Theni (Tamil Nadu): Special prayers were held at the Mahatma Gandhi Temple in Kamayagoundanpatti in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district on the occasion of the 157th Gandhi Jayanti.

Kamayagoundanpatti, near Cumbum, has a strong association with the freedom movement, with several freedom fighters and their families residing in the area.

Gandhi visited the village during his freedom movement campaign in Tamil Nadu. Following his death, freedom fighters brought his ashes to the site where the temple now stands and paid their respects. The ashes were later carried by thousands of people to nearby Suruli Falls and immersed there.

To commemorate Gandhi’s visit and his association with the village, residents initially built a small temple at the spot where he had campaigned. A new temple was constructed at the same site in 1985 and inaugurated by then President R. Venkataraman.

As part of this year’s Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, local residents, prominent personalities and descendants of freedom fighters gathered at the temple. They lit traditional lamps, took part in deeparadhana and offered special prayers and rituals.