The Final Resting Place Of The Father Of The Nation, We're Taking You Through Raj Ghat In Delhi

Being an iconic figure, it’s impossible to reconstruct history without Mahatma Gandhi and it is for this reason that the Raj Ghat witnesses an array of visitors almost every day. Several amongst the visitors are avid readers of Gandhian philosophy; others just want to pay homage to the man who fought for our freedom, unarmed. 

Raj Ghat marks the place where his last rites took place. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, the samadhi (funerary memorial) is in sync with the Hindu religion which decrees that a cremation should necessarily take place near the banks of a river. The memorial is located 4 km away from Janpath to the North-East of Feroz Shah near the Delhi Gate on the Ring Road. One can reach the memorial easily by auto, rickshaw or bus. 

A Peaceful Retreat

Picture Credits: Everything is here Maikant

The Raj Ghat is bordered by high raised walls and at the entrance, a framed picture of Mahatma Gandhi is placed with ‘My life is my message’ inscribed on it, radiating the simplicity with which he lived his life. The red sandstone structure which holds a small white gate marks the entrance and its wall bears the name Raj Ghat inscribed in black. Although Gandhi feared none, ironically, the structure of the memorial starts with a guard post! 

The Architecture

Picture Credits: Albert Zeliang

The pathways built amidst greenery lead you to the enclosure containing the memorial. The well-maintained lawns, the huge trees lined straight and the flowing fountains seem to lend a sense of serenity and calm to the place, which is disconnected from the hustle-bustle of Delhi’s fast-paced city life. On entering Raj Ghat, the pathways first lead you through a flat plain, further onto a slope and then again to a flat area. 

The architecture is designed in a way that the commemorative plaque cannot be viewed from the Ring Road and vice versa; it has been raised to a suitable level and constructed at a height, to prevent it from being flooded by the River Yamuna. 

The Structure

Picture Credits: Mauro Gattari

Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial is a raised structure built to symbolize the brick platform on which Gandhi’s lifeless body was burnt. The black marble structure has Gandhi’s last words, ‘Hey Ram’, inscribed in metallic letters. 

The commemorative plaque also bears a Jyoti (eternal flame) that is lit up as a tribute. It’s enclosed with small white wall-like structures combined with caged barricades built around it. For the convenience of the barefoot visitors, the pathway around it has been laid with green-hued carpets.

Come, pay homage to the man you owe your freedom to that you take for granted every day!

Where | Raj Ghat - Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Ring Road
Timings | 6:30 AM - 6 PM
Call Them | +91 11 2567 5609