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Mahatma Gandhi, the central figure of India’s struggle for freedom and fondly called the Father of Nation, enjoys great reverence in the heart of every Indian. His ancestral home and birthplace is no less than a temple for the countrymen. This is the reason that the place where he was born in October 2, 1869 is now a part of the famous Kirti Mandir (temple) Complex.
Originally purchased by Gandhi’s great grandfather in the 17th century, the three-storey building represents a haveli (mansion). The main memorial of Kirti Mandir was constructed from 1947-1950. Today, the structure is well-known for its terraces, balconies and other construction elements. A noteworthy aspect of the memorial is its height of 79 ft, which symbolizes the lifespan of Gandhi.
Another notable highlight of the place is that its construction takes inspiration from the architectural styles of 6 religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism and Parsi temple. Apart from the big oil-paintings of Gandhi and his spouse, the memorial houses a section of museum featuring khadi items and handicrafts. The prayer hall organizes prayers of different religions, honouring Gandhi’s respect for all faiths.
Connectivites
Road:
National Highway 8B directly leads to the location of this historical structure. The journey is extremely convenient in local buses, taxis, cabs, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws.
Railway:
Just about 1.5 km. from the monument is Porbandar’s railway station which is connected to many cities by regular trains. You can walk the distance or hire a cycle-rickshaw.
Airway:
In the close proximity of this tourist attraction is Porbandar Airport (about 7 km. away). Hire a cab or an auto-rickshaw from here to access the monument.