Gandhi museum
About Gandhi museum
Far From City: 2 kms from city center
Cost:
About Gandhi museum
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Time Required:1-2 hrs
Open Time:10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 5:45 PM (Closed on Friday)
Cost:No entry fee,Camera: INR 50
History of Gandhi Museum
The Tamukkam Palace building is 348 years old. The name which literally translates to summer palace in Tamil was built in 1670 as a summer house for Rani Mangammal, the queen regent of the Nayak dynasty for fifteen years from 1689 to 1704. It has also served as the official residence of the British District Collector's office other than being under occupation by the Nawabs of Carnatic and the East India Company during the colonial rule.
India's temple city and father of the nation have a long-standing significant history with one another. Mahatma Gandhi is said to have first visited Madurai on March 26, 1919 in order to enroll volunteers for Satyagraha against the infamous Rowlatt Act of 1919. It was here in 1921 that Gandhiji first adopted the loin cloth style of dressing in order to identify himself with the common man and repudiated his traditional Gujrati attire to earn the sobriquet 'half naked fakir'.
He frequented Madurai a couple more times, but his final visit was when he crusaded against the abominable practice of untouchability, and the gates of the famous Meenakshi Temple were opened for the likes of Harijans (untouchables). He visited the temple in 1946 along with Harijans as a victory against the inhumane practice. The land here oozes with the flavorsome history dating back three hundred plus years.
Things To See at Gandhi Museum
The story of the Indian freedom struggle with Mahatma Gandhi's significant role in it is portrayed in a very articulate manner with audio-visual depictions and unique memorabilia. Perhaps, the most fascinating of all souvenirs housed here would be Gandhiji's letter to Adolf Hitler just before the onset of World War II, where he refers to him as a 'Dear friend'!
The museum gallery includes:
1. India's Fight For Freedom -265 illustrations of India's independence movement.
2. Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi - Paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, etc. of Bapuji and 124 rare photographs showing different phases of his life, right from his childhood days until being taken to the crematorium for the last rites.
3. Relics and Replicas - Hundred plus artefacts used by Mahatma Gandhi.
There is also a Khadi and Village Industries section of the museum where you can see handloom products and showpieces of spinning wheels. The library is a haven for history enthusiasts as it contains more than twenty thousand letters and sixty-two reels of microfilms along with brilliantly knowledgeable books. Adjacent to the main building, to the south, a replica of Gandhiji's hut in Sevagram, Bapu Kutir is present here.
Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations at Gandhi Museum
In the joyous occasion of Gandhiji's birthday on the 2nd October, special programs are arranged by the staff of Gandhi Memorial Museum. The space is decorated, and spinning activities are done by the staff in the Bapu Kutir. In the evening a small prayer with a program is held where the general public can involve themselves.
Prominent artists, singers, speakers deliver their talents in a 5-day program held here on the theme of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideologies. This has become a star attraction and attract thousands of people from every walk of life. The celebration and flag hoisting for Independence Day is done here on 15th August.
How to Reach Gandhi museum
Gandhi Memorial Museum is located centrally in Madurai and can be reached easily via Gandhi Museum Road that runs through the well-known Rajaji Park. The central bus stand is just 3 kilometres away on Melur Road. The Madurai railway station is at a distance of 4.5 kilometres from Gandhi Museum.
Reaching your destination should not be a problem once you set foot in Madurai as the museum and its surroundings are important landmarks!
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Tips
1. Take your time to explore the museum as they host meetings, seminars, exhibitions, summer camps, group discussions and classes on Yogasana and Naturopathy every now and then.2. Souvenirs and collectables such as books can be bought here at the museum.3. Locker facility is available at the museum to store your belongings.4. Guides are available for a tour of the museum.
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