On The Trail Of The Mahatma

Kirti Mandir, Porbandar, Gujarat

On October 2, 1859, a son was born to Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, the Diwan of Porbandar state and his wife Putlibai. Named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, he went on to become one of the world&rsquos greatest leaders, a moving force in India&rsquos struggle for independence, and the Father of the Nation. A memorial called Kirti Mandir (gujarattourism.com ) has been built adjacent to the three-storeyed house in Porbander, where Gandhi was born the latter still preserves some of its old looks. Open from&nbsp7.30am to 7pm everyday, the museum contains artefacts used by him, old photographs and books.

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Home to Gandhi from 1917 and 1930, the Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was established by Gandhi after his return from South Africa. He chose this spot on the bank of the Sabarmati River as he wanted to experiment with a life of farming, animal husbandry and weaving. It was from here in March 12, 1930, that he launched the Dandi March to protest against the British Salt Law in India. The cottage where Gandhi lived, Hriday Kunj (gandhiashramsabarmati.org), tops the list of attractions within the complex. The Charles Correa-designed museum contains three galleries&mdashthe Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery, the Painting Gallery and the My Life is My Message Gallery&mdashand houses the Ashram&rsquos library. The Museum is open daily from&nbsp8.30am to 6.30pm. There&rsquos no admission fee. 

Mani Bhavan, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Between 1917 and 1934, Gandhi would often reside at his friend Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri&rsquos house, Mani Bhavan (gandhi-manibhavan.org), located in the Gamdevi neighbourhood of Mumbai. The house has been a witness to many important chapters in Gandhian history, including his Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. The house was converted to a museum in 1955. On the second floor, the room where Gandhi lived and worked, is preserved in its original setting. Adjoining this room is an exhibition depicting Gandhi&rsquos life through miniature figures. The library contains a huge collection of books on Gandhi. The museum is open to all from&nbsp9.30am to 6pm. 

 Magan Sangrahalaya, Wardha, Maharashtra

&nbspAfter he left the Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi settled in Maganwadi in Wardha, about 600km from Mumbai. It was here in 1938 that Gandhi founded the Magan Sangrahalaya (gandhifootprints.org ). Named after his then deceased friend and associate Maganlal Gandhi, a museum with rural technology as the theme. But he warned that he did not want that the museum be considered as &ldquoa window dressing for toys but a living book of self-education.&rdquo The Mahatma Gandhi wing contains memorabilia related to the great man while the Gandhi Chitra Pradarshani is a visual treat. Other wings in the complex include the Khadi and village industries wing, a rural technology wing, an organic food and health care wing and others.

Aga Khan Palace, Pune, Maharashtra

Tucked inside Pune&rsquos Yerwada neighbourhood, the once grand Aga Khan Palace is associated with Mahatma Gandhi for many reasons. Today it has been designated a Monument of National Importance and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. During the Quit India movement, Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi were kept here under house arrest along with other leaders. Kasturba Gandhi, who breathed her last here, has been memorialised through a monument built by Charles Correa. The rooms used by Gandhi and Kasturba have been turned into museum galleries containing their personal belonging as well as paintings and photographs. Entry charges apply.

Rajghat, New Delhi

One of the must-visit places in Delhi is Rajghat, a black platform with an eternal flame marking the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. You have to remove your footwear if you want to enter the spot. Located just opposite is the National Gandhi Museum (gandhimuseum.org) that contains a huge collection of original artefacts, books, journals and documents, photographs, audio-visual materials, exhibitions, art pieces and other memorabilia connected with Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba. The museum remains open from&nbsp9.30am to 5.30pm&nbspon all days except Mondays. There are no entry or photography charges.

Gandhi Smriti Sangrahalaya, Barrackpore, West Bengal

One of the best places to learn about Mahatma Gandhi through his photographs and letters is the Gandhi Smriti Sangrahalaya (gandhimuseum.in ) in Barrackpore, about 25km north of Kolkata. Spread across the five galleries of this biographical museum are artefacts used by Gandhi, a huge collection of photographs, including some rare negatives, letters as well as sculptures and murals executed by notable artists. The Bengal Gallery and the Orissa and Noakhali Gallery depict Gandhi&rsquos close relations with undivided Bengal and the eastern region. The museum is open from&nbsp11am to 5pm&nbspon all days except&nbspWednesday and there&rsquos no entry fee. Spend some time here and then visit the landscaped Gandhi Ghat on the bank of the Ganga for great sunset views. There is a memorial to mark the spot where Gandhi&rsquos ashes were immersed in the river. Photography is strictly prohibited at Gandhi Ghat. 

Tamukkam Palace, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Housed in the renovated 17th century Tamukkam Palace that belongs to Rani Mangammal of the Nayak dynasty, the Gandhi Memorial Museum (gandhimmm.org) contains a gory reminder of the great man&rsquos assassination&mdasha piece of the blood stained garment he was wearing when he was shot dead by Nathuram Godse. Other exhibits include letters written by Gandhi to various people (including one to Adolf Hitler), a visual biography of Gandhi as well as a philatelic gallery.  

Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Patna, Bihar

The Gandhi Sangrahalaya (gandhisangrahalayapatna.org ) in Patna has developed through the years, and now contains a picture gallery, statues, memorials, alibrary and a Gandhi Sahitya Kendra. Entrance to the museum is free. 

Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi
Situated on Tees January Road, this place was formerly known as Birla House or Birla Bhavan.&nbspIt is a museum dedicated to Gandhi. This is where he spent the last 144 days of his life, before he was assassinated on 30 January, 1948. 

Due to the pandemic, several restrictions are in place (and they may also change) in different states. Do check that the places are open before visiting.