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{{Short description|Public park and memorial in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Distinguish|Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Memorial Park}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Ambedkar Memorial Park
| photo = Night_View_of_the_Ambedkar_Memorial_at_Lucknow.jpg
| photo_width = 250px
| photo_caption = Night view of the Ambedkar Memorial Park
| type = Public, memorial park
| location = [[Gomti Nagar]] in [[Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
| map =
| map_width =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| area = 108 acres (0.43 km²)
| opened = {{end date and age|df=y|2008|04|14}}
| operator = Lucknow Development Authority
| visitation_num =
| status = Open year round
| website =https://ambedkarmemorialpark.business.site/
| coords= {{coord|26.848882|N|80.977893|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Ambedkar Memorial Park''', formally known as '''Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Prateek Sthal''',<ref name="Patel 2014">{{cite news |last1=Patel |first1=Aakar |title=Where Ambedkar is enthroned like Lincoln |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/BlFbwHfSBGko9gt3nelyGI/Where-Ambedkar-is-enthroned-like-Lincoln.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Mint |date=13 September 2014 |language=en}}</ref> is a public park and memorial in [[Gomti Nagar]], [[Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India. The memorial is dedicated to [[B. R. Ambedkar]], the 20th century Indian [[polymath]] and the major author of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]].

The park also honors the lives and memories of [[Jyotirao Phule]], [[Narayana Guru]], [[Birsa Munda]], [[Shahu of Kolhapur|Shahuji Maharaj]], and [[Kanshi Ram]]. The park also has 124 monumental elephants.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerjee |first1=Mukulika |title=Unlike Colston or Columbus, Ambedkar Memorial statues deserve their place in public spaces |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/unlike-colston-or-columbus-ambedkar-memorial-statues-deserve-their-place-in-public-spaces/441254/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=ThePrint |date=14 June 2020}}</ref> The memorial was constructed by [[Mayawati]], the former [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]], during her administration when she led the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]].

==History==
[[File:Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.jpg|right|thumb|The memorial is dedicated to [[B. R. Ambedkar]].]]
The foundation stone of the memorial was first laid in 1995. Earlier, the park was named Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Udyan. In 2002, it was renamed the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial and development work continued until 2002-03. In 2007, the park underwent further renovation and development. It was initially opened to the public on 14 April 2008 by Chief Minister Mayawati.

The entire memorial is built using red [[sandstone]] brought from [[Rajasthan]]. It is situated in the posh locality of Gomti Nagar, the largest planned residential colony in India. Cost of the memorial is estimated at 7 billion [[Indian rupee|rupees]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/ambedkar-memorial-in-lucknow-to-cost-seven-billion-rupees_10024390.html |title=Ambedkar Memorial in Lucknow to cost seven billion rupees |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Thaindian News |date=5 March 2008}}</ref> Its name was changed from Ambedkar Park to Bhimrao Ambedkar memorial in May 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=It's now Ambedkar Memorial, not park |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/its-now-ambedkar-memorial-not-park/articleshow/10399561.cms |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=19 May 2002 |language=en}}</ref>

==Features==
There are several sites comprising the memorial park.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://sites.google.com/site/lucknowtravelguide/ambedkar-memorial-lucknow | title=Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Lucknow -UP- India -Latest Description and Photos - Lucknow Travel Guide}}</ref>

===Ambedkar Stupa===
[[File:IMG-20200113-WA0032.jpg|thumb|Front View of Ambedkar Stupa|252x252px]]
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Ambedkar Stupa.JPG
| width1 = 180
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Ambedkar Stupa and elephants
| image2 = Ambedkar Stupa Night view.JPG
| width2 = 180
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Ambedkar Stupa Night view
| footer =
}}
[[File:The bronze statue of BR Ambedkar in Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, identical to Lincoln's.jpg|right|thumb|upright|The bronze statue of Ambedkar in Ambedkar Memorial; the base is inscribed "''My struggle of life is my only message.''" The Ambedkar statue was modeled on the [[Abraham Lincoln (1920 statue)|sculpture of Abraham Lincoln]] at the [[Lincoln Memorial]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]

This construction is the heart of the entire memorial. The sanctum sanctorum consists of many statues depicting the biography of Ambedkar. There are four doors in opposite directions. This is a construction in the shape of a flower bearing four petals. There is a bronze statue of Ambedkar seated in a chair, facing towards the two domes. The Ambedkar statue was modeled on the [[Abraham Lincoln (1920 statue)|sculpture of Abraham Lincoln]] at the [[Lincoln Memorial]] in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Belli|first=Melia|date=2014|title=Monumental Pride: Mayawati's Memorials in Lucknow|journal=Ars Orientalis|volume=44|issue=20181025|doi=10.3998/ars.13441566.0044.006|issn=2328-1286|hdl=2027/spo.13441566.0044.006|doi-access=free}}</ref>

At the base of the statue a message in Hindi reads:

{{cquote|<center>
'''मेरा जीवन संघर्ष ही मेरा संदेश है'''<br />
(''Mera jeevan sangharsh hi mera sandesh hai'')<br />
''My struggle of life is my only message.''

