Payyanur in Kannur district has earned a special place in history due to the visit of Mahatma Gandhi and its active participation in the national freedom struggle. In 1934, Gandhi visited the ashram of Swami Ananda Thirthan, who fought relentlessly against social injustices. Mahatma Gandhi spent a whole day in the ashram and planted a mango sapling.
Gandhi Smrithi Museum evokes Gandhi memories related to Payyanur and freedom struggle memories, including those related to Payyanur.
The Payyanur Police Station, built in 1910 in the Indo-European style, was taken over by the Department of Archaeology as a protected monument and converted into the Gandhi Museum. The museum, arranged in cells and rooms of the police station where many freedom fighters were tortured, awakens a sense of history and patriotism in visitors. This museum is arranged with modern, sophisticated interactive systems for visitors.
The history of Payyanur, Gandhi's growth from Mohandas to Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhian thoughts, his visit to Kerala, great quotations about Gandhi, Gandhi's visit to Payyanur, Payyanur's cultural heritage and the history of the anti-feudalistic and anti-untouchability struggle are all displayed for visitors in various galleries.
Various stages of Gandhiji's life, from infancy to death, are detailed here with descriptions and pictures. The details of Gandhiji's five visits to Kerala have been presented in a comprehensive manner with the help of a map. Pictures of Gandhi with famous people including Einstein, Tagore, Charlie Chaplin, etc. and models of things used by Gandhi are very impressive.
The details about prominent freedom fighters related to the Salt Sathyagraha held at Payyanur, the copper plates issued to them by the Central Government and the related documents, including a copy of the verdict, are preserved for future generations. The Karivellur agitation, the Munayankunnu firing and the Korom agitation are depicted in detail here. The re-enactment of prison tortures during the farmers' struggle in the old lock-up rooms is worth mentioning. A large collection, including paintings of farmers' agitations, palm-leaf manuscripts, lamps, pottery, sculptures, old agricultural implements, pots and household items, exhibits here. The Pathayam, on which Comrade P. Krishna Pillai used to sleep, attracts visitors.
Visiting Time: 9.00-5.00
Holidays: Monday, National Holidays
Address: Gandhi Smrithi Museum, Annur Road, Payyanur, Kannur 670307
