Raj Ghat Timings, Entry Fee, History, Nearby Attractions

Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Originally it was the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) on the banks of Yamuna river. Close to it, and east of Daryaganj was “Raj Ghat Gate” of the walled city, opening at Raj Ghat on Yamuna River. Later the memorial area was also called Raj ghat. It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation, Antyesti (Antim Sanskar) on 31 January 1948, a day after his assassination. 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 in India on Ring Road officially known as Mahatma Gandhi Road. A stone footpath flanked by lawns leads to the walled enclosure that houses the memorial.

Other than oceans, forests, mountains, monuments, and forts, there are numerous memorials and mausoleums built in our country that pay homage to some of our forefathers, leaders and fighters who have lost their lives while serving to our country.

It is time that we visit these places and light up our minds with the deeds that our ancestors and leaders did for the betterment of our country.

Raj Ghat is a memorial that is dedicated to the father of our nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi.

Along with the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, Raj Ghat also houses the memorials of various other dignitaries. The Raj Ghat is located on the banks of the river Yamuna, on the Ring Road, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi Road.

The term Raj Ghat loosely translates to King’s Bank which refers to the important people lying inside the premises, on the bank of the River Yamuna.

Raj Ghat is actually a site to pay homage to our leaders and patriots. Important dignitaries visiting our country are always taken to Raj Ghat to pay homage to our leaders.

Raj Ghat was originally a historic ghat of Old Delhi, near Shahjahanabad. After Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948, his last rites were performed on this ghat and the place where his antim-sanskar was done; a memorial was built to commemorate his death.

Later on, the place was extended. Numerous trees were planted, and chronologically, many important delegations were cremated at this memorial after their death.

The memorials of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and many others are present within the premises of Raj Ghat.

The memorial consists of a platform, made up of black marble that is built on the place where Mahatma Gandhi’s last rites were performed on 31st January 1948, after his death.

On the platform, his last words, “Hey Ram!” is inscribed. The eloquent and simple memorial has an ever-burning lamp build on it, and it lies under the wide sky. It is always decorated with flowers. The memorial lies on the green lawn which is flanked by a stoned footpath.

Raj Ghat also contains samadhis or cremations of various other people who were very important in the history of our country. There are numerous trees in Raj Ghat that were planted by various important dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II, etc.

Located just beside the Raj Ghat, the Raj Ghat Museum is one of the prime museums of our country.

Also known as the National Gandhi Museum, it has an illustrious collection of audio-visual materials, relics, books, journals, original crafts, documents, photographs, drafts and many more materials that are closely connected to Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kastur Ba and India’s struggle for freedom.

Currently, it is developing into a resource centre for the Gandhian Research and Allied Studies. Numerous historians visit this place.