In Pictures: When Tamil Nadu hosted the Mahatma

The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi visited Tamil Nadu 20 times between 1896 and 1946. Each visit of the Mahatma was significant in its own way.

1921 Madurai: A fully-clad Gandhi visited Madurai in 1921 and it is where he adopted 'half-naked fakir' costume. The attire thereafter became his trademark (Photo | National Gandhi Museum) 

1896: It was on April 17, 1896 when Gandhi first visited Tamil Nadu. The Mahatma wanted to mobilise people in support of their brethren in South Africa. He stayed in Chennai (then Madras) for 14 days. Gandhi, who was fond of Tamil, bought nine books from a shop. (Photo | National Gandhi Museum)

1916: Gandhi unfurled Swadeshi flat at the Missionary Conference on February 14, 1916. He presided over a debate at Anderson Hall, which was later noted as the inauguration of Debate society of Madras Christian College. (Photo | National Gandhi Museum)

1919: Gandhi again visited Chennai in 1919. He stayed for 12 days this time. It was the time when the Rowlatt Act was enforced to detain freedom fighters without trial. He called upon people to boycott all government functions and and undergo dawn-to-dusk fasting. (Photo | National Gandhi Museum)

1925: During his visit to Madras 1925, Gandhi drew crowds to the Marina (Triplicane Beach) and urged them to learn Hindi so that all could fight for Independence in one tongue. (Photo | National Gandhi Museum)

1933: Gandhi visited Tamil Nadu (then Madras presidency) in 1933 to talk about Harijan issues, and in the following year (in 1934), he visited the state again to visit Ooty and Kotagiri. (Photo | National Gandhi Museum)