What is "deekshabhoomi"

Deekshabhoomi is a sacred monument of Buddhism at the place where the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, went back to Buddhism with his about followers on 14 October 1956. Ambedkar's return to Buddhism is an important matter for many in India.

Deekshabhoomi is in Nagpur, Maharashtra, a location regarded as a pilgrimage center of Buddhism in India. Millions of pilgrims visit Deekshabhoomi every year, especially on 'Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din' (Mass Conversion Ceremony Day) and 14 October, the memorial day when Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism here. Ambedkar's final religious act was to embrace Buddhism. Now, the biggest stupa in Asia is erected in his memory at the place.

Deeksha literally means 'act of ordaining' and bhoomi means the 'ground'. Deekshabhoomi means the ground where people got ordained as Buddhist. This religious mass conversion at one place was the first ever of its kind in history. Deekshabhoomi is one of the two places of great importance in the life of Dr. Ambedkar, the other being Chaitya Bhoomi at Mumbai.