A small room where Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 and the adjoining Kirti Mandir, built years later in his honour in Porbandar , Gujarat, tell two different parts of the story of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and legacy.
Gandhi agreed to the proposal but made it clear that the memorial should not turn into a place of worship. The memorial’s design also reflects Gandhi’s lifespan. The Archaeological Survey of India looks after Gandhi’s birthplace, which has been declared a national monument. The state government maintains the memorial through the Kirti Mandir management committee.
The proposal for a memorial took shape in 1945. In keeping with this vision, 26 marble pillars stand within the Kirti Mandir compound, each carrying his thoughts. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated Kirti Mandir on May 27, 1950, Jadav said. He lived for 79 years, and the main structure of Kirti Mandir stands 79 feet tall. A total of 79 earthen lamps have been placed on its roof as a tribute to his life, the official said.
Porbandar’s Maharaja Natwarsinhji and businessman Nanji Kalidas Mehta met Gandhi, who was staying near the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, and asked for his approval to build a memorial close to his birthplace, Jadav said. “He did not want to become God and had said that there should be no incense sticks or lamps but a donation box for the welfare of Harijans (Dalits),” Jadav said. Jadav said Gandhi wanted his ideas to reach more people.
On the occasion of Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday paid floral tributes at Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, and an all-religion prayer meeting was also held at the memorial.
