Delhi: Gandhi & Other Sites

After our visit to the Sikh temple we went to see Gandhi's memorial. It consisted of a nice open and peaceful garden with quotes from him in different languages. In the center was a flame and an alter of flowers.

 

Memorial

Tablets around the garden

We drove past the lotus temple, the mother temple of India. The temple is open to all regardless of religion. No sermons can be delivered and no music can be played inside, it is purely a place of meditation and spiritual reflection. To save time we decided not to go in and snap our pics from afar.

Unfortunately, the next day we were unable to do as much sight seeing due to some protests that were going on inside of the city. So, we spent the morning in the hotel room and then after things died down a bit we were able to make our way into the city.

The gate

Flags & flame under the gate

President's house

Our first stop was to the India Gate, a national monument. This gate is actually a war memorial dedicated to the soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives during World War I and those who lost their lives during the third Anglo-Afghan War. Under the giant arch there are three flags which are the flags of India's three armed forces. There is also a flame that never goes out which is India's equivalent of the tomb of the unknown soldier (or Amar Jawan Jyoti). In the distance from the gate you are able to see many of the political parties buildings along with the president's house. The gate and the space leading up to the president's house looks exactly like Washington D.C. National Mall just without the museums. Like I said before, it did not feel like India!

Gandhi's last steps

The platform Gandhi was walking to

Our last stop for the day was at the Gandhi Museum. The museum showcases his life and principals with lots of art, stories, and quotes. More interestingly, this is the actual place that Gandhi was assassinated. The state opened the museum shortly after Gandhi's death in 1948. There are foot prints that lead to the garden where Gandhi was assassinated and you can walk along the last path that Gandhi himself walked upon. They also showed the last of his earthly possessions along with the bullets that were used to kill him. Gandhi died while walking to a platform within this garden to address a prayer meeting. Upon dying, Gandhi's last words were "Oh God". I have to say it was definitely crazy to think that I have stood in the actual spot where such an influential man has died. Hopeful the visit will help me channel my inner-Gandhi to help promote peace locally, nationally, and globally.

Gandhi on his last walk to the garden

xoxo,
Becca