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India Gate is the popular name of the war memorial located
off-centre in a large hexagonal space with roads radiating from it, designed by
Lutyens is similar to European Memorial arches. It is located at the heart of New Delhi and is easily accessible by DTC buses and Metro. The Nearest Metro station is Central Secretariat. While coming out of Metro station we can see the India Gate from the Raisina Hills. In the opposite direction of India Gate, we can see the residence of the President of India. Republic Day Parade follows the Rajpath and leads to India Gate.
Rajpath Leading to India Gate from Rashtrapati Bhawan
India Gate
The arch stands 42m high and is
made up of Red Bharatpur Stone. The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by
Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921. The arch commemorates the
70000 Indian Soldiers who had given the sacrifice of their lives in the First World
War for British Army. The memorial bears more than 13500 names of British and
Indian Army officers killed in North-Western Frontier in the Afghan war in
1919. After laying the foundation stone of the War memorial in 1921, the
rail-line was shifted to run along the Yamuna River and the New Delhi Railway
Station was opened in 1926.The arch is having a large stone with pine cones on both sides. As per Roman mythology, these pines are the symbols of death and regeneration. The cornice is inscribed with
the Imperial suns. The dates MCMXIV (1914 left) and MCMXIX (1919 right) are
inscribed on both sides of the arch. The shallow domed bowl at the top is
intended to be filled with burning oil on special occasions which is rarely performed nowadays.
Pine Cones at India Gate
Below the word INDIA, message inscribed in capital letters at India Gate:
"TO THE DEAD OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO FELL HONOURED IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST ANDIN SACRED MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED AND WHO FELL IN INDIA OR THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER AND DURING THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR"
The message inscribed on India Gate
Night View of Pine Cones
Amar Jawan Jyoti
In 1931, the monument was dedicated to the nation by the then
Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Below the arches, Amar Jawan Jyoti, the `flame of the eternal
warrior` was erected as a tribute to Indian Soldiers bravery and sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The eternal flame burns day and
night giving tribute to the soldiers who lay down their lives to save their
nation from enemies. The structure is consisting of black marble plinth, with the reversed rifle, capped by war helmet, bound by four urns, each with the permanent
light (Jyoti) from (CNG) flames. Amar Jawan Jyoti is manned round the clock by
soldiers drawn from the three services of the Indian armed forces. Wreaths are
placed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on 26 January, by the Prime Minister of India,
and Chiefs of Armed Forces; on Vijay Diwas, and on Infantry Day.
Canopy at India Gate
East of this memorial there is a canopy which is placed in
the centre of the hexagon. The canopy was designed by Lutyens as a memorial to George
V, who died in 1936. It used to hold the statue of George V till 1968. After
which it has been removed to Coronation Park, North Delhi. There has been a debate
about placing a statue of Mahatma Gandhi under this canopy to its demolition.
But it is still visible from a distance and is adding beauty to India gate.
Earlier in the British era, the area around India gate was
famous as 'Princess Park'. In Jul 2014, Government has announced plans to construct
a National War Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in
adjoining Princess Park. This is one of the famous, popular and most visited places
in Delhi, irrespective of age groups. One can see hordes of people moving around
the brightly lit area and on the lawns on summer evenings. A large expanse of
lush green lawns around this arch is a popular picnic spot. The Republic Day The parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes around the India Gate. We can see people flying kites, enjoying evening walks, gossiping. The lawn of India
Gate has one of the famous boat clubs. Flood Lighting in the evening adds to
its beauty.
Flags of three section of Indian Forces at Amar Jawan Jyoti
Generally in summers temperature in India shoots up
to 40 degree Celsius. Every one prefers to visit hill stations or the Himalayas to get rid of scorching heat. One of the famous places to
visit in summer is Rishikesh, located at foot hills of Himalayas in
Uttarakhand, India.
Himalaya Outdoors, Rishikesh
One can reach to Rishikesh from Delhi by air, train, bus or
cab. Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport which is 35 km
from Rishikesh. By Road it takes approx.
6-7 hours from New Delhi.
Rishikesh is connected to the most of the cities by NH58. The route passes over Meerut, one of the places having great importance in Indian history where Sepoy mutiny started in 1857. One can enjoy the greenery on the road side. The road finally enters Uttarakhand. On the way we can see IIT Roorkee, one of the prestigious Indian education institute, Haridwar, the pious place and “Har ki Pauri Ghat”.
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is full of adventures. The wonderful things one can experience are River rafting, Bungee jumping, Giant
Swing, Flying fox, Kayaking , Rock climbing, Rappelling and many more. For
Bungee Jumping, Giant Swing and flying fox one has to visit “The Jumpin Heights
– ‘India’s first extreme adventure zone’.
For more details log on to: http://www.jumpinheights.com.
One can experience air at very high speed of 140-160
Kmph while flying as Flying fox. After
having adventurous task adventurers can relax themselves in the camps and enjoy the night camping. The camps can be booked on-line or at the venue based on availability at varying price depending on facilities available.
Generally the packages varies from 1500 INR to 3000 INR and includes River rafting and meal charges. It is very amazing to
see river Ganga flowing in between the mountains of Himalayas breaking the silence of surroundings.
Camps at the Bank of Ganges
River Rafting at The Ganges, Rishikesh
A weekend is good enough to enjoy Rishikesh. It is better to reach Rishikesh early in the morning book the camps and have light breakfast before heading towards Jumpin Heights. After adventurous activities one can return back to camp and relax in chilling fresh water of the Ganges. In evening one can enjoy Volleyball, beautiful scenery and bonfire with light evening snacks.
Next day
morning it is better to leave early for river rafting after having light breakfast, the most amazing activities that one must experience at Rishikesh.
The raft passes through some of the most exciting rapids like Major 1, Major 2, major 3, Sweet Sixteen, Three Blind Mice, etc. in river Ganga. One can try Body surfing and Cliff jumping
while doing rafting. Generally it takes 3-4 hours and can vary up to 6 hours. On the way to return one can visit Ram Jhoola, Laxman jhoola, Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar and enjoy the beautiful
scenery.
River Rafting, The Ganges, Rishikesh
River rafting
Beach Volleyball
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Shivalik, Rishikesh
The Ganges passing through Himalayas, Vyasi, Rishikesh
