Mahatma Mandir

Mahatma Mandir is a convention and exhibition centre located at sector 13 C in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. It is inspired from life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. It is one of the biggest convention centre of India spread over an area of 34 acres (14 ha; 0.053 sq mi).[1] It was developed by the Government of Gujarat.[2] Business summits like Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 were organised here.[3]

Mahatma Mandir
Mahatma Mandir in 2019
AddressSector 13
LocationGandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Coordinates23°13′50″N 72°38′3″E
OwnerGovernment of Gujarat
Built1 May 2010 - 2013
Inaugurated2011
Construction cost
₹215 crore (US$27 million)
Meeting-room seating
2500 (4 Seminar Halls)
Theatre seating
6000
Enclosed space
Website
www.theleela.com/en_us/gujarat/mahatma-mandir-convention-and-exhibition-centre/

History

The Government of Gujarat wanted to develop Mahatma Mandir as a place of unity and development. Sand was brought in urns by representatives of all 18,066 villages of Gujarat and emptied in the foundation of the Mahatma Mandir.[1] A time capsule was buried under Mahatma Mandir containing history of state in 2010 at the groundbreaking ceremony.[4]

It was built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited in two phases. The planning and design of the building is environment-friendly.[5]

Phase 1 of Mahatma Mandir was constructed in nine months starting from May 2010 to January 2011 at cost of ₹135 crore (US$17 million). It includes a convention centre, three large exhibition halls and some small halls having conferencing facility.[1][5][6]

Phase 2 includes the construction of salt mound memorial, a garden, a suspension bridge, windmills and development of parking space at cost of ₹80 crore (US$10 million).[7]

Structures

Convention centre

A convention centre has column free air conditioned halls with capacity to accommodate over 15,000 people at a time. Its theatre style main hall have capacity of 6000 people. Exhibition halls are built over 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) area. It has four seminar halls (three having seating capacity of 500 and one with capacity of 1000), seven high tech conference halls and a meeting room.[6][8] The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre by The Leela draws inspiration from the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Spread across 34 acres, it is one of the biggest state-of-art facility in India, uniquely designed to combine a sense of aesthetics, functionality and flexibility. The 20,000 sq.m. of Convention and Exhibition area has an abundance of natural light and airy spaces and is equipped with energy efficient lighting and waste water management. The Leela Gandhinagar which is expected to be completed by early 2019 will be a 300-room 5 star hotel built inside the complex.[9]

Memorial

A memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi was constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji And Company Limited. A suspension bridge is built in memory of the Dandi March. A concrete dome structure is constructed representing salt mound houses a museum, library and research center. A sculpture garden with stone murals depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi is also developed. A grand spinning wheel, Charkha, is installed also.[6]

Central vista

The 162-metre-wide (531 ft) and 3-kilometre-long (1.9 mi) road connecting Mahatma Mandir and Gujarat Legislative Assembly building was constructed. It has three lanes on both side with gardens between them. It is a broadest avenue in Gujarat.[10][11]

Controversies

Total 356 families of slum dwellers were displaced by the project which resulted in controversy. They were later provided new accommodation.[12] Some Gandhians protested against the project arguing that it did not befit philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.[2]

References
  1. Shah, Rajiv (9 April 2010). "Modi wants 'kar seva' for Mahatma Mandir". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  2. "Gandhians protest against building of Mahatma Mandir". The Indian Express. Ahmedabad. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  3. "Vibrant Gujarat Summit starts today". Business Standard. Ahmedabad. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  4. "State's time capsule to be installed at Mahatma Mandir today". The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  5. "Gujarat govt to develop Mahatma Mandir as iconic tourist spot". Daily News and Analysis. Ahmedabad. PTI. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  6. "Gandhi memorial with water, sand from world over". The Times of India. PTI. 25 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  7. "Rs 220 crore earmarked for Mahatama Mandir, Sachivalaya". The Times of India. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  8. "Mahatma Mandir". Government of Gujarat. indextb. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  9. "Facilities and Services at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre". www.theleela.com.
  10. "Govt buildings to be razed to make way for Central Vista". The Times of India. 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  11. "Gujarat's Rajpath to come up in Gandhinagar". The Times of India. TNN. 13 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  12. "Mahatma Mandir: Evicted slum dwellers to get help". The Times of India. TNN. 10 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
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