Day 241 of Indian places giving smiles – Birthplace of Gandhiji- Porbander
We found ourselves at Porbander – the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. We had to park our car some distance away and walk through narrow streets. The place still had an old world charm about it.
Suddenly we found ourselves at the gates of an impressive entrance. We were at Kirti Mandir, the memorial complex in honor of the father of our nation. On the left side of the annexe was the original house of the Gandhi family purchased by his grandfather in the seventeenth century.
I entered the house with a curiosity to check out the place where Mahatma Gandhiji had grown up just like any other ordinary child. Yet when I entered the actual room where Gandhiji was born, I was completely fascinated and struck in awe that such an ordinary looking child can grow up to lead such an extra-ordinary life and make such an amazing contribution to humanity!
As we walked inside room after room of this ancestral house, I tried to imagine what the four walls must have been witness to – the child Gandhiji playing here, sleeping here, studying here, eating here etc. That child could have just worked to enhance his own family fortunes, instead as that child grew up, he chose to work and contribute to the benefit of humanity! I hung my head in immense respect at what extra-ordinary difference was made in this world because of the ordinary -looking child that was born in this very house!
We then went to the other side of the annexe to gaze in fascination at some of Gandhiji’s items of personal use that were displayed at the museum. We got a glimpse of some of the influences in his life that made Gandhiji such an extra-ordinary person. His tolerance towards all religions was symbolized by the combination of different styles of architecture used in the construction of Kirti Mandir. This was one visit that I would never forget for the rest of my life!
I remained silent as we walked out of this great place. We purchased some fruits from a local vendor and I wondered whether he was aware of what a great source of inspiration that place could be. All of us have extraordinary potential within ourselves when we are just born in this world…yet why is it that many of us end up living ordinary lives? The difference is that some just choose to work for their own family, while people like Mahatma Gandhi chose to work towards a contribution for humanity!
So which Indian place made you smile today?
Please share your experience with Indian places that made you smile.
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