Raj Ghat

The Basics

Though the Gandhi memorial stone is the main attraction at Raj Ghat, this sprawling complex is also popular for strolling, with grassy knolls and a number of other important cremation-spot memorials, including those of late Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Rajiv Gandhi, to name a few. It’s a popular spot for those interested in Gandhi's life and Indian political history, and a good number of Delhi tours stop here.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Remove your shoes before stepping onto the walkway around the shrine.

• Wear sunscreen and a hat, as the area is open and exposed to the elements.

• There are no wandering vendors here, so bring plenty of water.

How to Get There

Raj Ghat is located west of the Yamuna River, about a 15-minute drive from Connaught Place, the de facto Delhi city center. The nearest metro station is Jama Masjid, on the Violet Line, a 15-minute walk away, though most visitors arrive by car or rickshaw or as part of an organized tour.

When to Get There

Raj Ghat is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Note that if you’re visiting in the hotter and/or rainy months (roughly April through September), you are best off visiting early in the day, when temperatures are lower and crowds are fewer. Special ceremonies take place here every Friday and annually on October 2, which is Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi's birthday), and around the anniversary of his assassination, on January 29.

Samadhis

A samadhi is a shrine built to honor specific deceased people, including saints, gurus, and leaders. Although some saints and gurus are not cremated, particularly those who are believed to have transcended the cycle of reincarnation and attained what is also known as samadhi, most Hindu people are. A samadhi is frequently set up at the place where the deceased person is cremated, hence the numerous samadhis at Raj Ghat.