GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM MADURAI

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GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM MADURAI:



The museum itself presents a very comprehensive account of the times and life of Gandhiji and his battle against the British for India's freedom. The collections at the museum are divided into three main galleries namely, 'India Fights for Freedom', 'Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi' and 'Relics and Replicas'.

HISTORY OF GANDHI MUSEUM:



Years after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, in 1948 an appeal was made to the citizens of India nationwide to build memorials for him. With the help of contributions from poor and rich citizens of India, a trust was established for this cause, the Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Trust. This museum was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 April 1959. Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai comes under the Peace Museums Worldwide selected by the United Nations Organisation (UNO). The palace of Rani Mangammal was renovated and converted into the museum.


The building that houses the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai is the historic Tamukkam Palace belonging to Rani Mangammal of Nayak Dynasty built about 1670 A.D. It was in 1955 the palace with about 13 acres of land was gifted by the Tamil Nadu State Government to the All India Gandhi Smarak Nidhi for the purpose of housing Gandhi Memorial Museum. The Museum was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 April 1959.


The museum has an original letter written personally by Gandhiji to Narayanan Satsangi of Devakottai. A congratulatory message sent by Gandhiji to freedom fighter and poet Subramania Bharati is also preserved in this museum. Another interesting letter is the one written by the Mahatma gandhi to Adolf Hitler addressing him as "Dear Friend".


 A special exhibition on "India Fights for Freedom" with 265 illustrations depicts the history of the Freedom Movement.


this memorial of Gandhi contains a "Visual Biography of Bapuji" containing photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, quotations and selected copies of his letters and renderings. This section contains 124 rare photographs depicting various phases of Gandhi from his childhood days until being taken to the crematorium. The pictures displayed here are carefully selected making viewers remember the importance of a national leader, who lived his life as an example to all.


This section contains 14 original artifacts used by Gandhi. There is a blood stained cloth used by Gandhi on the day of his assassination, although it is also said that this is only a replica and not the original. It is conserved inside a vacuum glass box, making viewers remember the importance of that day in the history of India.
Among the exhibits at the Museum is part of the blood-stained garment worn by Gandhiji when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.


This 17th century palace of the Madurai Nayakkan Kings and Queens.
It also has on display a piece of the garment that the Mahatma wore when he was killed. Not many people know that Gandhi as young lawyer shed his dapper Western clothes for his trademark Khadhar garment that he wore for the rest of his life right here in Madurai. 


The building itself is interesting in that it was built around 1670as a summer palace for the Nayakkan royal family. Rani Mangammal, the powerful Nayakkan Queen lived here when she was in Madurai.


 It is now one of the five Gandhi Museums in the country.There is a blood stained cloth used by Gandhi on the day of his assassination. It is conserved inside a vacuum glass box, making viewers remember the importance of that day in the history of India.


This section also contains numerous photographs depicting various phases of Gandhi’s life from his childhood to his cremation.
Relics and Replicas


To the south of the building is a big open-air theatre with 8,000 people capacity, where cultural programmes, weekly film shows and public meetings on special occasions are held.


In front of the main building, there is "Gandhi Kutir" , a replica of Gandhiji's hut in Sevagram.


The northern wing of this building, houses the Library, which contains books on the cultural background of India, on and by Gandhiji and allied literature. A research section is also functioning, books on Gandhian philosophy are published.
There are many utilities of Gandhiji like his pen, cloth, cup, dhotis, bowl, wooden spoon, wooden slipper.There is a library which can be used by local people and also a book shop. Library gives you the old age arouma It's a great place which supplies peace for our souls. They maintain cleanliness and discipline inside the campus. I'd suggest you especially overseas people to visit often.


Those interested in the freedom struggle, though, will be interested in the extensive library housed here. The portrayal of freedom struggle is very inspiring and Indian tourists particularly students should consider visiting this place. Tamil speakers and long-term visitors may be interested in the classes and workshops offered in subjects as diverse as t'ai chi and local herbs. There is also a khadi bhavan (store selling village and handloom products) and bookstore, with (mostly Tamil) books on spiritual and natural health topics. Also located on the campus of the museum is a government museum (across from the library). free.


. It's open all the days just remember the timings 9am-5:30pm. On the walls you can see how the Englishman came to India conquered it and how we got freedom again, the full story is depicted. And there is one hall for Gandhiji. All his belongings like the dhoti he wore in his last day, his writings etc are preserved. Nice place to visit.


 it is now one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas (Gandhi Museums) in the country.


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