Today marks the 100th anniversary of Gandhiji’s first visit to Thrissur.

The Manikandanal at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur still echoes the memories of the independence struggle and Gandhiji’s visit a century ago. Exactly 100 years ago, on March 18, 1925, Gandhiji visited Thrissur for the first time. He was welcomed near Manikandanal on that day.

While remembering Gandhiji’s visit, it is painful to note that there isn’t even a memorial stone at Manikandanal to commemorate his freedom struggle movement or Thrissur visit. Unfortunately, what still stands there today is merely a British-supporting monument.

Thrissur – March 18, 1925

In 1925, a massive crowd gathered to welcome Gandhi in Thrissur, involving several prominent figures. The reception was organized jointly by the Thrissur Municipality and the Yogakshema Sabha students. Among the notable figures present at the gathering were Kurur Neelakandan Namboothiripad, S. Neelakanda Iyer, C. Kuttan Nair, T. C. Kochukutti Amma, Moothadath Narayana Menon, and Ikkanda Warrier. After the public meeting, Gandhi visited the then Cochin King, Rajarshi Rama Varma, and later received a reception from the Dalit community at the Thrissur city border on his way to Palakkad.

Gandhiji’s return journey to Thrissur a couple of years later

After 1925, Gandhiji visited Thrissur again in the years 1927 and 1934 in connection with the Vaikom Satyagraha, the upliftment of the oppressed, and the promotion of Khadi. On October 14, 1927, on his second visit to Thrissur, Gandhi visited several educational institutions, including the Bethel Ashram Weaving School, St. Thomas College, and Vivekodayam School. He also participated in a public meeting at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur.

Gandhiji’s third visit was in 1934. After delivering speeches at Guruvayur and Kunnamkulam on January 11, he met the Harijan people at places like Ollur, Pullazhi, Aranattukara, and Laloor. On January 16, he visited the Sree Ramakrishna Gurukulam at Puranattukara and stayed there for a day. Subsequently, he addressed the public at areas like Manikandanal surroundings in Thrissur, Koorkanchery, Irinjalakuda, and Chalakudy.

When will there be a memorial at Manikandanal?

It has been 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi first set foot in Thrissur. Time has passed significantly, yet there isn’t even a single memorial stone to preserve those memories. What remains in that soil is only a British-supporting monument — a memorial marking the participation of the Kochi Maharaja in the durbar where British officials gathered local rulers.

Manikandanal is a place of great historical significance. It was here that the Quit India Movement began on August 11, 1942. Despite police repression, young patriots hoisted the tricolor flag at this very spot. Several prominent leaders, including Sarojini Naidu, have delivered speeches here. For a long time, there has been a demand to establish something that commemorates Gandhi’s memory at this location.