Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur- Maharashtra

Sacred monument of Buddhism at the place where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar converted to Buddhism with his about 600,000 followers on 14 October 1956 which was on Ashok Vijayadashmi, the same day when a Mauryan Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism. Hence this day is also known as on ‘Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din’ (Mass Conversion Ceremony Day).

Dr. Ambedkar and his wife took the oath of Three Jewels and Five Precepts from the Burmese monk Mahasthavir Chandramani from Kushinagar. Dr. Ambedkar then gave the oath of Three Jewels, Five Precepts, and 22 Vows to his thousands of followers. In this way, Nagpur became the birthplace of Dalit Buddhist movement.

Deekshabhoomi is spread over four acres of significant land in the city. The stupa was designed by architect Sheo Dan Mal In 1968, construction started with residential houses for monks. Construction of the stupa started in July 1978, but it took a long time to finish. The stupa was inaugurated on 18 December 2001 by the President of India K. R. Narayanan.

Hence, Deekshabhoomi is regarded as a pilgrimage center of Buddhism in India. Millions of pilgrims visit Deekshabhoomi every year on the occasion of Ashok Vijaya Dashmi and on 14th October.