For Mahatma Gandhi, Mumbai was a place of work, conversation, protest and public action. At the centre of that story was Mani Bhavan on Laburnum Road, where the national leader spent some of his most significant years, from 1917 to 1934.
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Hand-crafted-dioramas_1790871802_s.jpg" alt="Hand crafted dioramas of key events in Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s life. Pics/Samruddhi Trivedi" /> Hand crafted dioramas of key events in Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s life. Pics/Samruddhi Trivedi
It became a base for his work in the city, and a place where meetings, correspondence, discussions, and campaigns unfolded. Today, the two-storey building houses the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, library and research resources. We headed to the landmark to revisit his life, work and teachings.
<h2>Miniature moments</h2>
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Letters_1790871845_s.jpg" alt="A close-up of Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s letter to Adolf Hitler" /> A close-up of Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s letter to Adolf Hitler
Experience key episodes from Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s life through 28 hand-crafted dioramas. Each miniature captures a different moment in intricate detail.
<h2>Letters to world leaders</h2>
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Library_1790871895_s.jpg" alt="The library of archived books and journals" width="1280" height="720" /> The library of archived books and journals
Read the original letters written by Mahatma Gandhi to famous personalities from German dictator Adolf &nbsp;Hitler to former US President Franklin D Roosevelt, Rabindranath Tagore and Winston Churchill as well.&nbsp;
<h2>Library treasures</h2>
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Gandhiji-stuff_1790871939_s.jpg" alt="Gandhiji&rsquo;s personal belongings" width="1280" height="720" /> Gandhiji&rsquo;s personal belongings
Pore over a rich archive of 40,000 books, journals and rare publications that offer a closer look at Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s life, writings, and philosophy.&nbsp;
<h2>Gandhiji&rsquo;s abode</h2>
Relive the space where Mahatma Gandhi lived and worked, with his charkhas, writing table and personal belongings.
Time 9.30 am to 5.30 pm &nbsp; At Mani Bhavan,19 Laburnum Road, Gamdevi.&nbsp; Entry Rs 20 per person; Rs 10 for students
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Mahatma-Gandhi_1790872044_s.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<h2>Read all about him</h2>
Bring home a slice of the world of Mahatma Gandhi with nearly 200 books on and by Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave and Tushar Gandhi. They are available at 50 per cent discount at the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal &amp; Gandhi Book Centre. Pick up An Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi: The Story of My Experiments with Truth for R50, or browse through titles on peace, non-violence, education, economics and social change in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati.
ON October 2 to October 11; 11 am 6.30 pm AT Gandhi Book Centre, Nana Chowk, Grant Road West.
<h2>Focus on khadi</h2>
<img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Meghshyam-Ajgaonkar_1790871979_s.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Khadi gets a contemporary spin at an exhibition, which brings products from Gram Seva Mandal, Gopuri, Wardha, to Mumbai. From classic weaves to village-industry products, the showcase offers plenty to look for. &ldquo;Khadi has evolved with the times, offering something for those who appreciate its simplicity as well as those discovering it for the first time,&rdquo; says Meghshyam Ajgaonkar (below), Executive Secretary, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya.
On October 2 to October 8; 9 am onwards At Mani Bhavan, Gamdevi.
<h2>On Gandhiji&rsquo;s trail</h2>
Mani Bhavan offers the starting point. From here, the trail moves forward across parts of South Mumbai &mdash; to gathering grounds, meeting halls and neighbourhoods where Gandhiji addressed people, promoted Swadeshi and became part of the city&rsquo;s public life.
&gt;&gt; Chowpatty: On April 6, 1919, Mahatma Gandhi addressed the Rowlatt Satyagraha gathering and sold banned books with Sarojini Naidu. AT Chowpatty, Charni Road West.&nbsp;
&gt;&gt; Shantaram Chawl: In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi presided over a Home Rule League meeting here and later addressed gatherings on the Rowlatt Acts and Swadeshi. AT Mangal Wadi, Girgaon,&nbsp; Charni Road East.
&gt;&gt; Kutch Jain Association: On June 28, 1919, Mahatma Gandhi addressed a Swadeshi meeting here, speaking about Indian-made goods. AT Hira Baug, C P Tank Circle, Goldeval, Bhuleshwar, Girgaon.
&gt;&gt; Congress House: Mahatma Gandhi addressed meetings here on khaddar and to boycott foreign fabrics during the freedom movement. The venue was an important space for political and public activity during the freedom movement. AT Congress House, Vithalbhai Patel Road, Grant Road.

For Mahatma Gandhi, Mumbai was a place of work, conversation, protest and public action. At the centre of that story was Mani Bhavan on Laburnum Road

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