Mahatma Gandhi Temple: Where the Father of the Nation is Revered
Mahatma Gandhi is called the father of the nation and his thoughts are still relevant today. Not only in India but worldwide, he has fans and people follow his thoughts. Also, people do something special in memory of Gandhiji. Something similar is special in Mangaluru, Karnataka. There is a special temple of Gandhiji here, in which he is worshipped three times a day and Aarti is performed.
This temple of Mahatma Gandhi is built in Sri Brahma Baidarkala area of Garodi, Mangaluru. Followers of Mahatma Gandhi come to this temple and take a pledge to follow the path shown by him (truth and non-violence). In the year 1948, a clay statue of Gandhiji was installed here. After this, in the year 2006, on the demand of the people, a temple was built here and a marble statue of Gandhiji was installed.
Just as God is worshipped in temples, in the same way, Gandhiji is worshipped in this temple of Mangaluru. Here he is worshipped three times a day at 6 am, 12 noon and 7:30 pm. Apart from this, a lamp is lit near Gandhi's statue every day.
A special puja is organized in this temple on Gandhi Jayanti. Black coffee is offered to Gandhi's statue along with fruits and sweets. Later, the same coffee is distributed among the devotees as 'prasad'.
Let us tell you that there is also a temple in Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. The house where Mahatma Gandhi was born has been converted into a museum-like temple. The name of this temple is Kirti Mandir.
A temple of Mahatma Gandhi is also located in Bhatara village of Sambalpur district of Odisha. This temple has a 6-foot-high statue of Gandhi made of copper. Let us tell you that the construction of this temple was initiated by Gandhian leader Abhimanyu. This temple was built with the cooperation of the villagers.