improper allocation of funds. There was a protest held at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near Pune railway station in July 1999 to protest against the worsening condition of the monument. The present condition has improved quite a lot. Significance Aga Khan palace has Italian arches and spacious lawns. The building comprises five halls. It covers an area of , out of which is the built up area. The palace captivates the eye of a spectator with its magnificence and picturesque architecture. It took 5 years and an estimated budget of to complete this Palace. The area of the ground floor is 1756 m, that of the first floor is 1080 m, whereas the second floor has a construction of 445 m. The speciality of this structure is its corridor of 2.5 meters around the entire building. Prince Karim Aga Khan donated this palace to Gandhi Smarak Samittee in 1972 and since then Parks and Gardens organisation is maintaining it. The palace archives a number of photos and portraits depicting glimpses from the life of Mahatma Gandhi and other personalities of the Indian freedom struggle. This palace is also the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. It also hosts a shop that deals in khaadi and other hand loomed textiles. Activities organised at the palace Gandhi Memorial society celebrates the following public functions at the palace: Martyr's Day – 30 January. Mahashivratri – Kasturbha Gandhi's Death Day Celebrated As Mother's Day. Independence Day – 15 August. Republic Day – 26 January. Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary – 2 October. Other than yearly events, morning prayer sessions are held daily at the samadhi since decades. The prayer draws huge crowds everyday, and the number goes up threefold on 2 October as people visit the place to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Gallery See also Mahatma Gandhi and the Quit India Movement Mani Bhavan Aga Khan III Aga Khan IV References External links Houses completed in 1892 Tourist attractions in Pune Memorials to Mahatma Gandhi Palaces in Maharashtra Buildings and structures in Pune Indian independence movement in Maharashtra