- 2 October every year
- Born in 1869 in Porbandar
- International Day of Non-Violence
- National holiday
Where it began
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He studied law in London and then worked in South Africa, where he first used peaceful protest, which he called satyagraha, to stand up for people's rights.
He came back to India in 1915 and soon became the leading voice of the freedom movement. Through the Champaran movement, non-cooperation, the Salt March of 1930 and the Quit India call of 1942, he showed that ordinary people could bring change without violence.
People called him Mahatma, the great soul, and Bapu, father. After India became free, his birthday became a day to remember his simple life and his message of truth, peace and service.
How it grew over time
1869
Gandhi is born in Porbandar on 2 October.
1893 to 1914
In South Africa he develops satyagraha, the path of peaceful resistance.
1930
He leads the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, drawing people from across India.
1948
Gandhi passes away on 30 January, and his memorial is built at Raj Ghat in Delhi.
2007
The United Nations names 2 October the International Day of Non-Violence.
Today
The day is kept with prayer meetings, cleanliness drives and community service.
How it is celebrated in different places
Raj Ghat, New Delhi
Leaders and visitors place flowers at Gandhi's memorial and join a prayer meeting with his favourite bhajans.
Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
The ashram where he lived holds spinning sessions, prayers and talks about his life.
Porbandar, Gujarat
His birthplace, Kirti Mandir, welcomes visitors with prayer and flowers.
South Africa and the world
People in South Africa, the UK and many other countries gather at Gandhi statues for talks on peace.
Gandhi Jayanti moments
Gandhi Jayanti today
Schools and offices hold prayer meetings, and the bhajan Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram is sung in many places. Students take part in essay and speech contests about Gandhi's ideas.
Many people spend the day cleaning their streets, parks and schools, in honour of his belief that cleanliness is part of good living. Khadi shops often offer special sales on hand spun cloth.
