Spend a Day at These War Memorial on The Occasion of 76th Independence Day

1. India Gate, Delhi

Starting from the Central part of Delhi, India Gate is a site which is dedicated to 84000 soldiers of The British Indian Army, who laid their lives during World War I and the third Anglo-Afgan war between 1914 and 1921.

Formerly known as the All India War Memorial is located alongside the Rajpath. More than 13000 servicemen's names including some British soldiers, are inscribed on the gate.

Following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, in 1972, a black marble, capped by a war helmet, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti (The Flame of Immortal Soldiers) was erected. And since then, every Republic Day, the Prime Minister of the country, pays homage to the departed souls, followed by The Republic Day Parade.

Time: No time restrictions, however, the best time to visit is between 7pm and 9.30pm when the gate is illuminated with the Tricolor

How to Reach :

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport (12kms) is the nearest air base to the monument. Public transport like bus, metro, and taxis are easily available for the location.

By Train: The New Delhi Railway Station is 5kms away from the India Gate and requires approximately 30mins to reach the destination by bus.

By Road: Being the capital of the country, it is well connected to all the major cities of the nation

2. National War Memorial, Delhi

Across the India Gate, lies this monument built in the memory of all the Soldiers of Independent India who lost their lives in the process of protecting their nation.

The Amar Jawan Jyoti, erected after the 1971 war by then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, now has been merged with the flame of the National War Memorial.

The names of the armed forces laying their lives during the armed conflicts between India and Pakistan or China and other operations are inscribed in gold on each stone on the memorial walls.

This monument was inaugurated in February 2019 by the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and henceforth a wreath is placed at this place instead of the India Gate.

Time: 9am-8pm

How to Reach :

By Air: 13kms away is the Indira Gandhi Airbase, nearest to the memorial.

By Train: At a distance of approximately 5km lies the New Delhi Railway Station

By Metro: Khan Market, Mandi House, Janpath, and Central Secretariat are a few of the metro stations nearest to the museum.

3. Kargil War Memorial

Situated on the Srinagar -Leh Highway, this memorial is dedicated to all the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 1999 Indo-Pak Kargil War. Coined as 'Operation Vijay', this war started when the Pakistani troops - disguised as Kashmiri militants, infiltrated the Indian side of the LoC (Line of Control), which serves as the de-facto border between the two states in Kashmir.

The war started on the 3rd of May 1999 and after almost 3 months successfully ended on 26th July 1999, which is celebrated as the Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day), to pay tribute to the Indian Armed Forces' officials who protected our country from the enemies.

Time: 9am-8.30pm

How to Reach :

By Air: Srinagar Airport, 160kms away from the memorial, is the nearest. Another nearest airport is Leh Airport, 270km away.

By Train: Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the nearest located at a distance of 440kms.

By Road: National Highway (NH)1, Srinagar-Leh Highway is well connected to major cities and cuts through the Kargil village.

4. Victory at Sea Memorial, Visakhapatnam

1971 Indo-Pak war, had several phases to it. It started with Pakistani troops paving their way through Indian waters and reaching the Bay of Bengal to destroy the Indian aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

But all the efforts of the neighboring nation went in vain when the Indian Navy sunk the Pakistani submarine, PNS Ghazi at the Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) coast and concluded the first battle of the war successfully. This Memorial has been built alongside a coast in Vizag, commemorating the efforts and sacrifices of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Naval Command soldiers.

Time: Open 24hrs

How to Reach :

By Air: Visakhapatnam International Airport is the nearest, at a distance of 6kms.

By Train: Visakhapatnam Railway Station is connected to many places by the rail route, as it is one of the major naval base of the country.

By Road: Soon to be the capital of Andhra Pradesh, this coastal city is well connected to all the neighboring cities.

5. Longewala War Museum, Jaisalmer

Another phase of the 1971 war was where the Indian Army was involved. Situated at the tip of the Indo-Pak Border in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, this small village was once converted into a battlefield.

In 1971, the war progressed from both ends involving the Indian Navy and Indian Army at the same time. When the Indian Navy was looking to defeat the PNS Ghazi in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Army was all set to sacrifice their lives on the western end.

20kms from the war zone lies a Tanot Mata Mandir, which was the target of the enemies.

To the surprise of many, this war was fought by 120 Indian soldiers against a troop of 2000 Pakistani Army, and in 3 days, the Indian side declared its victory.

Time: 8am-6pm

How to Reach :

By Air: Jaisalmer Airport (125kms) is the nearest, however Jodhpur Airport (400kms) is the major airport with a good frequency of flights between the cities.

By Train: Jaisalmer Railway Station, at a distance of 110kms, is the nearest with good connectivity to the major junctions.

By Road: NH48 connects the war museum to several cities of the country.

NOTE: If you wish to visit the border, which is 50kms away from the war memorial, then a permit is required which is provided by the Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tanot Mata Mandir.

6. Wagah Border

Wagah, or Wagha, is a village located in Lahore, on the Pakistani side of the Border, which draws a demarcation line near the Radcliffe Line, dividing India and Pakistan during the Partition of British India in 1947.

Every evening, 2 hours before the sunset, there is a Border Ceremony that takes place at the border gate. The flag ceremony is conducted by The Pakistani Rangers and by The Indian Border Security Force (BSF). A marching ceremony known as the 'Silk Walk Ceremony ' is conducted with the flag ceremony each day.

Every Diwali or Eid, there is a ritual created by the soldiers on the border, to exchange sweets and greetings with each other.

Attari, on the Indian side of the Border, is the last railway station to connect Lahore across the border and is 3kms away from Wagah village.

Time: Ceremony Time: 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm (winter); 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm (summer)

How to Reach :

By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar (11kms) is the nearest.

By Train: Amritsar Railway Junction, 28kms away is one of the major junctions. The other nearest railway station is Attari (4kms)

By Road: Lying on NH52, this place is easily accessible by road.

NOTE: The best way to enjoy the ceremony is to occupy a seat in the front row, which will be possible if we are an early bird. And for this its advisable to reach before 3pm.