Raja's Seat, Monument of National Importance in Madikeri, India.

Raja's Seat is a protected monument with four pillars and connecting arches standing on elevated ground in Madikeri, offering views across valleys and cliff formations. The site includes maintained gardens with pathways that guide visitors to different viewpoints around the structure.

The structure was chosen by the region's ruling monarchs from the 17th to early 19th century as a retreat to enjoy the landscape. Its location reflects the importance these rulers placed on controlling and viewing their territory.

Every 30 January, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948, Sarvodaya Diwas is held here: a procession carries an urn of his ashes to Raja's Seat, followed by readings from the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran and the Bible, bhajans, floral tributes and a few minutes of silence. The garden itself is called Gandhi Mantap.

Raja's Seat sits on high ground at the western edge of Madikeri, looking out over the cliffs and valleys to the west. The garden, called Gandhi Mantap, has a children's play area and musical fountains whose coloured jets rise in time to the music. Morning mist often covers the valley, so sunrise and sunset views are the ones to plan around.

Before becoming a garden, Raja's Seat served as a British burial ground; the coffins were later moved elsewhere and the park was developed in its place. The pavilion itself was built during British rule using cement and tiles, with four arches. The name comes from Chikka Veeraraja, who sat here each evening with his queen to watch the sunset.