Sunday 16 November 2014

Gandhi Memorial of Kanyakumari

Mahatma Gandhi is a highly revered Political Leader and Statesman of India and also of the world, who spearheaded the Movement for Independence of India. It was due to his painstaking efforts that India attained freedom from her colonial masters, namely, Great Britian. It is an irony of fate immediately after India became Independent Indians assassinated him as if he was required to live only till Independence and afterwards they had no need for him. The relevant dates are India became free on 15 August 1947 and Gandhi has been shot dead on 30h January 1948. 
Immediately after the burial ashes of the burnt body of Gandhi were divided into various divisions and sent to various places of India to be scattered over the waters of river, seas, etc. Accordingly on 12th February 1948 burnt ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were brought to Kanyakumari and kept in a pot in shore of Kanyakumari so as to enable people to pay their last respects to their departed leader before immersion in sea. After people of Kanyakumari and others paid their last respects to the departed leader part of the ashes were immersed in sea. In commemoration of this eventful event a wonderful monument, Gandhi Memorial or Gandhi Mandapam has been constructed at the same venue where his ashes had been kept for public view. 
It is a Pink Architectural Building constructed very close to Kanyakumari Temple. This structure has a height of 79 feet representing the age of Gandhi at the time of his death. This has been constructed by Government of India and its administrative control has been transferred to State Government of Tamil Nadu in the 1970’s. 
It was constructed on the lines of Bhubaneshwar style of architecture. A big hall has been constructed at the place where ceremonial rites were performed before immersion and particular spot where ashes were first kept is indicated by Statue of Mahatma. There has been a hole made at roof of hall in such a way that on 2nd October ,the Birthday of Gandhi, sun shines exactly on forehead of Statue to signify Emergence of Light of Independence by selfless efforts of Bapu Gandhi.
It is open to visitors and in its inside Museum you will see photos of leader. You are allowed to pay homage to your idol on all days of the year and it is a stroll away from Kanyakumari Temple.

How To Reach

By Air

The Nearest Airport, Trivandrum, 80 km

By Rail

The Nearest Railway Station is Kanyakumari. Tirunelveli is another Nearest Railway Junction, 80 km, which can be reached by road via Nagercoil, 19 km.

By Road

It is well connected to Major Towns of South India by Road.

 Copyright © 2017 by  Davis Akkara

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