December 6 is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas to commemorate the 1956 demise of B.R. Ambedkar in New Delhi (Scroll, “Mahaparinirvan Diwas: Why is it celebrated on 6th December?”). December 6, 2026 will mark the 70th year after his demise, from the 69th anniversary observed in 2024 (Press Information Bureau, 2024). This article explains the meaning of the term, what occurred in 1956, and how his followers commemorate the day.
Meaning of Mahaparinirvan Diwas
Parinirvana in Buddhism refers to nirvana after death. It indicates release from the world, karma and rebirth (Scroll). According to Buddhist scriptures, the demise of the Buddha is Mahaparinirvan and it is the original basis for this day (BYJU’S, “Mahaparinirvan Diwas”; Press Information Bureau).
With regard to Ambedkar, in 1956, he converted to Buddhism and several of his followers regard him as a Buddhist leader (Lokmat Times). The Government of India avers that his followers and admirers compare him to the same level as the Buddha and therefore merits the naming of his death anniversary as Mahaparinirvan Diwas (Press Information Bureau). The day is observed as Mahaparinirvan Din in Hindi and Marathi. To know more about the type of Buddhism he followed, read our article on Navayana Buddhism.
What happened on 6 December 1956?
Ambedkar died on 6 December 1956 at his residence in Delhi (Scroll). His house was at 26 Alipur Road, a bungalow which he and his wife Savita Ambedkar moved into in 1951, and was his home until his death in 1956 (Wikipedia, “Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial”). He died less than two months after his conversion to Buddhism on 14 October 1956 (Free Press Journal). He had been working on The Buddha and His Dhamma, the major work of literature for the followers of the faith (BYJU’S).
His body was moved to Mumbai. On 7 December 1956 lakhs of people attended his Buddhist funeral at Dadar Chowpatty beach (Scroll). One report said about 12 lakh people attended (Lokmat Times). There is no exact figure, but all sources agree that a large crowd was in attendance. Our Biography page has more information on his life. Our page on the Hindu Code Bill has more information on the 1951 resignation he made five years prior to his death.
Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai
The site became Chaityabhoomi (Scroll). It is a Buddhist memorial in Mumbai, opened on 5 December 1971 (Wikipedia, “Chaitya Bhoomi”). It is a major pilgrimage center for Buddhists, and sees a large number of visitors on 6 December every year (Wikipedia).
Thousands of visitors go to Dadar in Mumbai to pay tribute to Dr. Ambedkar. They chant ‘Jai Bhim’ and try to follow his teachings (Free Press Journal). Our article about the Jai Bhim greeting will help you learn the significance of the phrase. Arrangements by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other Ambedkarite volunteers help visitors pay tribute (Lokmat Times).
Figures about the crowd size vary. Different sources say there were ‘thousands’ or ‘lakhs’ of visitors (Free Press Journal; Lokmat Times; Vedantu). See the log for more information.
How the day is observed
In Mumbai: Political leaders pay tribute at Chaityabhoomi (Lokmat Times).
In Delhi: The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organizes the commemoration at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex (Press Information Bureau, 2024). The last house of Dr. Ambedkar in Delhi is now Ambedkar National Memorial and Mahaparinirvan Sthal (Wikipedia, “Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial”).
At universities and schools: Programs are conducted to pay floral tributes and deliver speeches on the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity propounded by Dr. Ambedkar (Krishna University, December 2025).
Away: Diplomatic missions of India are being encouraged to organize programs to commemorate Ambedkar Jayanti. In 2021, the Indian Embassy in Beirut commemorated the day with a flower show and a talk (Embassy of India, Beirut). The Indian Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, translated some of Ambedkar’s quotes in the local language (ANI, via Zee News). The Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City organized an online program with a representative from a Vietnamese Buddhist University (Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City). A 2021 Government of India press release also mentioned a series of events in London related to the Ambedkar Memorial (Embassy of India, Bogotá, press release). Our ‘Ambedkar House London’ page includes information about the London memorial.
I did not find any documented events by the diaspora in the US, UK or Canada in 2021, so this page will not include any events related to them.
Importance
December 6 is the anniversary of the death of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and a day for mourning and a renewed commitment for his followers to carry on his work. December 6 is also the day he attained Mahaparinirvan (death according to Buddhist teaching). Dr. Ambedkar was a Polymath, which is evident in our post on the Constituent Assembly as well as his work on the Problem of the Rupee. December 6 is also a day for the sharing of Dr. Ambedkar’s work. The Ambedkarite Educational Program focuses on these skills.
Takeaway
The word ‘Mahaparinirvan’ comes from Buddhist teachings on Nirvana and is often used to describe leaders of the Buddhist faith. Ambedkar’s followers see him as one such leader, as he is often referred to as the ‘Buddha of the Shudras and the untouchables’ Ambedkar converted to Buddhism less than two months prior to his death on December 6, 1956. It is believed by his followers that he, like the historical Buddha, attained Parinirvana, which means complete liberation from Samsara. Each year thousands flock to pay their respects at his memorial in Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai where he was cremated, and at other memorials across the country. Embassies also organize events to celebrate his life and teachings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chaityabhoomi?
Where Ambedkar was cremated in Mumbai at Dadar Chowpatty, 6th December 1956. It opened to public as memorial 5th December 1971 and followers of Ambedkar visit there on 6th December every year.
What happened to the death of Ambedkar?
Babasaheb’s (what he is called by Indians) last breath on 6th December 1956 around 6:30 in the morning at 26 Alipur Road, Delhi.
How many years since his death in 2026?
70 years. 2026 is the 70th anniversary of his death.
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SOURCES
- Scroll, “Mahaparinirvan Diwas: Why is it celebrated on 6th December?”
- Free Press Journal, “Mumbai: BR Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Diwas Draws Thousands To Chaityabhoomi”
- Lokmat Times, “Dadar Chaityabhoomi Live Streaming,” 2025
- Press Information Bureau, “Mahaparinirvan Diwas,” December 5, 2024
- BYJU’S, “Mahaparinirvan Diwas”
- Vedantu, “Mahaparinirvana Diwas 2025”
- Wikipedia, “Chaitya Bhoomi”
- Wikipedia, “Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial”
- Krishna University, Mahaparinirvana Diwas observance, December 2025
- Embassy of India, Beirut, “Mahaparinirvana Divas on December 6, 2021”
- Zee News / ANI, “Indian embassy in Antananarivo celebrates Mahaparinirvana Diwas”
- Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City, “Mahaparinivaran Diwas (6th December, 2021)”
- Embassy of India, Bogotá, Government of India press release, December 2, 2021
