Sunday, 28 September 2025 at 12pm

Celebrate the life and work of Rajah Rammohun Roy  at our public commemoration service. All are welcome. 

Rajah Rammohun Roy (1772-1833) was an individual of truly global stature, and is buried at Arnos Vale Cemetery on Ceremonial Way. His tomb, or Chattri, is clearly visible from the Bath Road entrance to the cemetery.

The Rajah was an extremely influential religious and political thinker, he coined the word “Hinduism” as a term for the diversity of Indian religions and wrote extensively on religious and social matters.  He stressed the importance of education for Indians, campaigned for women’s rights and worked to end the traditional practice of sati: the burning of widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands.

The Rajah’s unique and beautiful moment has long been a place of pilgrimage for many people including Bengalis, Indians, Unitarians and many others. Every year a commemorative ceremony is held on the Sunday nearest the anniversary of the Rajah’s death, on 27th September 1833. This year we will be meeting on Sunday 28^th September 2025.

Programme 

Commemorations start by the Chattri at 12pm, which will include flower laying, songs, prayers and the unveiling of a new sign about the Rajah.

We will then move to the Anglican Chapel where speakers will be giving short talks on the Rajah’s legacy in Bristol and beyond.

At approx. 1.15pm the event will finish and those who would like to stay, socialise and try some delicious food are welcome to join us in the Spielman Centre.

Please book tickets below so we know how many people are planning to attend this free event.

Parking is limited so we encourage event attendees to use public transport.

You can find out more by reading about  previous event.

The Tomb

The Rajah's beautiful Bengali-style tomb is a listed monument and has long been a place of pilgrimage for Bengali's and Indians. It was repaired and conserved in 2008 using a generous gift from Kolkata. It is one of the largest in the cemetery, a beautiful grade II* stone monument built in the Victorian era to honour a man who's life and work is still relevant to people today.