Gandhiji's Visit To Kerala

While India was fighting for independence, our own tiny corner of the globe, Kerala, was also experiencing a similar social and cultural renaissance.

During these turbulent times, the Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, visited Kerala on numerous occasions and expressed his unwavering support for the reforms that were taking place in Kerala.

He visited Kerala five times, and each visit brought about significant changes in the community by unifying individuals from different classes who had been divided by the caste system.

Gandhiji's visits to Kerala are an important topic for PSC exams as you can see from the previous year's questions listed below. 


Gandhiji's First Visit to Kerala (1920)

  • August 18, 1920.
  • Place – Malabar (Kozhikode Railway Station).
  • Purpose  – As a part of the national campaigning of the Non-Cooperation Movement against British’s Rowlatt Act & for promoting the Khilafat Movement.
    • President of the Khilafat Committee in Kerala  – P.K. Muthukoya Thangal.
  • Stayed for 20 hrs in Kerala.
  • Rs 2,500 collected for the Khilafat Fund under the leadership of Ramunni Menon was given to Gandhi.
  • Translator of Gandhiji's first speech to Malayalam – K. Madhavan Nair.

Gandhiji's Second Visit to Kerala (1925)

  • March 8 – 19, 1925.
  • Place – Vaikom.
  • Purpose – Vaikom Satyagraha.
  • Ruler of Travancore – Sethu Lekshmi Bai.
  • The idea of  Savarna Jatha was proposed by Gandhiji.
  • March 12, 1925 – Meeting with Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri.
    • Translator – Kumaranasan.
  • Visited – Aluva Union Christian College.
  • Denied entry to the inner sanctum of Bhagavathy Amman temple in Kanyakumari citing his visit to England as a reason.
    • Wrote about this in Navjivan under the article titled as 'Darshan of Kanyakumari.'

Gandhiji's Third Visit to Kerala (1927)

  • October 9 – 15, 1927.
  • Place –  Vaikom.
  • Purpose – Part of South Indian exploration (Untouchability, Vaikom). 
  • October 14, 1927 – Visited Vivekodayam School (Thrissur) and conducted a charkha spinning competition for students as a part of the Khadi campaigning.
    • Manakkulam Mallika Thampuratti (niece of freedom fighter Kurur Neelakantan Namboodiripad) received the topper prize awarded by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Met with poet Vallathol Narayana Menon at Thrissur guest house.
    • Dedicated Sahitya Manjari to Gandhiji.

    Gandhiji's Fourth Visit to Kerala (1934)

    • January 10 – 22, 1934.
    • Place – Malabar.
    • Purpose – Fund Collection for Harijan Welfare.
    • The famous woman who gave her gold jewelry in Vadakara for the Harijan Fund – Kaumudi Teacher.
      • Gandhiji wrote about this under the title 'Kaumudi Ka Tyag' in the Harijan Magazine.
    • Visited Pakkanarpuram Gandhiseva sadan established by K. Kelappan.
    • January 13, 1934 – Unveiled the picture of Congress leader K. Madhavan Nair and gave a historic speech at Kozhikode Town Hall. 

    Gandhiji's Fifth Visit to Kerala (1937)

    • Last and Final visit to Kerala.
    • January 12 -21, 1937.
    • Place –  Travancore.
    • Purpose – Temple Entry Proclamation by Sree Chithira Thirunal.
    • Met with Ayyankali at Venganoor and called him 'Pulayaraja.'


    📝SideNotes:

    • Kanyakumari became a part of Tamil Nadu in  –  1956 (as a part of state reorganization).
    • The first Secretary & President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee – K. Madhavan Nair (1921 & 1925).
    • How many times Gandhiji visited Kerala during the freedom struggle? 5. (Previous Year PSC Question: Lab Technician Gr-II, Health Services, 2018; Assistant Engineer, KWA, 2016)
    • The only place which was visited thrice ( (1925, 1927, 1934) by Mahatma Gandhi in Kerala – Sabari Asram (Akathethara).
    • Founder of Sabari Asram (Akathethara) – T.R. Krishnaswami Iyer.
    • Gandhiji visited Kerala in association with –  (Previous Year PSC Question: Junior Health Inspector, 2014)
      •  (A) Vaikkom satyagraha (B) Salt satyagraha (C) Guruvayoor satyagraha (D) Nivarthana prakshobham 
    • ഗാന്ധിജി വൈക്കം ക്ഷേത്രം സന്ദർശിച്ച വർഷം – 1925. (Previous Year PSC Question: Gardener Gr-III, 2018)
    • Which event was hailed by Gandhiji as the 'Miracle of modern times'? Vaikom Satyagraha. (Previous Year PSC Question: Armed Police Sub-Inspector (Trainee), 2017; Tradesman-Plumber, Technical Education, 2016; Pharmacist Grade II, Health Services, 2016; Commercial Tax Officer, 2015; Data Entry Operator, Apex Societies, 2014)
    • In which year Gandhiji made a visit to Kerala, which was described by him as 'pilgrimage' – 1937. (Previous Year PSC Question: Police Constable, Telecommunications, 2018)
    • The last visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Kerala was in connection with which of the following events? 1936 Temple Entry Proclamation. (Previous Year PSC Question: Police Constable, Telecommunications, 2018)
    • Who authored the book 'Vaikom Satyagraha and Gandhiji'? Dr.T.K.Ravindran. (Previous Year PSC Question: Junior Instructor (Wireman) Industrial Training, 2015)
    • Mahatma Gandhi met Sreenanarayana  Guru at Varkala on – 1925 March 12. (Previous Year PSC Question: Foreman, SIDCO, 2015)
    • The Social-Reformer who met Mahatma Gandhi at Neyyattinkara – Poikayil Yohannan. (Previous PSC Questions: Assistant Surgeon-Health Services 2018)
    • Who called Ayyankali as a Pulaya Raja? Mahatma Gandhi.  (Previous Year PSC Question: LD Typist/Clerk Typist/Typist Clerk, 2016)