Mahatma Gandhi was a pivotal leader of India's independence movement against British rule.

Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the "Father of the Nation" in India and his philosophy of truth, nonviolence, and self-reliance inspired global movements for civil rights and social change.

                       Mahatma Gandhi visited the Kapileshwar Temple in 1924 during his time in Belagavi for the 39th session of the Indian National Congress, which he presided over—the only time he chaired a Congress session. He arrived in the city on December 21, 1924, staying for eight days until December 29. Gandhi had previously visited Belagavi in 1916 for the Bombay provincial conference of the Home Rule League and again on November 8 and 9, 1920, for public  meetings  related to the  freedom movement .  He later returned in 1934 during his all-India "Harijan Seva Tour," and finally in 1937 to campaign for a week at the Kumari Ashram in Hudali for the Gandhi Seva Sammelan.