SRINAGAR, Jan 30 — CURRENTLY, Gandhi Park may be largely known for the location of state High Court, but the place also holds some historical importance. It is a place where the ashes of Indian leader M.K. Gandhi were kept on display before being immersed in the waters of Kashmir.
Gandhi Park was initially called Gool Bagh, a round park. The park looked beautiful and was well maintained with flowers and fruits trees. It was also at the Gool Bagh that circus was once held in Kashmir. However, the name of the park changed to Gandhi Park following M. K. Gandhi’s death.
After the assassination of Gandhi in 1948, the ashes of this Indian leader were sent across to different states of India for dunking in water bodies. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah also wished to have the same. Subsequently he sent Khawaja Mohiddin Karra, who was then called ‘bulbule Kashmir’, to fetch Gandhi’s ashes from Delhi.
During his return with Gandhi’s ashes, Mohiddin was given warm welcome at the airport.
He was escorted and followed by huge gathering, mainly of politicians, to Gool Bagh.
The ashes were kept under a tree at Gool Bagh which then came to be called as Gandhi Park. The ashes were kept on display for people for three days.
“The politicians wanted to pay tribute to Gandhi. And people did group up to see it, though not as a part of tribute but simply out of curiosity,” said Zareef Ahmad, writer.
He said that park became a centre of attraction for the people.
After three days, the ashes were taken, with much admiration and respect by the politicians in a large gathering and immersed at Shadipora.
Shadipora is a place where Sangum is located. It is at Sangum where river Sindh and Jehlum meet. The place is believed to be pious by Kashmir Pandits, who would also immerse the ashes of deceased at Shadipora.
(Originally published on January 31, 2012)
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