Located 150 kilometres away from Jaisalmer, the Longewala War Memorial was built to commemorate the Battle of Longewala. This battle was fought between the Indian army and the Pakistan army during the 1971 war. The war memorial stands as a testimony to the sacrifices made by the soldiers and is worth visiting.
This war memorial is also a symbol of the bravery of Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, under whose decisive leadership the battle was won. This battle was also an inspiration for the Bollywood movie “Border” and is a go-to place for the Jaisalmer trip. The war memorial showcases the weapons, uniforms, and other remnants worth looking at. This is also a place where tourists can walk close to the India-Pakistan border. The war memorial also screens a film about the battle and is a must-watch when visiting this place.
Highlights
• Experience what it is like to walk close to the India-Pakistan border amidst the dry and arid Thar desert.
• Visit the war memorial and pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 war.
• Visit the museum and check out the different types of remnants from the war.
• Watch the film in the museum about the battle of Longewala to know more about the war and its history.
• Check out the abandoned tanks and vehicles of the Pakistan army that were destroyed during the war.
How To Reach
1. By Car: The Longewala War Memorial is 110 km from the city centre, it will take 1 hour 30 minutes min via the NH 68 route.
2. By Bus: Take a bus to Longewala bus station which is 260 meters away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the bus station with a 1-minute walk
Best Time To Visit
Longewala War Memorial is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year. The best season to visit Longewala War Memorial will be the winter season from November to February because this is the time when the climate is pleasant. The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year. The best time of the day will be morning due to fewer crowds and a favorable temperature.
Other Essential Information
- Longewala War Memorial can get very hot during the afternoon, so it is recommended to carry enough sunscreen.
- You do not have to pay any money to visit the Longewala War Memorial, so it is free to visit.
- The timings of this memorial range from 8 Am to 6 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.
- You will have to pay up to 40 rupees to watch the movie about the war in the museum.
- Longewala War Memorial experiences a very hot climate, so do stay hydrated and carry enough water during your time at Osian.
Explore the Museum
There is a museum at the Longewala War Memorial that houses the abandoned tanks and weapons used in the 1971 war. Many of these exhibits are housed with the intention to keep the memory of the war alive. Apart from tanks, you can also find uniforms of the army officers and personal belongings from the war. While the entry to this museum is free, you will have to pay to watch the movie made about this war.
Walk to the Border
Longewala is one of the few places where tourists can walk as close as possible to the India-Pakistan border. Visiting the border can give a sense of understanding about how the place looked during the 1971 war. It’s also interesting to know that the prominent Bollywood film “Border” was made based on this war. Although the entire place is known to be almost barren, it is worth a visit.
