A statue of Mahatma Gandhi gets a wash on the eve of the anniversary of his birth in Jammu, India. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on Oct. 2, 1869 in Porbandar near Mumbai. He is often referred to as "Mahatma," a name which means "Great Soul" in Sanskrit. Saturday would have been his 141st birthday. Every year India celebrates the day with a national holiday. Gandhi was famed for his simple diet and lifestyle and in his honor no alcohol or meat is sold or consumed on the day.