If you decided against visiting India Gate, New Delhi’s city grid will force you to view it from a passing bus or car. It’s location at the end of Rajpath is central to many of the tourist highlights around the city. See the iconic landmark of India’s capital city in the early morning around opening time to avoid the crowds. If you prefer to be with the locals and tourists, wait until evening when families and young couples flock to this area. Rajpath comes alive with music, kids playing cricket in the nearby fields, ice cream and balloon vendors and a tremendous amount of foot traffic. The structure is floodlit after sunset and the air cools to a pleasant temperature.
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
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
Nearest Railway Station: New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Kendriya Terminal
Time required for sightseeing: Approximately 1 hour
History
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.
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. Source- Indfy.com
