MONUMENTS
9 min read · Updated 2026
best time
October to March, at sunrise or after 6 pm
Entry time
Free, open all day
time needed
1 to 2 hours
nearest metro station
Central Secretariat (Yellow and Violet Lines)
India Gate is among the most cherished landmarks in Delhi, and the optimal time to visit India Gate significantly impacts your experience. This 42-meter memorial, created by Edwin Lutyens, commemorates Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Their names are engraved on its surfaces. It appeals to families, first-time travelers, photographers, and anyone seeking a simple, cost-free evening in Delhi. The lawns and the wide Kartavya Path around it are perfect for a slow walk, and the monument looks best when the light is soft. The gardens and the expansive Kartavya Path surrounding them are ideal for a leisurely stroll, and the monument appears most stunning in gentle lighting.
India Gate was originally called the All India War Memorial. It honours around 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Edwin Lutyens designed it, the foundation stone was laid in 1921, and it was inaugurated in 1931.After the 1971 war, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was added beneath the arch, and in 2022 its flame was merged with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial nearby. The canopy behind the arch now holds a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, unveiled in 2022.
Reach 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to catch both golden hour and the evening lights. Visit the National War Memorial nearby (check its opening hours before you go). Carry water in summer and a light jacket in winter evenings. Keep your belongings safe in crowded evening hours. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking on Kartavya Path.
Street vendors near the lawns sell ice cream, chaat and cold drinks. For a proper meal, head to Khan Market for cafes and restaurants, or Bengali Market for classic Delhi sweets and snacks. Cafe Lota near Pragati Maidan is good for Indian food in a relaxed setting.