Rajghat
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 11 Mar 2024
Dr. Ravi P. Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
As most people know, the place Rajghat is associated with Mahatma Gandhi. This place is in central part of New Delhi and is understood to comprise the life, thoughts and feelings of Gandhi – ji.
The structure of Rajghat is made up of marble slabs in the shape of a rectangular shaped object — about 4 feet by 6 feet and about 3 feet high.
People come to see this structure which is supposed to be the samadhi
of Gandhi ji. The samadhi is a Sanskrit word that means highest form of concentration that an individual can attain in Hinduism and Buddhism.
People who come to see Rajghat see this marble structure and pay their respects to Gandhi by bowing down in front of it and placing some flowers on it. For people this marble structure is what remains of Gandhi.
Some people feel that after death, Gandhi is buried here. This is absolutely not so. After Gandhi’s death in January 30, 1948, his body was cremated in the usual Hinduism manner and only a token of his ashes were brought here to form the constructed marble structure .
What was delightful to see at Rajghat was the large number of visitors who come to pay respects to Gandhi. Many people were Indians from different parts of the country but there are also a large number of foreigners who come to India and make it a point to come to Rajghat. There were quite a few children also among the visitors. This place is associated with Gandhi and people pay their respects to a personality whom the world recognises as Mahatma— the great soul.
While there were so many visitors to this place, there was silence and order as people came, paid their respects and silently walked away. This visit has a profound impact on the people. It gave me also a feeling of joy and peace on seeing this place again after many years. I hope that people who visit Rajghat are joyfully impacted by the peace loving Mahatma for whom they have respect and regards.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi — Mahatma: Peace and Truth Lover
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Dr Ravi P Bhatia is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, an educationist, Gandhian scholar and peace researcher. Retired professor, Delhi University. His new book, A Garland of Ideas—Gandhian, Religious, Educational, Environmental was published recently in Delhi. ravipbhatia@gmail.com
Tags: Gandhi
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 11 Mar 2024.
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A write-up about the Rajghat is always uplifting as it gives an opportunity to revisit the great personality. Dr. Ravi Bhatia has beautifully described it’s sanctity. Whenever I visit Rajghat, it evokes feeling of love and happiness. It reminds us of Gandhi’s greatness and unique personality.