Mumbai, not plain (Cour 2/2) 2/12 — Ashoka Stambh built in the early 2000s

Chaitya Bhoomi is at the foremost a testemant to B.R. Ambedkar, since the location is where he was cremated in 1956. This Ashoka Stambh too was inspired by Buddhist design, specifically the one in the city of Sarnath (similar to the Central and Southern India-inspired gates, and the Central and North-Western India-inspired memorial present here). This latter addition though, is quite fitting as a symbol, as this asiatic lion imagery represents Maurya Emperor Ashoka’s commitment to Buddhism. This parallels Ambedkar’s own dedication, exemplified by him and around 5 lakh of his followers accepting the faith around two months before his death (and around 5 lakh more on the day of his cremation). He had come believe that Buddhism was the most ideal religion for him, because of its theoretical and practical rejection of social inequality. The Chaitya Bhoomi was inaugurated by his daughter in law (M.Y. Ambedkar) a day piror to the anniversary of his death in 1971. In 2016, it was even classified as ‘Class A’ site for pilgrimages and tourism by the Maharashtra Government. Last year on Mahaparinirvan Divas, around six lakh devotees made a their journeys here. Even as Ashoka Stambh is presently gold, piror online documention suggests that it was of a darker colour only a couple of years ago. This would make sense, since there have been restorative and expansive projects that were reported on in the last decade. Pratyaksha accompanied me while this set was captured.

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