History of Gandhi Maidan
A rich, fruitful past surrounds the verdant green lawns that make up today's Gandhi Maidan. During the British rule and pre-independence days, the grounds were called Patna Lawns or Bankipore Maidan. The British used the extensive grounds for polo sports and also was briefly used as a golf course and horse racing track during the 1800's. Patna's landmark grounds has witnessed a considerable deal of historic rallies, including the Muslim League campaign of 1938 led by Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and Subhas Chandra Bose's Forward Bloc rally in 1939 which was dealt with a lot of hostility. Mostly used as a race course by the Elite and Europeans, it was known as Patna Lawns or Bankipore Maidan initially. It was rechristened as the Gandhi Maidan during the Bihar visit of Gandhiji at the time of Champaran Satyagraha. It was also then that the area became open to general public.
The Maidan' has served as a podium and springboard for the launch of national sermons. BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani addressed a mass gathering here during his rath yatra to Ayodhya in 1990. It was here that Jayaprakash Narayan first called out for sampoorn kranti (total revolution) against the national emergency imposed by then prime minister, Indira Gandhi.
Attended regularly by some of India's most respected and revered leaders of the independence movement such as Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Azad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, it has witnessed its share of the nation's history-altering freedom struggle campaigns during the British era, most important being the Champaran and Quit India movement of 1942.
Year-round Activities at Gandhi Maidan
In 2016, the District Administration of Patna came up with a calendar of events to be held all year round on the grounds. According to the Divisional Commissioner, a special event will be held every month. Starting with the New Year program in January, the other months are taken up in the following manner: Vasant Festival in February, the Pataliputra festival in March, Trade and Tourism fair is reserved for April, the Patna Inter-School Championship in May, the Shilpostav, an event for craft exhibition in June, the Sawan Festival in July, August is set for the Patna Film Festival, the National Drama Festival in September, the Vijaydashmi Festival in October, Sharad Utsav in November, the Fun and Food Fair and Half Marathon in December.
Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Gandhi Maidan
The tallest statue of Mahatma Gandhi was commissioned and unveiled here in Gandhi Maidan in 2013. It majestically stands over 70 feet high and is made of bronze.
Best time to visit Gandhi Maidan
Since the park grounds are open throughout the day, you can visit the Gandhi Maidan at your own respite. However, the finest time to grace the grounds with your presence would be the wee hours of the morning or the late evening hours during the sunset.
How to Reach Gandhi Maidan
Gandhi Maidan is well connected by major roads like Ashok Rajpath road, Exhibition road and Fraser road to different parts of Patna and neighbouring towns. Buses can be taken to the Mahendrughat bus stop at Ashok Rajpath which is very close by. The Patna railway line is a major railway junction is a mere 2 kilometres from the expansive grounds.
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Tips
Shoes should be removed while approaching the Gandhi statue's base.
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