Page 489 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

M AHAR ASHTR A  487

Environs
The ashram of Gandhi’s
disciple, Vinobha Bhave, is
10 km (6 miles) north of
Sevagram at Paunar. Bhave
started the successful Bhoodan
Movement (which literally
means “land donation”) that
sought to persuade wealthy
landowners to give portions
of their holdings to the poor.

o Pandharpur
Sholapur district. 250 km (155 miles)
SE of Pune. * 98,900. £ @
Baskets of juicy oranges on sale in Nagpur’s thriving market _ Ashadh Ekadashi Fair (Jul).
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, worked for many years. Spread The spiritual capital of
also known as the Jewel of over 40 ha (99 acres) of Maharashtra, Pandharpur is
Vidharba, lies 208 km (129 miles) farmland, the ashram has situated on the banks of the
south of Nagpur. The best time numerous kutirs, or rural Chandrabhaga river and is
to visit this reserve is between dwellings, and several research the site of the sacred shrine
February and May. centres. Gandhi’s personal of Vithoba, an incarnation of
effects, such as his spinning Lord Vishnu. The temple was
wheel and built in 1228 and is
i Wardha spectacles, are on the focal point of a
display. Khadi, the sacred pilgrimage
Wardha district. 493 km (306 miles) coarse home-spun that draws thousands
NE of Aurangabad. £ @ from
Nagpur to Wardha, then bus or auto cotton that Gandhi of Varakaris (members
to Sevagram. Tel (07152) 284 753. made famous as the of one of the state’s
symbol of India’s most popular
Most visitors to Wardha are freedom struggle, is religious sects) every
en route to Mahatma Gandhi’s also on sale. A photo July to attend the
historic Sevagram Ashram, exhibit opposite the Ashadh Ekadashi
now a national institution, main entrance fair. Dindis or group
8 km (5 miles) northwest of depicts scenes from An oil lamp in a processions travel to
Wardha town. Established Gandhi’s life, while a niche, Sevagram Pandharpur from every
by Gandhi in 1936, Sevagram hospital catering to the village in the area,
(“Village of Service”) was based needs of local villagers is accompanied by devotional
on Gandhi’s philosophy of located on the main road. singing. The riverfront, lined
rural economic development. Prayers, which visitors can with numerous bathing ghats,
It became the headquarters attend, are held daily at 4.30am comes alive with crowds of
of India’s National Movement, and 6pm under a pipal tree people, who gather here for
where Gandhi lived and planted by Gandhi. their ritual dip.

Spartan interior of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram at Sevagram, near Wardha

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