Rajiv Gandhi Memorial, Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram
The Rajiv
Gandhi Memorial is a memorial to Indian prime minister Rajiv
Gandhi at the site where he
was assassinated at Sriperumpudur in Kanchipuram
District of Tamilnadu. The town was the place where Rajiv Gandhi was
assassinated in a bomb blast in 1991. Tamilnadu Government donated around 12.19
acres of land to build the memorial.
The
Central Public Works Department constructed the memorial at a cost of around
INR21.15 crores. The construction of the memorial started in June 1994 and on
10th October, 2003, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former Indian President, dedicated it
to the nation. The memorial has a square and a raised platform on which the
pink granite statue of Rajiv Gandhi has been installed.
The
Memorial
Rajiv
Gandhi Memorial is a serene spot en route from Chennai to Sri Perumbudur. There
is a square 40’ by 40’ platform on which another raised platform has been
constructed. This raised platform is made of yellow marble stone from Jaisalmer
in Rajasthan. On this raised platform on which the pink granite statue of Rajiv
Gandhi has been installed. Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice is symbolized by a stone of
red jasper hematite which marks the place where he fell martyr on the ground
below.
It is
inserted into a circular plinth which protects the earth upon which his blood
was shed. Rising above this is a monolithic rock which frames a portrait of the
slain leader evoking his immortal sprit. On the reverse of this rock is a
citation on his life. The bases of the pillars have a variety of quotes from
Rajiv Gandhi etched on them and each pillar has distinct carvings of its own.
On the southern part of the memorial, relief works have been fashioned on a
grey granite stone wall which illustrates India’s civilization and its
transformation from early time to contemporary times.
‘The
Path of Light’ at the memorial portrays the final steps that were taken by
Rajiv Gandhi. The memorial also has one of the biggest flag staffs of India
carrying Indian National Flag. Adjacent to the flag is a tapered pathway in
stone that marks Rajiv Gandhi’s last walk leading to the spot where he fell
martyr. The entire memorial is well maintained and looks green.
The Seven
Pillars
There
are seven granite pillars in the memorial that surround the blast site. These
pillars represent the concept of Dharma, Nyaya, Satya, Tyaga, Samridhi, Vigyan
and Shanti. The seven holy rivers, namely the Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Narmada,
Kaveri, Brahmaputra and Godavari are also symbolized by these seven pillars.
The relief work on stonewall of grey granite represents the Indian civilization,
from the ancient to the present.
These
monumental granite structures are carved with swirling patterns, recalling that
their foundations were sprinkled with waters bought from the great rivers of
every state and filled with sacred soil collected from those places where brave
men and women laid down their lives for their beloved India.
Dharma:
The
Dharma Chakra tells us that human life must be governed by compassion,
generosity and fidelity to duty.
Satya:
The
Bodhi Tree stands for Truth, whose leaves are many but whose root is one.
Nyaya:
The
Chhatri (umbrella) signifies the rule of Law, which defends our freedoms,
delivers justice impartially and protects the weak and vulnerable.
Vigyan:
The Star
of Knowledge represents learning and science, which free the mind from
prejudice and ignorance and which light our way to living in harmony with one
another and with nature.
Tyaga:
The
Flames of Sacrifice reminds us of generations who have suffered and toiled in
the service of the country to make possible out todays and tomorrows.
Shanti:
The
Lotus of Peace stands for non- violence, tolerance, and concord amongst people
and nations and kindness towards all fellow creatures.
Samridhi:
The
Bushel of Grain represents progress, abundance and the flowering of human
creativity.
Connectivity
Rajiv
Gandhi Memorial is a memorial located in Sriperumpudur which is located at
distance of 50 kms from Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tambaram
and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.