About Mani Bhavan

After the disturbance and disorderly scenes at the time of the boycott of the visit of the Prince of Wales on November 17, 1921, Gandhiji started his historic fast at Mani Bhavan on 19th November 1921 to restore peace in the city of Bombay. He broke his fast on November 22, after normalcy was restored in the city.

The Congress Working Committee met here on 9th June 1931 and decided to send Gandhiji as the sole representative of the Congress to the Round Table Conference in London. He returned to Bombay full of frustration on 28th December 1931. Thereafter, he discussed the situation with the Working Committee of the Congress which met in Mani Bhavan and took the decision on 31st December 1931 to restart Satyagraha. Gandhiji was arrested from his tent on the terrace of Mani Bhavan in the small hours of the morning of 4th January 1932. A meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held at Mani Bhavan on 17th and 18th June 1934.

Mani Bhavan is a place where Gandhiji lived and interacted with his colleagues to mould the freedom movement in the image of the cherished ideals of Truth and Non-violence. It was from Mani Bhavan that his followers and devotees went forth in the world inspired and charged with a sense of service and sacrifice. Even today, Mani Bhavan is a source of inspiration for the lovers of freedom and peace the world over.

This heritage building of national importance is a tourist attraction. It is visited daily by a large number of visitors from India and abroad. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya is open to public on all days between 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

The ground floor houses the office of the Museum and the Library that has a rich collection of about 40,000 books in Reference and Lending sections. Many scholars, students, teachers and participants of the Gandhi Jayanti Competitions use the library for reference and reading.

At the display counter are available some important books by and on Gandhiji, Gandhi postage stamps issued by India and other countries, and mementos.

On the first floor is the photo gallery illustrating Gandhiji's life and events through the pictures. Next to the picture gallery is the auditorium where films on Gandhiji are shown and the recordings of his speeches are played on request. It is also used for holding meetings, seminars and discussions. Various competitions for school and college students are held here in collaboration with Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Mumbai, which has its office on the first floor.

On the second floor, the room where Gandhiji lived and worked is preserved in its original setting. Adjoining Gandhiji’s Room is the exhibition depicting Gandhiji’s life through miniature figures.

Mani Bhavan also hosts several important meetings of social workers, concerned citizens, Sarvodaya workers, students and teachers.