Gandhi near my house

I have lived my entire life near Golf course and Race Course in Blore(hehe,,cant specify more than this).But little did I know that Gandhi visited the Kumara Krupa Guest house which is a stone's throw away from my house.Hmmm,why didnt it strike me earlier when "the Gandhi Bhavan" is just near it?



"Source: The Hindu
Date:Friday, Oct 01, 2004

FROM TIME immemorial, some rocks have been sanctified and recognised as `Divine,' bestowing peace and happiness to mankind. In the Ramayana, after the abduction of Sita, Rama and his brother Lakshmana went in search of her. Just before reaching Kishkinta in the Southern region, he came across a small black granite rock and rested on it for a while. Touching the rock, he blessed it saying it may be worshipped for 700 years in Kali Yuga, bestowing mankind with all boons. Sri Raghavendra Swamy decided to enter Brindavan alive at Manthralaya in 1671 AD. Dewan Venkanna made all arrangements for the function and a beautiful Brindavan consisting of stone slabs were chiselled out. Sri Raghavendra Swamy rejected the exquisitely carved stones. He told Dewan Venkanna and others to proceed to a particular spot, locate a black granite rock on which Sri Rama had sat for sometime.
Accordingly, the rock was located and stone slabs were made out of it for constructing a Brindavan for Sri Raghavendra Swamy. A few remaining slabs were utilised for installing a Brindavan in Balepet, Bangalore, which is the third one, after Honnali in Shimoga district of Karnataka.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Bangalore during the early 1930s in winter and stayed at the Kumara Park Guest House, now named as `Kumara Krupa.' I was a child of about seven years then. It was a Monday, when he observed silence. A prayer meeting was arranged in the evening, on the lawn of the Guest House, which was attended by about 300 specially invited persons. I accompanied by parents, who were close relatives of the then State Congress Secretary.

At 6 p.m. sharp, Bapuji came to the lawn and sat on a small rock, under a large century-old peepul tree. With crossed legs and hands resting on them, he was in a deep meditative posture. Devotional music programme by a reputed party was conducted for about a couple of hours, after which we all prostrated before Gandhiji and received his blessings.

A staunch worshipper of Sri Rama, sitting on the rock of the Guest House, Gandhiji gave it a halo by chanting the Lord's name incessantly, like Swami Vivekananda, who gave a touch of sanctity to the famous rock near Kanyakumari. Like the world famous `Vivekanandha Rock Memorial,' it is my suggestion and fervent appeal that the Holy rock at `Kumara Krupa' may be named `Gandhi Memorial Rock.'

Recently I visited Kumara Park Guest House, Bangalore, and saw the holy rock in the midst of wild shrubs. The century-old peepul tree had been mercilessly axed and the large base was still visible near the rock, just above the ground. The beautiful green lawn has turned into a dry brown patch.

It is suggested that a life size statue of Gandhiji in a sitting and meditative posture may be installed on the rock, with hexagonal enclosures and a tower of peace, including a mini prayer hall.
The Kumara Park Guest House may be named as `Gandhi Krupa,' housing the exhibits of Bapuji's life, works and his monumental services to the nation. Perhaps, from this holy centre, his dream of `Rama Rajya' will soon materialise. "

The Hotel Grand Ashok which is next door to the Kumara Krupa Guest house strangely claims the same in their website:

"Besides its fabulous location, the hotel is well known for its creative dining
options & the city's largest banquet facilities.
Interestingly within the hotel's landscaped gardens is the historical landmark,
where Mahatma Gandhi gave public audience, during the country's preindependence
days."

Here are some recent snaps I clicked of the rock.Unfortunately,I am not very sure if this is the right one as no one at the guest house had a clue of what I was looking for.They are however the only rocks I found in the entire campus.

More on Gandhi Bhavan which is on the same road as Kumara Krupa Guest House and Hotel Grand Ashok:

Gandhi Bhavan of Bangalore is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. The Bhavan was set up with the intention of promoting the life and teachings of Gandhiji. Situated on the Kumara Krupa Road, Gandhi Bhawan was started as Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (GSN), under the chairmanship of Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The main attraction of the Gandhi Bhawan consists in a comprehensive picture gallery, displaying the entire life of Mahatma Gandhi.The gallery has photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, from early childhood to the last day of his life. Apart from that, there are also Photostat copies of the letters written by him to the various personalities of his time. One can also see placards with the famous quotes of Gandhiji, hanging on the walls of the Bhavan. Today, the Gandhi Bhavan of Bangalore serves as the venue for public meetings organized on Gandhian values.

Location: Kumara Krupa Road
Main Attractions:Picture gallery of Gandhiji
Timings: 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Lunch Break - 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.)
Closed on: Sundays/General Holidays