80th Anniversary of Gandhiji’s Last Visit to Travancore

Special cover issued to mark 80TH Anniversary of Gandhiji’s Last Visit to Travancore  during APEX 2017 – on 26th June-2017(KL/17/2017)

Mahatama Gandhijis fifth visit to Kerala was mainly to participate in the celebration of Temple Entry Proclamation announced by Travencore Maharaja Sree Chithirthirunal Balarama Varma on November 12, 1936. His visit was limited to Travencore. During this visit, Gandhiji visited the school of Ayyankali at Venganoor. Gandhiji praised the activities of Ayyankali He wrote about Ayyankali that due to his efforts, considerable progress is made in the condition of suffering of people. Ayyankali, for Gandhiji, was an untiring warrior. On January 21 Gandhiji reached Kottarakkara and opened the private temple of KMM Narayanan Nampoothiripad to all sections of Hindus. Gandhiji advised the gathering to utilize the time allotted to visit the temples religiously keeping one’s mind and body clean. Mahatma Gandhi addressed the public at the temple premises said: ‘My pilgrimage to Travencore had reached its final stage. My gratitude to all, who made it a success’ .These words are to be written in golden letters as they turned to be his adieu note to Kerala.

SUMMARY

The God’s Own Country, Kerala was once divided into British Malabar and two princely states of Kochi and Travencore. This was first united under the umbrella of unity and nationality by the visits of Gandhiji. The concept of a united Kerala ( Aikya Keralam ) was a distant dream for the Keralites till the time Gandhiji came to Kerala. His visit united the minds of Malayalees which fortified the concept for a unified Kerala.