Bhim Janmabhoomi (literally, "Bhim's birthplace") is a memorial dedicated to Bhimrao Ambedkar, located at Mhow (now Dr. Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh, India. This was birthplace of Ambedkar, who was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow.[2][3] where the local government built this grand memorial. This memorial was inaugurated on Ambedkar's 100th birth anniversary – 14 April 1991 by the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Sunder Lal Patwa. The architecture of the memorial was composed by architect E.D. Nimgade. Later, On 14 April 2008, the 117th birthday of Ambedkar, inaugurated the memorial.[4] Nearly 4.52 acres of land is connected to the memorial.[5]

Bhim Janmabhoomi
Bhim Janmabhoomi, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Mhow
LocationDr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, India
TypeMonument and museum
Beginning date1994[1]
Completion date2007
Opening date14 April 2008; 16 years ago (2008-04-14)
Dedicated toB. R. Ambedkar

Every year, millions of Ambedkar's followers, Buddhists and other tourists visit this place, especially on 14 April and celebrated Ambedkar's birthday with pomp and gaiety.[6] Mhow is 216 km away from Bhopal and 20 km away from Indore. In this place, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had visited the 125th Ambedkar Jayanti in 2016 to pay tribute to Babasaheb.[7][8] In 2018, the 127th Ambedkar Jayanti, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind tributed Babasaheb by visiting Mhow.[9][10][11] This memorial is one of the Panchteerth, five holy sites related to the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar.[12] The Madhya Pradesh government organizes 'Samajik Samrasta Sammelan' every year at Ambedkar Jayanti in Mhow. Apart from this, various social and cultural programs are organised here.[13]

History edit

 
The memorial is dedicated to B. R. Ambedkar.

Ambedkar's father Ramji Maloji Sakpal completed his education at the Pantoji School in Pune and started his career as a teacher in the British army of India. He rose to prominence as the Prime Teacher and later as the headmaster. After 14 years of headmaster's work, the post of Subedar-major in the army got elevated to Mhow. Mhow was the Military Headquarters of War. Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891, in the Kali Paltan area of Mhow, on the sack of Bhimabai and Ramji Sakpal. Ambedkar's birth name were Bhim, Bhiva and Bhimrao. Due to the abolition of untouchability, the formation of Indian constitution and Buddhism revival and other activities, the Babasaheb Ambedkar has to be considered as a notable person on the world stage. The birthplace of Babasaheb Ambedkar, who fought for the rights of the downtrodden, became a holy land and important place.[14][1]

On 27 March 1991, Buddhist monk Dharmshil ji, the founder president of the "Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Society" organized a meeting of the committee. It was decided that Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Sunder Lal Patwa will be invited to foundation stone of the memorial. On the birthplace, memorial building design were created by architect E.D. Nimgade. Preparations for the celebration of the birthday festival were started. Bhanteji a (Buddhist monk) went to Mumbai to fetch the urn of Ambedkar's ashes and he returned to Mhow with the Urn of ashes on 12 April 1991. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid by the Chief Minister Sunder Lal Patwa on 14 April 1991, the 100th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and minister, Bherulal Patidar and Bhante Dharmashil were present this association.[15] Later, the grand Bhim Janmabhoomi monument was built and the memorial inaugurated on 14 April 2008, 117th birth anniversary of Ambedkar.[4]

Structures edit

 
Statues of the Ambedkar and Ramabai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the memorial.
 
Statues of Ambedkar and Gautama Buddha.

The structure of the memorial is like a Buddhist architecture Stupa. A statue of Ambedkar is set up near the entrance to the memorial. on memorial Hindi letters "भीम जन्मभूमि" are carved above the statue and have a large Ashoka Chakra. There are two Buddhist flag in front of the monument and the top of the monument. Inside the memorial, many portraits of Babasaheb's life-style have been introduced. Also there are statues of Gautama Buddha, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Ramabai Ambedkar.[16]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "आर्मी के पास था बाबा साहेब का घर, कई साल खोजने के बाद मध्यप्रदेश में मिला". patrika.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Five must visit places to rediscover the life of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar | India News". Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Smarak, Mhow Cantonment | Directorate General Defence Estates". Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  4. ^ a b "आंबेडकर स्मारक की आधारशीला रखने महू आए थे पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री पटवा". patrika.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  5. ^ "महू में बनेगा आम्बेडकर स्मारक". फॉरवर्ड प्रेस (in Hindi). 1 January 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Thousands throng Mhow to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  7. ^ "प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने महू में डॉ बाबासाहेब अम्बेडकर के जन्म स्थान का दौरा किया". narendramodi.in. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  8. ^ "महू : बर्तन साफ करने वाली मां का बेटा पीएम बन पाया, तो उसका श्रेय बाबासाहेब को जाता है..." NDTVIndia. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  9. ^ "बाबासाहेब की जन्मस्थली पर राष्ट्रपति के रूप में आना मेरा सौभाग्य: रामनाथ कोविंद– News18 हिंदी". News18 India. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Rich tributes paid to Ambedkar, Kovind visits Dalit icon's birthplace". 14 April 2018.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "President Ram Nath Kovind, Other Leaders Pay Rich Tributes To Dalit Icon BR Ambedkar". NDTV.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Government to develop five places as Panchteerth in honour of B R Ambedkar". India.com. Press Trust of India. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  13. ^ "BR Ambedkar Fought for Equality and Dignity: PM Modi". The Quint. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  14. ^ "पंचतीर्थे : वारसा अभिमानाचा". mahanews.gov.in. Retrieved 15 November 2018.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "B.R. Ambedkar's memorial in Mhow still under Army control". India Today. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  16. ^ "As Modi completes 2 years, a tale of 2 crematoriums at Ambedkar birthplace". hindustantimes.com/. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2018.

External links edit