Visiting Raj Ghat the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial

People paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat

If you happen to be in Delhi then do not forget to visit Raj Ghat, a memorial built on the very place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial known as the “Raj Ghat” in Hindi is built on the banks of the River Yamuna surrounded by a beautiful garden. The memorial itself is built of black marble that marks the place where he was cremated, a day after his assassination. There is an eternal flame that burns at one end. “Hey Ram” is inscribed on the memorial which is supposed to be his last words when he was shot by an assassin who thought that the Mahatma was responsible for the division of India and giving way to much concessions to the Muslims of Pakistan.

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Raj Ghat Delhi
Raj Ghat in Delhi

Location and opening times of Raj Ghat

Set in the beautiful gardens, it’s a little bit of peace and tranquillity in a hectic Delhi. It is open all days of the week between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Raj Ghat is about 4 kilometres away from Janpath, the famous shopping complex of New Delhi.

[info] Address of Raj Ghat: New Delhi, DL 110006, India [/info]

People paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat
People paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat

You will have to do a lot of walking but it’s a nice walk away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi (more places to visit in Delhi). You will also have to take your shoes off at the memorial entrance.

There are no entry fees so there is no excuse not to visit. It should take around half an hour to one hour to walk around the gardens and pay your respects to this great man. In the car park, there is a small restaurant where you could try snacks such as Masala Dosa if you are feeling pecking after all that walking.

Foreign tourists at Raj Ghat Delhi
Plenty of foreign tourists visit Raj Ghat Delhi. Me talking a walk in the garden

Just to refresh you that Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most charismatic people of the twentieth century. He believed in Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Ahimsa is non-violence to all living things and Satyagraha literally means “force of truth”. Ahimsa has been around from centuries but it was Mahatma Gandhi who actually used it as a non-passive resistance political tool to oppose racial discrimination when he was in South Africa and then as a means to get independence from the British Empire. Many political leaders after him such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have followed on his pacifist philosophy and have succeeded.

Me at Raj Ghat in Delhi
Me walking in the garden at Raj Ghat in Delhi

If you are interested in learning more about Mahatma Gandhi and his life, his works and his philosophy in a simple way then you might consider buying my ebook called, “Mahatma Gandhi For Kids And Beginners”. The book is designed for kids but adults too can take advantage along with those who do not want to go into too much of his philosophical details. However, if you are further interested in Mahatma Gandhi then you might consider getting his autobiography, “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”. Please do not expect poetry or prose in the Mahatma’s autobiography as Mahatma Gandhi himself said that he was educationally a dull boy and was not a very cleaver person.  But do read his book as a journey into the mind of a great philosopher. But obviously, if you want the basics then consider my ebook on the Mahatma.

Mahatma Gandhi For Kids And Beginners
Mahatma Gandhi For Kids And Beginners

So if you do happen to be in Delhi, I suggest you do not miss out on paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and walk around the beautiful gardens of Raj Ghat – I am sure you will like it.

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22 thoughts on “Visiting Raj Ghat the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial”

  1. Hi Shalu,

    Your post brought back old memories of the time when we used to visit Raj Ghat very frquently whenever in Delhi to visit our cousins, but that was years back. 🙂

    I think when you visit such places, you travel back in time and find that peace within – one tends to honor such people always for all that they’ve done, isn’t it?

    Nice to know about yet another eBook of yours – great going! I’m sure those who want to learn more about Mahatma Gandhi would love to read through.

    Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend and a very Happy Women’s Day as well 🙂

    • It does bring back memories. I too used to visit Raj Ghat quite a lot. But again visited a few months back.
      Thank you for your comment Harleena and Happy Women’s Day.

  4. I remember visiting Raj Ghat as kid during school days. It is indeed worth a visit and pay our respects to the Mahatma.

    More people should visit Raj Ghat and it should not just be remembered when foreign dignitaries visit India.

    I am sure kids will enjoy reading the books and learn about Bapu.

  12. I have been there! Quite an impressive site. It was just so hot that day. Must have been 125 degrees. Just could not stand in the sun. Gonna have to come back during the winter months.

  14. I have visited the Rajghat once before. Its very peaceful and calm and certainly one of those places where you would love to sit and contemplate.

    Thanks for sharing Shalu.

  16. Everyone is talking about Mahatma Gandhi. No one is noticing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. We should not forget his efforts behind the success of India. It was Sardar Patel behind Mahatma Gandhi got this much publicity

  17. This is the most peaceful place i ever visited in my lifespan. that reminds me that everything could be achieved by the way of non violence. At last i would only say Jai Hind!

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