A Walk Through Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

A Walk Through Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

I had been to Ahmedabad    last  week  and on 17^th February , Sunday , visited Sabarmati Ashram , a place I never  miss  to visit , when I am in Ahmedabad. It is another temple for me like the ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad. We see God in the form of deity inside the Sri Krishna temple. But inside the Ashram we can see and feel “ Truth is God”.  I have spent more than 3 hours in the Ashram. We may wonder what is there to see for three hours, as the planned tour is itself 90 minutes for a walk through. But the three hours of my time in the Ashram took me  again to the history , struggle of our freedom fighters , the experiments of Gandhiji , and the small rooms they lived , though I was born after independence and missed to have a darshan of Mahatma Gandhiji. A silent prayer by sitting  in front of the room where Gandhiji spent most of his time, gave me some kind of feeling that I was also present at that time. It is a feel only and nothing to exaggerate.

My 2megapix Blackberry mobile phone captured many snaps to share in this blog.

Let me give some information about the Ashram. Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram) is located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad adjoining to famous Ashram Road, at the bank of River Sabarmati, 4 miles from the town hall. This was one of the residences of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who spent approximately 12 years of his life here.
This ashram is now a national monument established by the Government of India due to its significance for the Indian independence movement in the form of the Dandi March in 1930.

The ashram was originally established at the Kochàrab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: Gandhi wanted to do some experiments in living (e.g. farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, khadi and related constructive activities for which he was in search of this kind of barren land).

The day of my visit being a Sunday, there were many visitors  circled around the Ashram including students , tourists of Indian and foreign nation . I could see in their eyes , their inquisitiveness in knowing more about Mahatma and the Ashram.  Many of them took photos in front of the displays  and other sculptures  to carry their memory in photos . I am no exception .

The river Sabarmati behind the Ashram flows to a reasonable level.

The parakeets and doves enjoy their freedom in the trees  under which many freedom fighters worked and relaxed. The sounds of the birds was enchanting to my ears and I enjoyed few minutes there near the parapet wall next to the river.

A reasonable sized library contains many manuscripts and copies of books on Gandhi and by Gandhi for the researchers. Archive preserves legacy of eternal Gandhi in 34,000 manuscripts, 150 felicitations, 6,000 photo negatives, 200 files of photostats etc. And Library has 35,000 books including 4,500 books from Mahadevbhai Desai's personal collection and books on Gandhian thought. It is a valuable resource for researchers.

The articles used by Mahatma , original letters to Gandhi and Gandhiji’s  correspondence and few presents given to him are  also displayed.

Gandhi in Ahmedabad - The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya (Museum) was opened in 1963. This gallery exhibits major events of Gandhiji's life from 1915 to 1930 in Ahmedabad.

Magan Niwas - Magan Gandhi - A Soul of ashram also introduced different design of charkhas.

Upasana Mandir - Prayer Ground Where ashramite listened to bhajans-hymns and reading from Holy Gita, Quran & Bible. I walked on the sand in barefoot  and felt the same feeling of walking on barefoot in Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna played around. The holiness is same for me in both the places.

Hriday Kunj - Like heart in a body this centrally located abode supplied energy to the entire place.

Vinoba-Mira Kutir - One hut where Vinoba Bhave & Ms. Madeleine, British admiral's daughter stayed

My life is my message - Events which were turning points in Gandhiji's and which ultimately changed the history of India are depicted through oil painting and photographs.

The Three Monkeys sculpture represents – Hear no evil, Speak no evil and See no evil. Mahatma’s sculpture in a calm sitting posture attracts all   and many stood by the side for a photo click.

My wish is that this blog should  be a benefit for the  readers , who never visited  the Ashram   and kindle their mind to add this place in their wish list of the places to visit !

 

TRUTH IS GOD