Anand Bhavan-Home of 3 Prime Ministers

Allahabad has played a prominent role in

the freedom struggle and politics of India.

It has nurtured several outstanding

leaders and states men,

the Nehru/ Gandhi family being the most

distinguished and eminent among them.

Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi

and her son Rajiv Gandhi

were our Prime Ministers.

This January, when Namrita (my sister) was visiting with her

sons we went to

visit Anand Bhavan -

House of Joy.
Anand Bhavan is a large mansion located in Allahabad, India. Established by Indian political leader Motilal Nehru in the 19th century, it has served as the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi Family — future Prime Ministers of India Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were born there.
It was donated to the Indian government in 1970 by Indira Gandhi. Today it has been converted into a memorial and museum. Here one is offered a glimpse of the lifestyle of the family that retained for a long time and even today the status of the most important political dynasty in India. It is a two storied building which has rooms including the one where Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visits.
Jawahar Planetarium is also located inside the Anand Bhawan.

Anand Bhavan is the ancestral home of Jawaharlal Nehru, the freedom fighter and the first Prime-Minister of India. The place is also home to Indira Gandhi, the "Iron Lady of India". The place has today been turned into a fine museum. The importance of this place also increases because of the fact that several momentous decisions and events, related to the freedom struggle took place here. The main building houses a museum that displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family.Indira Gandhi donated Anand Bhawan to the Indian government in the year 1970 that was later converted into a museum on her behest. This museum is very well kept and worth visiting. This shrine to the Nehru family indicates the high regard in which this famous dynasty is held in India. The exhibits in the house highlight the events that compelled a well-off and prestigious family to get involved in Indian independence. The family has the honor of producing five generations of astute politicians - Moti Lal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The most interesting part of the museum is Nehru's bedroom and study. There is a room specially dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, father of the Indian Nation, where he used to stay during his visits. There is a room dedicated to Indira Gandhi as well that houses many of her belongings. The drawing room also houses some of the belongings of Moti Lal and Jawaharlal Nehru. The study is another interesting section where you can glance through numerous bookshelves that are full of titles dedicated to Marx and Lenin. Out in the lush green garden is an outhouse that houses a picture gallery dedicated to the life and times of Jawaharlal Nehru. Next-door is Swaraj Bhawan, where Moti Lal Nehru lived until 1930 and where Indira Gandhi was born. It houses a museum featuring dimly lit rooms and an audio-visual presentation 'The Story of Independence'

The estate has several buildings and a magnifient garden.

A Planetarium also has been

built on one side

as a memorial to PM Nehru.

I photographed a liily pond

with tiny fish in it.

The central lawn with a majestic fountain

Prime Minister Nehru was very fond of roses

and wore one everyday in the lapel of his coat.

The gardeners maintain a beautiful rose garden here.

Nehru 's ashes were kept here

The architecture speaks of Mogul, Hindu

and British influence.

This is Swaraj Bhawan (Self Rule House),

the oldest part of the property.

It houses a museum and orphanage.

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was born

in a building on the left

of the photo.

This is the library where many meetings

of the Indian National Congress party

were held during the freedom struggle

and afterwards.

Adapting a simple /traditional lifestyle people sat on the floor and comfortable cushions.

A view of the Planetarium

This is a room where

Mahatma Gandhi used to stay.

You can see his spinning wheel .

Its not very clear because of the shining glass.

The Nehrus were very wealthy, affluent people.

Educated in Europe and

and their life style was influenced by that..

It is said that they sent their suits to

be dry cleaned in Paris.

Their furniture was commissioned from Europe.

I like this Egyptian style bed

Another sitting room. The table looks like

a carved Kashmiri one.

The Nehrus were Kashmiri Brahmins.

(high caste Hindus)

The dining room

Part of the kitchen.

All in English style.

Although I think they were vegetarians.

My mother once had tea in this dining room

with the very young Indira Gandhi.

As a young school teacher ,

Mama was assigned to work

for Nehru 's Congress party during

a Election Campaign in the late 50s.

Mam a and her group spent a day in

a rural area.

Nehru 's jeep was supposed

to bring them back in the evening.

The driver forgot and when Indira

took the roll call of their workers, she

found these young teachers missing.

The driver was summoned and questioned and scolded

for his carelessness.

He was dispatched speedily to fetch the ladies

who were feeling quite lost

in this remote rural area.

When they arrived at Anand Bhawan

Indira Gandhi expressed her apologies and

served them tea and refreshments in the dining room.,

before sending them home.

Later on when Nehru won the elections and

was sworn as Prime Minister

Mama was invited to a grand

victory banquet at Anand Bhawan.

I have the invitation card somewhere. We have preserved it carefully

In one of the rooms we saw this

carry chair which was used to

lift Motilal Nehru

(Jawarlal 's father) when he was

unable to walk , due to old age.

Another elegant bedroom .

There is a walking stick

at the side.

A stately sitting room.

The overhead lamp and fan

very vintage.

A beautiful writing desk.

Namrita took my photo.

I was wearing my Dad 's jacket.

It was so cold .I needed

this fur lined coat.

With Rayguel and Namrita

Mishael, Rayguel and Namrita

A garden sculpture

This little chipmunk waqs enjoying the

winter sunshine.

A memorial plaque near

the entrance.

Some more rose beds

I hope you enjoyed this

visit to Anand Bhavan.