All You Need to Know about India’s New War Memorial in Delhi

Sprawling across 40 acres of land adjacent to the India Gate, the suave National War Memorial was inaugurated by PM Modi on February 25, 2019 to laud the fallen soldiers of our country since after independence. With representatives of all major Indian faiths praying at the event, the PM dedicated the memorial after lighting the flame at the bottom of the obelisk, while the Indian Air Force showered rose petals and demonstrated the Missing Man configuration to honour their fallen comrades.

The memorial is the first-of-its-kind tribute to the soldiers who’ve laid down their lives in the Indo-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and the Kargil Conflict in 1999. It also salutes the soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in UN Peace Keeping Missions, in the course of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations, counter-insurgency strikes and Low Intensity Capital Operation.

The Architecture of the National War Memorial

Built in a sunken plot to respect the view of the India Gate, the sleek design was chosen through a global competition and built at a cost of Rs. 176 crores. Designed by Chennai based WeBe Design Lab, the layout has been fashioned in four concentric circles – the “Amar Chakra” or Circle of Immortality, the “Veerta Chakra” or Circle of Bravery, the “Tyag Chakra” or Circle of Sacrifice and the “Rakshak Chakra” or Circle of Protect. The main idea of the design in the words of Architect Yogesh Chandrahasan is not to mourn death but to raise a toast to the life and sacrifices of Indian soldiers who laid their lives down in the line of duty.

Read More: 7 Secret Places in Delhi

Prominent Attractions

The outermost Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees, each tree symbolizing the many soldiers guarding the national solidarity of India – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Paying homage to the 25,942 war casualties, the 16 walls in the Tyag Chakra have their names inscribed in gold, on granite tablets arranged in the Chakravyuh fashion of ancient Indian warfare.

The Veerta Chakra is made up of six murals crafted by eminent sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting renowned battles fought by the defence services.

The innermost Amar Chakra comprises of the 15.5 meters’ tall obelisk topped with an Ashokan capital with the base engraved with the famous couplet “Shaheed ki mazron par”. An eternal flame beside the Amar Jawan Jyoti shall burn here on.

A bordering area has been marked as Param Yoddha Sthal, showcasing the busts of the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, with the busts of three living awardees as well.

Orchestrated to instill upon the coming generations a sense of national pride and belongingness, the PM hailed the venue as a pilgrimage destination for Indians. While the entry to the War Memorial is free of cost, there is a restriction of up to 250 visitors only at one time.

Visit the New War Memorial in Delhi to salute the spirit of our soldiers!

Book Your Flight to Delhi