The short answer
Kaba Gandhi No Delo: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you care about Gandhi or about old Kathiawadi houses. It is small and takes under an hour, with short morning and afternoon hours, so go early and combine it with the Mahatma Gandhi Museum.
History and context
The story behind Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Rajkot State granted the Gandhi family land in 1880, and the house was completed in 1881. Mahatma Gandhi was about 12 when the family moved in. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, died in 1885. It remained the family's main home until 1915 and was sold in 1920.
The Government of Saurashtra bought the house in 1948, and it was handed to the Gandhi Smriti Trust in 1969, the year of Gandhi's birth centenary.
Useful facts
Kaba Gandhi No Delo facts at a glance
- Location
- Kadiya Navline, off Gheekanta Road, Rajkot
- Experience type
- Historic house museum
- Known for
- Gandhi's boyhood home
- Built
- 1880 to 1881
- Time or schedule
- Short morning and afternoon hours; closed Sundays per one guide
Why it matters
Why Kaba Gandhi No Delo is worth your time
This is where Gandhi lived as a teenager, in the house of his father Karamchand Gandhi, then diwan of Rajkot State. Visiting it places the boy in a real, ordinary household rather than a monument, which is why many visitors find it more affecting than larger museums.
It also shows how the Gandhis lived as a middle-ranking princely-state family, in a house larger than a village home but modest by palace standards. Combined with the nearby museum in his old school, it makes Rajkot one of the best places to understand Gandhi's early years.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The courtyard
The central courtyard is the heart of the Saurashtrian-style haveli.
- 02
Gandhi Smriti exhibition
Photographs, paintings and belongings tell the family story in captions in Gujarati and Hindi.
- 03
Upper-floor rooms
The upper rooms show how a diwan's household was laid out.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Come in the morning when the lane outside is quiet and the house is open. The house is built around a central courtyard, in the Saurashtrian style, with nine rooms and a kitchen. Start by looking at the courtyard and the plain, comfortable proportions of a diwan's home before going through the displays, which are photographs, paintings and objects related to Gandhi.
The permanent exhibition is called Gandhi Smriti and gives a brief account of his family and early life. Take your time over the panels with captions in Gujarati and Hindi; if you cannot read them, a short walk with a guide or a guidebook helps. The upper-floor rooms give a better sense of the layout and of how a household of this kind worked.
The lane approach is part of the visit. It is in old Rajkot, so expect traffic and street activity near the entrance. After the house, go on to the Mahatma Gandhi Museum for a wider account, or return to your hotel for a rest before the afternoon.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go in the morning and check the opening hours first
- Ask your driver to wait, as the lane is narrow
- Pair it with the Mahatma Gandhi Museum
- Wear shoes that are easy to remove if requested
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kadiya Navline, off Gheekanta Road, old city
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, when it is open and the lanes are quieter; November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The house has a central courtyard and rooms on two floors; the ground-floor displays are the easiest to see, while the upper floor involves stairs. It is small, so crowds can make it feel tight. Seating is limited and the surrounding lanes are narrow, so arrange a drop-off close to the entrance.
- Tickets and access
- The house is run as a memorial by the Gandhi Smriti Trust; check the current opening hours and any entry fee locally. A guidebook lists Monday to Saturday morning and late afternoon hours and a Sunday closure, but confirm before you travel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The house has a central courtyard and rooms on two floors; the ground-floor displays are the easiest to see, while the upper floor involves stairs. It is small, so crowds can make it feel tight. Seating is limited and the surrounding lanes are narrow, so arrange a drop-off close to the entrance.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How long does Kaba Gandhi No Delo take?
About 30 to 60 minutes. The house is small, so it works as a short stop beside a larger visit.
Is it open on Sundays?
One guide lists it as closed on Sundays, with morning and afternoon hours on other days. Confirm locally.
Is it good for elderly visitors?
The ground floor is easy, but the upper floor has stairs. The lanes outside are narrow, so arrange a close drop-off.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
