Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai – Discovering the Mahatma
Top Highlights of Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai
Address: Tamukkam Palace, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020
Opening time: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm to 5.45 pm
Time required: 2 hours
Special attraction: Exhibits like letters and memorabilia belonging to Mahatma Gandhi
Entry Fee: INR 50
Best time to visit: August and October
How to reach: Auto rickshaws or cabs can be hired from the main city center to visit the museum.
Gandhi Memorial Museum
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The Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai is one of these several monuments that showcases the history that belongs to India’s colonization and its freedom. Dedicated to an important national figure, Mahatma Gandhi, the museum is a treasure trove of information regarding this legendary leader. According to several historians, Madurai played an important role in the life of this important personality. Gandhi entered the temple with a Harijan (an untouchable who was barred from entering the temples and other religious places, a class divide prevalent in the Indian societies).
Gandhi Memorial Museum holds a high historical significance by offering a peep into the life of Mahatma Gandhi, educating the visitors regarding this legendary leader. This write-up is aimed at educating the readers regarding this iconic leader and this institution.
Introduction to Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai
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Apart from museum tours, here the visitors can partake in different classes like yoga and meditation sessions, Hindi and Sanskrit teaching programs, and other things. People researching on this iconic leader can find some interesting materials relating to Mahatma and his ideologies.
History of Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai
Close to the Madurai Government Museum, the given memorial museum housed in the iconic Tamukkam Palace of the Nayaka Empire. Built-in the royal residence of Rani Mangammal of the Nayak Dynasty, the palace is spread in the area of 13 acres and was built in the late 17th century. The stunning architecture of the palace and the surrounding landscape makes this destination quite fascinating.During the reign of the British Empire over India, the palace was officially the residence of British District Collector for the region. After 1947, the palace was gifted to the All India Gandhi Smarak Nidhi by the state government of Tamil Nadu for building a museum in the honor of the national leader.
Architecture of Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai
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As the visitors, walk into the museum complex they come across a small hut, called Gandhi Kutir. The hut is a life-size replica of the Mahatma Gandhi’s original hut in Sevagram. The palace has an open-air theatre, which is used for various cultural programs and events. One of the latest additions to the palace is the library wing, containing several books on the national leader.
Important Collections at Gandhi Memorial Museum
The museum contains artifacts relating to Mahatma Gandhi, arranged in chronological order. The museum is divided into three sections – Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi, India Fights for Freedom, and Relics and Replicas associated with Mahatma Gandhi.The Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi consists of 124 photos of the national leader, neatly arranged chronologically. The pictures, sculptures, and paintings relating to the Mahatma adorn the walls of the gallery. Apart from that, Photostat letters and quotations by Gandhi Ji are also found here. These exhibits help the visitors in understanding the great man better.
The next section, India Fights for Freedom section contains 265 illustrations in 30 panels showcasing important events in India’s freedom struggle. Housed in the durbar hall of the Tamukkam Palace, in this section, some of the important panels are The Sikh and the Maratha Resistance-1775, The Coming of the White Man-1498, On the Eve of Independence-1945, and The challenge from Tamil Nadu-1795.
The Relics and Replicas section of the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai is one of the most interesting of the three. The close to 100 exhibits includes the letter written to Adolf Hitler by Mahatma Gandhi addressing him as ‘my dear friend’. Another important replica is the blood-stained dhoti worn by Gandhi on his assassination day. These artifacts are precious and make this museum a treasure trove of information.
Some Events Celebrated at the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai
Important National holidays like Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated elaborately. Apart from that, a special five-day event honoring the birthday of this national leader is also celebrated here.What Next?
After an interesting tour of the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai, you can visit:• Madurai Government Museum
• Goripalayam Dargah
• Sri Agathiyar Nadi Jothida Nilayam
• Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
• ISCKON temple
• Koodal Azhagar Temple
• St. Mary’s Cathedral Church
Madurai is an important destination, holding historical and cultural significance. The city inspired Mahatma Gandhi to promote the nationalist movement and helped him a taking India on the road to freedom. If you are interested in knowing about this great leader, then this museum is the perfect place.