India Gate, New Delhi – A Majestic Memory from the Past

Last week we were in central Delhi for a shopping trip to Connaught Place and we passed through one of the most iconic structures of the capital city of India – the India Gate. A stone structure standing tall as a testimony of the struggle of our country and the valor of our soldiers. The 138 feet long arch of sandstone is a memorial developed for the troops of British India to honor their contribution in various wars fought before the 1920s. Originally known as All India War Memorial, the structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who is also credited with planning the major portion of what is today called the poshest areas of New Delhi.

The building's construction was completed in 1931s, the same year when the city was officially christened as the capital of India. There is a special dedication to the soldiers at top of the structure. The memorial keeps history alive to the day when the Prime Minister of India visits it to pay his tribute every year before kick-off of Republic Day Celebrations. Dignitaries from across the world visit the memorial to remember brave stories.

However, the memorial today is much more than a piece of history. It is a sought after destination in the city – both for tourists and residents alike. It is a prominent spot on any tourist map developed for the city of Delhi. Tourists enjoy their visit to the spot with full fervor and many may not consider their trip complete until they get a picture of themselves with the majestic memorial in the background. One would wonder on the fact that on any particular day residents of Delhi are equal, if not more, to the tourists in terms of a number of visitors. And this is not without a reason. The authorities have paid a careful focus to develop the spot as a revered destination and a bright spot on the city's tourist and cultural map.

The spot along with the structure has been nicely curated with a lot of supporting infrastructure. There are gardens all around – well manicured and nicely cut. Specific areas for hawkers have been earmarked. A children's park has been developed for kids who enjoy the rides to the fullest. A lake has also been developed which offers boating rides to visitors. A fountain has also been erected and maintained. Recently, the government is also building a large monument across the India Gate.
Having said all that India Gate has an important value as a hangout place for my wife and me. We have spent numerous evenings by the gardens of the memorial enjoying the snacks. There would have been innumerable rainy evenings where we would not think twice before heading to the India Gate. We as a couple have a special experience protocol set out where we go park our vehicle, roam around the area for some time and then find a place around the periphery on the pathways. We would take a bhelpuri and enjoy it with "extra strong" coffee – sipped in the foreground of this iconic structure. All this for a meager 50 bucks is worth a million dollars.