Uniting the Eternal Flames: A Tribute to India’s Fallen Heroes

The eternal flame of Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, which has burned continuously for 50 years, will be extinguished on Friday as it is merged with the flame at the National War Memorial. This decision was made by the Prime Minister.

Official sources explained that previously, there was no war memorial to honor all military personnel who had sacrificed their lives in various wars and conflicts. This is why the flame was located at India Gate. Now that there is a dedicated museum, the decision was made to merge the flame with the one at the National War Memorial.

With the establishment of the National War Memorial, political and military leaders will now lay wreaths at the new site, rather than at India Gate. It was determined that merging the two flames will consolidate the tribute in one location.

The flame of Amar Jawan Jyoti was created to honor the soldiers who died in the 1971 war. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Republic Day 1972. The Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate consists of a cenotaph and a monument to honor all soldiers, situated on a marble pedestal with a rifle and a soldier’s helmet.

In a ceremony on Friday afternoon, a portion of the flame will be transported from India Gate to the flame at the National War Memorial, approximately 400 meters away. Following this, the flame at India Gate will be extinguished.

The National War Memorial, spanning over a 40-acre area near India Gate, bears the names of over 26,000 Indian soldiers who have died in the wars and conflicts of independent India. It features four concentric circles and also houses a National War Museum.

Prior to the Republic Day parade, the Prime Minister, accompanied by military leaders, lays a wreath at the war memorial.