<India Gate & Rajpath - All India War Memorial

India Gate And Rajpath




Quick Facts

Location Near Rajpath
Metro Station Pragati Maidan
Timings Morning to Night
Entry Free
Days Closed None
Photography Charges Nil

India Gate is a marvellous construction designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the famous British Architect, who contributed to the development of New Delhi. This is now considered as one of the greatest monuments of India.

The design of India Gate was inspired from another great piece of architecture the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which it is said was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. This monument built in 1931 was originally called ‘All India War Memorial’, being a prominent landmark in Delhi, commemorates the martyrdom of 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who gave their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The construction of which is composed of red and pale sandstone with granite.

The vacant canopy one sees in front of India Gate was occupied by the Statue of British Emperor George V, which was removed along with other British raj based Statues to Coronation Park after Independence of India, making this place as the Indian Army’s Tomb of Unknown Soldier’s site called Amar Jawan Jyoti, which means ‘flame of the immortal warrior’.

History

Old Delhi Railway Station was the only Railway Station in Delhi until 1920 AD, while the Agra-Delhi railway lines were crossing through the present area of Lutyens’ Delhi, the site where India Gate and Rajpath are situated. The Railway lines were removed from this place to create the War Memorial taken to the place by the side of Yamuna River in 1924 AD, upon which the New Delhi Railway Station was constructed in 1926 AD.

Special/Annual Event at India Gate

Republic Day Parade

On Republic day every year on 26th January, marking the event of formation of the Indian constitution, the President of India honours Amar Jawan Jyoti by placing a Wreath thereby paying the Nation’s respect to the forces of Indian Army. Grand parade takes place following this ceremony in the Rajpath, enriched with Marching Contingents, Tanks and Weaponry with well decorated colourful floats, regional folk dances and talent parades of school children from various parts of the country, which is telecasted to the entire nation to witness the Republic day parade of the Country.

Swar Utsav

In India Gate lawns, Delhi tourism organises every year in the month of October, a festival called Swar Utsav where Indian Classical Music performance is conducted in which all the performers and lovers of Indian classical music participate.

Tourist Attractions near India Gate

India Gate is a central area where the tourists can visit the fabulous Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks, Parliament House, the National Museum and also see a number of historical items of artefacts and contemporary Indian art collection can be seen in the National Gallery of Modern Art located near India Gate.

Famous Places to Eat Close to India Gate

More than the famous hotels such as Hotel Le Meridien, Imperial Hotel, Parikrama – the Revolving Restaurant etc, visitors are attracted to the swarming Ice Cream vendors who dispense with such tasty ice cream varieties, for which people come to this area for their picnic trips, while at the nearby Connaught Place, there are a number of restaurants serving all types of cuisines.

Shopping Venues near India Gate

India Gate area is closer to Connaught Place with the Central Cottage Industries Emporium having Indian handicrafts and curios nearby. Baba Kharak Singh Marg are also closer having the emporia of all the states of India stocking and selling unique art and craft items created by traditional and skilled artisans of all the states in India, Janpath housing a number of shops selling textile items, low priced gifts and souvenirs, while Palika Bazaar, the famous market place where wide range of electronic items are sold, all of them are famous shopping arena around India Gate.

Opened: February 10, 1921

Address: India Gate, New Delhi, DL

Phone: 011 2464 7005

How to Reach India Gate

Road

One can take DTC or private buses from any location in Delhi to reach India Gate, while Buses from ISBT from all the three locations to India Gate can be taken, plenty of tri cycle auto rickshaws are available from anywhere in Delhi.

Frequent bus Services are there from Sarai Kale Khan Bus Terminal and also one can find plenty of buses for India Gate at Connaught Place bus stops.

Rail

Metro Rail Service connection is very convenient too, Central Secretariat is the nearby station.

Air

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is well connected through domestic and international flights, enabling passengers from all the major cities in India and outside, almost all the major airlines operating flights to this destination.

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