Gandhi Smriti New Delhi: A Museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi

The Mahatma Gandhi has spent last 144 days of his life here. Originally called Birla House or Birla Bhavan now this historic place is a Museum dedicated to the Father of the Nation “MK Gandhi”. Respect!

Your knowledge of India is half empty if you do not know the Mahatma Gandhi. The Birla House in New Delhi now called Gandhi Smriti serves you Glimpses from the Life & Style of Gandhi. The museum serves the purpose to educate youths and everyone on the ideals of Bapu (the Gandhiji) and hence organize various symposia, workshop, interactions and exhibitions throughout the year. The rooms where Gandhiji lived during last 144 days of his life are now preserved. Gandhiji was shot here at the ground during evening prayer; at the spot now stands Martyr's column.

The Birla house is happening place throughout the year. Besides programs around Gandhiji's life, programs for the education of women, children, and disabled youths are also held time to time. Some of the important programs of which you must like to be a part are:

October 2: Gandhi Jayanti
January 30: Martyrdom Day
March 12 - April 6: Commemorating Gandhiji's Dandi March

On these dates, distinguished guests, politicians, social reformers and other noted personalities visits the Gandhi Smriti to pay respect to The Father of Nation.

Travel Tips

The Gandhi Smriti Museum is closed on every Monday. Adjust your travel schedules accordingly. New Delhi is the best place to visit during winter months i.e. from October to March. December and January are chilling winter months when the mercury dips to lowest but days are sunny and warm. If you want to save on money visit during summer months and enjoy some budget stay in Hotels.

How to Reach

The India Capital New Delhi is well connected to all major cities of the world through Airways. The India Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) receives travelers day and night from all parts of the world. You can take a flight to New Delhi from any major city in the world.

Domestic flights operate from Palam Airport, New Delhi

India has the well-connected railway network. The capital New Delhi is well connected via railways. The major Railway Stations in New Delhi are Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and Anand Vihar Railway Station.

If you are taking a bus ride from some Indian city, you will get to alight at one the following Inter State Bus Terminus in Delhi: Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmere Gate, Delhi; Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar, Delhi; Vir Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi. Buses operate between New Delhi to major cities of all neighboring Indian States.

Once you reach to a New Delhi Airport, Railway Station or Bus Terminus, from there onwards take a Taxi, or Auto Rickshaw to reach to Birla House / Birla Bhavan. Pre-Paid Auto booths function 24 hours.

Gandhi Smriti is located some 1.5 Km away from the heart of New Delhi; Connaught Place also called CP. The nearest Metro Station is Rajeev Chowk. You can come to Rajeev Chowk in a metro rail and can hire an auto rickshaw or taxi to reach to Gandhi Smriti.

Activities

Learn from the life of Gandhiji at Birla House. The museum displays a large collection of photographs, some personal items of Bapu and a series of small dolls houses and terracotta dolls illustrating Gandhiji's' life. The multimedia show played between 1pm to 1.30 pm is a major crowd puller. It will take approximately 3 hours to see in and around the Birla House. Next, you can go to Connaught Place (CP), the heart of Delhi, enjoy Indian cuisines, relax in the Central Park and watch a movie at PVR Plaza. Both these places at CP are my favorite hangouts in Delhi.

Connaught Place has some best restaurants and bars in Delhi; here you can find cuisines from a different part of India as well as the world like Thai, Italian, South Indian, Mughlai etc. The underground Palika Bazaar (Palika Market) is situated between the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place. It's widely popular for fashion wears and electronic products. If you are looking for some budget shopping for clothes and accessories you can go to Janpath Market some 5 minutes walk from Palika Bazaar. Janpath Market is famous for casuals and accessories.

Timings & Season

The Gandhi Smriti is open for public 10 AM to 5PM. Monday is Holiday. Tourists can visit throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Delhi is from October to March i.e, in winter months. Nights are cold and days are part cloudy part bright, especially during December / January months. You can enjoy Sunbathing in a Delhi Public Park for free.

History

The Gandhi Smriti previously known as Birla Bhavan is a museum situated at Tees January Road in New Delhi. It's dedicated to the Father of the Nation, the Mahatma Gandhi. The palace built by Ghanshyamdas Birla in 1928 is a major tourist attraction and place of historic importance.

Gandhiji lived here from 9 September 1947 to 30 January 1948. In 1971, the Government of India purchased the house from KK Birla for Rs 5.4 million and converted it into the museum. The house opened for public on 15 August 1973.

In September 1984, the Gandhi Smriti merged with Gandhi Darshan at Rajghat to form Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti (GSDS). The other campus Gandhi Darshan is situated in the close proximity of Rajghat, the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. Its other name is International Centre for Gandhian Studies and Research (ICGSR). At present, the ICGSR provides a comprehensive exhibition on Gandhi, conference halls, camping facilities for major national and international meets, a library, children's corner, photo unit and a publications division. The Samiti also publishes a journal, titled Anasakti Darshan.