Kargil War Memorial

4.9

Location: Kargil, Ladakh, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 hour

The Kargil War Memorial is a war memorial built by the Indian Army in the town of Dras, near Kargil city in Kargil district of Ladakh, India, also known as the Dras War Memorial, recalling the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. At about a distance of 5 km from the city center across Tiger Hill, Kargil, on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway 1D, the memorial is situated.

Attraction

With names of the soldiers who died during Operation Vijay, the central feature of the memorial is a pink sandstone wall bearing a brass plate engraved. Where fighting took place during the conflict, were visible from the site are the Tololing Heights, Tiger Hill, and Point 4875 (Batra Top). Commemorating a young officer, the memorial features the Captain Manoj Pandey gallery, for leadership during the war, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military award.

History

The Pakistani Army occupied numerous heights in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir by crossing the Line of Control in the winter of 1998-1999. The National Highway and roads connecting Leh and Kargil to Srinagar were dominated by the Pakistani forces. In May 1999 to retake the territory, the Indian Army launched Operation Vijay (“Victory”), leading to fierce battles in the harsh mountain environment. Leading to a crushing defeat for the Pakistan army, the operation continued for over two months. During which the Prime Minister of India pays tribute to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyothi at the India Gate, New Delhi,26 July is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day), every year. At the site to honour Indian troops in 2000, a makeshift memorial is said to have been constructed. By the Indian Army, the memorial in its present form was constructed in November 2014.

Inside/Outside Views

Several infrastructural improvements have been made over the years to the site. The Flag Foundation of India presented to the memorial a giant national flag, on 26 July 2012, measuring 11.4 by 7.6 metres and weighing 15 kg, on a 30-metre flagpole. In Western Ladakh, the Dras War Memorial is now a major landmark and a popular tourist attraction. It received about 1,25,000 visitors, in the year of 2016.At the gateway, visitors to the memorial are greeted with the poem “Pushp Kii Abhilasha (Wish of a Flower) written by the poet, Makhanlal Chaturvedi. On the way from the entrance to the memorial, there is a MIG plane, and few other cannons and army vehicles kept on display.

Opening Hours

Everyday Opening and Closing 9.00 AM – 8:30PM

Entry & Others Fees

Entry is free.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By air: Very well connected with some major airports in India, including New Delhi, the closest airport is Leh Airport. To reach the destination from the airport, taxis can be hired and.

By Rail: At a distance of 812 km from Leh, the closest major railway station from Leh is Jammu Tawi. To reach Leh over Srinagar Leh Highway in a 3-day journey with overnight halts at Srinagar and Kargil, taxis can be hired from the railway station.

From Leh via Manali Leh Highway, Joginder Nagar railway station is just 635 KM but is not a major one.

By road: The most feasible option is to travel the distance between gurudwara and Leh by road. Between November and April,the road remains closed, so during that time, you should avoid going there.

Tips for Travellers

1. If you are visiting the Kargil War Memorial in winters, carry enough woollen clothing to keep yourself warm, as Dras is the second coldest place in the world.

2. It is located about 3,300 metres above sea level, being a high-altitude destination. So, to acclimatise to the cold weather and high altitudes, give yourself enough time.

3. To overcome high-altitude sickness, carry medicines and also observe if your body shows signs of discomfort.

4. Try to be hydrated.

5. Carry your emergency stuff such as power Pank, water etc.