Hriday Kunj is a site of historical importance and can located in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. It is reputed for having earlier served as a place of residence for the great leader of the Indian Movement towards Independence. The man was none other than Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi, as he is more popularly known.  Historical records indicate that MK Gandhi started his experiments of non-violent demonstrations of Sathyagraha in India’s fight towards freedom from Hriday Kunj. It was from this place where the Mahatma began his famous salt march back in 1930. Gandhiji was a resident of Hriday Kunj during the years 1918-1930.

This small house from where MK Gandhi initiated his freedom struggle is considered a national monument and is carefully preserved at the Gandhi Ashram. This place also served as haven for untouchables who were unfairly discriminated those days on the basis of caste. Todaythe ashram at Hriday Kunj, which is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, produces a variety of handicrafts, spinning wheels and handmade paper.

Just adjacent to the monument, there is a central library and the ‘Sight and Sound’ show which has been organized for tourists and visitors alike. There is also a large prayer ground, which is of historical importance to Hriday Kunj. You can also find a popular museum near by the monument, which houses valuable documents and articles about the Indian National Movement.

There is a museum adjacent to the Hriday Kunj, Ahmedabad which is in the popular ashram of Mahatma Solon and it preserves valuable articles and documents of the Amerindic domestic movement.

Just like the heart, this centrally located building provided energy to the entire place.

There is also famous art gallery that is located in close proximity to Hriday Kunj, which is a well known entity in the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram. The gallery contains important and useful records about the native contributions to the nationwide freedom struggle.

Vinoba Bhave

This has been named after AcharyaVinobaBhave who had stayed here. The place is also known as Mira Kutir after Gandhijis disciple Mirabahen, who was the daughter of an Admiral in the British army. Bhave decided on staying here because he wanted to imbibe the teachings of the Mahatma. Hriday Kunj was one of the places where VinobaBhave loved to spend his time. This is one the reasons why Hriday Kunj is closely associated with AcharyaVinobaBhave as well.

Other Buildings and Sites Nearby

Nandini

The places serves as an old guesthouse in the ashram that housed visitors from India and abroad. Nandini can be located on the right hand end of the Hriday Kunj monument.

Somnath Chattralaya

These form a cluster of rooms that were occupied by the members of the ashram who gave up family life to serve the needs of the ashram.

Upasana Mandir

This place served as a prayer ground for Gandhiji and his disciples. Following prayers, the Mahatma would answer the individual questions of his followers. This open-air ground often served as a venue where MK Gandhi and his followers would try to analyze and solve queries to various questions that were ailing the nation. 

Vinoba-Mira Kutir

The same place where Madeleine (renamed as Mirabehn by Mahatma Gandhi) and VinobaBhave stayed at different times. Mirabahen also happened to be the daughter of Sir Edmond Slade who was a British Rear Admiral.

Library and Archives

The library is known to preserve the legacy of Mahatma and his teachings. It contains more than 34,000 manuscripts, 6000 photo negatives, 150 felicitations and 200 Photostat files. The library also house over 35,000 books, which includes 4,500 from MahadevvhaiDesais individual collection. The library has several books that give valuable information on Gandhian thought and principles. The library has proved to be often invaluable for both researchers and historians.