Sevagram Ashram |Introduction : Mahatma Gandhi

Adi Nivas (the first cottage) and Prayer Ground

Adi Nivas was the first hut built in the Ashram, hence the name. Gandhiji lived in it with other Ashram members in the early days. The northern verandah was used as dining hall. Below the open sky on this sand-bed, morning and evening prayers of various religions were held and that has continued even today.
Bapu Kuti (Gandhi's Cottage)

This, as the name suggests was the place of residence of Gandhiji. His belongings of daily use are kept here. His massage table and sleeping cot are kept in the adjoining room. The daily morning prayers are held in the verandah of Bapu Kuti even today.
Gandhiji's Secretariat

Gandhiji kept in touch with the whole world through correspondence from this room. The telephone, which was brought here by the British authorities for consultations with Gandhiji and a cage and wooden scissors used to trap snakes and later leave them in the forest) are displayed here.
Akhiri Nivas (The last abode)

Initially used as a hospital for the villagers, Gandhiji lived here to cure his cough and cold before leaving for Noakhali, from there he never returned and thus the hut got its name, Akhiri Nivas. A weighing machine used by Gandhiji is displayed here.
Bapu's Kitchen

This kitchen used by Gandhiji is still used as such. A flour grinding machine, sometimes used by Gandhiji is kept here.
Gandhiji Exhibition

The newly developed (1991) Gandhi Photo Exhibition, exhibiting the life and works of Gandhiji, is on the western side of the road.
Yatri Nivas (Visitor's Residence)

Built by the government in 1982, it is managed by the Ashram for the benefit of visitors and for holding training camps and conferences by various constructive work institutions.

SEVAGRAM ASHRAM

Sevagram,
Wardha-442102,
Maharashtra,
India.
Tel No: 91-7152-284753
E-mail Id : sevagram_ashram@yahoo.in

He alone deserves to be called an inmate of the Ashram who has ceased to have any worldly relation - a relation involving monetary interests-- with his parents or other relatives, who has no other needs save those of food and clothing and who is ever watchful in the observance of the eleven cardinal vows. Therefore he who needs to make savings, should never be regarded as an Ashram inmate.

- M. K. Gandhi

Introduction

In January 1932, Gandhiji was arrested and detained in 'Yervada Jail' in Pune. There he resorted to fast untill death against the award of separate electorates for the depressed classes. The matter was settled between Gandhiji and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and 'Poona Pact' was signed which provides the reserved seats for depressed classes in place of separate electorates.
Gandhiji, after this incident, started a massive movement for the uplift of the untouchables from jail itself. He started an All India Anti-Untouchability League with his industrialist friend Birla as President and A. V. Thakkar as Secretary. In January 1933 he started a weekly journal 'Harijan' to work for the upliftment of the depressed classes. He had also made over Sabarmati Ashram to Harijan Sewak Sangh.
After his final release from prison in August 1933, Gandhiji went on a 12,500 mile tour of India from November 1933 to August 1934. During this tour, he collected about eight lakhs rupees for the cause of untouchability.
In 1934, Gandhiji decided to start the Village Industries Association. He gave much thought to the choice of a suitable place as headquarters. Jamnalal Bajaj wished to persuade Bapu to select Wardha as the headquarter, and took advantage of this occasion to point out that it was a good choice as it was situated in the centre of India, and he himself was prepared to present his buildings, gardens, furniture and other implements for the work of the Village Industries Association. Gandhiji accepted the offer, and Jamnalalji handed over his beautiful garden and building to the Organisation as promised. The estate was named Maganwadi in memory of the late Maganlal Gandhi. Maganwadi thus became the headquarters. Bapu began staying there with the idea of organising and popularising the work of the Association. He remained at Maganwadi for nearly a year and a half. There were so many important events which took place during the period in connection with village uplift work like regeneration of village industries, village sanitation, food experiments and discussions with constructive workers.

SEVAGRAM ASHRAM

Introduction

Remembering Gandhi

Gandhi Books

Gandhi Literature

Gandhi Resources