Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya is a museum in Gamdevi, Mumbai, in the house that served as Mahatma Gandhi’s base in the city.
For how to get around Mumbai to visit, note that Mani Bhavan is about a 26-minute walk or 12-minute drive from Hotel Ripon Palace, a hotel in Mumbai. You can see Gandhi’s preserved room and exhibits about his life, alongside a gallery and a library.
A one-day South Mumbai itinerary can help fit the museum into a broader day.
- Location: 19 Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai 400 007, India.
- Gandhi’s connection: The house was his Mumbai base from 1917 to 1934.
- Museum hours: The official site gives differing closing times, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Admission: Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students.
Why Mani Bhavan matters in Mumbai history
Mani Bhavan was the focal point of Gandhi’s political activities in Mumbai from 1917 to 1934. The house belonged to Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri, who hosted Gandhi there.
One significant moment came on 19 November 1921, when Gandhi began a fast at Mani Bhavan to restore peace in Bombay after disturbances linked to the boycott of the Prince of Wales’s visit. The building connects that episode with the broader story of Gandhi’s work in the city.
What can you see at Mani Bhavan?
The museum’s rooms trace Gandhi’s life through photographs, a preserved room and displays. Its layout also includes a library and spaces used for talks and screenings.
- Ground floor: The museum office and library are here. The reference and lending collections hold about 40,000 books.
- First floor: A photo gallery and an auditorium occupy this level. The auditorium is used for Gandhi film screenings, recordings of his speeches on request, meetings, seminars and discussions.
- Second floor: Gandhi’s room is preserved in its original setting, next to an exhibition depicting his life with miniature figures.
What are Mani Bhavan’s opening hours and visitor rules?
The official site gives two different closing times for the museum: 5:30 p.m. in its contact information and 6:00 p.m. on its About Us page. Both sources give a 9:30 a.m. opening on all days. Admission is Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students.
The library has separate hours: weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is closed on the second and fourth Saturdays and on public holidays. Photography appears among the facilities in the Ministry of Culture directory, but Mani Bhavan’s visitor information does not set out photography rules. Check the official site before you go.
How do you get around Mumbai to reach Mani Bhavan?
Mani Bhavan is at 19 Laburnum Road in Gamdevi. Grant Road (West) is the nearest railway station, according to the Museum of India directory. You can check the official site for practical details about directions, parking and accessibility.
What can you combine with a visit to Mani Bhavan?
August Kranti Maidan is near Mani Bhavan on Laburnum Road, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Its history and visiting information can help you plan this nearby stop as part of a history-focused outing: August Kranti Maidan: history and visiting information.
FAQs
What is Mani Bhavan known for?
It was Mahatma Gandhi’s Mumbai base and the focal point of his political activities in the city from 1917 to 1934.
Is Mani Bhavan open every day?
The official site says the museum is open all days, though its pages differ on the closing time. Check the official site before you go.
How much is admission to Mani Bhavan?
Admission is Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students.