Martyrs’ Day | Mahatma’s ashes taken out in procession in Madikeri

Madikeri is among the few places in the country where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi have been preserved; the urn of ashes was taken out in a procession from the Kodagu District Treasury office

The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were taken out in a procession through the streets of Madikeri in Kodagu near here on Monday as part of Martyrs’ Day.

The urn of ashes preserved in the Kodagu District Treasury office in Madikeri were taken out in a procession to Gandhi Mantapa through General Thimmaiah Circle amid police security.

Madikeri is among the few places across the country, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi have been preserved.

An all-religion meeting was held at Gandhi Mantapa near Raja Seat. Religious leaders read out the Bhagawad Gita, Quran and Bible during the meeting. Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajans were also sung on the occasion while the police band participated in the event.

Two minutes of silence was observed as a mark of respect for Mahatma Gandhi around 11 a.m. The urn containing his ashes was later taken back to Kodagu District Treasury and sealed.

Speaking to The Hindu, Sarvodaya Committee’s ex-president T P Ramesh said they had submitted a proposal to the State Government for construction of a Gandhi Memorial at Gandhi Mantapa from where the Mahatma had addressed a gathering in 1934.

The then chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa had given approval for the project and agreed to sanction ₹50 lakh as sought by the Committee. However, little progress has been made in the direction, he lamented.