took snapshots of the Sabarmati river and stood on the banks to experience the divinity of this place. 

Hriday Kunj

Named after Kakasaheb Kalelkar, Hriday Kunj is where Mahatma Gandhi resided with his life partner Kasturba Gandhi, between 1918 and 1930. With six small-sized rooms with a classic courtyard in the centre, this residence is the most humble dwelling of the Father of the Nation. 

As soon as I entered the first room, I witnessed the Charkha and a writing desk where Gandhiji sat and wrote letters to numerous eminent personalities. The rest of the rooms were empty, with just a few artefacts from the Gandhian era. 

My visit to the Sabarmati Ashram was an experience of a lifetime where I learnt how to stay content in limited resources. With its rich history and glimpses of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, I would advise everyone to visit this place once in their life to learn the life lessons of Gandhiji. 

Pro Tip: For the most memorable and comfortable trip, rent a car via a  top-rated cab booking app and get going.