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A Memoir Of Mahatma Gandhi
History
Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnam Road in a quiet and shady lane with leafy trees on both sides of the road. The building was under the ownership of Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri and prior to him, it was owned by the Mani family who were the friends and the host of Mahatma Gandhi while he stayed in Mumbai. In 1955, it came under the administration of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
Focal Point Of Gandhiji's Politics
Mani Bhavan was the focal point of the political activities of Mahatma Gandhi during the years 1917 and 1934. This building had witnessed the four-day fast conducted by Mahatma Gandhi back in 1921, to restore peace in Mumbai. It was in Mani Bhavan that Gandhiji started his association with 'charkha' or spinning wheel. The initiations of noted agitations like the Civil Disobedience, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movements took place in this historical building.
Home Of Gandhian Thought
Mani Bhavan has been turned into a memorial, where common people and old Gandhians visit and pay homage to 'Father of Nation', Mahatma Gandhi. It also houses a Research Institute of Gandhian thought and Rural Development for post graduate students. This two-storeyed building houses a research library with 20,000 books, periodicals and recording archive on Mahatma Gandhi and the associated subjects, which are available for reference as well as for borrowing.
Major Attractions
On the first floor of the building, there is an auditorium which displays films on Gandhiji and plays the recordings of his speeches. This space is also used for conducting seminars, discussions and competitions for schools and colleges. The room in the second floor of the building, which was used by Mahatma Gandhi as his living room and working space, have been maintained in the same way it was when Gandhiji visited the place. Adjacent to this room, there is another room that displays Gandhiji's political life and the freedom struggle of India through small figures made and arranged by Smt Sushila Patel. The neighbouring rooms have picture galleries which include photographs, posters, slogans, and other items like the Gandhiji's Charkha (spinning wheel). On the terrace of the building, there is a bronze inscription indicating that Gandhiji was arrested on this spot on January 1932. It is said that Gandhiji used to chant his prayers and sleep on this terrace. You also get to buy Gandhi postage stamps, Gandhian literature, photographs, statues, and medallions at the sales counter near the entrance hall.
Mani Bhavan, the memoir of Mahatma Gandhi takes us back to the political struggles and agitations led by Mahatma Gandhi, which culminated in the independence of India. Hope this article familiarises you with this great monument.