Date: 16 January 2019
Venue: Prayagraj
Anand Bhavan and we go back a long way. Our late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi passed away when we were in school. This led to a spurt of essays on her and we came to know about Anand Bhavan in Allahabad as Mrs. Gandhi’s childhood home. Motilal Nehru, father to our first Prime Minister Jawaharalal Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s grandfather, had bought the mansion Anand Bhavan as his family residence. This mansion made its grand place in history as it became the local headquarter for Indian National Congress and saw many luminaries such as Gandhiji and like spend time here. Anand Bhavan was later passed on to the Indian Government and is now a museum.
During our recent Kumbh 2019 trip to Allahabad, we had made it a point to take out time and visit Anand Bhavan. It is quite in the heart of the city and is open on all days except Monday. The complex houses Anand Bhavan, a museum on Nehru family and the freedom movement; Swaraj Bhavan which is a display of photographs on the life of Indira Gandhi; and the Jawahar Planetarium. There are sprawling lawns surrounding the area.
Anand Bhavan is a two-storey museum with display of personal effects and rooms and furniture used by Motilal Nehru till Indira Gandhi. The colonial Burma teak book shelves, study tables and recliners are a vintage designer’s delight. Photographs of the Nehru – Gandhi family as well as various leaders of our Independence movement were displayed all over the premise. A book shop is also housed here.
The Swaraj Bhavan is connected to Anand Bhavan through a gate. This had photographs throughout the life and times of Indira Gandhi. No surprise, she was named “Woman of the Millennium” in an online poll by BBC.
The Anand Bhavan museums are not stuffy. Given that there is so much engaging display and relatable history around you, it gives goose bumps off and on. No wonder, it was already 3 hours that we had spent here and closing time for the complex. Consequently, we missed out on the Jawahar Planetarium this time. But there is more to do in Allahabad that we have left for the next trip. Jawahar Planetarium in Anand Bhavan is going to be one of them.
Timing: 9.30 to 5 pm
TIckets: Rs. 70/-
Anand Bhavan is an inseparable part of Indian History, We had visited Allahabad a few years back and after visiting the Sangam, we also spent some time at Anand Bhavan. Those moments are something that we will cherish for a long time.
Made me go back to history lessons in school. Lovely write up
A place with such history is worth spending time for. Notable ministers of the Gandhi family have been here. The place does look wow!
This place looks amazing , will surely visit this place yaa . Thanks for sharing this
I love sneaking into such historical places. Life of Mrs. Indira Gandhi was truly inspirational. Let’s see when would I get a chance to visit Anand Bhawan…
Heard quite a bit about this museum from people who had travelled to Allahabad.. A nice history around this maganimous place
Haven’t been to Ahmedabad yet, to explore the city like a tourist, so wasn’t aware about Anand Bhavan until now. The Indian History is a rather intriguing one, and visiting museums dedicated to that era, is always a memorable experience.
So much history and such great significance. It is surely a very beautiful mansion. Even though I visited Allahabad but I did not go to Anand Bhavan, I wish I had gone. Anyway will plan for next time.
Being at a place where history resonates is a special feeling. I have never visited Allahabad, shall consider Anand Bhavan whenever I visit it.
Anand Bhavan is an inseparable part of Indian History, I would love to visit some day.