Raj Ghat is the place where Gandhi is memorialized. According to our guide, his ashes are not here but scattered all over India according to his wishes.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was popularly known as Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi. He was born in 1869 and was assassinated in Delhi in 1948. After his initial education in India he studied bar-at-law in England. He went to South Africa in 1893 and became a civil rights activist fighting what he called the "deep disease of colour predjudice" before coming back to India. He donned the modest and more traditional Indian dress and fought peacefully against unjust laws and for the independence of India which didn't happen until 1947. He is called Father of the Nation.
As you walk toward the main part of the memorial, there are plaques mounted in stone that contain many of his sayings. One I particularly enjoyed was "Do not listen to rumor but if you do, do not believe it."
There are several approaches to the memorial. As we neared we were given the option of walking straight through at ground level or taking the gentle ramps that gave you an overview. If the route you chose was at ground level, you needed to remove your shoes. The ramps are what everyone chose and we started up.
At the top, you could look down into the large grassy square garden area that had a raised black marble platform in the middle adorned with marigolds and supporting an everlasting flame in the center. It was simple and peaceful and even though it was not actually a burial site, it certainly was an appropriate memorial to a man of peace.
On our way back to the bus, we passed by a stature of Gandhi. At the base was another profound statement of his, "Be the change you wish to see."
The temperature was climbing. It didn't seem to be terribly humid but it certainly was hot and even though there was a smoggy haze, the heat comes through- unlike clouds that offer shade and cooler temperatures.
Our next stop was Humayan's Tomb. Along the way we passed the India Gate. An archway similar to the Arc in Paris, it is 42 meters high (about 126 feet) and commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting the British in WWI.
When we arrived at Humayan's Tomb, the heat struck me immediately but thankfully there was a bit of relief with some shade trees along the walk. Humayan was a Mughal emperor. The tomb was built in 1570 and is notable for being the first garden tomb and also the architectural inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
There are several surrounding tombs, one which had beautiful blue tile design along the base of the dome. We climbed several steps into Humayan's tomb and were left to explore on our own. I need to emphasize that our guide did quite a bit of explanation along the walkway, stopping at places for more information but with the heat, I couldn't stand that long to listen and sought out a bench to rest on.
Inside the tomb was rather plain compared to the intricate design on the outside. There were several sarcophaguses in various wings and center but, feeling the heat again, I chose to let Bob (who, by the way, loves the warmer temps) wander as I found a step to sit on. That's where the fun began for me.
A lady smiled broadly at me. She was dressed in a bright red sari or Indian garb and gestured to a spot next to me. I smiled and nodded. She sat down. Right next to me. I mean right next to me. We westerners aren't as comfortable without our personal space.
When her teenage daughter gestured with a phone camera pointed at us, I got the idea. They wanted a picture with the white lady. We had been told that this would happen so I happily obliged. I even handed my phone to the daughter who took a picture for me. After all, teens know how to handle the technology so well.
Eventually everyone in their group joined in and took pictures. When Bob came back they took more with him and thrilled at trying on his hat. Don't know why they would be fascinated with the dorky bucket hat. *smile*
Traffic going back to the hotel was a bit heavy so we arrived with just enough time to have lunch and get ready to go again. We had signed on for an afternoon tour. I was beginning to wonder if that had been a good choice. The heat was sure to be worse in the afternoon. I could only hope I would survive it.
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