Introduction

This quaint museum dedicated to the ‘Father of the Nation’ M.K Gandhi, is housed in the old palace of Nayak queen Rani Mangammal known as Tamukkam Bungalow – a unique building with a high roof supported by columns without walls. Before writing about the spirit of the museum, it is worth a few lines on the Tamukkam bungalow, meaning summer house. Interestingly, the living room of the bungalow is built atop a square mound of earth about 5-meter-high (17 feet) with a beautiful masonry dome of about 7 meters (23 feet) diameter. The structure, a specimen of Dravidian architecture is touted as having been built by the Nayak queen Rani Mangammal, corroborated by a letter addressed to her in 1700 AD. Subsequently, after Gandhiji’s demise in 1948 funds were raised from the rich and poor of the society to erect a suitable memorial to him.

Gandhi Museum highlights India’s struggle for freedom, and contains a photo gallery of the Gandhian movement, a gallery of relics, a separate section for Khadi and village industries which Gandhiji revived, and a South Indian handicraft section. In this section you will come across an impressive range of artwork donated by the states of Tamil Nadu, Mysore, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. While panning through the exhibits of the museum you will feel a sense of nostalgia, especially the picture gallery which is like a visual biography of Gandhiji, and his efforts to free the country from British rule. Gandhiji’s photographs, quotations and paintings are also displayed here, not to mention a few of his letters in their photocopied state.

At the ‘Hall of Relics’, there is a display of some of Gandhiji’s personal belongings, of them some are original while the other a replica. The museum also features an open-air theatre that can accommodate about 8000 people. Public meetings, weekly film shows and cultural programs are hosted in this theatre pretty regularly. Don’t miss out the rustic ‘Gandhi Kutir’, a replica of Gandhiji’s hut in Sevagram. If you have some more time at hand, explore the large library that houses among others books by Gandhiji.

Special Attributes

Gandhi Museum brings alive the spirit of the Indian freedom movement.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress appropriately, avoid wearing short or revealing clothes.

Connectivity

You can take a bus or hire a private taxi from the city centre to Gandhi Museum.

Enjoyed by

Backpackers, Families, especially history lovers

Exposure

You will be indoors. But if you are taking up the journey at noon, you will be under a hot sun.

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

The place has an open-air theatre for cultural shows and film screening, in addition to a large library.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

Maintain absolute silence inside the museum, turn your phone to silent mode, and refrain from touching anything on display.

Type of site

Museum