India Gate: A Journey through Time and Culture

Introduction

Standing strong in the heart of Delhi is the architectural marvel, India Gate – dedicated to the young and valiant Indian Soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War. Your trip to Delhi can never be complete without a trip to this magnificent war memorial.  

India Gate has become a core memory when it comes to Delhi, you see it you are immediately taken aback by Delhi. It has become an integral part of any movies, documentaries, or videos based on Delhi. This popular sight of visit is popular among both locals and tourists for their reasons. Recently during the G20 summit, this historical place played host to many dignitaries.

Historical Significance 

The War Memorial is one the of most visited places to visit in Delhi. It was Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who designed the architectural beauty in the year 1921. Around 13000 names have been inscribed on the walls, which reminds us of the soldiers who gave their lives during the First World War and Indo – Pakistan War. The Amar Jawan Jyoti, signifying the immortal Soldiers, was added after the Indo-Pakistan War.

The War Memorial is the biggest symbol of patriotism. More than 26000 soldiers have given their lives to protect India’s integrity and sovereignty. This war memorial is a constant reminder and a testimony of the struggle and sacrifices they made for this country. Your visit to Delhi will be incomplete without a trip to this historical place in India.

An Architectural Marvel

The concept behind this architectural beauty is secularism, a memorial that honors only the brave soldiers and is free from any religious conflicts. The monument draws its inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, and The Arch of Constantine in Rome. 

The structure is 42 meters in height and 9.1 meters in width and is situated in a hexagonal complex. The monument is made up of yellow and red sandstone. The Amar Jawan Jyoti which was later added to the structure has a cenotaph with a reversed rifle, capped by a helmet. The flame or jyoti constantly burned to mark the valor of our soldiers. This 50-year-old flame was put out on 21st January 2022 and was merged with a new flame at the National War Memorial.

Location

The Gate is located in the heart of Delhi, on the Rajpath, also known as Kartavya Path after its christening in September 2022. 

How to reach?

If you are planning to visit Delhi, don’t miss out on visiting the India Gate. Since it is centrally located, it is very well connected by various means of transport.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport. From there you can easily take a taxi to reach your destination in 20 to 25 minutes. 

By Train: Delhi has a quite number of railway stations, the closest ones being Pragati Maidan and Tilak Bridge. From the station, you can easily take a taxi and reach your location in 15 minutes.

By Road: Delhi is blessed with some of the best roads in India. Take a bus or book a taxi if you are in no mood to drive, in a matter of minutes you will be at your destination.

By Metro: Metros are the best means to travel in Delhi. The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat on the Yellow and the Violet Metro lines. From there take a taxi or an auto rickshaw, there you are at your designated location.

Timing and Entry Fees

Delhi is interlocked and for this reason, the temperature can rise above 40 degrees in summer. Delhi is among the best places to visit in December i.e. during the winter. To visit Gate there is no such time restriction. You can also extend your stay and celebrate New Year in Delhi.

It is open for its visitors all day throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is during the night as the monument gets lit and looks magnificent. 

The entry fee to see this beauty is zero. You can enjoy this iconic place for free and spend as much time as it pleases you, making it a perfect weekend getaway in Delhi when running tight on time. 

Lesser Known Facts 

• The foundation stone was laid down by the Duke of Connaught on 10th February 1921.
• It is one of the largest war grave memorials built for soldiers who died in the First World War.
• The Gate area is a high-security area because of its strategic positioning. 
• There is an empty canopy behind the  Gate which symbolizes the withdrawal of British power from India.
• Apart from the names of the martyr soldiers inscribed on the wall, there is the name of a female nurse who died during World War I.
• The Gate plays host to some of the most important events of the country like Republic Day. Before the parade begins the Prime Minister lays the wreath on the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Fun and Activities

The War Memorial is surrounded by lush green lawns which makes it an ideal place to hang out with your friends and family. Here are some of the activities that you can enjoy:

1. Picnic

The lush green garden surrounding the Gate is a great spot to spend some quality time with your friends and family. 

2.   Walks

You can always go for an early morning walk or late night walk to enjoy the breathtaking view of this beautiful war memorial. 

3.  Street Food

Since the area is a great hangout spot, you can find several food stalls surrounding the area. Relish in some of your favorite Delhi-style food while taking a walk through the gardens. If you love food Delhi is never going to disappoint you. You can find some of the Best Restaurants in India in Delhi and great instragrammable cafes in Delhi.

4.  Children’s Park

The Children’s Park near the gate is a great place for the children to play and spend some quality time with you and your friends. 

5. Boating

The lakes around the gate are used for boating. Various boating clubs offer water activities at a very reasonable price.

Pocket Pinch: 50 INR per person for 15 minutes. 

Timing: Opens every day from 2 PM to 9 PM. 

Nearby Attractions 

The areas surrounding the Gate have some of the most beautiful places to visit in Delhi. There is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, then we have the Raj Ghat, the memorial honoring our father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi, the Indira Gandhi memorial, the Amrit Udyan, and the beautiful Mughal Era monument – the Safdarjung Tomb. Some of the Best amusement parks in India are in Delhi. 

Conclusion 

A visit to the India Gate is a must whenever you are in Delhi. You sure will be taken aback by the mesmerizing beauty, the tranquility, and the sense of patriotism that you will feel near this war memorial.