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 30^th 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.