Mahatma Gandhi, the ceaseless crusader, who fought for many causes especially racism in South Africa and the Independence of India. He is widely known for its simplicity and a strong believer in peace, and that is why many statues and museums have been installed all around the world. In India, there are five Gandhi Museums (Sangrahalayas) but what makes the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai so special? Before letting the answer to you, let me brush up with a little touch of history of this museum. This museum belonged to the queen Rani Mangammal, who reigned Madurai once upon a time, and that was renovated and transformed into a peaceful place in Madurai. The place was donated to the Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Trust; and our beloved, first Prime-Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the museum on 15th of April in the year 1959.

Coming back to the question, what makes this museum, of all the other four museums in the country, make so special? That is his blood-stained cloth which he wore on the day of his assassination by Nathuram Godse. Not just that, several letters have been as collections in this museum, and that includes his letter written to Narayanan Sathsangi of Devakottai and a congratulatory message to Subramani Bharathi and the best is saved for the last. This museum has also got a letter written by Mahatma to Adolf Hitler addressing him as “Dear Friend”.

This museum in Madurai comes under the Peace Museum Worldwide selected by United Nations Organisation.