Thursday February 4th, 2016, at 7:30am, our Spiritual Yoga Pilgrimage officially commenced, with yoga asana and meditation practice, led by our tour leaders, and Raja Yoga Teachers, Michele and Mehrad.
After breakfast, abounding with anticipation, we embarked our bus to begin our tour of New and Old Delhi. Once settled on the bus, our excited conversations were silenced by the sound of Mehrad’s voice on the microphone “I invite you to two minutes of silent meditation…”
Back home in Silicon Valley California, USA, everyone was anticipating the “kick-off” to Super Bowl 50, in just a few short days.
Here in Delhi, Dr. Tripathi, “kicked-off” our tour of India. With the exception of the ashram, he stayed with our group the entire time. Dr. Tripathi, is so much more than a tour guide, I simply cannot bring myself to refer to him as such. He is an academic scholar, Brahman priest, historical expert, dignitary of the Indian government, and so much more!
Dr. Tripathi, with articulate, intelligent, and joyful exuberance brought India, her culture, her deities, and her history to life. As each place was revealed, and every story told, his magical reverence was a catalyst for creative and imaginative inspiration.
Narrating through the busy streets, drawing our attention to landmarks and points of interest along the way, Dr. Tripathi both educated and welcomed us to his world.
Our first stop was at Raj Ghat on Mahatma Gandhi Ring Road. Raj Ghat loosely translates to King’s Bank, (where Raj or King alludes to the importance of the place and Ghat or Bank as in -on the bank of the Holy river Yamuna).
Raj Ghat is the site of Mahatma Ghandi’s memorial as well as many others to India’s Prime Ministers since independence, including Indira Ghandi, similarly assassinated, and Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India.
Born, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, 2 October 1869, he is more commonly referred to as Mahātmā Gandhi. I have learned that he did not refer to himself as Mahātmā.
Mahātmā is Sanskrit for “Great Soul” (महात्मा mahātmā: महा mahā (great) + आत्मं or आत्मन ātman [soul]).
Mahātmā Gandi, educated as a barrister-at-law, is the man who is known as the Father of India for his tireless and pacifist work to reclaim India’s independence from Britain. He was probably one of the greatest, and undisputed, leaders and is well respected by everyone. He led the way of of Satyagraha or ‘insistence on truth’, Ahimsa or nonviolence, and ‘righteous path’ in order to force the British to Quit India. He also actively participated in many freedom movements including the Quit India Movement and was always in the forefront of it as its leader sincerely trying hard for the Independence of India and hence, ‘Father of the Nation’ is a well deserved name given to him.
On 30 January 1948 (aged 78), New Delhi, India, Mahātmā Gandi was assassinated by shooting.
Raj Ghat is where Mahātmā Gandhi Ji was cremated on 31st January 1948 after his assassination and his ashes were buried and hence make it his final resting place beside the sanctity of the Yamuna River. It is constructed in the shape of a large square platform laid with black marble and an eternal flame burning perpetually in one corner, symbolizing the eternity of this great leader. It is flanked with pathways made of stone stringed through the green covered lawns to arrive at the walled platform of this Memorial Site.
All major dignitaries of the world make it a necessity to visit this Memorial of Mahātmā Gandhi Ji at Raj Ghat in order to pay their respect and homage to this undisputed leader by putting reeds of flowers and garlands on this platform.
The memorial has the words ‘He Ram,’ which translates as ‘O, God,’ said to be the last words spoken by Ghandi after his assassination. Every Friday, the day of his death, a memorial ceremony is held.
Several other samādhis or cremation spots of other famous leaders can be found in the vicinity of Raj Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna.
As we entered Raj Ghat, we went through security, and our bags were scanned. After leaving the security room, walking along the tree lined, and sleeping dog, pathways, where the cool shade neatly obscured the Indian sun.
A silence came over me as I contemplated the enormity of one man’s work, and leaves me so completely humbled. “Mahātmā Gandi’s memorial”, I thought “my God, it is such an honor to be here”.
Namaste –
Kathleen
