Gujarat has given India many notable personalities, none more important than the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This is why on October 2, you should be nowhere else in India but in Gandhiji’s Janmabhoomi – Gujarat. To appreciate what this great soul has done for our nation you should definitely visit ashrams, memorials, and museums telling stories of the Mahatma. Today, we bring for you a pick of destinations you can visit on Gandhi Jayanti.
Satyagraha Ashram Smarak and Sangrahalay, Kochrab
Mahatma Gandhi founded his first ever ashram on May 25, 1915 at Kochrab village in Paldi area. As you enter the ashram you will find a prayer ground on your right and a well-maintained bungalow, on your left. It has a library on the top floor and living rooms of Gandhiji on the ground floor. Gandhiji observed his first fasting here in 1915 as a part of his freedom struggle. Practically, the very first foundations for Satyagrahas were laid here, especially the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917. Behind the bungalow are the kitchen and storerooms.
- Timing: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (remains closed between 12 – 3 PM)
- Special regulations: Footwear is to be removed before entering bungalow.
- Special attractions: Library, prayer ground, paintings and life-size portraits of Gandhiji
- Nearby attractions: Sabarmati River Front, Kite Museum, Satya Art Gallery, Karma Cafe
- Shopping: Swatva designer boutique, Gram Shilp, Khadi Bhavan and Nalli Silks.
Nearest Railhead: Gandhigram (1.9 KM away)
Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram and Memorial, Sabarmati
Established on June 17, 1917, near Sabarmati river banks, the new Satyagraha Ashram was a platform for the non-violence freedom movement. Look through all the prominent places around this ashram to relive the glorious past. When you enter the Gandhi Ashram, there is a museum and library on the left, Hridaya Kunj, Kutir and Nadini Guest House on your right. Gandhiji and Kasturba lived for twelve years in the Hridaykunj facing river Sabarmati. From here, the Mahatma started the Dandi March in 1930. He lived all through in this ashram experimenting with his life. Exhibits here include rare letters Gandhiji wrote to Hitler, Rabindranath Tagore and many prominent personalities. Also the spinning wheel, spectacles, walking stick and footwear that Gandhiji used are displayed. At the Hridaykunj, everyday items and utensils used by Gandhiji and Kasturba can be seen.
- Opening & Closing Times: 8 AM – 7 PM
- Special regulations: Remove footwear before entering Hridayakunj and the two Kutirs
- Must See attractions: Upasana Mandir, Hridaykunj, Magan Nivas, Nandini, Mira and Vinobha Kutir and Manav Sadhana
- Activities: Charkha spinning sessions (learn to make Khadi)
- Nearby attractions: Dandi Bridge
- Shopping: Kalam Khush handmade paper shop
- Must buys: Postcards on Gandhi, model Charkha, Artefacts on Gandhiji
Nearest Railhead: Sabarmati (2.8 KM away)
Mahatma Gandhi Kirti Mandir, Porbandar
This quaint little town in South Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and he spent his childhood here. Now known as Kirti Mandir, the three storeys Haveli was the ancestral home of Gandhiji. Today, the museum built over this property houses a Charkha used by Gandhiji, some of his old and rare photographs, possessions and a library. Kasturba Memorial is towards the backside of this museum.
- Opening & Closing Times: 7:30 AM – 7 PM (Kirti Mandi) and 7:30 AM – 6.00 PM (Gandhiji Birthplace)
- Special regulations: Remove footwear before entering the house. Photography is allowed, videography is not.
- Must See attractions: Prayer place, house and museum
- Nearby attractions: Porbandar Chowpati, Sudama temple
- Shopping: Local handicrafts and textile items like Bandhani Odhni (Stoles)
Nearest Railhead: Porbandar (1.9 KM away)
Dandi Kutir, Gandhinagar
The 3-storey museum is built in the shape of a salt mound as a tribute to the Mahatma, the extraordinary man behind the march that ignited the civil disobedience movement. Many historic artefacts related to the Dandi March and Gandhijis life is on display here. An audio-visual show taking you through the life and times of Gandhiji is held at this museum.
- Opening & Closing Times: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM (remains closed between 1 – 2 PM)
- Entry Fee: Rs. 10 (for Indian citizens) or Rs. 200 (for foreign nationals)
- Must See attraction: Audio visual show
- Note: Audio-Visual show is only held when there is a batch of 20 people
Nearest Railhead: Gandhinagar
So, spend this Gandhi Jayanti taking a trip through the life of this great personality.
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