Tawang war memorial Travel Guide

A 40- foot high multi-hued memorial, Tawang War Memorialis dedicated to the war heroes (soldiers of the Indian Army) of Sino-India war that took place in the year 1962. Also known as Namgyal Chorten, the structure is similar to the design of a huge stupa. Overlooking the Tawang-Chu valley, this memorial was constructed to remember the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the Indian Army. This memorial that is placed on a slope was visited by Dalai Lama in the year 1997. Visitors can spot the names of soldiers (on granite plates), 2420 in number, who sacrificed their lives during the war at Kameng sector. Tawang War memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Tawang War Memorial was built in memory of soldiers of the Indian Army who gave up their life in the 1962 Indo-Sino War. This is a fitting memorial for the greatest sacrifice anyone can offer. 

Located on a slope just before reaching the main town, the Tawang War Memorial is open to the public. The 40 ft structure was built by the Indian Army; Rs.15 lakhs were spent on constructing it. This stupa like structure was blessed by the Dalai Lama in 1997 and is called Namgyal Chortan by the locals. Led up by few steps, and surrounding the structure are walls of black granite. The names of the 2420 soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kameng sector during the 1964 war are inscribed on this granite plates. The memorial is surrounded by two rooms on each side; one room houses artifacts, maps, photographs and remains of the war and the other room is used for a sound and light show depicting the heroic deeds of the slain soldiers. The sound and light show room was usually closed, but the museum displays items used by the army during war, such as gun, bullets, helmet, mugs, pots etc. One can also learn more about the war from the newspaper clippings and maps marked with positions of both armies.

One black marble plaque reads, ‘In the memory of those brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice defending the frontier of Mother Land during the 1962 Sino-Indo war.” It was dedicated by Lt. General, HRS Kalkat, PVSM, AVSM; GOC IN-C Eastern Command on November 2nd 1999. The structure signifies eternal spirit and was constructed in according with the local religious practices. 

The grey sky reflects the seriousness of the structure. This lovely memorial is a testimony and a reminder of the ugliness of war. It is here to remind us that in a war no one wins.