Gandhi Smriti
Birla House
The house where Gandhi spent his last 144 days, kept as a museum since 1973.
History
Gandhi was staying in the Birla family's Delhi house when he was shot in its garden on the evening of 30 January 1948, walking to a prayer meeting. The government acquired the house in 1971 and opened it as a memorial two years later. His room is preserved as he left it: a thin mattress, a low writing desk, a spinning wheel, a pair of sandals.
The garden holds the more affecting part. Concrete footprints trace his last walk from the house to the spot where he fell, now marked by a martyr's column. The newer galleries upstairs try rather harder, with multimedia that has aged unevenly, but the room and the path need no help at all.
Nearest Metro
No station is close by; the nearest options are several kilometres off, and most visitors arrive by auto-rickshaw or cab.
Parking
A car park is available at the entrance on Tees January Marg.
Food & Canteen
No food on the grounds, in keeping with the memorial's tone.
Visiting Tips
Closed Mondays and free. Quietest early; school groups fill the garden from mid-morning.
- 01The last roomKept as it was on the day, down to the watch and the reading glasses.
- 02The footstepsHis final walk cast into the lawn, ending at the column where he was shot.
- 03The prayer groundStill used for multi-faith readings, as it was on the evening itself.