Madhavi Mandiram, a house turned museum dedicated in memory of Gandhi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the nation celebrates 75th Independence day, Madhavi Mandiram in Neyyattinkara also have a history related to it. Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Mandiram on January 14, 1937 during his Kanyakumari visit. This is the house where Dr G Ramachandran, who was Gandhi's best friend, secretary and freedom fighter, lived.

It was here that Gandhi handed over the letter written by Ayyankali to G Ramachandran. This was followed by the historic Gandhi-Ayyankali meeting. The bed and the charka Gandhi used, and also the wedding gifts given to G Ramachandran including books,dhoti are still in the Madhavi Mandiram as historical relics.

The urn that carried Gandhi's ashes, which was immersed by Nehru in Kanyakumari, is also here.

The Madhavi Mandiram Lok Seva Trust takes are of all items during Gandhi's visit. Rabindranath Tagore introduced G Ramachandran to Gandhi. Later, he wrote and spoke on national issues for Gandhi. Ramachandran died on 17 September 1995. In 2004, his disciple and former President of India K R Narayanan announced the Madhavi Mandir as a museum.