JAMNAGAR, April 21: Manekbai Sukhdham, popularly known as Adarsh Smashan in Jamnagar is turning into a popular tourist spot of Jamnagar city because of its uniqueness. It is aptly named the Sukhdham or the abode of happiness, for, it has a quiet set up, serene appearance and religious atmosphere which reminds visitors of the eternal truth that death is but a normal and unavoidable process of human life and it is only the body that dies but the soul remains immortal.This crematorium was first built in 1892 on the bank of Nagmati river which passes through the city. It was expanded in 1899 when Manekbai, widow of a leading businessman Varshi Karansi, donated her adjacent farm to the crematorium.
But its real shape as an ideal crematorium started taking place from 1947 for the restless efforts of Gokuldaas Hirji Thakker, a freedom fighter and a leading worker of Shri Samaj Sevak Mahavir Dal, a prominent voluntary organisation which manage the crematorium.
After its total renovation with donations from leading citizens in 1952, it acquired a beautiful garden, a large waiting hall and a rich library. A place for mass bath with hot water facility was also added to the crematorium after renovation. Inside the crematorium, some 125 statues of Indian gods and goddesses were installed along with that of saints and philanthropists. Several messages pointing out the mortal nature of human life were also engraved there.
Opposite to the traditional cremation ground, an additional modern electric cremation hall was also added. A large circular structure known as Sanskar Chakra depicting engraved pictures of various stages of life from birth to death has been erected.
The crematorium was badly damaged in a severe cyclonic storm in October 1975 but it was later further expanded and fully renovated under the initiative of Jayantilal Thakker, an able leader of Samaj Sevak Mahavir Dal, with the generous donations of the citizens and grant by the District Planning Board. The modern electric cremation hall was established in 1991 with a sizeable grant by Jamnagar municipal corporation.
