EXPLORE INDIA’S HERITAGE PATH

Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, has preserved his glory in the form of several attractions that will take you through early years of his life, his movement for independence. The state government has developed Gandhi Tourism Circuit that is a mu

Gujarat is known in the world for its rich history, culture, traditions, festivities and even wildlife. The state has no dearth of historical places right from the Bronze Age to the Indian Independence Movement. When you talk about the years preceding Indian Independence, one name that comes to everyone’s mind, and rightfully so, is Mahatma Gandhi. Not only was Mahatma Gandhi the most prominent leader of the freedom movement, but he also went on to become one of the most popular figures in the world, known for his principles and practice of nonviolence. In the world history, his name is taken alongside the likes of Martin Luther King Junior and Nelson Mandela.

Explore the rich heritage of Mahatma Gandhi by visiting all the places in Gujarat that were a part of his life and his independence movement. From the museums and institutions in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Porbandar and Bhavnagar to the last leg of the Dandi March led by Gandhi ji in 1930, the circuit covers a lot of historically significant places. In this Gandhi Circuit route, pay your respects to the Father of the Nation by visiting his birthplace in Porbandar, the school he attended in Rajkot and various museums that offer a glimpse into his life as a prominent leader.

Porbandar

The ‘haveli’ where Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on Oct 2, 1869, is one of the most popular attractions in Gujarat. The room where he was born has been preserved as it is, and has a stark look. A part of the house has now been converted into a museum and called the Kirti Mandir. Open from 9am to 12pm and again from 3pm to 6pm. Porbandar is connected by rail with Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Rajkot while by road it is connected to major cities of the state.

Ahmedabad

A must-visit on any trip to Ahmedabad is the Gandhi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River. Home to Gandhi from 1917 and 1930, it was one of the key places from where the struggle for Indian Independence took shape. It was from here in March 12, 1930, that Gandhi launched the Dandi March to protest against the British Salt Law in India. The cottage where Gandhi lived, Hriday Kunj (gandhiashramsabarmati.org), tops the list of attractions within the complex. The Charles Correa-designed museum contains three galleries–the Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery, the Painting Gallery and the My Life is My Message Gallery–and houses the Ashram’s library. The Museum is open daily from 8.30am to 6.30pm. There’s no admission fee.

Ahmedabad is also home to Gujarat Vidyapeeth. Founded in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi, the multi-disciplinary university is a window into the Gandhian ethos. Students are still dressed in khadi and inspirational messages by the Mahatma are written on the walls.

Rajkot

It was here that Gandhi spend his childhood as his father was appointed as the Diwan of the Rajkot state. The family residence, now known as ‘Kaba Gandhi No Delo’, now hosts a small museum offering a look into various events in

Gandhi’s life through pictures. Gandhi returned to Rajkot in

1939 to establish the Rashtriyashala to instil the tenets of Swaraj (self-rule) in the minds of the people as a key step towards the country’s fight for Independence.

Today, the school imparts educational and vocational training.

Interestingly, it was this

Rashtriyashala that encouraged local weavers to master the art of single ‘ikat’ weaving that is now a popular buy in Rajkot. Also located on an important railway junction on the Western Railway, Rajkot is also connected by air with Mumbai.

Dandi

Located near Surat, this seaside town is from where Gandhi began his famous Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March) in protest against the British Salt

Law imposed on India. Gandhi had walked down to Dandi from Ahmedabad, with a large group of volunteers following in his wake, and plucked a handful of saline mud and seawater, symbolising the production of salt in defiance of the British law. A memorial statue marks the event. Dandi is about 30km by road from Surat.

There are nine airports in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Porbandar and Surat. Most of the carriers ply frequently to these airports from different parts of the country.