Every country honors its Bravehearts in one way or the other. The tradition is alive and kicking in India as well with several memorials dedicated to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our country. Take, for instance, India Gate. Nestled in the heart of New Delhi, it commemorates soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan War.
India Gate – History, Attractions & How to Reach
India Gate in a nutshell
- A war memorial of the Indian Army was placed inside it after India’s independence.
- Amar Jawan Jyoti is the popular name for this monument.
- The All-India War Memorial was the original name of the India Gate.
- It is located on the Rajpath, Delhi’s major roadway.
- Edwin Lutyens sculpted it.
Has that piqued your interest? Join us, as we take you through all things India Gate, from history and construction specialties to nearby tourist spots and more.
History
The India Gate is a must-see attraction in Delhi. It is a historical monument, a landmark, and the pride of Delhi. Edwin Lutyens, the architect of the city of Delhi, laid the foundation stone. He specialized in the art of creating military memorials. As a member of the IWGC at the time, he designed 66 war memorials in Europe. The construction of India Gate began on February 10, 1921, and went on for ten years. For design inspiration, the architect looked towards the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris’ most celebrated monuments.
India Gate is the country’s tallest monument, standing 42 meters tall. It is one of Delhi’s oldest monuments, and marble and yellow sandstone make up the structure. The names of 13,516 Indian soldiers and a few British soldiers and officials are recorded here.
According to estimates, approximately 90,000 British Indian Army personnel died in World War I during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The lamp within the India Gate is known as Amar Jawan Jyoti. On January 26, 1972, a lamp was installed beneath the arch of the India Gate to commemorate the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. It’s crafted from black marble.
Architecture
What makes India Gate DC a tourist hotspot is its architectural magnificence. The structure of the monument resembles the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris. It is located in the center of a hexagonal space with a diameter of 625 meters, a 360,000-square-meter surface area, a height of 42 meters, and a width of 9.1 meters. Its walls are built entirely of red and yellow stones mined at Bharatpur.
In front of the monument, there is an empty terrace that originally housed the Imperial State Crown, the British Globus Cruciger, and a statue of George V wielding the scepter at his coronation. In 1960, the statue was relocated to Coronation Park and now serves only to commemorate the British exit from India.
On top of the monument is a dome, which furthers its appeal. The upper half of the India Gate, which is a symbol of the British Imperial Colony, is adorned with inscriptions. On the other hand, the inscription includes the names of 13,218 soldiers and female army staff nurses who died in 1917.
Amar Jawan Jyoti
Under the Gate, a flame is always lit in honor of the heroic jawans. It’s named the Amar Jawan Jyoti, placed just beneath the monument. A gun is kept upside down at the “Ama Jawan Jyoti ” site, with a soldier’s helmet on top. The Amar Jawan Jyoti is made of black marble stone. ‘Amar Jawan’ is inscribed in the Devanagari script in front of it.
The flame on the Amar Jawan Jyoti never goes out. Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then-Prime Minister of India, inaugurated the Amar Jawan Jyoti on January 26, 1972. The site attracts visits from the Indian PM and chiefs of the Armed Services on special occasions like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Infantry Day. They pay homage to the valour and sacrifice of soldiers at this war memorial in India.
Attractions near India Gate
Thousands of travelers from all over the world visit India Gate and its surrounding tourist attractions each year. Let’s have a look at some of these locations.
1. The National Gallery of Modern Art
It exhibits current and modern Indian art. This lovely and captivating art gallery is situated just 12 minutes from India Gate. It offers a remarkable collection of Indian artworks along with works of renowned international artists.
2. National Science Center
It is situated 2.5 km away from India Gate in Delhi. There are around seven galleries and various sections for people of all ages in the National Science Center. Then there’s the “Our Science and Technology Heritage Gallery”, which displays how art and literature have evolved in line with the thriving scientific and technical culture.
3. Children’s park
If you’re coming to India Gate with kids, you’ll also want to go to the children’s park. The park, located in the center of Delhi, offers thorough entertainment, from games to food, drinks, and more.
4. Rashtrapati Bhavan
From India Gate, it takes 22 minutes to get to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a magnificent structure constructed during the British period in 1912. There are 360 rooms in this vast structure, as well as a large hall and staff quarters. It’s opulence at its best.
5. Lodhi Garden
The distance between India Gate and Lodhi Garden is 2 kilometers. This park, spread out over 90 acres, is lovely and peaceful, ideal for relaxing. Many historic forts, flower gardens, birds, and a large pond, among other things, help you detach from the city’s chaos.
6. Bangla Sahib Gurdwara
Bangla Sahib Gurdwara is a spiritual and religious site located 2.5 kilometers from India Gate. This holy Gurudwara keeps a steady stream of visitors for its peaceful ambiance and melodious Guruvani.
