KOZHIKODE: Not many knew that a part of the mortal remains of the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi, has been preserved in the city.

It is at the Nayanar Balika Sadanam, an orphanage started by one of the unsung heroes of Indian freedom struggle Varikkara Rairu Nayanar, where the mortal remains has been preserved.

On Sunday, the members of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) and the members of Heritage walk forum of Kozhikode observed the 67th years since the preservation of the mortal remains at Nayanar Balika Sadanam.

It was freedom fighter K Kelappan who brought the urn with mortal ashes of Gandhi first to the Balaika Sadanam. A portion of which is being kept at the Sadanam and the remaining was immersed at Bharatha Puzha.

Nayanar Balika Sadanam which was once the refuge of women affected in Mappila Riots of 1921, was abandoned following various legal battles between encroachers and the Society.

According to Abhilash Kumar, ULCCS Managerial advisor, the Balika Sadanam did not get any attention from the government. Sadanam was then adopted by ULCCS that decided to preserve it as a memorial of Nayanar and also as a historical centre where the mortal remains of Mahatma was preserved.

The members of Heritage walk visited the spot to pay homage and have decided to include Nayanar Balika Sadanam as one of the important heritage centers in Kozhikode district.

In addition to this ULCCS with the assistance of the Modern managerial expertise of Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode has begun renovation works on Sadanam.