Raj Ghat and associated memorials
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Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. It is left open to the sky while an eternal flame burns perpetually at one end. It is located on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi, India. A stone footpath flanked by lawns leads to the walled enclosure that houses the memorial. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located near by. The memorial has the epitaph Hē Ram, (literally 'O' Ram', but also translated to 'O God'), believed to be the last words uttered by Gandhi.
It has become customary for foreign dignitaries visiting India to pay their respects to Gandhi at the Raj Ghat by laying flowers or wreaths on the platform. As a sign of respect, visitors are required to remove footwear before approaching the memorial. A commemorative ceremony is held every Friday, to mark the day Gandhi died. Prayer sessions are held at the Raj Ghat on Gandhi's birth and death anniversaries.
Raj Ghat loosely translates to King Court (where King alludes to the importance of the place). Several other samadhis or cremation spots of other famous leaders can be found in the vicinity of Raj Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna.
Jawaharlal Nehru's samadhi is to the north of the Raj Ghat and is known as the Shantivan or Shanti Vana meaning the forest of peace. The area has a beautiful park adorned with trees planted by visiting dignitaries and heads of state. His grandson Sanjay Gandhi's samadhi is adjacent to it.
Other samadhis in the vicinity are (mentioned in the chronological order of death):
| Leader | Highest position held | Name of the Memorial | Meaning | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lal Bahadur Shastri | Prime Minister of India | Vijay Ghat | Victory Platform | The victory alluded to in the name of the memorial is India's performance under his leadership in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Later, Shankar Dayal Sharma was cremated in the vicinity. |
| Indira Gandhi | Prime Minister of India | Shakti Sthal | Place of Power | A huge greyish-red monolithic stone |
| Jagjivan Ram | Deputy Prime Minister of India | Samta Sthal | Place of Equality | --- |
| Choudhary Charan Singh | Prime Minister of India | Kisan Ghat | Farmer’s platform | Another leader of farmers, Chaudhari Devi Lal was also cremated here. |
| Rajiv Gandhi | Prime Minister of India | Veer Bhumi | Land of Brave | A large lotus in full bloom carved out of stone surrounded by 46 small lotuses to signify the years he lived; rocks from all the states of India are spread around. |
| Giani Zail Singh | President of India | Ekta Sthal | Place of Unity | --- |
