there is a hollow dome. This dome is surrounded by a veranda. On all four sides, fountains are placed. Above the dome, there is a small slab and a little decorative umbrella. The stupa has doors facing four directions. The doors open in large arcs, which are decorated with Ashok Chakras, and statues of horses, elephants, and lions. Around the stupa, there is a garden that is maintained by the Nagpur Improvement Trust. Statues of Ambedkar and images of Gautama Buddha are in front of the stupa. Vihar and the Bodhi Tree In front of the stupa, on the right hand side, there is a Buddha Vihara with a bronze image of Buddha. Besides the Vihara, there is the Bodhi Tree: a sacred fig tree. This Bodhi Tree was planted at Deekshabhoomi from three branches of the Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan brought these branches from Sri Lanka as a memorial of Buddha's enlightenment. Tourism Deeksha Bhoomi hosts a memorial to Ambedkar and has been graded an A-class tourism and pilgrimage site by the Government of Maharashtra. Deekshabhoomi is famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is one of the main centers of tourism in India. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Deekshabhoomi, especially on the anniversary of the conversion ceremony. On Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, thousands of compact cassettes of Ambedkar, Ambedkar movement and Buddha songs are sold at Deekshabhoomi. The books of few crore rupees in different languages are sold in a single day, this makes Deekshabhoomi a unique place in the world. Foreign tourists come mainly from the Buddhist countries such as Japan and Thailand. Literature Special issue of Lokrajya, the publication of Govt. of Maharashtra on silver jubilee of 1956 ceremony. Deeksha, Special issue of Daily Sakaal in October 2005 "दीक्षाभूमी'चा भूखंड आवळेबाबूंच्या संघर्षाचे फलित See also The Buddha and His Dhamma Bhadant Nagarjun Arya Surai Sasai Chaitya Bhoomi Dalit Buddhist Movement Deekshabhoomi Express Global Vipassana Pagoda Statue of Equality References External links Dalit monuments Tourist attractions in Nagpur Monuments and memorials in Maharashtra Memorials to B. R. Ambedkar Stupas in India Buddhist temples in Maharashtra Buddhism in Maharashtra Historical places Vidarbha Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India