Maharashtra
B.R. Ambedkar’s 135th Birth Anniversary
- 15 Apr 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
On the occasion of the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, thousands of followers gathered at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai. The day was observed with deep reverence, cultural programmes, and tributes.
Key Points
- Important sites:
- Deekshabhoomi:
- The site holds historical significance as the place where Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956, initiating a major socio-religious movement.
- Followers offered floral tributes at the sacred stupa and to Ambedkar’s preserved ashes.
- Chaityabhoomi:
- Situated in Dadar, Chaityabhoomi is a memorial that has become a major pilgrimage site for Ambedkarites nationwide.
- The Maharashtra government and Mumbai civic bodies arranged medical camps, water supply stations, and special traffic controls to manage the crowd.
- Both the sites are part of the Ambedkar Circuit, a set of important sites related to Dr. Ambedkar’s life.
- Deekshabhoomi:
Ambedkar Circuit
- The government had first proposed the Ambedkar Circuit, or Panchteerth, in 2016, but the conceptualisation of the plan could be held recently.
- The five cities in the tourist circuit as announced by the government are:
- Janma Bhoomi- Ambedkar’s birthplace in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow.
- Shiksha Bhoomi- the place in London where he stayed while studying in the UK.
- Deeksha Bhoomi- the place in Nagpur where he embraced Buddhism.
- Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi- the place of his demise in Delhi.
- Chaitya Bhoomi- the place of his cremation is in Mumbai.
