Gandhi Mandapam

Mahatma Gandhi or in short M.K. Gandhi was a world renowned Indian leader, who spread his teachings of non-violence and truth in different countries of the world. The Gandhi Mandapam at Kanyakumari is the best example of his popularity in the country. Located in Chennai, Gandhi Mandapam is a notable series of monuments built on the memory of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This Mandapam or temple like structure is sited on the major road of Kanyakumari district called Sardar Patel Road, in Adyar, Chennai. Gandhi Mandapam is not a single temple, but is a complex which comprises the memorials of four other legends like Rajaji, Rettamalai Srinivasan, Bakthavatchalam, and Kamaraj. Among those structures the Gandhi Mandapam which is dedicated to Gandhi is known to be the most prominent one. This memorial is built in an aesthetic temple style and is the largest of the memorials in the complex. It is known to be one of the important tourist destinations in Kanyakumari. The place is important both from historical as well as architectural point of view. The place is historically significant because there is an urn inside the mandapam that contains the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi. Later a part of the ashes are immersed into the sea. This wonderful historical structure is situated very close to the Kanyakumari temple, and next to the well known Anna university at Kanyakumari. The amazing Kumari Amman Temple is very much close to this monument. It is indeed one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in this area. This beautiful temple is built in an exceptional way that allows entering the sun ray and falling accurately on the spot where the urn containing the ashes is kept. This astonishing scene can be witnessed only on October 2, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi. The architectural beauty of the Gandhi Mandapam is really unique and eye catching in the truest sense of the term. A stone made statue of Mahatma Gandhi can be seen in the Gandhi Mandapam at Kanyakumari. This is the same place where his ashes were once kept. One must not miss to visit the spot at least once if it is the first trip to Kanyakumari.