The long-neglected Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada is undergoing a refreshing transformation, with the premises now looking tidy and welcoming. New features, such as a 40-foot lift and a 120-foot ramp, have been installed to provide easy access to the Gandhi Stupa atop the hill. A repaired mini toy train has been launched for children’s enjoyment, and four ashram replicas representing locations where Gandhiji once lived—in India, Durban, and South Africa—have been restored after years of neglect.
A clean and green initiative is underway to transform the area around the hill and the planetarium—constructed by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in 2022—now shines with a fresh coat of paint. At the entrance, two striking statues of Mahatma Gandhi, one seated and the other standing, greet visitors. The premises have been upgraded with newly paved internal roads and enhanced visitor amenities, creating a welcoming environment.
Refurbished Mahatma Gandhi statue at the entrance.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. GIRI
A monument of national significance
Perched on a 500-foot hill, Gandhi Hill is home to a 52-foot memorial stupa, crafted in pink stone, depicting Gandhiji in a walking posture. Around the stupa are inscriptions of his inspiring messages, along with artistic carvings of the Charkha and other symbolic motifs.
The site now radiates a fresh, rejuvenated atmosphere, mirroring the initial steps of a comprehensive master plan to transform it into a world-class tourist destination. “The significance of this site has not been fully explored, and we are working on a ₹90-crore master plan that will highlight the significance and importance of this site on the global stage,” Gandhi P.C. Kaza, chairman of the Gandhi Hill Foundation, who is supervising the renovation at the project site, told The Hindu.
The foundation, under the leadership of Mr. Kaza, has set on the task of restoring the past glory with an ambitious initiative launched on October 2, 2025.
The vision is to transform the place into a global hub of Gandhian thought and cultural exchange by adding features like Gandhi India International Centre that will house a view gallery, a convention centre and an international-level guest house, he said. The plan also envisages Gandhi Global Research Institute for Science, Arts, Culture and Humanities, a 10-storey complex to facilitate exploration of Gandhian philosophy by world scholars.
A 120-foot ramp installed to provide easy access to the Gandhi Stupa atop the hill.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. GIRI
A living Gandhi Ashram Complex would comprise a 15-room facility with walking trails around the hill, designed to help visitors imbibe Gandhian lifestyle that promotes simple living, inner joy and harmony. “We also propose to organise regular art and cultural events encouraging artists to perform music and dance besides showcasing traditional crafts atop the hill,” he said.
Speaking about the unique history of the hill that dates back to the early 1950, he said it was built by a society of local freedom fighters and their families, following a decision of the Gandhi Memorial Fund, an initiative set up soon after the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi in February 1948. The Fund was constituted under the leadership of stalwarts including the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and 15 other eminent leaders representing different States, religions, and communities.
The legacy of Gandhi Hill
To propagate Gandhiji’s ideals by creating memorials across India, donations in the form of cash, jewellery, land, and other assets received by Gandhiji during his tours for the Swaraj Movement were transferred to state-level Gandhi Memorial Funds. Thus, the Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (A.P. GSN) was formed in Hyderabad, the then capital of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. As part of this initiative, Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada was entrusted to an independent society to be managed locally, along with several other properties across the State.
Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Gandhi Hill now comes under A.P. GSN Vijayawada, of which Mr. Gandhi is the Chairman.
The placed originally housed a memorial library, museum, observatory, and a miniature train for children that circled the hill, offering panoramic views of Vijayawada, the Krishna River, and the iconic Kanaka Durga Temple. A light and sound show once added to the attraction.
Built nearly 60 years ago, many of these facilities fell into neglect. The train stopped running, the library and museum fell silent, the observatory became defunct, and the stupa itself suffered from lack of upkeep.
Now that the government, through the Gandhi Hill Foundation, has embarked on the holistic transformation of this historic site, it may soon come alive with buzzing visitors and activities inspired by Gandhian principles.
Published – October 06, 2025 12:00 am IST
