Kirti Mandir
About The Place: Mahatma Gandhi was born in a home wedged in the narrow lanes of Porbandar on 2 October 1869. The memorial that stands adjacent to the modest ancestral house of the family is known as Kirti Mandir. A sprawling courtyard is surrounded by a photo gallery that showcases the trajectory of Gandhi’s life. At the far end of the courtyard lies the house, in which he was born and lived for a while. The exact place where he was born is the highlight for many travellers. This was originally a three-storey house that went through some modifications since Mahatma Gandhi’s grandfather constructed it.
Brief History:The foundation of the present modern structure, Kirti Mandir, was laid in 1947 during the lifetime of Gandhi by Shree Darbar Gopaldas Desai, a noted Gandhian and socialist. The national memorial was commissioned by a famous industrialist, Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta, who donated money to purchase the ancestral house and built the new complex in which Gandhi’s paraphernalia could be showcased for his followers to see. The memorial was completed in 1950 after the Mahatma’s passing and was inaugurated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 27 May 1950.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between November and February. October 2nd celebrations are held to commemorate Mahatama Gandhi on his birthday.
How to get there
By Road: The city also has ample state and private bus services from major connections in the state.
By Rail: The city also has a railway station from major connections in the state.
By Air: Porbandar has a domestic airport which has reasonable connectivity to cities in India.
