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 Mani
Bhavan, located in Mumbai (Maharashtra State) is one of the most
important Gandhi Memorial Museums in the country. A one-time residence
of the Father of the Nation, it now stands as a source of inspiration
for freedom and peace loving men and women from all over the world.
Mahatma Gandhi lived in this quaint Gujarati-style house from 1917 to
1934. This was also the place where he, in November of 1921, did a 4-day
fast in order to restore peace to the city.
This quiet three-story home now preserves the spirit of the man who
selflessly put his nation before
 himself.
There's a library of Gandhi-related works, as well as displays of
photographs, posters, slogans, and other items that document and explain
Gandhi's legendary life; dioramas depicting major events and turning
points in his fight for the nation's freedom draw particular attention
to his devotion to the poor.
The library on the ground floor houses about 50,000 books by and on
Gandhi and related subjects, in the reference and lending sections.
On the first floor is the auditorium where films on Gandhiji are shown
from time to time and recordings of his speeches are played on request.
There is space for holding meetings, seminars, discussions and various
competitions for school and college students arranged by the Gandhi
Study Circle.
You can see Gandhi's old charkha (spinning wheel), which in many ways
symbolized the struggle for independence, and which now appears on the
Indian flag. A visit to this tranquil spot makes a welcome change from
the continuous hubbub of life in Mumbai -- go up to the roof to really
appreciate the relative stillness of the surrounding Parsi neighborhood.
It will be noted that it was in Mumbai where Gandhi, after one of his
many arrests, spent time and learned to spin and drink goat’s milk. This
was also where he initiated strikes against English laws, started one of
his many newspapers and worked as a social worker.
Most of the rooms, including the one used as Gandhi as his living room
and working space, have been preserved as best as possible as they
looked when Gandhi was still alive.
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