Where Bravery Lies In Peace

Vir Bhumi is the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi, the youngest and the 6th Prime Minister of India. The memorial lies next to Raj Ghat, between the banks of Yamuna River and Mahatma Gandhi Road, also called main Ring Road. This is south east to Red Fort.

The meaning of Vir Bhumi is the “Land of the Brave.”

History

Rajiv Gandhi was the first child of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the first lady Prime Minister of India, and Mr. Feroze Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India within hours after the assassination of his mother in 1984. After two months, he won the general election.

In the next election, the Congress Party under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi was voted out of power. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 by a suicide bomber of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Sriperumbudur, which is about 40 kms from Chennia, Tamil Nadu. The bomber had kept a bomb in the garland, which she wrapped around the neck of the Prime Minister. This happened while campaigning for parliamentary elections.

The last rites of Rajiv Gandhi were done at Vir Bhumi. A memorial was built to honor this young, dynamic leader with a vision. In 1991, he was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

Architecture

Vir Bhumi features a huge, stone-carved lotus in full bloom. It is surrounded by 46 lotuses. They connote the number of years Rajiv Gandhi lived. The site also features rocks from different states of India spread around it.

Annual Event

Every year, prayer service is held on August 20th, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, and on May 21st, his death anniversary.

Timings and Entry Fee

• Timings: 5:00 am – 7:30 pm from April to September and 5:30 am – 7:00 pm from October to March. Open on all days.
• Entry Fee: Free
  Visitors must remove their footwear before stepping on the site of Vir Bhumi as a gesture of respect.

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit Delhi is from October to March.

How to Reach

Delhi is connected to major cities of India through rail, road, and air. Various local buses ply in the city to take visitors to Vir Bhumi. Cabs and auto rickshaws are also available.

The nearest railway station is Old Delhi Railway Station. The nearest metro station is Kashmiri Gate Metro Station.

It takes around 40 minutes to see the site.