System for Museums & Archives for Research and Access to Knowledge
| Place | Madurai |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1959 |
| Museum Type | Memorial / Biographical Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Collector Office Rd, Alwarpuram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM & 02:00 PM – 05:45 PM (Daily) Closed on Fridays. |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry (Camera charge: ₹50). |
Inaugurated in 1959 by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai is one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas in India. Housed in the historic Tamukkam Palace (built c. 1670 by Rani Mangammal of the Nayak dynasty), it preserves the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, particularly his historic 1921 visit to Madurai where he first adopted the khadi loincloth as his permanent attire.
The museum holds an extensive collection of photographs, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures, and personal effects related to Gandhi's life. It is categorized into sections: "India Fights for Freedom," "Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi," "Relics and Replicas," and a dedicated Philatelic Gallery.
Blood-stained Garment: A piece of the garment worn by Gandhi when he was assassinated. Rare Correspondence: Original letters, including a notable one addressed to Adolf Hitler as "Dear Friend" and a congratulatory message sent to poet Subramania Bharati. Gandhi Kutir: A replica of Gandhi’s hut in Sevagram located on the museum grounds.
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is recognized as a UN-designated Peace Museum. It features a library with over 32,000 volumes, one of the largest for Gandhian studies in South India. The campus is currently undergoing a major ₹10 crore heritage restoration project to modernize galleries with interactive digital displays. |
| Artifacts | Spinning wheels (Charkhas); Gandhi’s personal correspondence; Period photographs of the freedom struggle; Hand-spun Khadi textiles; Rare philatelic collections; Commemorative medals and stamps. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 452 253 1060 |
| Email ID | museumoffice@gmail.com |
