Raj Ghaat

Raj Ghat is the Samadhi or memorial of MohandasNation, Gandhi or Bapu as he is fondly
Karamchand Gandhi better known as Mahatmaremembered stays alive in our hearts forever. It
Gandhi, located on the banks of the Yamunagives a great sense of pride to observe the
River. Dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi after hiscustomary tradition wherein foreign dignitaries
death on January 31, 1948, the Raj Ghat is avisiting India make it a point to lay wreath or
simple square platform made up of black marbleflowers and pay their homage to one of the
open to the sky with an eternal flame burninggreat souls of mankind - Mahatma Gandhi.
bright at one end throughout the day and night.The bank of river Yamuna houses many more
The memorial rests within a walled enclosure. Lushmemorials in honour of the contributors to the
green lawns sprawl across either side of a stonednation, all closely situated to Raj Ghat. Towards
footpath that leads to the memorial. There are athe north of Raj Ghat rests the Samadhi of
number of trees in the premises planted byPandit Jawaharlal Nehru, known as the Shantivan
various dignitaries on a visit to the memorial; theor the Forest of Peace. An interesting piece of
trees are labelled with the names of the peopleinformation is that the landscapes and the floral
who planted them. One cannot fail to notice thearrangement of these memorials were designed
inscribed words "Hey Ram" on the memorial whichby Sydney Percy -Lancaster, the Secretary of
are believed to be the last words spoken by thethe Agri Horticultural Society of India during those
Mahatma himself at the time of his death. Thedays.
simplicity of this construction depicts the simpleEvery child is also aware of the fact that
life led by Mahatma Gandhi.Mahatma Gandhi was a peace-loving man. He
As a mark of respect, visitors visiting thebelieved in truth and non-violence and led India to
memorial are requested to treat this holy place asattain her freedom in 1947. His simplicity can be
one would treat a temple. One has to removemarked by his lifestyle and high thoughts. He lived
footwear before proceeding towards thein a self sufficient set up, ate simple vegetarian
memorial. A ceremony in the honour of Mahatmafood and wore simple clothes in the form of the
Gandhi is held every Friday which happens to betraditional Indian dhoti and a shawl. The dhoti was
the day he breathed his last. Prayer sessions aremade from the yarn that spun out of his
held on every January 31st and October 2ndCharkha. He worked towards ending poverty,
every year to mark Gandhi's birth and deatheradicating caste and creed discriminations.
anniversaries. This proves that the Father of our