Remembering the Mahatma: 12 Historic Memorials

Step into history and discover, on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, the most famous places that celebrate the life and ideals of the Father of the Nation. 

Text and presentation: Hemantkumar Shivsharan
Pic: Kind courtesy Ccchatty12/Wikimedia Commoms

Raj Ghat, New Delhi

The spot where Gandhiji was cremated is a simple black-marble platform with the eternal flame and an inscription of his last words -- He Ram. It is the focal point for national tributes. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Pinakpani/Wikimedia Commoms

Gandhi Smriti, Birla House, New Delhi

This is the place where Gandhiji spent his final 144 days and where he was assassinated. It is now a museum with Eternal Gandhi multimedia exhibits. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Gaurav Vaidya/Wikimedia Commons

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

Gandhiji’s long-term ashram is on the banks of the Sabarmati and is from where the 1930 Dandi March was launched. Today a museum, Hridaya Kunj is his cottage with exhibits of his few belongings. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Umar and Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons

Mani Bhavan, Mumbai

Gandhiji’s Mumbai headquarters (1917–1934) is now a Gandhi sangrahalaya with preserved rooms, library, a timeline of his activities. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Jorge Láscar and Rangakuvara/Wikimedia Commons

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

This is where Gandhiji and his associates were imprisoned (1942–44). It houses the samadhis of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, who died here, and a multi-gallery Gandhi museum. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Rangan Datta/Wikimedia Commons

National Salt Satyagraha Memorial or Dandi Memorial, Dandi

At Dandi, Gujarat, is a large open memorial marking the endpoint of the Salt March with statues, narrative panels and a central statue of Gandhiji. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Snehrashmi/Wikimedia Commons

Kirti Mandir, Porbandar

There is a birthplace memorial complex in Porbandar that focuses on Gandhiji’s family and early life. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Jaydip3212/Wikimedia Commons

Gyarah Murti, New Delhi 

The 11 iconic sculpture ensemble is often associated with the Dandi March. It is installed near the President’s Estate.

Pic: Kind courtesy Nmgrandhi 1977/Wikimedia Commons

Gandhi Hill, Vijayawada

In Andhra Pradesh a hilltop memorial complex with stupas, a library and a panoramic view has been built in honour of the Mahatma and is a local memorial focal point. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Koushik/Wikimedia Commons

Gandhi Mandapam, Chennai

Tamil Nadu's local memorial complex and exhibition space dedicated to Gandhiji and his ideals. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Aravind Sivaraj/Wikimedia Commons

National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi

A major national collection, with manuscripts, portraits, photographs and core archival holdings on Gandhiji’s life and movement is located in the capital. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Shilpa Agarwal/Wikimedia Commons

Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari

It was built to honour the spot where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept before immersion into the sea in 1948. The structure is designed so that on October 2 the sun’s rays fall exactly on the spot where the urn was kept -- a unique architectural feature.

Pic: Kind courtesy Arunpnair 787/Wikimedia Commoms
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