Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din celebration
Deekshabhoomi is a sacred monument of Buddhism located where the architect of the Indian Constitution, B. R. Ambedkar, converted to Buddhism with approximately 600,000 followers on Ashok Vijaya Dashami on 14 October 1956. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism is deeply significant for millions of people in India.
It is situated at the heart of Nagpur, Maharashtra (India). Though Nagpur has its latest identity as the Green City or Orange City, a global recognition for the city is primarily sought after Deekshabhoomi.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of Constitution of India embraced Buddhism here on 14th October 1956. This is considered the only revolution where more than six million people followed at once the principles of the Dhamma.
Embracing Buddhism stands important 
for another reason and that is revival of Buddhism by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He studied the Dhamma thoroughly and wrote a voluminous book entitled ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ that brought out a fundamental change in religious matters. The followers adopted the practices and felt liberated from the clutches of age-old, traditional blind faiths and superstitions.
The day of mass conversion is remembered as the day of celebration by millions and every year, on the occasion of Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, a mega programme is organized to mark the event in history.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Ambedkar died on 6 December 1956, one and a half months after the Deeksha ceremony. However, this ceremonial conversion continued after his death, converting 15-20 million by March 1959. After his death the ‘Param Pooja Dr. Ambedkar Smarak Samiti’ (Dr. Ambedkar Memorial committee) was organized for the management of Deekshabhoomi. The committee decided to build a stupa at the place as a monument of that ceremony and a mass conversion of people to Buddhism.
Special trains Mumbai to Nagpur for Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din
The Central Railway will run special trains from Mumbai to Nagpur to clear the extra rush of passengers during Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din at Nagpur.
Trains 01017/ 01018 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai-Nagpur superfast special will leave Mumbai on September 29 at 12.50 am and arrive Nagpur at 1.55 pm same day.
Similarly, the train 01018 superfast special will leave Nagpur on October 2 at 11 pm and arrive Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai at 1.45 pm next day.
Preparations underway for 61st Dhammachakra Pravartan Din
The stage is set for celebrations of 61st Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas from September 27 to 30 at Deekshabhoomi. The committee has made a special request to NMC and Zilla Parishad schools in the vicinity of Deekshabhoomi to accommodate the pilgrims in case of rains. A similar request has also been made to all the Buddha Vihars in city to provide accommodation.
September 30, the chief guests will be chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Radhamohan Singh, Thawarchand Ghelot, Ramdas Athavale, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state minister Rajkumar Badole and Mayor Nanda Jichkar.
