Gandhi Memorial was built in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi, the 'Father Of The Nation'. He was a great Indian leader who strictly practised non-violence and fought for the sanctity of life. He was also a great philosopher. When he died in 1948, the urn containing his ashes was kept for public display so that they can pay their last homage to the great soul. It was followed by the consignment of the ashes into the sea. This is the place in Kanyakumari where the first rays of the Sun falls. Later a memorial was built here in the year 1956. The monument was built on the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi. It was designed in such a manner that on 2nd October (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday)it? allows the Sun rays to fall on exactly the same place where the ashes were kept. The central hall is 79 feet high and the figure represents the age of Mahatama Gandhi. Earlier the memorial was maintained by the Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu. But now its control has been handed over to the Public( Information and Public Relations) Department. The architecture of the Gandhi Memorial is modern and simple and has some unique charm to it.