Shanti Vana

Pay a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, at the Shanti Vana monument. It lies in a peaceful area by the Yamuna River, surrounded by well-kept lawns and gardens. It was where the country’s former leader was cremated.

Jawaharlal Nehru was born into a wealthy political family in 1889. In his early years, Mahatma Ghandi mentored him with his activist values. Later, Nehru become pivotal to the liberation of India from the rule of the British Empire, and took his position at the new state’s head. In 1964, at age 74, he died and was cremated at the Shanti Vana. These traditional cremation spots are called samādhi and are believed to facilitate the soul’s release from the limitations of the human body.

Pay your own respects to the man who led the country into its modern democratic form at his memorial. Just a 5-minute walk south, the Ghandi memorial is also well worth a visit. Visitors in spring will witness a vibrant array of flowers in bloom. Look out for a local population of squirrels and parrots. 

This calm site’s name literally means Forest of Peace in Hindi. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the gardens and spot trees planted in respect by dignitaries and heads of state. Take a picnic and eat in the scenic surroundings. In its central location, this park is a perfect escape from the chaotic New Delhi streets. 

Find the Shanti Vana right next to the Geeta Colony Bridge of the Yamuna River. Nearby attractions include the Red Fort and the Raj Ghat, where Gandhi was laid to rest. Get there by a bus route that stops at the entrance or walk from the Chawri Bazar metro station, 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) west of the park. 

Shanti Vana is open daily. No admission fee is charged.