Muharram
According to Hijri Era, the first month of the calendar is Muharram. The significance of this festival is attached to martyrdom of Hussain, the second son of the Prophet Mohammed's daughter Fatima. Hussain was born in the year 4 AD and the Muslims of Ahmedabad commemorate the tragic horrors of the battle of Karabala.
The important aspect of Muharram is 'julus' - the procession of Tajia. The procession of vaious Tajias moves on the main roads of Ahmedabad. Muslims and Hindus offer 'Dhupa' (incense). Flowers and Mahida and in the evening the Tajias are immersed in the Sabarmati river. The Tajia of Momanawad of Jamalpur are considered the finest and the most beautiful.
The Tajias are prepared from the chips of bamboo, paper and tinsel. It is a symbol of the tomb of Hussain at Karabala. Made of one or two storeys and crowned with a chiming dome, constructing an artistic Tajia could take about a month's time. At night Muslims mourn the death of Hussain by singing 'Faitias'. #1422

Satyagraha Ashram
Founded:
Kochrab:25-5-1915, Sabarmati: 17-6-1917
Disbanded:
1-8-1933
Object:
To quality for and make a constant, endeavour toward national service, not inconsistent with universal goods.
Observances:
Truth, nonviolence or Love, Chastity
(Brahmacharya), Control of the palate, non stealing, Non-possession or poverty, Swadeshi, Fearlessness, Removal of untouchability, Equality of Religions, Physical labour.
Life in the Ashram:
Spiritual life with the above object. Eight hours' work in the following activities of public welfare, community prayers. Community spinning and common kitchen. Life without the distinction of caste, colour or religion. No participation in day to day politics but prepared for highest dedication at the time of national emergency. Constant search for Truth.
Activities:
Worship, Sanitary service, sacrificial spinning, Agriculture, Dairy, Tannery, National Education, Khadi Technical School.
Weeklies:
'Navjivan' in Gujarati and Hindi,
'Yound India' in English.
Historical Event:
Gandhiji started his historic foot march with 79 Ashramites to Dandi, recalling Buddha's renunciation of old, with a vow not to return to this place till be achieved freedom for India.
Places associated with the memory of Gandhiji:
Upasna Mandir:
Ashram prayer ground.
Hridaykunj:
Gandhiji's residential quarters from 1918 to 1930: Gandhiji's own room, Kasturba's room and kitchen etc.
Mira Kutir:
Residential hut of Shri Vinobaji and Shri Mirabahen
(Miss Slade, daughter of a British Admiral).
Khadi Vidyalaya:
All India Training Centre for various technical aspects of Khadi industry.
Nandini:
Old Ashram guest-house.
Magan Nivas:
Residence of late Shri Maganlal Gandhi, the manager of the Ashram in those days.
New Museum:
Museum, Library, Archives.
#1448

Gandhi's Prayer
Lord of humility,
Dwelling in the little pariah hut
Help us to search for thee throughout
That fair land Watered by Ganges,
Brahmaputra and Jamuna.
Give us receptiveness.
Give us open heartedness.
Give us Thy humility.
Give us the ability and willingness.
To identify ourselves
With themasses of India.
O God!
Who does help only when man
Feels utterly humble. Grant that we
may not be isolated form the people.
We would serve as servants and friends.
Let us be embodiments of self sacrifices
Embodiments of godliness,
Humility personified, that we may know
The land better and love it more.
M.K. Gandhi #1451

Mohan to Mahatma (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi)
2nd October Age/yrs
1869 Born at Porbandar in Gujarat
1881 Married with Kasturba 13
1891 Barrister in England 22
1892 Practice at Rajkot and Bombay 23
1893 Went to South Africa as legal advisor 24
1904 Founded Phoenix Settlement 35
1906 Red Cross service in Zoolu Revolt
Pledge for Celibacy (Bhramacharya)
1907 Satyagraha against racial discrimination
And jail in South Africa 38
1909 Wrote Indian Home Rule (Hind Swaraj) 39
1914 Success of Satyagraha in South Africa 45
1915 Return to India - founded Satyagraha 46
Ashram at Kotchrab in Ahmedabad
1917 Satyagraha Ashram shifted here and
Champaran Satyagraha 48
1918 Kheda Satyagraha against Land Revenue
Textile Laboures strike in Ahmedabad 49
1919 Protest against Rowlat Act editing of Journals
'Navjivan' in Hindi Gujarati and 'Young India'
in English 50
1920 Started non co-operation movement found
Gujarat Vidyapith 51
1921 Bon Fire of Foreign Cloth at Bombay Nation wide
call for Constructive Programme 52
1922 Trial for Impreachment - y years imprisonment 53
1924 21 days fast for Communal Unity 55
1925 Founded all India Sprinners Association Started to
write auto biography
1928 Bardoli Satyagraha 59
1930 'Dandi March' protest against Salt Tax wrote
'Mangal Prabhat' from jail 61
1931 Second round table conference 62
1932 Fast unto death for Harijans 63
1933 Went to stay at Wardha Ashram 64
1934 Founded A-I Village Industries Association 65
1936 Founded Sevagram Ashram 67
1937 Founded Hindustani Talimi Sangh for new
education 68
1942 Quit India Movement - imprisoned at Poona 73
1944 Death of Kasturba in prison 75
1946 Peace March in Noakhali for communal harmony 77
1947 Independence on 15th August
3 days fast in Calcutta 78
1948 Jan 30th Assasinated at prayer time 79
#1454

Gandhi's House
I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown abut my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any. Mahatima Gandhi #1461

Build Bridges not Barriers
Ghandi Ashram
MuslIms
HiNdus
BuDdhists
SIkhs
PArsis
ChristiaNs
JewS
# 1470

Adalaj Wav - Step Well
19km north of Ahmedabad
Adalaj - Archaeological Survery of India
This step-well (vav) was built in Samvat 1555 (A.D. 1498) by Ruda(bai)well, wife of Vaghela Chief Virashimha. This is recorded in sanscrit inscription on a marble slab set into a niche in the first storey on eastern side.
The oblong step-well runs from south to north; entry to the vav is from south through stairs on three sides which descend into a spacious landing with octagonal opening supported on eight pillars. At each of the four corners of landing platform is a small room with oriel window.
From the landing platform the corridor begins with gently descending staircase leading to octagonal well-shaft on north. The stepped corridor has a parapet wall at ground level.
The octagonal shaft is five storeyed; it's upper four storeys are entered through spiral staircases on western and eastern sides. The corridor railing around octagonal shaft, pillars, pilasters, entablatures, lintels and other architectural timbers are profusely decorated.
A panel showing nine planets (navagrahas) is found over a door in second storey on eastern side of octagonal shaft.
Among sculptures particular mention may be made of a king seated on a stool under parasol with two chauri - bearers in attendance, erotic scenes, scene showing churning of buttermilk, bhairava, female dancers and musicians, various birds and animals like gaja-sardula, symbolic representation of mother goddess, and medallions, half-medallions, scroll motifs evolving out of kirttimukha, etc.
#1475