Kirti Mandir
Possibly the most important tourist stopover of Porbandar, Kirti Mandir was built in honor of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi, right next to their ancestral home in the city. It has now been converted into a small museum that displays items used by Gandhiji, along with some really old photographs. The museum houses a library that has books either written by him or relating to his philosophies.
The construction of the temple marked Mahatma Gandhi's release from prison in 1944. Visitors can also enter the ancestral house of Gandhiji through the museum. As you enter the house, you will come across old paintings of Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba, some of which include the rare black and white pictures of the two sharing lighter moments. The temple has been visited by several world leaders who still come here to pay their respects to the Father of the Nation.
History of Kirti Mandir
The great-grandfather of Mahatma Gandhi, Shree Harjivan Raidas Gandhi had bought the haveli at Porbandar about 200 years ago. The house didn't have as many storeys as it does today. They were built after Bapu's great-grandfather owned it. It was here that Bapu's grandfather, Uttamchand Gandhi, father Karamchand Gandhi, and uncle, Tulsidas Gandhi lived with their respective spouses and children.
They had all served as Prime Ministers to the Jethwa Rajput rulers of Porbandar. Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta, a famous industrialist who purchased the Gandhi residence initiated the idea of building a memorial and Kirti Mandir and he also donated the house to be included in the Kirti Mandir Complex.
The current structure and the Kirti Mandir work were initiated when Bapu was alive and the foundation stone was laid by Shree Darbar Gopaldas Desai in 1947. After the passing of Mahatma Gandhi in 1950, the memorial was named Kirti Mandir and was inaugurated by Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the then Home Minister of India, who declared this memorial to be open to the public from 27th May 1950.
Architecture of Kirti Mandir
The Kirti Mandir stands 79 feet tall which has been made deliberately to symbolise the lifespan of 79 years of Mahatma Gandhi. The temple complex comprises corridors, domes, pillars, balconies, and a Shikhara. The architecture is a beautiful blend of Hindu architecture and traditional designs from the six key religions in India - Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian.
This also speaks volumes of Mahatma Gandhi's respect towards all the religions in India and the architect, Purushottambhai Mistry, diligently included this aspect in the designs as he worked day in and day out to complete the construction. The Kirti Mandir also houses the ancestral home of Mahatma Gandhi. A Swastika is marked on the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi was born in the house.
The interior of the temple is all marble-finished and clutter-free. A portion of the temple complex is reserved for the Kasturba-Mahila Library too.
The memorial houses life-size paintings of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi right in the centre of the structure. 'Satya' and 'Ahimsa' (Truth and Non-Violence), the cherished words of Mahatma Gandhi are inscribed at the base of the dais where the paintings are mounted. To the right side of the structure, two rooms are maintained as memorials for Mahadev Desai and Maganlal Gandhi.
The room to the left is used for exhibitions. These memorials and the exhibition hall also house traditional Indian handicrafts, Khadi bhandar articles, books, and numerous historical photographs taken with legendary freedom fighters, activists, and politicians. The memorial also has a reception hall and a management office.
