About this Holiday
Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. Known as Mahatma Gandhi ('Great Soul') and the Father of the Nation, he led India's independence movement through non-violent civil disobedience and inspired civil rights movements worldwide. The United Nations has designated October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence. The day is observed with prayer meetings at Raj Ghat in New Delhi and nationwide tributes to his legacy of truth (satya) and non-violence (ahimsa).