Education Tour
On February 3, 2024, the Department of English organized a one-day educational tour.
Kirti Mandir is a small museum in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, at the birthplace of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. It honors him and his wife, Kasturba Gandhi. Inside, you'll find things used by Gandhi, big paintings of Kasturba and Gandhiji by Shri Yutt, old photos, and a library with books by or about Gandhi. You can also go into Gandhi's old home from the museum. World leaders have visited this place.
While visiting Kasturba's home, I discovered the old rituals involving box-type toilets that were used during that time. Reading "Untouchable" by Mulk Raj Anand, I encountered several references to such practices that Gandhi strongly disapproved of. Towards the end of the text, there is an announcement about the installation of modern toilets, bringing immense joy to our protagonist Bakha, shedding light on the darker side of India.
The house where Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, is right next to Kirti Mandir. In 1944, when the British Government released Gandhi for the last time from Aga Khan Palace, the people of Porbandar decided to build a memorial at his birthplace. They bought the land from the Gandhi family members living there. Gandhi agreed in writing, signing the papers now shown in Kirti Mandir Complex. The house is now part of the Kirti Mandir complex.
The monument is 79 feet tall, symbolizing the 79 years of Gandhi's life. It combines features from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi temples, and also includes elements from churches and mosques. The place where Gandhi was born is marked with a swastika for identification.
Inside Kirti Mandir, there are life-size oil paintings of Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi standing together at the center. Near their feet, there are words like 'The Truth' and 'Non-violence' representing his life and teachings.
On the right side, there are two rooms dedicated to Maganlal Gandhi and Mahadev Desai as memorials. On the left side, there's a room for the museum exhibition. These three rooms have items like khadibhandar, handicrafts, a center for selling books, an office room, and a reception hall.
Osho Ashram is located about 500 meters from the main marketplace. It's built in the midst of a non-functional stone quarry, now home to many people who practice regular meditation surrounded by nature.
Osho Ashram was the place where we had a great time. Being in a natural and culturally rich environment provided us with deep serenity. The significance of paintings and sculptures is always present, as they encapsulate different eras. The shapes of the stones were quite interesting, and, according to reader response theory, there were multiple interpretations among us. Moreover, the stone shapes resembled ships, and there were caves showing Buddhist influence in the sculptures. Paintings also depicted stories like Ram-Ravan, Samudra Manthan, and many more.
Northrop Frye talks about archetypes, one of which we consider involving good and evil. For instance, in the story of Samudramathan, there's the elixir, similar to the Christian tradition's tale of the Holy Grail of Jesus. These archetypes recur in multiple cultures.
The ashram additionally includes a Gokul, a Buddha Hall, Govardhan, Ma Annapurna Annexure and a lot more that are yet to be built. The story is Krishna asked for land to marry Rukmani and Ocean Deity( Samudra Dev) offered this land. The rich green surroundings and calm atmosphere provide a perfect setting for self-reflection and relaxation. The ashram is staffed with knowledgeable facilitators who assist and support visitors on their spiritual journey.
The area is surrounded by coconut trees, offering coconut water and goat's milk. On the way to the ashram, you can even spot peacocks, making it the best place for peacock sightings. Monkeys also inhabit this historical location.
In cultural studies, we find the importance of culture in shaping human behavior. Matthew Arnold, for instance, says that culture is a process of becoming perfect. Similarly, these paintings, sculptures, stories, and myths played a pivotal role in it.
According to one folklore, Krishna himself abducted Rukmani on his request and came here to the temple and married her. Madhavaraya fair is held here every year to commemorate that event. Every year, for five days from day of Ram Navmi, a cultural fair is organized.
In "The Waste Land," T.S. Eliot beautifully connected past myths, stories, and folklores with the present to convey a universal message. The folklore of Krishna and Rukmani and its recurring archetype of kidnapping a girl for marriage is always present, whether it is Hellen or Rukmani.
Madhavpur, renowned for its vast coastal stretch, presents stunning views. Madhavpur Beach, one of Gujarat's most picturesque sandy beaches along the Arabian Sea, is truly fantastic. The name Madhavpur originates from the noteworthy king Madhav Rao.
While gazing at the tides of Madhapur and ships in the sea, a number of works go through the mind, including "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, "Odyssey" by Homer, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge, and "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.
Kudos to the Celebration Committee for organizing this tour. Special thanks to Avni for choosing the places where we learn. It was a great experience for us to enjoy and learn.
Thank you.
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