Kamarajar Mani Mandapam, Kanyakumari
Kamarajar
Mani Mandapam is located next to Gandhi Mandapam in Kanyakumari Town in
Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Kamarajar Mani Mandapam was raised and
dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu,
President of Indian National Congress, Mr. Kamarajar. He's also popularly known
as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mandapam, this place is where
Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into
the sea. Visitors to Kanyakumari should not miss this Memorial and pay
obeisance to Kamarajar.
History
Kumarasmi
Kamaraj, known as K. Kamaraj was born on 15th July 1903. He was popularly known
as “Black Gandhi” “Perunthalaivar Kamaraj” etc.
He involved in the Indian Independence Movement, was the President of the
Indian National Congress from 1964 to 1967, and was the Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu for Three times from 1954 to 1963. He was the First Chief Minister of any
state in India to introduce free midday Meal Scheme in Schools. Presently, this
scheme has been implemented in many states like Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
etc. He also introduced free education to school children. Due to his efforts,
the education rate was increased from 7% to 37%. During the 1960s, he was
widely acclaimed as the “King Maker”.
On 2nd October
1975 Shri. Kamaraj passed away at his home at the age of 72. In 1976,
posthumously he was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. After
his death, his ashes were kept at Kanyakumari sea shore for the public to pay
homage before being immersed in the sea. The memorial was constructed on the
same place were his ashes were kept before immersion in the sea. On 19.04.1998,
the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu declared that a Memorial would be
constructed to honour Shri. Kamaraj, for his services to the people of Tamil
Nadu. The Kamaraj Memorial was built at a cost of Rs. 50 Lakhs. The Memorial
was dedicated to the nation by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on
2nd October 2000.
The
Memorial
Kamarajar
Manimandapam is located nearby Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. The monument is built
on the same site where his ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before
immersion. The Kamaraj memorial displays rare collection of photographs
depicting the important events and the life history of Shri. Kamaraj. The
memorial is associated with a library with numerous collections of books. It
also consists of a painting and several photographs of Kamarajar. The
photographs Portrays his life history vividly. There are many rare photographs
which had been clicked during his meetings with eminent leaders of the world.
Visiting
Hours
There is
no entry fee to visit the memorial. The best time to visit the premises is from
7 AM to 7 PM, open on all days.
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. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located about 1.4 Kms from
Kanyakumari State Transport Corporation Bus Stand. Kamarajar Manimandapam is
located at about 1.3 Kms from Kanyakumari Railway Station. Kamarajar
Manimandapam is well connected from Railway Station and Bus Stand by means of
Buses, Taxis and Autos. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located at about 101 Kms from
Trivandrum International Airport and 239 Kms from Madurai International
Airport.
