The India Gate is one of Delhi’s most iconic landmarks. Located right in the heart of New Delhi, this giant arch was built to commemorate the more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. As one of the most popular landmarks in one of the most populous cities on Earth, you’d be right to assume it gets busy!
While Delhi is full of things to see and do, the India Gate is something that almost always makes its way onto a traveler’s itinerary. Standing over 130 feet tall, India’s own Arc de Triomphe is absolutely worth checking out. This post will dive into everything to know about the best time to visit the India Gate.
Significance of the India Gate
The India Gate is one of the most significant monuments in Northern India. Construction began when the Duke of Connaught laid the first stone in 1921, and it has been a popular tourist attraction ever since. Known formally as the All India War Memorial, the India Gate commemorates the 74,000+ Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the First World War.
Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the arch in a similar architectural style to famous arches from the Roman Empire. Its dominating size often draws comparisons to the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Beneath the Arch is the Amar Jawan Jyoti monument, or monument of the Flame of the Immortal Soldier. This black marble statue is covered in war helmet and eternal flame decorations and has served as India’s tomb of the Unknown soldier for over 50 years since the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War. During every Republic Day Parade on January 26th, the Indian Prime Minister visits this monument to pay their respects to Indian War Heroes.
As a tourist site, the India Gate continues to grow in popularity each year. It is also located just a short walk from the National War Memorial and the National Museum of New Delhi. These sites are commonly all visited at the same time to avoid unnecessary additional trips through Delhi’s chaos.
How to Get to the India Gate
The best way to get to the India Gate is via Uber if the traffic is light, or otherwise the metro or bus.
Metro to the India Gate
The nearest metro station to the India Gate is Khan Market, which is about a 20-minute walk and serves the Violet Line. Another good option is Central Secretariat Metro Station, which is a bit further away but is located right on the beautiful Kartavya Path.
While walking a mile might seem inconvenient, this is actually a fairly easy journey by Delhi standards. The metro is the best form of public transportation in Delhi. It is safe, affordable, and fairly nice. The metro system is very large and connects most parts of the city and its surrounding area.
Bus to the India Gate
Another option is to take the bus. Buses in Delhi aren’t nearly as nice as the metro system. While there are several bus stops right by the India Gate, I am not a big fan of Delhi’s bus system. It is crowded, can get really hot, and is much more chaotic than the metro.
While getting to the metro station takes much longer, you’ll have a much more pleasant experience. The walk is also through a very popular part of the city and is safe.
Uber to the India Gate
One other option to consider to get to the India Gate is Uber or Didi. The roads in Delhi are a complete crapshoot, and Uber could be either your best or your worst option depending on the time and the current traffic. We had one Uber ride that took over an hour to go one mile.
If you call a ride at a good time when the traffic is moderate or light, Uber is a great option. Uber in India is incredibly affordable and is very safe. I rode over 30 miles in an Uber and it only cost a few dollars.
The big benefit of calling an Uber is that it will drop you off directly at the India Gate. This alleviates all walking, and it also guarantees that you have a private, non-chaotic experience.
On the flip side, calling an Uber also means that you have to deal with Delhi traffic. If you catch it at the wrong time, it can be an absolute nightmare.
Best Time to Visit the India Gate
Choosing the perfect time to visit the India Gate is crucial to make sure you have a nice experience. Depending on the time you visit, you may either walk away thinking the India Gate is one of the best places in Delhi or an absolute waste of time! When planning, you should consider both the time of year and the time of day that you want to visit.
Best Time of Day to Visit the India Gate
The best time of day to visit the India Gate is either in the early morning or the later evening. This is because you can capitalize on the cooler temperatures and the lighter traffic. While both are great times to visit, evening and morning visits offer drastically different experiences.
If you want peace and quiet (well, as much as can be had in a place like Delhi!) you should visit in the morning. This is the least popular time to visit the gate, which is also what makes it the most ideal time! With moderate weather and the smallest crowds you’ll find, early morning is a great time to visit the India Gate.
If you want a nice cultural experience, you should visit the India Gate in the evening. While there will certainly be crowds at this time, you will also come face to face with what makes the India Gate such a popular place to visit. In the evening, there are often cultural events, street food vendors, and more set up on the grounds of the India Gate.
Beyond just that, the India Gate’s biggest attraction is its light show. Every night between 7:00pm and 9:30pm the India Gate is lit up in a spectacle that can be seen a mile away. This, plus the presence of food vendors and frequent live entertainment, makes the evening an epic time to visit the India Gate.
Best Time of Year to Visit the India Gate
The best time of year to visit the India Gate, and New Delhi as a whole, depends on what you prioritize. The weather in the fall and spring months of September through November and February through March is best, but you may have to contend with crowds. The winter months are much cooler, but also offer the smallest crowds.
In a place like Delhi, smaller crowds are a huge advantage. Places like the Red Fort, Lodhi Garden, Jama Masjid, and India Gate can be very congested during the busy months. We visited in January and found the weather to be very tolerable and the crowds to still be pretty chaotic, but nothing in comparison to busier months.
We also visited the Taj Mahal as a day trip from Delhi and found Agra to be much colder and more crowded than New Delhi. So if the crowds are bad in Delhi, they’re likely worse at the Taj Mahal!
The times you absolutely want to avoid are the monsoon season from July to mid-September and the summer months of April through June. In the summer, the weather is very hot and humid, and extreme temperatures aren’t uncommon thanks to the pollution of the city. During the monsoon season, the rain completely derails outdoor activities.
India Gate Hours of Operation and Entry Fee
Much like its French counterpart, the India Gate is open 24/7. As an outdoor structure surrounded by gardens, the India Gate acts much like a public square. One of the most popular times to visit the India Gate is late at night after a night on the town.
While it is almost always open, access to the India Gate does get restricted around certain holidays and parades. Visiting during late January can be tough, for example, as many parts of the city are shut down in preparation for the Republic Day parade on January 26.
In addition to being constantly open, the 42 meter high India Gate is also free to visit. There is no entry fee to visit the India Gate, regardless of when you visit. Since there are no walls or gates surrounding the monument, access is free and unrestricted at all times.
Hopefully this post answered the question any questions you have about the best time to visit the India Gate in New Delhi. If you have any questions, let us know by dropping a comment below!
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Ten years later I’m finally holding her.
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May both the Incarnation and Jesus’ sweet mother Mary be honored every time our daughter’s name is spoken. ❤️ Buon Onomastico, Ave Maria 💕](https://www.thepresentperspective.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)