India Gate

India Gate is a war memorial in New Delhi that rises 42 meters (138 feet) from pale sandstone and dominates Rajpath Avenue. At its base stand four eternal flames at the corners, while the walls are adorned with engraved names.

Architect Edwin Lutyens designed the monument between 1921 and 1931 to honor Indian soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars. After Indian independence, the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame was added in 1971, dedicated to unknown soldiers.

Visitors gather on the surrounding lawns for picnics, kite flying, and family gatherings, especially on weekends and holidays. Street vendors sell snacks and souvenirs along the walkways, while photographers offer their services to capture souvenir pictures in front of the monument.

The site is accessible to visitors daily, with the best lighting conditions for photographs occurring during early morning or late afternoon. Wide walkways facilitate access around the monument, while seating areas nearby provide resting opportunities.

The names of over 13,000 soldiers are engraved into the walls, with inscriptions in Hindi and English treating both languages equally. At night, special illumination lights up the entire structure and highlights its architectural details.

Location: New Delhi district

Inception: February 12, 1931

Architects: Edwin Lutyens

Official opening: February 12, 1931

Height: 42 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Made from material: sandstone

GPS coordinates: 28.61286,77.22931

Latest update: January 15, 2026 02:05