Deekshabhoomi is a religious monument for Buddhism in Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is one of the most famous pilgrimage centres for Buddhist in India. The Deekshabhoomi was built at the place where Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the "Father of Indian Constitution" converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956, along with his 60,000 followers.
Etymology of Deekshabhoomi
The word "Deekshabhoomi" has originated from two words "Deeksha" means the act of ordaining and "Bhoomi" meaning ground. This means Deekshabhoomi is the ground on which people got ordained to Buddhism. Such a mass conversion at one place was first of its kind in the entire history of mankind.
Structure of Deekshabhoomi
Deekshabhoomi is known for the large Buddhist Stupa that was located inside its premises. Built by renowned architect Sheo Dan Mal, this stupa draws its inspiration from the much better known Sanchi Stupa. It took 23 years to complete this structure and was dedicated to public on 18th December 2001 by the then President Dr. K.R. Narayanan. It is the largest hollow stupa among all Buddhist stupas in the world. The main hall of the stupa has an idol of Lord Buddha at the centre. This was a gift from the Thai students studying in the University of Nagpur. There is a library and a photo exhibition of the events in the lives of Gautama Buddha and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Above the hall, lies a hollow dome surrounded by a veranda. The stupa has four doors that open in all four directions. The doors open in large arcs, which are decorated with Ashok Chakras and statues of lions, horses and elephants.
Around the stupa, there is a garden that is maintained by the Nagpur Improvement Trust. Statues of Ambedkar and images of Gautama Buddha are in front of the stupa. In front of the stupa, on the right hand side, there is a Buddha Vihara with a bronze image of Lord Buddha. In Deekshabhoomi besides the Buddha Vihara, there is a Bodhi Tree.
Deekshabhoomi is the biggest stupa in Asia and is hugely visited by Buddhist from other countries too. Millions of Buddhist pilgrims visit this place every year and the number is exceptionally more on "Mass Conversion Ceremony Day" or "Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din" and of course on the 14th of October when Ambedkar embraced Buddhism as his religion.
