Gandhi Ashram Sevagram also known as Sevagram Ashram is the place where Gandhi ji lived from 1934. The Word ‘Sevagram’ stands for Village of Service and the place is located around 8 Km from the small town of Wardha.
Gandhi ji also known as the Father of Nation returned to India from South Africa after protesting against the partial treatment of Indians in 1915. The day of return of Gandhi ji to India i.e. 9th January is also celebrated as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.
After returning from South Africa Gandhi ji did not start taking part in active politics immediately. However he took some time to travel throughout the country to know about India better. Gandhi Ji set up Sabarmati Ashram near Ahmedabad on the banks of river Sabarmati in 1915.
The first Satyagraha in which Gandhi ji participated actively was Champaran Satyagraha. In Champaran the farmers were forced to grow Indigo on their fields for which they barely received any payment. Upon Gandhi ji’s intervention British Government was forced to set up an Indigo Commission and the issues of farmers ware resolved. This Satyagraha is considered to be the first popular Satyagraha of Gandhi ji.
After Champaran Satyagraha Gandhi ji Participated in Ahmedabad Mill Strike issue. The issue was sorted out and the workers got raise in their salaries along with Plague bonus.
Dandi March was one of the most significant movement launched by Gandhi ji where Gandhi ji took a walk from his Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi along with his 80 chosen followers and broke the salt law on the shores of Dandi. Dandi March started on 12th March 1930 and it is also known as Civil Disobedience Movement in the history of India.
After Dandi March Gandhi ji decided not to return to his Sabarmati Ashram till Independence was achieved. In 1934 at the invitation of Jamanlal Gandhi ji came to Wardha and decided to built his residence in the village named Shegaon which was renamed as Sevagram(Village of Service). Gandhi ji lived in this ashram from 1936 till his death in 1948.
Gandhi Ashram: Sevagram
The Sevagram Ashram is built in typical village style houses because Gandhi ji insisted that his home should not be different than an average village home. There are many huts in the ashram which were built for different purposes. A tour of the entire ashram gives a different kind of peace to the mind. Major places inside to Gandhi Ashram are:
- Ba-Kuti
- Bapu-Kuti
- Prayer Ground
- Gandhi ji’s Secretariat
- Bapu’s Kitchen
- Adi-Nivas( Adi-Nivas is the first hut to be built in Sevagram Ashram)
- Nai Talim Parisar
Gandhi Ashram: How to Reach?
Sevagram Ashram is around 80 km from Nagpur City which the only major city nearby. The place is at a drive of around 1 hr 15 minutes from Nagpur via drive. The road is very good. Also the nearest Railway station is Wardha where most of the trains stop(Many trains do not stop at Sevagram). One can take a train from Nagpur to Wardha and Sevagram is around 8 km from Wardha Town. The roads are good and there is not much crowd also.
Other Things to Explore in Gandhi Ashram(Sevagram)
There are huts made for the stay. If you want you can take a hut and stay there for a day or two. This will give a better understanding of Gandhi ji’s works and his lifestyle. There is a good book shop inside the Ashram where you can buy books on Gandhi ji’s life and works. A fabric shop is also located in the compound which sells Khadi and cotton fabric. There is a souvenir shop inside the Ashram premises where you can buy souvenir related to Gandhi ji’s works like ‘Charkha’. However whenever you are in Sevagram do visit the restaurant located in the Gandhi Ashram which offers good food of various varieties.
Sevagram Ashram is a place which is very close to my heart. The place is filled with history and it gives you a real understanding of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters to attain freedom.
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