Gandhi Maidan, Patna - Location, Timings

Gandhi Maidan, Patna Overview

The Gandhi Maidan Park, located in the capital city of Patna on the banks of the river Ganges, is a famous historical venue spanning an area of about 60 acres. This park was frequented by several influential leaders of the Indian Independence Movement for launching political campaigns, freedom rallies, parades and holding religious ceremonies. Formerly known as Patna Lawns, the grounds house the tallest statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the world, a bronze figurine that rises to over 70 feet. Its popularity has affirmed its status as a prominent landmark and place of the attraction of the city. Located near Ashok Rajpath in Moradpur, these grounds are approximately 2-3 kilometres from the city centre. During its heyday, distinguished state patriarchs namely Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Indira Gandhi and many more made their powerful voices heard in these lawns.

Even today, it acts as a hub for political rallies and other major events. The 72-feet tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi lies in the south-western corner of the ground. It also has one of the eleven Gandhi Sangrahalayas (Gandhi Museums) in the north-western corner. Several exhibitions and fairs are also held here, the most famous of them being the fortnight-long Book Fair. The ground has Patna's buzzing roads running around its circumference. A spot of choice for morning and evening joggers, it is best visited during these times. City dwellers head here for some necessary relaxation. It is open for playing and cricket played here is a delight to watch.

History of Gandhi Maidan

A rich, fruitful past surrounds the verdant green lawns that make up today's Gandhi Maidan. During the British rule and pre-independence days, the grounds were called Patna Lawns or Bankipore Maidan. The British used the extensive grounds for polo sports and also was briefly used as a golf course and horse racing track during the 1800's. Patna's landmark grounds has witnessed a considerable deal of historic rallies, including the Muslim League campaign of 1938 led by Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and Subhas Chandra Bose's Forward Bloc rally in 1939 which was dealt with a lot of hostility. Mostly used as a race course by the Elite and Europeans, it was known as Patna Lawns or Bankipore Maidan initially. It was rechristened as the Gandhi Maidan during the Bihar visit of Gandhiji at the time of Champaran Satyagraha. It was also then that the area became open to general public.

The Maidan' has served as a podium and springboard for the launch of national sermons. BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani addressed a mass gathering here during his rath yatra to Ayodhya in 1990. It was here that Jayaprakash Narayan first called out for sampoorn kranti (total revolution) against the national emergency imposed by then prime minister, Indira Gandhi.

Attended regularly by some of India's most respected and revered leaders of the independence movement such as Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Azad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, it has witnessed its share of the nation's history-altering freedom struggle campaigns during the British era, most important being the Champaran and Quit India movement of 1942.

Events at Gandhi Maidan

In 2016, the District Administration of Patna came up with a calendar of events to be held all year round on the grounds. According to the Divisional Commissioner, a special event will be held every month. Starting with the New Year program in January, the other months are taken up in the following manner: Vasant Festival in February, the Pataliputra festival in March, Trade and Tourism fair is reserved for April, the Patna Inter-School Championship in May, the Shilpostav, an event for craft exhibition in June, the Sawan Festival in July, August is set for the Patna Film Festival, the National Drama Festival in September, the Vijaydashmi Festival in October, Sharad Utsav in November, the Fun and Food Fair and Half Marathon in December.

Best Time To Visit Gandhi Maidan

Since the park grounds are open throughout the day, you can visit the Gandhi Maidan at your own respite. However, the finest time to grace the grounds with your presence would be the wee hours of the morning or the late evening hours during the sunset.

How To Reach Gandhi Maidan

Gandhi Maidan is well connected by major roads like Ashok Rajpath road, Exhibition road and Fraser road to different parts of Patna and neighbouring towns. Buses can be taken to the Mahendrughat bus stop at Ashok Rajpath which is very close by. The Patna railway line is a major railway junction is a mere 2 kilometres from the expansive grounds.