Read More on India Gate
History
In February 1921 the foundation stone of the memorial was laid. A ceremony was held and attended by many officials. The Duke of Connaught, officers of the British Indian Army were some of the many officials who attended. The Imperial War Graves Commission monitored the construction of the India Gate.
The structure holds a lot of importance in all senses. The President of India visits the monument on 26th January of each year to pay his homage to the Indian soldiers. An Independence Day parade is also organized every year which moves to Rajpath and many school students, folk dancers, take part in the parade.
Architecture
The architecture represents the war memorial. It is a magnificent gate made of red Bharatpur stone with names of dead soldiers inscribed on it. The architectural style of the India gate is often compared to the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Arch of Constantine of Rome, and the Arc De Triomphe of Paris. The gate is 42 meters high, standing on the eastern end of Rajpath. The hexagonal-shaped complex covers an area of 306,000 sq. meters. The gate is surrounded by well-maintained lush green gardens.
Activities
There are a couple of activities that you should do while you spend some time at the India Gate.
- If you are on a family trip and are accompanied by children then you can take them to the Children’s Park. They surely will enjoy their time there.
- One can also experience boating near the India Gate. The timings for boating are from 2 PM to 9 PM and the cost varies. So, you will have to check for the rates at the counter itself.
- A light show is organized at the India Gate from 7 PM to 9:30 PM and that is free of cost. The lights are projected on the India Gate adding colors to its beauty.
- The Children’s Park has a lot to offer from an aquarium to an amphitheater, this park has it all. It also has a musical fountain and a library.
- This library does offer membership at affordable rates. The timing of this park is from 10 AM to 8 PM, it is open on all days of the week and the entry is free. The library opens from 11 AM to 5 PM and is closed on Sundays.
Tips for visiting
- Do not cause any sort of harm to the monument or its surroundings.
- Use dustbins to dispose of waste, avoid littering around.
- While you are here visit the places nearby. You can even visit the local markets and quench the thirst of the shopper in you.
- If you are a book lover then visit the Daryaganj Book bazaar on Asaf Ali Road. Here you can get books at a discounted rate.
- From India Gate, the Lodhi Gardens is approx. 30 minutes away so you can club it with your visit here.
Best time to visit
The winter season is the best time to visit Delhi. The weather is pleasant and you can easily go from one place to the other. The summers get harsh making you want to stay indoors. October to March is considered the best time to visit Delhi.
Nearby Atractions
- Daryaganj Book Bazaar
- National War Memorial
- Red Fort
- Janpath Market
- Lodhi Gardens
- Parliament House
- National Gallery of Modern Art
- National Museum of Natural History
- Raj Ghat Gandhi Memorial
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple
Nearby market/ shopping places
- Khan Market: This is the local market of Delhi where people can easily shop for clothes, statues, showpieces, etc.
- Select Citywalk- The mall is situated in Pushp Vihar. Select Citywalk is a well-known shopping center in New Delhi. It has a variety of brands followed by several cafés, restaurants, etc.
- DLF Promenade Mall- This mall has stand-alone stores. Decent eating joints and a food court. It is crowded on weekdays.
- Pacific Mall- Situated at the prime locality, Pacific is an architecturally exquisite space. It is a well-planned mall with more than 260 brands.
- Moments Mall- The food in the food court is worth cherishing. The mall houses many international brands.
Nearby Hotels
The list of hotels mentioned below consists of a variety of hotels. Mentioned below are 5 star hotels, 4 star hotels, 3 star hotels, resorts, and budget hotels:
- Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity New Delhi
- Crowne Plaza Okhla
- The Lalit New Delhi
- The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa
- Lemon Tree Premier Delhi Airport
- Mahagun Sarovar Portico Suites
- Grand Venizia Hotel
- Hotel International Inn
- Olivia Hotels
Interesting Facts About India Gate
- If you look closely you will see that the names of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country have been carved in the India Gate, New Delhi.
- The name of a female nurse is also inscribed here, she lost her life in 1917. She was the nurse of the Territorial Force.
- The Duke of Connaught laid down the foundation stone of India Gate on the 10th of February 1921.
- The chief designer of the 42 meters high India Gate was Sir Edwin Lutyens. The monument holds a resemblance to the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris.