It was a Saturday and the weekend lull had set in, and Margret, Zoey, Aarti, and I were restless for something simple — a walk, fresh air, maybe snacks. We decided on India Gate. We drove in as dusk eased into night, parking not far off the lawns, the air warm but with that gentle Delhi humidity of August evenings. We stepped out, each of us in our own mood but open to what the night might bring.

The Glow of the Arch & First Reactions

As soon as we saw the India Gate lit up, we paused. Floodlights bathed the arch in a gentle tricolour glow — saffron, white, green — shimmering softly against the dark sky. The sandstone looked regal, dignified. It stood 42 metres tall, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931 as a war memorial (to soldiers of British India who died in World War I & the Third Afghan War).

The girls held hands, looked up: “It’s glowing!” Zoey said. Aarti, quieter, moved around to catch different angles. Margret smiled, stepping back so I could take in the full arch. Then the surroundings — the lush lawns, the quiet murmur of people, distant laughter, street lamps — everything felt alive but calm.

Sights, Sounds & Street Snacks

Along the paved pathways, vendors had set up shop. The smell of chaat, of samosas steaming, juices, and grilled corn. We bought jalebi-puri from a stall, the crunch followed by syrupy sweetness. Then the girls dragged us to toy vendors—small trinkets, spinning tops, glow-sticks. Aarti got a small plastic wind-up toy; Zoey chose a miniature kite. For a few hours, they darted between lame glow-sticks and excited bargaining, content in their choices.

We roamed around the monument, looked at the inscriptions: “To the dead of the Indian Armies who fell…” etc., dates like MCMXIV-MCMXIX carved into the stone. The Eternal Flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti), with its black marble plinth, reversed rifle, and soldier’s helmet — we paid our quiet respects.

Impromptu Feast & Nacho Drive

When the snack plates dwindled, we decided to move. We drove to “24×7” — a popular convenience store that feels like everything is inside. At 24×7, we got momos, burgers, sandwiches, and cold drinks. The laughter over which burger was hotter, the messy sauces—these are small but warm memories. We ate in the car or at nearby lit spots, lights from street lamps picking at our faces.

Then we drove around Delhi at night: wide roads, lit trees, slow cars, music playing softly. The girls watched neon signs go by, Margret pointed out lights in far-off buildings. Home didn’t matter; the ride, the togetherness, felt enough.

Reflections: History & Family Intertwined

India Gate is more than stone and inscription. It’s a story of sacrifice: over 13,000 Indian soldiers’ names are inscribed on the memorial for those who fell in WWI. It is designed in a classical style, reminiscent of other great arches (like the Arc de Triomphe), but imbued with Indian meaning. The structure carries the weight of history, but also continues as a living place — children laughing, vendors selling, people gathering under its arches at night.

That night, standing by the flame, walking the lawns, buying toys, eating junk food — we were part of its present. Seeing the girls mesmerized by the glow, dragging me to the toy stall, hearing their laughter over the crunch of snacks — these moments felt ephemeral, and yet I know I’ll carry them inward.

Practical Notes & Tips

• Best time: after sunset, when the lighting around the arch & floodlights make the monument look striking.

• Bring a mat or lightweight blanket if you want to sit on the lawn.

• Small change is helpful for vendors and toys.

• Snacks are available along the way, and 24×7 stores are open late, making them good for hunger emergencies.

• Comfortable shoes — walking paths and uneven lawns at the edges.

Closing — Late Night & Full Hearts

We reached home late. The car was silent except for tired voices, the girls asleep in the back, Margret yawning, me looking out at streetlights. India Gate gave us a little refuge that night — a break from routine, a glow in darkness, a chance to just be. That ordinary evening with scarfed laughter, forgotten hunger, glowing stone, and toy-lights — that’s what I’ll remember: how history watched over us as we made simple memories.

At the end, we, as a family, love to travel and explore places popular or lesser known spots. Whether it was our last Taj Mahal trip or our family trip to Sardhana. If you wish to trave to such places, you can contact us or check out Viator as well. In fact, if you want other people to check out your travel adventures and find happiness, share your adventures with Lets Go Wander Bout.