India Gate in Delhi

Location: Less than a mile from Connaught Place, (Rajeev Chowk) at the eastern end of Rajpath.


Time to Visit: Open on all days, around the clock


Preferred Timings: 7.00 pm-9.30 pm


Admission: Free and open to all


How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach the monument, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or take the metro rail. From CP one can even take a stroll till India Gate


Video charges: Nil


Nearest Railway Station: New Delhi Railway Station


Nearest Metro Station: Kendriya Terminal


Functional Metro Station: Kendriya Terminal


Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Aiport


Time required for sightseeing: Approximately 1 hour



India Gate:
Built in 1931 and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this 42 m high stone arch of victory, universally known as India Gate, stands at the eastern end of Rajpath. It was previously officially known as the All India War Memorial. The names of the 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the First World War, Afghan campaign of 1919 and the North-West Frontier operations are inscribed on the walls of this grand structure.

In the year 1971, an eternal flame or Amar Jawan Jyoti, was lit under the arch of India Gate to honor the brave unknown, soldier. The flame is flanked by uniformed soldiers, who stand guard over the flame. Near the flame, a shining rifle with a helmet on it, is placed on a high pedestal, as a tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in battle. The best time to visit India Gate is after sunset, when the structure is floodlit and the atmosphere becomes pleasant. In the evening people come here for perambulation and children can be seen playing on the beautiful green lawns and around the trees that surround the structure. Visitors can enjoy boating in the water bodies alongside the lawns. Fountains located nearby are also illuminated with colored lights to add further resplendence to the ambience. The fair-like festive environment, is enhanced by numerous hawkers selling ice cream, street food, toys and balloons.

Just a few meters away from India Gate, there is a beautiful canopy or domed kiosk, with a roof of red sandstone, under which the marble statue of George V once stood. The canopy was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was built in 1936. The statue has been removed from beneath the canopy to the Coronation Memorial Park in North Delhi. The emptiness of the canopy is symbolic of the British retreat from India. The visitor can stand on the other side of the canopy and can view the entire Rajpath Avenue at a stretch, which is indeed a wonderful sight.


Special Event / Annual Event:
Republic Day Parade. Every year on 26th January, the President of India places a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay his respects to the Indian armed forces. A grand parade then takes place along Rajpath. Marching contingents, tanks and weaponry, as well as colorful floats, folk dances and school children from different parts of India, take part in this resplendent ceremony that celebrate's India's Republic Day.

Swar Utsav: Organized by Delhi Tourism every October, the best Indian classical musicians perfom for music lovers, in the beautiful ambience of the India Gate lawns.

Nearby Tourist Attractions:
Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Presidential mansion; North and South Block, where important government offices are located; Parliament House where Indian leaders meet, the National Museum with its extensive collection of historical artifacts and the National Gallery of Modern Art famous for its contemporary Indian art collection.


Nearby Places to Eat:
Ice cream vendors on the India gate lawns offer a wide choice of ice cream. There are many hotels and restaurants nearby. Some of these are - Hotel Le Meridien, Imperial Hotel, Hotel Inter-Continental, Parikrama Revolving restaurant, Connaught Place nearby offers many culinary options. Some of these are Gaylord, El Rodeo, Bercos, Zen restaurant, Delhi Darbar, Nizam's Kathi Kebabs and Standard Restaurant. For snacks and fast foods: McDonalds, Nirula's, Wengers, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Ruby Tuesday, Sona Rupa, Barista and Café Coffee Day. Bengali Market (for traditional Indian sweets), Kake da hotel (Indian food), and innumerable roadside foodstalls for the adventurous street-food eater.

Nearby Shopping Venues:
Connaught Place offers everything from jewellery, books, art, leather goods and a wide choice of Indian and international clothes stores. Central Cottage Industries Emporium has Indian handicrafts and curios. Baba Kharak Singh Marg houses the emporia of all the states of India dedicated to each state's unique art and craft created by traditional and skilled artisans. Janpath offers clothes, low priced gifts and souvenirs and Palika Bazaar offers a wide range of electronic items.

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