Photograph courtesy: Nagarjan Kandukuru/Creative Commons
October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti. It seems apt, then, that we take you to seven historic places in India that the Mahatma immortalized.
1. Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad:
Photograph courtesy: Mano Ranjan M/Creative Commons
The Sabarmati ashram (also known as Gandhi ashram) in Ahmedabad was the epicenter of India’s freedom struggle and Gandhi’s base where he conducted his experiments on truth and non-violence.
Located about 5 km from the city center of Ahmedabad on the banks of the Sabarmati river, the Ashram has been visited by almost every major leader of the freedom struggle as well as contemporary world politicians.
Address: Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380027
Timings: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm
ALSO SEE:
Our Ahmedabad travel guide
How to reach Ahmedabad
2. Sevagram, Wardha
Photograph courtesy: Ajay Tallam/Creative Commons
“Village improvement is the only foundation on which conditions in India can be permanently ameliorated”, Gandhi said.
He put this to practise in Sevagram, some 8 km from Wardha town in Maharashtra and 75 km from Nagpur.
Sevagram was Gandhi’s headquarters and experimental laboratory from 1934 to 1940.
He established his residence in the village after he left Sabarmati ashram in 1930 to march to Dandi and decided not to return to Sabramati until India won independence.
3. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
Photograph courtesy: Jeremy Higgs/Creative Commons
A two-storied building in a quiet lane in Gamdevi in the busy city of Mumbai, Mani Bhavan served as a center for Gandhi’s activities for almost 17 years (1917-1934) and was home to the leader in Mumbai.
Today it serves as a memorial to Gandhi and hosts pictures, books and a museum about Gandhi’s life and activities.
Address: Laburnum Road, Papanas Wadi, Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007
Timings: All days of the week: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Library is closed on the second and fourth Saturday
ALSO SEE
Our Mumbai travel guide
How to reach Mumbai
4. Kirti Mandir, Porbandar
Photograph courtesy: Pavan Gupta/Creative Commons
Mahatma Gandhi was born in a three-storey haveli in Porbandar where his father, uncle and grandfather had been prime ministers to the Jethwa Rajput rulers.
This haveli has now been renamed Kirti Mandir and converted into a museum exhibiting historic photographs, some of Gandhi’s possessions and several books by or on him.
Address: Kasturba Road, Opposite Zaveri, Porbandar
Timings: 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm
ALSO SEE
Our Porbandar travel guide
How to reach Porbandar
5. Aga Khan Palace, Pune
Photograph courtesy: Ramnath Bhat/Creative Commons
Aga Khan palace in Pune found its way into history books when Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, and Gandhi’s secretary Mahadev Desai were imprisoned following 1942’s Quit India campaign.
This is also where Kasturba and Mahadevbhai died.
Today, the palace houses the Gandhi National Memorial with photos and paintings exhibiting Gandhi’s life.
It is situated merely 2 km away from Bund Garden in Yerwada on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road.
Address: Pune Nagar Rd, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014
Timings: 9 am to 5.30 pm
Fees: Rs 5 for Indian adults, Rs 2 for children, Rs 100 for foreign nationals
ALSO SEE
Our Pune travel guide
How to reach Pune
6. Gandhi memorial museum, Madurai
Photograph courtesy: Sujith/Creative Commons
Built in 1959, the Gandhi memorial museum is one of several memorials built for Mahatma Gandhi after his assassination in 1948
It is one of the few Gandhi sangrahalayas (museums) in the country and includes a part of the blood-stained garment worn by Gandhi when he was assassinated.
Timings: 10 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 5.45 pm
Address: Tallakulam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020
ALSO SEE
Our Madurai travel guide
How to reach Madurai
7. Gandhi Smriti or Birla Bhavan, New Delhi
Photograph courtesy: Paul Simpson/Creative Commons
Formerly known as Birla House, the Gandhi Smriti is a museum dedicated to Gandhi located on Tees January Road (formerly Albuquerque Road) in New Delhi.
This is where Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life and was assassinated on January 30, 1948 (after which the road gets its name).
The museum now hosts a large collection of pictures of Gandhi, some of his personal belongings, and a series of small doll houses illustrating Gandhi’s life.
If you happen to be on the campus between 1 pm to 1.30 pm, don’t miss the multimedia show on Gandhi’s life.
Address: 5, Tees January Lane, Birla House, New Delhi
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm. Monday closed.
ALSO SEE
Our Delhi travel guide
How to reach Delhi
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