Rajghat Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Rajghat
About Rajghat
Located just a couple of miles away from Connaught Place, Rajghat in Delhi is known by its present name as it was once a prominent ghat or stepped embankment at the edge of the Yamuna River. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January in 1948 following his assassination while walking to his customary prayer meeting at Birla House. Raj Ghat is a memorial tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi aka Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was killed by Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948 in the premises of Birla Mandir.Raj Ghat: Gandhi’s Memorial in Delhi.Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse.
The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. In keeping with the austere simplicity in life of Mahatma Gandhi, an unostentatious memorial marks the spot. On January 30, 1948, on his way to a prayer meeting, Gandhi was shot dead in Birla House, New Delhi, by Nathuram Godse. Godse was a Hindu radical with links to the extremist Hindu Mahasabha, who held Gandhi responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a payment to Pakistan. Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte
The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi.The last words that were uttered out of his mouth “Hey Ram” are inscribed in golden letters on his cenotaph. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. The premises of Raj Ghat are covered with lush green gardens with water fountains and variety of exotic plants and trees for the complete serene silence and peaceful environment to remember Mahatma Gandhi known as “Bapu “world over. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru – the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.Prayers and meetings are held every Fridayat 5 pm in his memory.A visit to Raj Ghat to pay homage is mandatory by all the State Heads as well as visiting dignitaries by laying flowers and offering prayers on his memorial.
Along with that, on the birthday (2nd October) as well as death anniversary (30th January) of Mahatma Gandhi, prayers are held here. A commemorative ceremony takes place every Friday. Prayers are held in remembrance of Mahatma on the Birth (2nd October) and Death (30th January) Anniversaries. 30th January is remembered as Martyr’s Day. Apart from ordinary people and tourists, it has become an essential point of call for all visiting dignitaries to pay their homage to the Father of the Nation.
Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. 30th January, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated is remembered as Martyr’s Day. Trees are planted on his birthday ie 2nd October and his death anniversary, 30th January. This place also homes two museums dedicated to Mahatma Gandhis preaching to the world: The Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi, in New Delhi, is situated amidst a garden with fountains and numerous striking trees. Situated near Raj Ghat, are two museums dedicated to Gandhi that house a number of possessions as well as photographs of Mahatma Gandhi.
There is also a beautiful Zinat-ul Masjid (Most Beautiful of Mosques) overlooking the Rajghat.Gandhi Memorial Museum that showcases his belongings and photographs of his life and Gandhi Smriti Museum at Tees January Marg which was once a home to him during his last days but was later converted into a museum.The cremation ground is now marked by a square platform made of black marble stone. It is a very simple and elementary structure made to commemorate the memories of a man who himself was very simple in his lifestyle and approach. 4 stone footpaths approach the consecrated platform each from the 4 gates. The structure is located amidst acres of beautiful sprawling gardens.
There are labeled trees near the platform. The museum shows the life cycle and philosophy of the Sarvodaya Movement through a movie. If you want to see the show in English the timing is from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm except Thursdays. On Sundays the show is shown at 3 pm in Hindi and at 5 pm in English.These trees were planted by visiting dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Ho Chi Minh, Yaser Arafat, Colonel Nasser, Marshal Tito, the former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitman and Paul Keating and the former US presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Regan.Raj Ghat is a destination visited dedicatedly by followers of Mahatma Gandhi who wishes to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation.
Jawahar Lal Nehru addressed the nation through radio: “Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not for me only, but for millions and millions in this country.”
Annual Event/ Special Event
A prayer service is organized on every Friday, the day he was assassinated, at 5.30 pm in the evening. Political leaders and citizens pay homage here every year on his birthday (October 2) and death anniversary (January 30).
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Vijay Ghat, Vir Bhumi, Shakti Sthal, Shanti Van, National Gandhi Museum, Zinat-ul-masjid, Feroz Shah Kotla and Khuni Darwaza are the nearest tourist attractions to rajghat delhi.
Nearby Restaurant
Hotel Inter-Continental in Connaught Place, Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj’s Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker’s canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls are there for refreshment. and many more eating places near Rajghat Delhi.
Nearby Shopping Venues
Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewelry) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewelry and handicrafts) and many shopping malls are near the Rajghat Delhi.
General Fact about Rajghat
- Location:Between the main Ring Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road) and the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, just southeast of Red Fort
- Time to Visit: All weeklong from Sunrise to Sunset.
- Preferred Timings:April-September: 5.00 am-7.30 pm / October-March: 5.30 am-7.00 pm
- Day Closed:Open on all days
- Admission Fee: Free and open to all.
- Photography Charges:None
- Nearest Railway Station:Old Delhi Railway Station
- Nearest Metro Station:Kashmiri Gate
- Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Time required for sightseeing:40 minutes
- Famous As :Last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi