The founders of the institute, Saradar Veerangowda Patil and his wife Nagamma Patil were freedom fighters and had close association with Gandhiji after they plunged into the freedom struggle in response to the call given by the Mahatma.
Their close association with Gandhiji made the government to choose MVP to preserve the ashes of Gandhiji officially. Besides Hubli, ashes of Gandhiji are also preserved in Shivapur of Mandya district, Markera of Kodagu and Kudlagi of Bellary district in Karnataka.
Speaking to Times of India, K T Patil, secretary, MVP, said ashes were initially kept in a pot at the prayer hall for some years. Later, at the behest of the Centre, a small pedestal was built around it which later turned into a sacred place with people beginning to worship it, he added.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Union urban development minister Kamalnath were also present at the memorial among others.
Leaders of various religions also offered prayers at the Gandhi samadhi.
After the prayers, Advani was seen talking to Gandhi apparently enquiring about her health.
Gandhi had undergone a surgery for undisclosed aliment in August and returned to the capital last month.
Though she had attended a couple of meetings with top Congress leaders, she had not attended any public function so far.
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