Chaitya Bhoomi
Chaitya Bhoomi, also written as Chaityabhoomi is a Buddhist chaitya and the cremation place of B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and the revived Buddhism in India. It is situated beside Dadar Chowpatty, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Chaitya Bhoomi is a revered place of pilgrimage for Ambedkar's followers, who visit in millions annually on his death anniversary on 6 December.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Governor, the Minister, and many other politicians pay tribute to Ambedkar every year on 6 December at Chaitya Bhoomi. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has also visited. Chaitya Bhoomi hosts a memorial to Ambedkar and has been graded an A-class tourism and pilgrimage site by the Government of Maharashtra.
Structural details
The structure is square in shape, with a small dome divided into ground and mezzanine floors. In the square-shaped structure, is a circular wall about 1.5 metres in height. In the circular area are placed the bust of Ambedkar and a statue of Gautam Buddha. The circular wall has two entrances and is furnished with marble flooring. On the mezzanine floor there is a Stupa, besides the resting place for Bhikkhus. The main entrance gate of the Chaitya Bhoomi is replica of the Gate of the Stupa of Sanchi while inside a replica of Ashoka Pillar is made.The Chaitya Bhoomi was inaugurated by Meerabai Yashvant Ambedkar, the daughter-in-law of B. R. Ambedkar, on 5 December 1971. Here, the relics of Ambedkar are enshrined. In 2012, the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, cleared the transfer of Indu Mills land to the Maharashtra Government for constructing a memorial.