The Government of India has organised the “Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra” on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar through Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, increasing its successful journey.
Travellers have so far visited the birthplace of Dr Ambedkar in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh and Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, where Ambedkar initiated Buddhism. Apart from this, the travellers have also visited the Sanchi Stupa, which is known as a World Heritage Site.
Many programmes were organised across the country on the occasion of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. In this episode, Indian Railways has started the Bharat Gaurav tourist train to make the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar special. About 600 tourists travel to places associated with Dr Ambedkar and Bhagwan Buddha through this train.
“Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra” was inaugurated by Dr Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and Tourism Minister of the North Eastern Region and Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy had flagged off from Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station on April 14, 2023, for Ambedkar Circuit.
April 15 On the second day of the journey, the train reached Dr Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) in Madhya Pradesh, which is known as the birthplace of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He was born here on April 14, 1891. A grand memorial has been constructed at the birthplace of Dr Ambedkar.
The foundation stone of this memorial was laid by Sundar Lal Patwa, the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, on Dr Ambedkar’s 100th birth anniversary (April 14, 1991). Later, on April 14, 2008, Ambedkar’s 117th birthday, the memorial was inaugurated. About 5 acres of land are attached to the memorial. It is said about this memorial that the bones of Dr Ambedkar are kept here. Apart from this, the whole life of Dr Ambedkar has been told through big posters.
Every year lakhs of Ambedkar and Buddhist followers and tourists from India and abroad come to this birthplace to greet Ambedkar. This place is situated at a distance of about 220 km from Bhopal and 20 km from Indore. This place was visited by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 125th Ambedkar Jayanti in 2016 to pay homage to Ambedkar. It is one of the five sites related to Ambedkar’s life developed by the Government of India as Panchteerth.
The people who came here by the Bharat Gaurav tourist train said that they felt delicious coming here. Some people said that their dream came true to see the birthplace of Dr Ambedkar.
Ompal, who joined this yatra from Delhi, said, “Organising this special train by the Government of India to know Ambedkar ji is a worthwhile initiative. Through this, the country’s people can see many important places related to Buddhism.”
Besides this, Tejram from Delhi, who came in this yatra, said, “his family was trying to join this type of yatra for a long time. By coming on this Ambedkar Yatra, he got a special opportunity to see many important places in India.”
Arnandar, a resident of Myanmar and a PhD student at Gautam Buddha University, said that “he was advised to join this journey by his university teacher. He said that he has faith in Buddhism. So this journey is even more meaningful for him.”
On the third day of the journey on April 16, 2023, this train reached Nagpur, where Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar took the initiation of Buddhism. This place is known as Deekshabhoomi. Deekshabhoomi is a historical place. On October 14, 1956, Dr Ambedkar and his lakhs of followers embraced Buddhism.
The last remains of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar are kept in the central dome of the Deekshabhoomi Stupa. Apart from this, the travellers also visited the Dragon Palace in Kamthi town of Nagpur, which is known for meditation. Where the idol of Buddha, made of sandalwood, is the centre of attraction. Apart from this, also visited Naglok, located here. A grand idol of Lord Buddha has been installed here. Apart from this, there is also a Buddhist monastery here.
This train reached Sanchi on the fourth day of the journey on April 17, 2023. This place is known as a World heritage. Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, Passengers visited Sanchi Stupa Complex, including Buddhist Stupas and other heritage sites. They were mesmerised by their beauty, texture, architectural style, and the Buddhist stupas; the beauty of Sanchi also attracted them.
During this, the passengers were made aware of Bhagwan Buddha’s teachings and Emperor Ashoka’s messages by the Archaeological Survey of India officials. Information about the architectural style and historical and archaeological importance of Sanchi Stupas was also given.
Sanchi Stupa is a famous tourist place today, located in Sanchi village, about 46 km from the Bhopal city. There are three stupas here, and it is one of the best-preserved stupas in the country. Sanchi was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1989.
Interesting facts about Sanchi Stupa
- Emperor Ashoka commissioned Sanchi Stupa, which was overseen by his queen Devi and daughter Vidisha.
The first Stupa was built at Sanchi when the monarch accepted Buddhism, followed by several more in later years - From the 14th century until 1818, when General Taylor uncovered the site, Sanchi Stupa was uninhabited and unexplored
- In 1919, Sir John Marshall founded the Sanchi Museum, which is currently regarded as an archaeological museum
- The Ashokan inscription Schism Edict can be seen on the pillar of Sanchi Stupa. It also features an inscription in the Gupta period’s decorative Sankha Lipi
- It is India’s oldest stone structure
- Brahmi inscriptions may be seen in abundance at Sanchi Stupa
- This Stupa is currently 36.5 metres in circumference and 21.64 metres tall
- Although the location is historically significant, Lord Buddha never visited it
- Sanchi is also home to the famed Ashoka pillar, which features four lions
- These pillars have a Greco-Buddhist style to them
In 1989, the architecture of Sanchi Stupa was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Apart from this, on April 18, this train will reach Varanasi, where the passengers will visit Sarnath, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple. After this, this train will leave for Gaya on April 19. Many places associated with Buddhism will be visited in Gaya.
After that the yatra will reach Nalanda University on April 20. The train will leave for Delhi on the night of April 20 and reach Hazrat Nizamuddin on April 21, where the journey will be successfully concluded.
