Marking the 101st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, will inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, a sprawling national memorial dedicated to the life, ideals and enduring legacy of one of India’s most respected statesmen. The complex will be opened to the public following the inauguration, with the Prime Minister also scheduled to address a large public gathering at the site.
Conceived as a permanent national tribute, the Rashtra Prerna Sthal reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of institutionalising the legacy of great leaders of independent India and preserving their values for future generations. The Prime Minister’s Office described the project as a key step towards promoting ideals of selfless leadership, good governance and national service, particularly aimed at inspiring India’s youth.
Spread across 65 acres along the Gomti river embankment on Hardoi Road on the outskirts of Lucknow, the memorial has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore under the Basant Kunj scheme of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). Construction began in 2022.
Designed in the shape of a lotus, the complex stands out as a major architectural and cultural landmark. At its heart are 65-foot-high bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya towering figures associated with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the ideological foundations of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The statues symbolise their seminal contributions to India’s political thought, democratic evolution and nation-building.
A key highlight of the Rashtra Prerna Sthal is its state-of-the-art, lotus-shaped museum, spread across nearly 98,000 square feet over two floors. The museum houses five galleries, five courtyards and 12 interpretation walls, dedicated to chronicling the lives, ideas and pivotal contributions of the three leaders. Orientation films showcasing their journeys and defining moments will be screened in two dedicated rooms.
“The museum is dedicated to the three great personalities. Their ideas, belongings and important events from their lives have been displayed. The history of the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh has also been showcased so that people understand their role in nation-building,” said an LDA official.
Beyond the museum, the complex features a massive rally ground with a capacity of nearly two lakh people, an amphitheatre, meditation and Vipassana-Yoga centres, a cafeteria, and other modern civic amenities positioning the memorial as both a cultural and public engagement space.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary inspected preparations at the venue. The party has also organised meetings across Lucknow and neighbouring districts to ensure a strong turnout, with efforts underway to keep the rally ground fully occupied during PM Modi’s address.
The inauguration coincides with the conclusion of events marking Vajpayee’s birth centenary year, reinforcing his stature as a leader admired across political lines for his statesmanship, oratory, and commitment to democratic values.