</center>|30px|30px}}

===Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalay===
Opposite to the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial is the Sangrahalay ([[museum]]), constructed over an area of about 2.5 acre (11,008 sq.m.). The building has two domes on top. It contains large statues of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, Shri Narayan Guru, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Shri Kanshiram. Another building consists of 18-foot tall marble statues of [[Tathāgata|Tathagat Gautam Buddha]], [[Kabir|Sant Kabir Das]], [[Sant Ravidas]], [[Ghasidas|Guru Ghasidas]] and [[Birsa Munda|Shri Birsa Munda]].

===Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Gallery===
Constructed in an area of 4 acres (16,207 sq.m.), this place has murals made of bronze.

===Pratibimb Sthal===
[[File:Pratibimb Sthal.JPG|thumb|right|Pratibimb Sthal]]
Pratibimb Sthal is the main entrance to the memorial guarded by statues of 62 elephants either side.

===Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Drashya Sthal===
Constructed on an 80-foot pyramid type structure on the back of Pratibimb Sthal, the Drashya Sthal offers a vantage point from where the park, shrines, structures and sites integrate as a view of the whole area. The flow of water from the top of the pyramid entertains visitors.

==Vandalism==
On 26 July 2012 a statue in the park was damaged by members of a group calling themselves "Uttar Pradesh Nav Nirman Sena".<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 July 2012 |title=Maya statue vandalisation case: Prime accused Amit Jani arrested |newspaper=Jagran Post (Jagran Prakashan Ltd) |location=Kanpur |url=http://post.jagran.com/Maya-statue-vandalisation-case-Prime-accused-Amit-Jani-arrested-1343462432 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926053009/http://post.jagran.com/Maya-statue-vandalisation-case-Prime-accused-Amit-Jani-arrested-1343462432 |archive-date=26 September 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="Stat-dam">{{cite news |title=Mayawati's statue damaged in Lucknow, 3 held |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/mayawati-s-statue-damaged-in-lucknow-3-held/story-KeGCTsYm1jMRHbLvV25EVK.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=26 July 2012 |language=en}}</ref> A replacement statue was re-installed overnight by the Lucknow city administration.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 July 2015 |title=UP city administration replaces Mayawati statues overnight in Lucknow |newspaper=Jagran Post (Jagran Prakashan Ltd) |location=Kanpur |url=http://post.jagran.com/UP-city-administration-replaces-Mayawati-statues-overnight-in-Lucknow-1343382213 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926042953/http://post.jagran.com/UP-city-administration-replaces-Mayawati-statues-overnight-in-Lucknow-1343382213 |archive-date=26 September 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="Tripathi">{{Cite news|last=Tripathi |first=Ashish |date=27 July 2012 |title=Political compulsion makes SP govt reinstall Mayawati's statue |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-27/lucknow/32888171_1_new-statue-dalit-icons-bsp-founder-kanshiram |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302115335/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Political-compulsion-makes-SP-govt-reinstall-Mayawatis-statue/articleshow/15192030.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

==Film shooting==
In the [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Youngistaan]]'' (2014) actors [[Jackky Bhagnani]] and [[Neha Sharma]] shot in Ambedkar Memorial Park and were surprised with its vast scale.<ref name="Akash WadhwaAkash Wadhwa 2015">{{cite news |last1=Wadhwa |first1=Akash |title=Ambedkar park - it doesn't get grander than this |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Ambedkar-park-it-doesnt-get-grander-than-this/articleshow/49032827.cms |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=20 September 2015 |language=en}}</ref> After permission for shooting outside the memorial in March 2014, [[Aditya Roy Kapur]] and [[Parineeti Chopra]] shot for "Rangreli" song of film ''[[Daawat-e-Ishq]]''.<ref name="Misra 2014">{{cite web | last=Misra | first=Iti Shree | title=College classes suspended for Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapur's 'Dawaat-e-Ishq' | website=The Times of India | date=5 March 2014 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/College-classes-suspended-for-Parineeti-Chopra-and-Aditya-Roy-Kapurs-shoot/articleshow/31469166.cms | access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> In November 2015, [[Ravi Kishan]] shot for a Bhojpuri film at Ambedkar Memorial Park. In February 2016, [[Mika Singh]] and [[Urvashi Rautela]] also shot for their new music video named ''Lal Dupatta Kurta Chikan Ka'' just outside the Memorial<ref name="mid-day 2016">{{cite news |title=Urvashi Rautela shoots for Mika Singh's new music video |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/urvashi-rautela-shoots-for-mika-singh-s-new-music-video-16974154 |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Mid Day |date=21 February 2016 |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, the song "Jogi" from the movie ''[[Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana]]'', starring [[Rajkumar Rao]] and [[Kriti Kharbanda]] was shot here. In 2017 small part of Movie ''[[Bareilly Ki Barfi]]'' starring [[Ayushman Khurrana]], Rajkummar Rao and [[Kriti Sanon]] was also shot here.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

