Friday, December 1, 2017

Kamarajar Mani Mandapam, Kanyakumari

Kamarajar Mani Mandapam, Kanyakumari
Kamarajar Mani Mandapam is located next to Gandhi Mandapam in Kanyakumari Town in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Kamarajar Mani Mandapam was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress, Mr. Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mandapam, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea. Visitors to Kanyakumari should not miss this Memorial and pay obeisance to Kamarajar.



History
Kumarasmi Kamaraj, known as K. Kamaraj was born on 15th July 1903. He was popularly known as “Black Gandhi” “Perunthalaivar Kamaraj” etc. He involved in the Indian Independence Movement, was the President of the Indian National Congress from 1964 to 1967, and was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for Three times from 1954 to 1963. He was the First Chief Minister of any state in India to introduce free midday Meal Scheme in Schools. Presently, this scheme has been implemented in many states like Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh etc. He also introduced free education to school children. Due to his efforts, the education rate was increased from 7% to 37%. During the 1960s, he was widely acclaimed as the “King Maker”.


On 2nd October 1975 Shri. Kamaraj passed away at his home at the age of 72. In 1976, posthumously he was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. After his death, his ashes were kept at Kanyakumari sea shore for the public to pay homage before being immersed in the sea. The memorial was constructed on the same place were his ashes were kept before immersion in the sea. On 19.04.1998, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu declared that a Memorial would be constructed to honour Shri. Kamaraj, for his services to the people of Tamil Nadu. The Kamaraj Memorial was built at a cost of Rs. 50 Lakhs. The Memorial was dedicated to the nation by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 2nd October 2000.


The Memorial
Kamarajar Manimandapam is located nearby Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. The monument is built on the same site where his ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion. The Kamaraj memorial displays rare collection of photographs depicting the important events and the life history of Shri. Kamaraj. The memorial is associated with a library with numerous collections of books. It also consists of a painting and several photographs of Kamarajar. The photographs Portrays his life history vividly. There are many rare photographs which had been clicked during his meetings with eminent leaders of the world.


Visiting Hours
There is no entry fee to visit the memorial. The best time to visit the premises is from 7 AM to 7 PM, open on all days.
Connectivity
Kanyakumari Town is well connected to major cities by road / rail / air across India. Kanyakumari is located at about 20 Kms from Nagercoil, 13 Kms from Suchindrum, 47 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 33 Kms from Thuckalay, 47 Kms from Marthandam, 100 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 245 Kms from Madurai. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located about 1.4 Kms from Kanyakumari State Transport Corporation Bus Stand. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located at about 1.3 Kms from Kanyakumari Railway Station. Kamarajar Manimandapam is well connected from Railway Station and Bus Stand by means of Buses, Taxis and Autos. Kamarajar Manimandapam is located at about 101 Kms from Trivandrum International Airport and 239 Kms from Madurai International Airport.