Mani Bhavan is one of the most important Gandhi Memorial Museums in the country, situated on Laburnum Road, in
Mumbai,
Maharashtra. It is a simple old-style, two storied building which
Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when he was in Mumbai between 1917 to 1934. Mani Bhavan stood witness to the important movements of Indian freedom struggle.
Mani Bhavan is converted into a museum and research centre in 'Gandhian thought and rural development' for post-graduate students. The center has a library with about 50,000 books and periodicals in reference and lending sections. The library contains books written by and on Gandhi and related subjects. There is an auditorium on the first floor, where films on Gandhiji are shown and recordings of his speeches are played on request.
There is a provision for holding meetings, seminars, discussions and various competitions for school and college students; all arranged by Gandhi Study Circle.
Gandhiji's Room, a room on the second floor, used to be the living room and working place of Gandhiji. The room has been preserved as far as possible in its original setting. Adjoining Gandhiji's Room is the exhibition showcasing Gandhiji's life and his struggle for India’s freedom through mini figures with about 28 tableaux, prepared by Smt Sushila Gokhale-Patel.
The rooms on either side of the exhibition have been turned into a picture gallery, which showcases photographic posters depicting important events and Photostats of some important letters, articles and documents with appropriate captions in Hindi and English, written by and about Gandhiji. Also on display are a few replicas of Gandhiji's belongings and models of his birth place, Sabarmati Ashram, Sevagram Kutir, Phoenix Ashram and his prison cell.
Mani Bhavan is open on all days from 9:30 to 18:00 hrs.
