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NATIONAL · MEMORIAL · DANDIDandi Day
At Dandi today, the nation remembers the Salt March at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial and Saifee Villa, where Gandhi stayed the night before making salt on 6 April 1930.
Where the nation remembers
Dandi Day marks the national commemoration of the Salt March at the coastal village where it ended. The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial recreates the march with statues of Gandhi and his 80 marchers, while nearby Saifee Villa — where Gandhi stayed the night before breaking the salt law on 6 April 1930 — preserves the moment for every visitor.
Remembering the salt act
Gandhi and the marchers spent the night of 5 April 1930 at Saifee Villa in Dandi, at the end of a 24-day walk from Sabarmati Ashram.
On the morning of 6 April he picked up natural salt from the shore, breaking the British salt monopoly in a deliberate, announced act of civil disobedience.
The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial now stands at the site, with statues of Gandhi and the 80 marchers who completed the walk with him.
The anniversary is marked each 6 April, and the memorial draws visitors year-round to a village that would otherwise be unremarked.
Why come
Salt Memorial
The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial is a purpose-built national monument, opened in 2019 on the shore where the law was broken.
80 statues
Statues of the 80 marchers stand along the approach, each modelled individually rather than as a uniform crowd.
Saifee Villa
Saifee Villa preserves the room where Gandhi spent his last night before the salt-making, and the house is open to visitors.
The salt act
The memorial narrates the whole march day by day, so the site works as an account of the event rather than just a monument to it.
Dandi coast
The shore itself is where the salt was gathered, and it remains an ordinary working coastline.
Gandhi's legacy
Solar trees and salt pans on the site keep the symbolism of the original act in view.
What to see
THE MEMORIALSalt Satyagraha
National monument.
THE HOUSESaifee Villa
Gandhi stayed here.
How to experience it
Reach Dandi
Start at Dandi village itself, and notice how small and ordinary the setting of a world-famous event actually is.
Enter the memorial
Walk the memorial's narrative route, which follows the 24 days of the march from Sabarmati to the coast.
Meet the marchers
Look at the 80 statues individually — each marcher is named, and they came from across India rather than only Gujarat.
Visit Saifee Villa
Visit Saifee Villa for the room where Gandhi stayed on the night of 5 April 1930.
Walk to the shore
Go down to the shore where the salt was picked up, which is still an ordinary beach.
Pause and reflect
Time a visit to 6 April if you can, when the anniversary is formally commemorated here.
A monument to satyagraha
The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, opened in 2019, uses statues, murals and salt pans to tell the story of the 1930 march and the power of non-violent protest. Together with Saifee Villa, it makes Dandi a place of quiet pilgrimage for anyone drawn to the story of India’s freedom struggle.
It sits within Navsari district — browse more places to visit in Navsari.
Timing
6 April marks the anniversary of the salt-making, and the memorial holds formal commemorations on the day.
November to February is the comfortable season — the memorial is largely open-air and unshaded.
The monsoon brings heavy rain to this coast between June and September, and the shore turns wet and grey.
⏰ The salt act is remembered each 6 April; the memorial is open through the year and best in the cooler months.
Getting there
By Air
Surat (~50 km).
By Rail
Navsari station.
By Road
Navsari to Dandi.
More in Navsari
12 MARCH 1930
Dandi March
Where Gandhi’s salt defiance shook an empire. Explore →
PARSI
Navroz
Navroz, the Parsi New Year, glows in Navsari — one of India’s oldest Zoroastrian centres — with prayers at the ancient fire temple, new clothes, feasting and warm community cheer. Explore →
TRIBAL
Dangi Culture
In the forested uplands around Vansda, the tribal culture of Navsari comes alive — dhol-driven dances, colourful fairs and folk custom set among the teak woods of Vansda National Park. Explore →
HARVEST
Mango Festival
Each summer the orchards of the Navsari–Gandevi belt ripen with Alphonso and Kesar mangoes, and a mango festival celebrates the king of fruits with tastings, stalls and orchard visits. Explore →
What to eat
THALIGujarati Thali
A hearty spread.
COASTALSeaside Snacks
By the shore.
FARSANFarsan
Savoury bites.
CHAASChaas
Spiced buttermilk.
Dandi Day FAQ
What is Dandi Day?
The national commemoration of the Salt March at Dandi, remembering Gandhi's salt act of 6 April 1930.
What is the Salt Satyagraha Memorial?
A national memorial at Dandi, opened in 2019, with statues of Gandhi and his 80 marchers and re-created salt pans.
What is Saifee Villa?
The house where Gandhi stayed the night before making salt at Dandi, now preserved as a monument.
Where is Dandi?
A coastal village in Navsari district, about 20 km from Navsari town.
When is it remembered?
Each year around 6 April, the day Gandhi broke the salt law.
How do I get there?
Via Navsari, about 20 km away; Surat airport is roughly 50 km.
Across Gujarat
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A sacred natural spring tucked into the forest
COASTHarsiddhi & Coast
Cliff temples along the western shore
BEACHSomnath Beach
Golden sands beside the great temple
Dattatreya Temple
The first Jyotirlinga, a short drive south
PORT CITYKhambhat (Cambay)
An ancient trading port on the gulf
Shankheshwar Parshwanath
Vishnu avatars carved into the stepwell
WHERE TO STAY
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 3 July 2026