Raj Ghat, Delhi: Information, History, Timings, Entry Fee

RAJ GHAT

Mahatma Gandhi is a national hero, and Rajghat in Delhi is a quiet and tasteful tribute to him. Gandhiji was a simple but effective leader, and his memorial displays similar simplicity in both construction and design. Raj Ghat, on the banks of the Yamuna, commemorates the place of his cremation after the assassination. The cremation sites, or mausoleums, of many other famous national leaders are also located in the Rajghat area. Whether you are interested in history or a traveller, this is one of the top places to visit when you leave your Delhi hotel for sightseeing.

Are you interested in knowing more about this Mahatma Gandhi Memorial? Here’s all the information you need about Delhi’s Rajghat, including its background, hours, features and other details.

Raj Ghat, Delhi Information: Timing, Entry Fee, etc.

Location	Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Ring Road), New Delhi
Type	Memorial or Samadhi
Dedicated to	Mahatma Gandhi
Timings	6:30 am to 6:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee	Free
Camera	Free
Architect	Vanu G. Bhuta
Material Used	Black Marble
Nearest Metro Station	Delhi Gate (Violet Line)
Dimensions	12 x 12 feet square platform with a height of 2 feet

Raj Ghat, Delhi: History

After being killed on January 30, 1948, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, had his body cremated the next day at a place close to the Yamuna. The exact spot where Gandhiji was cremated is marked by Raj Ghat. At this location, a modest memorial was built in accordance with the teachings and lifestyle of Gandhiji.

Raj Ghat Gateway was the name of an ancient gateway that was part of the walled city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi. It started at a place called RajGhat on the western bank of the Yamuna River. RajGhat is the name of the place where Gandhiji’s memorial was later built.

The Rajghat area has over the years been the site of the construction of mausoleums for many prominent Indian leaders, including former Prime Ministers and Presidents of the country. The latest addition to the Rajghat area is the National Memorial, the Samadhi of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, built in 2018.

Raj Ghat, Delhi Architecture

Gandhiji’s memorial at Rajghat is a square platform of black marble. Since the last words of the slain leader were “Hey Ram,” these words are inscribed on the simple structure. A never-ending flame burns day and night in a glass case above a marble platform. Vanu Ji Bhuta built the memorial keeping in mind Gandhiji’s philosophy of high thinking and a simple life.

There is a stone path that leads to the monument, which is inside a gated area. There are lush green gardens around the stone walkway on both sides. Alick Percy-Lancaster, the last British citizen to hold the post of Superintendent of Horticulture Operations under the Government of India, designed and maintained the landscape of the memorial.

The memorial has a magnificent garden surrounding it, with many labeled trees planted by international leaders such as US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, Queen Elizabeth II, and many others.

Raj Ghat: Today

The historical and national importance of Rajghat makes it one of the best places to visit in Delhi today. Every day, the monument is decorated with freshly picked flowers and is frequented by both domestic and international travelers. It is an honor for delegations, dignitaries, and VIPs traveling from other countries to visit the memorial and pay respect to the departed soul of Mahatma Gandhi.

Rajghat is one of the best places to visit in Delhi at present due to its historical significance and national importance. Every day, both domestic and foreign tourists come to see this monument, which is decorated with recently collected flowers. Delegations, officials and VIPs coming from other countries are honored at the memorial to pay their respects to the departed soul of Mahatma Gandhi.

Raj Ghat Museum

The Gandhi Memorial Museum at Raj Ghat honors the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi with a collection of images, sculptures, books, films, and other objects related to Gandhiji’s life. The museum’s extensive collection houses over 35,000 books and documents about the life and works of Gandhiji. Some of the articles were written by the leader himself. Along with some of his personal belongings, including his shawl, stick, dhoti, teeth, and even one of the bullets used to kill him, it also included 23 models of charkha.

There is an audio-visual section at the museum where films on Gandhiji’s life and work are shown inside an auditorium of 75 seats.

• Film Show Timings: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm; every Saturday and Sunday
• Film Show Fee: Free

Memorials in the Vicinity of Raj Ghat, Delhi

Around Raj Ghat, there are a few more monuments honouring notable Indian statesmen and figures. Among the most significant memorials in the vicinity are:

• Vijay Ghat (Lal Bahadur Shastri)
• Shantivan (Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru)
• Shakti Sthal (Indira Gandhi)
• Veer Bhoomi (Rajiv Gandhi)
• Karma Bhumi (Shankar Dayal Sharma)
• Rashtriya Smriti Sthal (Atal Bihari Vajpayee)

The memorials of Devi Lal, Choudhary Charan Singh, Jagjivan Ram, Giani Zail Singh, Chandra Sekhar, and I.K. Gujral are also located in this region.

Attractions near Raj Ghat, Delhi

1. RED FORT (2.1 km)
2. JAMA/ MASJID (2.5 km)
3. National Museum of Natural History (3.7 km)
4. AGRASEN KI BAOLI (3.7 km)
5. Connaught Place (4.2 km)
6. JANTAR MANTAR (4.4 km)
7. PURANA QUILA (5.1 km)
8. INDIA GATE (5.3 km)
9. RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN (6.8 km)

One of the leaders who dedicated his entire life to ensure that our country is free is Mahatma Gandhi. Remember to respect the great leader when you are in Delhi. Take some time to visit his memorial and experience the peaceful atmosphere there.