Aga Khan Palace & Gandhi National Memorial in Pune

Quote of the Post: "A historically important and beautiful place having wonderful Italian arches and spacious lawns to relax, have peace and to pay tribute to India's great freedom fighters (heroes)." - Quote about 'Aga Khan Palace' - Sachin Kumar Gupta

The Aga Khan Palace was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in Pune. This place does not look like it would have been used as a prison, But it served as a prison for Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu), his wife Kasturba Gandhi (Ba), his secretary Mahadev Desai , Sarojini Naidu, Meera Ben and others during Quit India movement. Prince Karim Aga Khan donated this palace to Gandhi Smarak Samittee (committee) in 1972 and since then organisation is maintaining its parks and gardens. Mahatama Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi have their memorials located in the same campus.

Location: It is located at about 2 km away from Bund Garden in Yerwada, on Pune-Nagar Road. Aghakhan Palace, Nagar road, beyond Fitzgerald Bridge.

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm (Lunch break: 12.30 pm to 1:30 pm)

Museum Entry fee: INR 5

Aga Khan Palace Map

The exquisite Aga Khan Palace is surrounded by the lavish green gardens, captivates the eye of a spectator with its magnificence and picturesque architecture. Most of the ground floor area is accessible to all visitors, but not the first and second floor.

Tourist Attractions to visit in Aga Khan Palace:

-Picture gallery and museum:The palace archives a number of photos and portraits depicting glimpses from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India, and other prominent personalities of the Indian freedom struggle.

-Things like utensils, clothes and his personal stuffs (towel, mala, chappals) used by Mahatma Gandhi, are kept in the palace during his stay.

-A room in which Kasturba Gandhi took her last breath, the dinning table where they used to have their meals.

-A room in which Gandhiji used to give science lessons to his grand daughter, letter written by Gandhiji on the death of his dear secretary.

-Kasturba Gandhi (22nd February 1944) and Mahadev Desai (15th August 1942) passed away during their captivity period in the palace and have their memorials here. 

-Different views of Aga Khan Palace.

-Mahatma Gandhi's memorial and his ashes in a quiet garden to the rear.

-Mahurika nursery school.

-Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog Vidyala.

-A shop that deals in khaadi and other hand loomed textiles.

-The palace is surrounded by a sprawling garden. 

-Very few people know that, The famous movie 'Gandhi' was shot here.

This palace is also the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. Gandhi Memorial society celebrates the following events during the year at the palace:

Martyr's Day – 30th Jan.

Mahashivratri – Kasturbha Gandhi's Death Day Celebrated As Mother's Day.

Independence Day – 15th Aug.

Republic Day – 26th Jan.

Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary – 2nd Oct.

Other than yearly events, morning prayer sessions are held daily at the samadhi since decades. The prayer draws some crowd everyday, and the number goes up threefold on 2 October as people visit the place to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

On a quick visit, Two to three hours can be devoted to this place. It is good to relax, have peace and to pay tribute to India's great freedom fighters (heroes).

Raghupati Raghav Rajaram, Patit Pavan Sitaram!