Special cover on Gandhiji’s stay at Madhavi Mandiram

This is the house where Dr G Ramachandran, who was Gandhi’s best friend, secretary and freedom fighter, lived. It was here that Gandhi handed over the letter written by Ayyankali to G Ramachandran This was followed by the historic Gandhi-Ayyankali meeting. The bed and the charka Gandhi used, and also the wedding gifts given to G Ramachandran including books,dhoti are still in the Madhavi Mandiram as historical relics. The urn that carried Gandhi’s ashes, which was immersed by Nehru in Kanyakumari, is also here. The Madhavi Mandiram Lok Seva Trust takes are of all items during Gandhi’s visit. Rabindranath Tagore introduced G Ramachandran to Gandhi. Later, he wrote and spoke on national issues for Gandhi. Ramachandran died on 17 September 1995. In 2004, his disciple and former President of India K R Narayanan announced the Madhavi Mandir as a museum.

The special cover issued on the occasion of Philatelic Exhibition conducted by Ananthapuri Philatelic Association during 9th to 11th August 2019 in connection with 150 years of celebrating the Mahatma features a colour sketch of Gandhi’s statue, the cot, charka and the urn. The special pictorial cancellation is line graphic sketch depicting Gandhi ji with his walking staff, his signature and the stamp perforation. ( KL/07/2019).