If you are a tourist in New Delhi, you cannot miss the India Gate at any cost. Located on the Rajpath, this impressive gateway has become one of the enduring symbols of Indian nationalism, although it was built by the British. The India Gate can be said to be the center of attraction in the entire stretch of the Rajpath, (king�s way) that leads to the presidential residence.

The gate was built by the British to commemorate the soldiers who laid down their lives in the First World War, and the Afghan campaigns. The designer of the gate was Edwin Lutyens, the chief architect of New Delhi. The India gate in New Delhi, which was previously known as the all India War Memorial, is one of the best known monuments of New Delhi, and undoubtedly among the best creations of Lutyens. Construction was begun in 1921, the foundation stone being laid by the Duke of Connaught. The gate was completed in 1931, and has been standing proudly ever since. In 1972, a year after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Amar Jawan Jyoti (immortal soldier�s lamp) was added to the gate. A small symbolic tomb, known as the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is located beneath the perpetually burning lamp. The 42 meter high gate is lit up at night, making it a spectacle for any observer. The gate instills patriotic feelings in the heart of any Indian standing beneath it. The names of the soldiers killed in war makes one remember that freedom always comes at a cost, and the soldiers are the one who sacrificed their lives so that we could live to enjoy our freedom today.

The beautiful lawns stretching along the Rajpath are among the most popular places to relax in the evenings among the residents of Delhi and tourists. The lawns are filled with people at dusk or even earlier during weekends or other holidays. Friends, couples, tourists, and families are seen enjoying themselves by lying down on the grass of the lawns. The food available here is also one of the major attractions for the people coming here. Numerous vendors sell ice cream, fruits, salads, Indian chaats, and a variety of drinks around the entire stretch. The experience becomes even more enchanting after dark, with the flood lit India gate providing a magical backdrop as one spends some treasured moments with his or her loved ones. One can also witness the cosmopolitan nature of New Delhi on a visit to the India Gate. People of all communities can be seen enjoying themselves here, a sign of the unity in diversity that India has maintained over sixty years post independence. All this makes India gate one of the best tourist spots in New Delhi, an ideal spot to relax after a day�s work or sightseeing.

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