Rajasthan is a beautiful location that exudes a royal charm as you visit the sightseeing locations there. Mostly the region is popular for the big palaces, havelis and temples that are the landmarks of the area. But there are some locations here as well that evokes a different kind of feeling altogether. And one such location is the Longewala War Memorial. As the name suggests this is a war museum that commemorates the bravery of the Indian soldiers who fought with all their hearts during the Longewala War. A location like this is not about the beauty or the elegance of Rajasthan. Moreover it is about the self sacrifice of such brave hearts who fought for their motherland. And by visiting there a sense of patriotism would surely evoke in your heart as well.
So if you are in Rajasthan make sure you are visiting the Longewala War Museum. You should try to understand the backdrop of this dreadful war amidst the desert region of Jaisalmer. Furthermore locations like this will also give us an insight about the heroes who are safeguarding the country and the people living in it every single day. You can check out the Longewala War Memorial photos but you would only be able to understand the backdrop of the war once you visit there on your own. So on your trip to Rajasthan or Jaisalmer include this location in your itinerary. Keep on reading this article as here I will mention everything that you need to know about Longewala War Memorial Jaisalmer. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this memorial any time soon.
Longewala War Memorial
Location: Sadhawala, Longewala, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Timings: Longewala War Memorial timings are from 8 am to 6 pm
Entry fee:
There is no Longewala War Memorial tickets price. Entry is free. However if you wish to watch the war film then there is a fee of Rs. 40.
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the war museum is the Jaisalmer Airport. The airport is located at a distance of 125 km from the memorial. And it would take you around 1 hour and 52 minutes to reach there from the airport. However the nearest major airport is the Jodhpur airport. From the Jodhpur airport the Longewala War Memorial Jaisalmer is located at a distance of 391 km. It would take you around 6 hours and 10 minutes to reach there from Jodhpur.
And in case you are travelling from any other country then the nearest International airport to reach the war museum is the Jaipur International airport. From Jaipur the distance of the museum is 679 km away. And it would take you around 12 hours to reach the memorial. From each of the airports the most convenient way to reach would be to take a cab or hire a car. However buses are also available from Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur to reach the location and you can opt for that as well.
By train
The nearest railway station to reach the Longewala War Memorial is the Jaisalmer railway station. You will get trains from most of the major cities and towns to reach Jaisalmer. From Jaisalmer railway station the war memorial is located at a distance of 111.6 km. It would take you around 1 hour and 25 minutes to reach there from the railway station. It would be most convenient if you can take a car or hire a cab from Jaisalmer to reach this location.
By road
The museum is located 30 km away from Ramgarh in Rajasthan. You can easily get buses to reach there or reach Jaisalmer from nearby cities and towns. The bus service is frequent and available on this route because of it being a tourist spot. Also if you are travelling from nearby cities like Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur etc you can get buses to reach here as well. And if you wish then you can also take a car or hire a cab as well to reach the location of the war museum from any location.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit the war memorial would be the cooler months from October to February. As the location is set amidst the Thar Desert you should avoid visiting here during the scorching summer months. The summers are usually very hot in Rajasthan and it would be difficult for a visit here. But if you are visiting the war memorial during the winter months the weather would be comfortable. Furthermore it would also ensure that you explore the area well as the temperature would be at check. So plan your visit accordingly.
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Overview of Longewala War Memorial
Located about 150 km away from Jaisalmer the Longewala War Memorial is a popular sightseeing spot in Rajasthan. However unlike the other sightseeing locations this place holds a different position. As the name suggests this memorial commemorates the Battle of Longewala which was a war between the Indian army and the Pakistan Army in 1971 December. What makes this battle a noteworthy one is the amount of bravery, resilience and unparalleled display of courage of the Indian Army. Even after being a small contingent in front of the huge Pakistani force the Indian Army fought with immense courage sacrificing their lives for their country.
Under the leadership of Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri the India Army showcased their bravery and was not ready to bow down. Even after being heavily outnumbered they fought and kept on fighting till the end. And this memorial is nothing but a way to honour the incredible bravery that they have showcased. The Longewala War Memorial stands as a memorial to give a tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the battle.
What’s more?
The Memorial today stands as a reminder of the sacrifice that the Indian soldiers made and are still making even today. This is in a way a reminder to all of us about the selflessness and patriotism of the Indian Army. In fact after a visit here you would get goosebumps thinking about their act of courage and bravery. And currently this is an important sightseeing location in Rajasthan as well. If you don’t know there is a hit Bollywood film as well that is based on the incidents of the Longewala War and that is “Border”.
The Border Longewala War Museum is located at a strategic location very close to the India Pakistan border. It furthermore gives a glimpse of the backdrop of the intense war that had once taken place amidst the Thar Desert. A trip to this war memorial would be enriching for you in multiple ways. It would give you an insight about the history of the war. Along with that you would also get to learn about the challenges the Indian Army face in order to safeguard our lives. It would immediately fill your heart with immense pride and gratitude for every Indian who is serving in the Indian Army. Their sacrifice and their timeless bravery would always be inspiring for all of us. So make sure you are definitely visiting the Longewala War Memorial.
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Architecture of Longewala War Memorial
The war memorial complex comprises a museum, a gallery along with displays of military equipment which were used during the war. As soon as you enter there you would notice displays, photographs and artefacts that depict the heroic turn of events. The museum exhibits uniforms, weapons as well as personal belongings of the soldiers of both sides. This also depicts the challenges and hardships that the soldiers had to face because of the war. Major military equipment like the T59, the Sherman tanks etc are also exhibited there.
As you get inside the memorial you would witness a museum. There you will find photographs and get to know about the personal stories of the soldiers who fought the battle. Furthermore there is a memorial pillar along with an eternal flame. This further symbolizes the never ending gratitude for the courageous act and the sacrifices of the soldiers.
The main attraction at the war memorial is however the Vijayanta Tank which had played a major role in the war. This tank had a crucial role in repelling the Pakistani armed forces. Till today this tank stands as a symbol to pay homage to the Indian army. It also serves as a face of triumph for the Indian Army even after facing so much adversity.
Wrapping Up!
Amidst the captivating beauty of the deserts in Rajasthan and Jaisalmer a visit to this memorial would be different. It would offer you a different kind of experience which you should look forward to. In getting a deeper understanding about the history of India and also the war a visit to this location will be fulfilling. So when you are in Rajasthan make sure you pay a visit to this war memorial. Let me know if this article on the Longewala War Memorial is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
