Salute to our dedicated super heroes: Hall of Fame War Memorial in Leh-Ladakh
Located around 30 minutes (4 km) from the town of Leh in Ladakh is Hall of Fame War Memorial which is run and managed by the Indian Army. It’s a must visit place while on your trip around Ladakh.
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The Ladakh Hall of Fame is a military museum and memorial located in Leh, Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was established in 1994 and is dedicated to showcasing the valour and sacrifices of Indian Army soldiers who have participated in various wars and conflicts, particularly in the Ladakh region.
Timing
The war memorial is open seven days a week from 9:00 to 13:00 HRS and 14:00-19:00 HRS. Remember that from 1 pm-2 pm is when the museum is shut for lunch. There is a small entry fee which needs to be paid by swiping your card (no cash is accepted). So remember it’s all digital in Leh. Make sure someone in your group is carrying their debit or credit card.
The Ladakh Hall of Fame also pays tribute to the soldiers and personnel who have been awarded gallantry awards such as the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra. It aims to provide visitors with an understanding of the challenges faced by the Indian Army and the bravery displayed in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Ambience
From the minute you reach the premises of the hall of fame, you’ll sense the army runs the place end to end with how organised the parking area outside the museum. The museum is of two storeys and is a humble way of letting the citizens (tourists coming to Leh) know about the difficult yet all empowering Indian Army that basically represents the dark days of India’s war against Pakistan. The museum also displays a variety of war weapons of the Pakistan army which were captured during the 1972 and 1999 wars.
Apart from the museum, the facility also houses a theater where documentaries showcasing the army’s operations and its impact on the local population are screened. There is also a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase military-themed memorabilia.
Museum
The museum is a tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the war. The museum has all the photos and the things of those soldiers inside on display in colour and black & white. War Quotes, letters that are written by the soldiers during the war, also the tools, aircraft, weapons, tents and different things that are used by the army are preserved in the museum which gives a patriotic feeling to all the tourists.
The museum displays photographs, weapons, documents, and other artifacts related to the Indian Army’s operations in the region. It highlights the army’s role in maintaining peace and security in Ladakh, especially during the Indo-Pak wars of 1947-48, 1965, and 1971, as well as the Kargil conflict of 1999.
Ladakh Airfield
Hall of Fame is located next to Leh Airfield and the cherry on the top is that the museum is open on all days. Every day, a detailed documentary on Operation Vijai or Kargil War is screened for the visitors. The museum also has a small souvenir shop where you can buy several items such as t-shirts, mugs, caps, pashmina shawls, magnets, prayer flags etc . You can also do a photoshoot in the Ladakhi attire and get the prints of the same after paying a small amount. Remember like the entry everything in the hall of fame works cashless.
History
The hall of fame is the kind of place where you will end up spending easily a good couple of hours, if not more, reliving the history of Indian Army in Ladakh. Even if you are someone who’s not into museums, this is very unique and different. Make sure you plan well before going here, since having time on your hands is the most important thing while at the hall of fame.
Overall, the Ladakh Hall of Fame serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian Army and honors their courageous service in protecting the nation’s borders. It is a popular tourist attraction that attracts both domestic and international visitors interested in military history and India’s defense forces.
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