Rajghat Delhi
Rajghat is a memorial in Delhi where Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, was cremated followed by his assassination in the year 1948. The cenotaph commemorating his memory is a simple black marble structure that sits amid a beautiful garden. The place is visited by locals as well as foreigners and various delegates to pay their homage to the Father of the Nation. A prayer is held every Friday, the day he died at Rajghat.
Rajghat also has samadhis or memorials of notable leaders of India Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Choudhary Charan Singh, Giani Zail Singh, Jagjivan Ram, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Devi Lal. Chandra Shekhar and I.K. Gujral. Raj Ghat, translating to King’s Bank is giving reference to its location on the bank of Yamuna River.
In addition to being Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, Rajghat is also a celebration of his illustrious life. Gandhiji’s philosophy is projected through pictures, sculptures, and photos. At Gandhi memorial Museum at Rajghat, his life and philosophy of the Sarvodaya Movement are also shown through a film in English and Hindi between 9:30 AM till 5:30 PM except on Thursday. On Sunday, it is featured in Hindi at 4 PM and 5 PM in English.
History
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was assassinated on 30th January 1948 and the following day, his body was cremated at a spot near the Yamuna. Raj Ghat marks the exact location where Gandhiji was consigned to flames and his last rites were performed. A simple memorial was built at this place in keeping with Gandhiji’s philosophy and practice of living a modest life.
Originally, Raj Ghat Gate was the name of an old gate that existed in the walled city of Delhi called Shahjahanabad. It opened on the west bank of the River Yamuna at a place called Raj Ghat. Later, the area where the memorial for Gandhiji was built came to be referred to as Raj Ghat.
Over the years, the samadhis of many notable Indian leaders were constructed in the Raj Ghat area, including former Presidents and Prime Ministers of the country. Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the samadhi of Atal Bihari Vajpayee constructed in 2018 is the latest addition to the Raj Ghat area.
Architecture
Gandhiji’s memorial at Raj Ghat is a square platform made using black marble. The plain structure has the words ‘Hey Ram’ inscribed on it since these were the last words uttered by the assassinated leader. On top of the marble platform, an eternal flame enclosed in a glass frame burns ceaselessly, all through the day and night. The memorial was designed by Vanu G. Bhuta in keeping with Gandhiji’s policy of simple living and high thinking.
A footpath made of stones will lead you to the memorial, which is housed within a walled enclosure. The stone pathway has lush green lawns on both sides. The landscaping of the memorial was done by Alick Percy-Lancaster, who was the last British national to occupy the position of the Superintendent of Horticultural Operations under the Govt. of India.
There is also a beautiful garden surrounding the memorial. The garden has several labeled trees that have been planted by noted dignitaries from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II, Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, USA President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and several others.
Heritage site in Delhi
- Red Fort
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Qutub Minar
- India Gate
- Hauz Khas Village
- Tughlaqabad Fort
- Jantar Mantar
- Siri Fort
- Isa Khan’s Tomb
- Agrasen Ki Baoli
- Purana Qila
- Safdarjung Tomb
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Lodhi Garden
- Rajpath
- Teen Murti Bhavan
- Stupa 18 Art Gallery
- Nicholson Cemetery
- Hauz Khas Fort
Raj Ghat Museum
The National Gandhi Museum or Gandhi Memorial Museum at Raj Ghat celebrates the life and ideology of Mahatma Gandhi through a collection of pictures, sculptures, books, films, and other memorabilia related to Gandhiji’s life.
The museum has a rich collection of more than 35,000 documents and books related to Gandhiji’s life and works, some of which have been written by the leader himself. It also exhibits 23 models of charkhas or spinning wheels along with some of his items, such as his dhoti, shawl, walking sticks, a few of his teeth, and even one of the bullets that were used to assassinate him.
There is an audio-visual section at the museum where films on Gandhiji’s life and work are shown inside an auditorium of 75 seats.
- Film Show Timings: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm; every Saturday and Sunday
- Film Show Fee: Free
What are the Timings Raj Ghat?
Raj Ghat remains open from 5:00 am to 7:30 pm from April to September, and from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm from October to March. It remains open on all days.
What is the Best Time to Visit Raj Ghat?
The best time to visit Delhi and Raj Ghat is between October and March.
How to Reach Raj Ghat?
By metro: The Delhi Gate Metro station (Violet Line) is the nearest metro station to reach the Rajghat. it is just 800 meters away from the Rajghat. By Bus: Raj Ghat Bus Stop is opposite the memorial which is 5 KM away from Kashmere gate and 4 KM from New Delhi Railway station.
What is the Location?
Behind Red Fort, New Delhi, Delhi 110006