Keeping Alive the Memory of Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known affectionately as Bapu was born in the town of Porbandar in the state of Gujarat on October 2nd, 1868
By employing non-violent methods of resistance, Mahatma Gandhi led successful campaigns for India’s independence against the British Colonial government, which to this day inspires civil rights movements around the world
Gandhi emphasized the importance of truth in his principle of Ahimsa and his commitment to it is in sync with the cultural ideals of the Indian subcontinent. By treating all living beings and creations of nature with great respect and humility he attempted to eradicate his own shortcomings on his path to self-transformation.
This Gandhi Jayanthi, we bring you some of the locations that keep the memory of Mahatma Gandhi alive.
Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti
Image Source: justdial.com
Originally a house of Indian business tycoons, Gandhi Smriti was formerly known as Birla House, and is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It is where he spent his last days before being assassinated on 30 January 1948. At the moment, Gandhi Smriti is also host to the Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum, which was established in 2005.
Darshan Samiti is situated close to the Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat on 36 acres of land. The four pavilions, a film auditorium, conference facilities for national and international camps offer a valuable insight into not only the life of Mahatma Gandhi but also certain cultural practices that were prevalent during the British era.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya
Image Source: lbb.in
Mani Bhavan was Gandhi’s Mumbai headquarters from which iconic national movements like the Non-Cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movements were initiated. The famous photo of Gandhiji spinning the chakra was taken at this location during one of his stays at Mani Bhavan.
Sevagram Ashram
Image Source: wardha.gov.in
Sevagram, located near Nagpur, was Gandhiji’s secondary headquarters from 1934 to 1940. In order to drive home his message of simplicity and self-sufficiency, he lived as the villagers did, without any electricity and made do with what was available locally including the hut he built for himself and his wife Kasthurba.
Aga Khan Palace
This palace was built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Agakhan III, a well-renowned figure in the field of politics and sports. Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba along with his secretary Mahadevbhai Desai were interned here after the launch of the Quit India Movement, a nationwide movement that would eventually force the British withdrawal from the Indian subcontinent.
Sabarmati Ashram
The Sabarmati Ashram is located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on the banks of the River Sabarmati.
This was one of the residences that Gandhiji lived in when he was not busy traveling the length and breadth of the country or when he was not being arrested by the British.
The Bhagavad Gita was recited here daily, as part of the Ashram schedule, a schedule revised and created by Gandhiji during his early days here.
Porbandar
Image Source: gujarattourism.com
Located in Saurashtra, Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi is a picturesque seaport on the Arabian Sea.
The prime attraction is the Kirti Mandir, the ancestral house of Gandhiji where Putlibai, Gandhiji’s mother, had given birth to Gandhi, with the exact location being marked with a ‘swastik’. Visitors can have a glance into Gandhiji’s reading room by climbing a narrow wooden staircase which leads the visitor to the upper storey.
Dandi Village
Image Source: gujarattourism.com
Dandi is a village along the shores of the Arabian Sea and famous as the epicenter of the salt satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi.
One of the places in the village is the Saifee Villa, which was constructed in 1961 and served as the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. A museum and library are located in the villa that displays various artifacts and pictures belonging to Gandhiji.
It is said that those who have passed on from this alive will live on in our memories. These iconic locations ensure that the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation and the Hero of the Indian Subcontinent will never die.
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