Mani Bhavan is a Gandhi memorial and museum in Gamdevi, Mumbai, where Gandhi stayed frequently and worked for about 17 years. The building’s preserved rooms, photographs and exhibits make it a focused stop for understanding his connection to the city.
- Location: 19 Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai 400 007, India
- Opening pattern: Daily museum hours are listed as 9:30 a.m. to between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m.
- Entry: Rs. 20 per person; Rs. 10 for students
- Library: Weekday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with some holiday and Saturday closures
Mani Bhavan and its historical significance
Mani Bhavan was Gandhi’s Bombay headquarters for about 17 years, from 1917 to 1934. The two-storied building belonged to Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri, Gandhi’s friend and host, and Gandhi stayed there frequently during this period.
From Mani Bhavan, Gandhi initiated movements including Civil Disobedience, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat. In March 1919, he launched Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act there. On April 7 that year, he began the weekly bulletin “Satyagrahi,” defying the Indian Press Act.
In November 1921, Gandhi began a fast at the house after disorder during the boycott of the Prince of Wales’s visit. He broke it three days later, on November 22, after normalcy returned in Bombay. The Gandhi Smarak Nidhi took over the building in 1955 to maintain it as a memorial to Gandhi and his activities there.
What to see in the museum
The museum’s displays and preserved spaces follow Gandhi’s life through different parts of the building. The ground floor contains the museum office and a library with about 40,000 books in reference and lending sections.
On the first floor, a photo gallery illustrates Gandhi’s life and events. An auditorium on the same floor shows films about Gandhi and plays recordings of his speeches on request. The second floor holds Gandhi’s room in its original setting, alongside an exhibition depicting his life with miniature figures.
If you’re comparing museums around the city, the guide to choosing a Mumbai museum visit offers a broader starting point.
How to plan a visit to Mani Bhavan
Set aside time to move through the building’s floors in sequence: the library and office are on the ground floor, the photo gallery and auditorium are on the first, and Gandhi’s preserved room and the miniature exhibition are on the second.
The museum does not give a recommended visit duration, so plan your schedule around the displays and any films or speech recordings you want to see or hear.
The museum entry fee is Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students. The library has a separate schedule: it is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and closed on the second and fourth Saturdays and public holidays.
For a wider city itinerary, you can compare the visit with a Mumbai day route from the Masjid area.
Location, tickets and opening details
Mani Bhavan is at 19 Laburnum Road in Gamdevi, Mumbai. It is about 2.8 km from Hotel Residency Park. Museum hours are listed as 9:30 a.m. to between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. daily, so check the official site before you go.
Entry costs Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students.
FAQs
Where is Mani Bhavan?
It is at 19 Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai 400 007, India.
What is Mani Bhavan known for?
The building served as Gandhi’s Bombay headquarters from 1917 to 1934 and is now maintained as a memorial to him and his activities there.
Does Mani Bhavan have a library?
Yes. Its ground-floor library has about 40,000 books in reference and lending sections. It has weekday opening hours and closes on the second and fourth Saturdays and public holidays.
How much does museum entry cost?
The fee is Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 10 for students.