The Congress Bhavan building located in the heart of the city near the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is an iconic landmark of Pune, whose construction began on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday in 1938.

Mohandas Gandhi was at the forefront of the freedom movement and was among the prominent members of the Congress. He first expressed his wish to have a Congress Bhavan in Pune district.

Renowned Congressman from Pune Kakasaheb Gadgil, along with other leaders in the city, procured land near the PMC on June 26, 1938, at the cost of Rs 9,200.

After the building was completed, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to inaugurate it on January 26, 1940.
Speaking to Sakal Times, senior Congress leader Abhay Chajjed said, “Gandhi was invited for the inauguration but because of his ill-health, he could not come.”

Gandhi was in Sevagram in Wardha at that time and he sent a letter for the party workers in Pune, which was read out in front of the spectators at the time of inauguration.”

Lest we forget
The history of Congress Bhavan is incomplete without the mention of Narahar G Pawar, the architect who gave shape to the iconic structure. 

Many Gandhi followers had gathered at the Congress Bhavan when the Mahatma gave the call for Quit India Movement. 

Narayan Dabhade, a 16-year-old freedom fighter, was one of them who was killed by the Britishers at the time of national flag hoisting that took place on August 9, 1942.

The Congress Bhavan has been visited by many eminent personalities like Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

In 1955, many leaders also visited the Congress Bhavan when the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting was held at Fergusson College in Pune.