7. Janpath Market
Make your way to the Janpath Market, one of Delhi’s well-known markets. It’s only a 2-minute walk from India Gate. In comparison to other markets, this one is thought to be customer-friendly and enjoyable, so it should be visited at least once.
8. Connaught Place
Connaught Place is one of the city’s most important heritage sites, and it is always bustling. It also happens to be the world’s ninth most expensive market. Clothing of various kinds, Indian and western, can be purchased here. Apart from that, there is a wide range of Khadi clothes, accessories, and Indian handicrafts to choose from. From Connaught Place to India Gate, it takes about 7 minutes and covers a distance of about 3 kilometers.
9. Raj Ghat
It is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Visiting Raj Ghat could be one of the most humbling experiences of your life. After all, he was the apostle of peace and a man of honor.
10. Jantar Mantar
A visit to this spot will allow you to learn about ancient astronomy and how humans in the past calculated time and discovered the positions and movements of celestial bodies. Reaching Jantar Mantar is easy, as it’s just 3 kilometers away from India Gate.
11. Agrasen ki Baoli
It was previously a water reservoir. This elegant step-well stands tall as proof of the engineering skills of our forefathers. It is one of the city’s oldest structures, which still retains its appeal and elegance. Visitors from across Delhi and beyond flock to this site to spend some quality time and click photographs for their social profiles. It is 2.5 kilometers from India Gate. Oh, and the stepwell could be haunted, according to urban legends. So, it’s best to stride in the area of caution, right?
12. Chandni Chowk
This market, which now has 1,560 stores, was once 40 yards wide and 1,520 yards long. The market was square in design and featured a pool in the centre that shined brightly on a moonlit night. That earned it the name, Chandni Chowk. India Gate is 5.6 kilometers away from this local favorite hotspot.
13. Jama Masjid
India Gate is 6 kilometers away from Jama Masjid. It showcases the Mughal architecture in action. Over 25000 people can sit together and perform Namaz in this mosque, which is 40 meters high and has three entrances. From the eastern end of this mosque, the Red Fort looks quite appealing. The Jama Masjid attracts a deluge of tourists all year round. The majority of visitors to Delhi will undoubtedly come here.
15. Red Fort
Red Fort is a magnificent structure located in Delhi within 15 minutes from India Gate. This fort is one of the Mughal era’s historical structures, and it will transport you to a bygone era.
16. Purana Qila
At a distance of one km is the Purana Qila. Every evening, Purana Qila hosts a light and sound performance on “the seven cities of Delhi”, which is immensely popular with tourists.
Things to do at India Gate
India Gate, also known as Delhi’s Pride or Delhi’s Heart, is a prominent tourist attraction in Delhi. Every year, tens of thousands of foreign tourists, both local and international, visit Delhi to experience this architectural wonder. Here’re a few things you can do here.
- It’s a popular site for Bollywood film shooting. If you are a movie buff, it’s the place to be in Delhi.
- If you’re planning a picnic with your family in Delhi, there’s no better place to go than India Gate. The pleasure of a picnic in the warm weather, especially during the winter, is unique.
- If you want to stay healthy, go for a jog in the morning in the heart of Delhi or on the Rajpath in the winter.
- At India Gate, you can capture moments with your family and friends on your camera to keep the memories alive.
- Feel free to treat your taste buds with flavors from hotels near the India Gate.
- It is an ideal location for having fun with friends and family, with everything from cricket to football on offer.
- The Children’s Park, which is close to the gate, is a wonderful area to spend time with your children.
- Bring your kite and manjha to India Gate and enjoy kite flying in the open air.
- Eating corn with friends on a rainy evening at India Gate is a different experience altogether. And, sipping tea with friends at India Gate’s tiny shop on a rainy evening is another way to unwind.
Opening & closing time
Although the monument is open to tourists 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the area surrounding the main monument is closed to the general public once it gets dark.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
Although India Gate can be visited at any time, the best months to visit India Gate are February to April and August to November. During these months, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold in Delhi.
How to Reach?
India Gate location is ideal, accessible from all across Delhi via bus, taxi, and metro. You need to reach the Central Secretariat metro station to get to the monument by metro. Depending on their preference, tourists can walk or take a car to India Gate after exiting the station. The distance between the Central Secretariat and India Gate is 2.3 kilometers.
Old Delhi and New Delhi are the two main railway stations in Delhi. All modes of transportation, including DTC buses, autos, and others, are available to take you to India Gate from these two stations. Besides, the best way to get to India Gate is to take the Metro from New Delhi station. You have the choice of selecting the most comfortable alternative.
Conclusion
The India Gate is more than just a monument. It celebrates the spirit of sacrifice displayed by our soldiers. As if the monument isn’t fascinating enough, several tourist spots are located just in close proximity to it. So, if you’ve never visited the country’s capital before, be sure to take a look at India Gate, and the surrounding hotspots!
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