Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, Kanyakumari
Gandhi
Memorial Mandapam is located on the shores of Kanyakumari Town in Kanyakumari
District of Tamilnadu. Gandhi Memorial Mandapam has been built on the spot
where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before
immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was
designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, the first
rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept. The Gandhi
memorial is a popular tourist spot in Kanyakumari and is situated nearby to Kumari
Amman Temple. Everyone should surely
visit the Gandhi Memorial to complete the tour of Kanyakumari.
History
This is
a Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi who had visited Kanyakumari in 1925 and 1937. It
is constructed at a place on the seashore, near to Kumari Amman Temple, where
his ashes were kept for public darshan before immersion in the sea on February
12, 1948. The beautiful Gandhi Memorial completed in 1956, is situated as a
memorial to the Father of the Nation. The memorial was transferred to the
administrative control of the Public (Information and Public Relations)
Department from Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu in the year
1978.
The
Mandapam
The
structure was even built to very specific dimensions just to honor the man. The
central spire of the pink facade stands exactly 79 feet high in honor of
Gandhi’s age at his death. The Mandapam is built in Orrisa style of
architecture. The most remarkable feature however is an opening in the ceiling
of the building which is position in such a way that each October 2nd, the
anniversary of Gandhi’s birthday, the sunlight that comes through it falls on
the exact spot where his ashes sat. Mandapam’s across India honor Gandhi’s life
and works for the Indian people, but this may be the only one that has
harnessed the sun for his honor. Inside the memorial you can see many
photographs of Mahatma Gandhi taken at various times and Mahatma Gandhi with other
famous Personalities.
Timings
& Fees
Visitors
can visit on all days from morning seven to evening seven. No entry fee is
charged, except Rs.1 is collected for each pair of footwear, as footwear are
not allowed inside the Gandhi Memorial and in the premises.
Connectivity
Kanyakumari
Town is well connected to major cities by road / rail / air across India. Kanyakumari
is located at about 20 Kms from Nagercoil, 13 Kms from Suchindrum, 47 Kms from Thiruvattaru,
33 Kms from Thuckalay, 47 Kms from Marthandam, 100 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram
and 245 Kms from Madurai. Gandhi Mandapam is located about 1.4 Kms from
Kanyakumari State Transport Corporation Bus Stand. Gandhi Mandapam is located
at about 1.3 Kms from Kanyakumari Railway Station. Gandhi Mandapam is well
connected from Railway Station and Bus Stand by means of Buses, Taxis and
Autos. Gandhi Mandapam is located at about 101 Kms from Trivandrum
International Airport and 239 Kms from Madurai International Airport.
