Gandhi Jayanti ( Gandhi Jayanti ) — National Day in India in honor of the Birthday of the outstanding leader of the national liberation movement of the Indian people, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ) — officially named in India as the Father of the nation. The holiday is celebrated annually on October 2 in the country everywhere and is one of the three officially proclaimed national holidays, along with Independence Day and Republic Day.
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in the city of Porbandar ( Gujarat ). From 1893 to 1914 he lived in South Africa, where he led the movement against racial discrimination. Corresponded with L.N. Thick.
In 1915, Gandhi returned to India and led the liberation struggle. He was the ideological leader of the Indian National Congress ( INK ). Repeatedly elected its president. Preached non-violence, advocated the unity of Hindus and Muslims, for the elimination of caste and social inequality, for the abolition of untouchability.
In 1942, Gandhi led the anti-English movement. He was arrested several times by the English authorities. Wrote an autobiographical book « My life ». During life, it is called Mahatma ( Sanskr. mahātmā ), which means « great soul » ( Great Soul ). In 1948, he was killed by an Hindu fanatic.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated nationwide, celebrations are held throughout the country. In Delhi, the main place associated with the memory of Gandhi is his grave of Gandhi Samadhi in Rajghat ( on the banks of Jamna, in the Red Fort area ), where part of his dust is buried.
On Gandhi's birthday, leaders of the Indian Republic, religious leaders of various faiths, as well as residents of Delhi gather here. Those present lay garlands of flowers, special choirs sing religious hymns, clergy read passages from « Bhagavadgita », Koran, New Testament.
Worldwide, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday celebrates International Day of Non-Violence ( International Day of Non-Violenca ).