Remembering Mahatma Gandhi: 5 must-visit memorials

As the nation celebrates the 143rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, TripAdvisor has come out with a list of the five most highly rated attractions closely associated with the Father of the Nation.

The list includes historic sites which trace Mahatma Gandhi's journey from birth to the freedom struggle, to his last days and final resting place. Featuring as the most popular attraction in the list is Bapuji's birthplace and home, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The destination now functions as an institution and museum with an aim to preserve and propagate the legacy of the Mahatma.

While Sabarmati is where Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born, his identity as Mahatma Gandhi was born of the strife for Independent India and Mani Bhavan is symbolic of that. Aga Khan Palace, is where he was interned and where Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last and Gandhi Smriti is where his earthly journey came to an end.

If you live in any of these cities, take your kids there for a lesson in India's history or revisit yourself for a shot of national pride.

1. Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

If you need a quick recap of India's pre-independence history and the life of the Mahatma, visit Sabarmati Ashram. The site which has remnants of Gandhiji's life is calm and very well maintained.

It is a perfect place to recollect all that you read in that history book by the side of Sabarmati!

2. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, Mumbai

Feed the rebel in you! Visit the place where national movements, including the non-cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movements were initiated.

The major attraction in Mani Bhavan is the library on the ground floor which houses more than 50,000 books by and on Gandhiji.

3. Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi

Gandhi Smriti, formerly known as Birla House is the place where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last days of his life and was assassinated on January 30, 1948.

The exhibition on the Mahatma, the room in which he lived and the prayer ground where he became a martyr attracts huge number of visitors from India and abroad.

4. National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi

The Gandhi museum has an impressive collection of the Mahatma's personal memorabilia and art pieces. It stores Gandhiji's slippers, utensils, spectacles, beddings, jail bowl and the stick which he used, to undertake the famous Salt March from Dandi.

5. Aga Khan Palace, Pune

This historic building served as prison for Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba and secretary Mahadevbhai Desai after the launch of the Quit India movement. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadevbhai passed away while in captivity at the Aga Khan palace.

Situated near the River Mula, this magnificent and picturesque place is a simple memorial to Gandhiji and his life. The iconic movie Gandhi by Sir Richard Attenborough was shot in parts at Aga Khan Palace.