==Legal issues==
Since 2009 the memorial has been involved in a legal battle. In June 2009 the Supreme Court issued a stay against further building on the project, until the [[Public Interest Litigation]] (PLI) questioning these expenditure was settled.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} Despite initially denying even maintenance costs,<ref>{{cite news |title=SC declines maintenance plea at Ambedkar memorial |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/sc-declines-maintenance-plea-at-ambedkar-memorial/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=1 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Court rejects Mayawati's plea on Ambedkar memorial |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Court-rejects-Mayawatirsquos-plea-on-Ambedkar-memorial/article16850776.ece |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=1 December 2009}}</ref> in December 2010, the Uttar Pradesh government received permission to perform maintenance and completion of the park.<ref name="Foy">{{Cite news|author=Foy, Henry |date=4 December 2010 |title=Statutes and statues: Mayawati gets Supreme Court nod for sprawling memorial park |newspaper=Reuters |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2010/12/04/statutes-and-statues-mayawati-gets-supreme-court-nod-for-sprawling-memorial-park/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925112813/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2010/12/04/statutes-and-statues-mayawati-gets-supreme-court-nod-for-sprawling-memorial-park/ |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

On 2018, the [[Allahabad High Court]] on asked the Uttar Pradesh government to provide the status report on the vigilance department's investigation in connection with the alleged Rs 1,410 crore memorial scam involving this monument.<ref>{{cite news |title=Allahabad HC seeks status of probe into 1410 crore memorial scam of BSP regime |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/sep/20/allahabad-hc-seeks-status-of-probe-into-1410-crore-memorial-scam-of-bsp-regime-1874912.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=20 September 2018}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Ambedkar Park Lucknow.JPG|Inside view of Ambedkar Park in Night
File:B.R. Ambedkar statue at Ambedkar Park.JPG|Statue of B.R. Ambedkar inside Ambedkar Park, Lucknow
File:Ambedkar Udyaan Lucknow Left Dome.JPG|Morning View of Park
File:The Middle Portion with the right Dome in the Backdrop.JPG|Night View
File:Right Side Pillers at the entrance.jpg|Pillars at Night View
File:Ambedkar Park, Lucknow, India.jpg|View from outside
File:IMG-20200113-WA0048.jpg|Middle View
File:Ambedkar Memorial Park-Lucknow-Uttar Pradesh-MA21.jpg|Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
File:Ambedkar Memorial Park-Lucknow-Uttar Pradesh-MA22.jpg|Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Statue of Equality (Ambedkar)|Statue of Equality]]
* [[Statue of Unity]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ambedkar Memorial Park}}
* [http://wikimapia.org/134882/Ambedkar-Memorial-Gomti-Nagar Ambedkar Memorial, Gomti Nagar @ Wikimapia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170214183014/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19420771 Photos of Ambedkar Udyan Memorial, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh @ panoramia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110801153922/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-06-21/lucknow/27319566_1_gate-ambedkar-memorial-ticket-counters The saga of Ambedkar memorial], [[The Times of India]], TNN, 21 June 2002, 12.36 am IST
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/thousands-throng-ambedkar-memorial/550767/ Thousands throng Ambedkar Memorial], [[Indian Express]], Express News Service, Mon 7 December 2009, 01:47 hrs

{{Lucknow}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dalit monuments]]
[[Category:Bahujan Samaj Party]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lucknow]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Memorials to B. R. Ambedkar]]
[[Category:Gardens in Lucknow]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2008]]
[[Category:Statues of B. R. Ambedkar]]
[[Category:Memorial parks]]
[[Category:Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in India]]

Ambedkar Memorial Park - Revision history

UpdateBot at 10:01, 10 June 2022