The Bomdila War Memorial stands loftily at a height of 9,498 feet, overlooking the Eastern Himalayan peaks of Gorichen, Kangto, and others. It is a poignant reminder of the 1962 Indo-China war. The battle of Bomdila saw the martyrdom of soldiers of 1 Sikh Light Infantry – Sikh LI, and the War Memorial in Bomdila is built to honour these Bravehearts of the Indian Army. A visit to the Bomdila War Memorial must figure in your Bomdila itinerary.
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Bomdila War Memorial Arunachal Pradesh
The Army memorial for Sino-Indian war martyrs at Bomdila is one of the many war memorials that dot the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The state bore the brunt of the attack in the 1962 war, and even today the stories of the valour of the brave Indian soldiers, resonate through the state. When you stand on the highest point of Bomdila and gaze out at the snow-clad Himalayan peaks, the horror, and pathos of the 1962 Indo-China war, seem suddenly to come to life.
Bomdila War Memorial – Saga Of 1 Sikh LI Regiment
Bomdila was the last post that fell in the 1962 war that happened during the fateful months of October and November. The undercurrents of the Chinese aggression had been simmering for some time and the final straw came with granting of asylum to the Dalai Lama by the Indian Government.
The attack began on the 20th of October, 1962, along the 3,225-kilometre-long border along the Himalayan ranges in Ladakh, and along the McMahon. The war ended on the 20th of November, 1962, with the Chinese ceasefire and withdrawal.
The Chinese forces breached the post at Bumla Pass and captured Tawang. From there they moved along the Sela Pass – Dirang – Bomdila axis. Their forces strategically spread out, surrounding and isolating the different Indian Army units.
The brave soldiers of the Indian Army, fought heroically in hostile conditions, in thick jungles, and in high altitudes, without even proper boots, clothes, and required logistics support. What they lacked in material resources they made up with their sheer grit and patriotism. The Chinese forces cut off the main road to Bomdila and surrounded it from the mountain paths.
The military post in Bomdila at that time was being guarded by the 1 Sikh Li troops of the Indian Army. The small company of 1 Sikh Light Infantry was commanded by Subedar Pritam Singh. It was their task to stop the advance of the Chinese forces. They were, however, outnumbered and surrounded by the Chinese. But they fought on valiantly till their last breath and attained martyrdom in the Battle of Bomdila.
Subedar Pritam Singh led his forces by example, offering fierce resistance till his last breath. Though fatally wounded, he kept fighting till his breath ebbed away, and he fell silent on the soil of Bomdila, another martyr who had sacrificed his life in defending his motherland. Along with their leader, 30 other Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives at Bomdila on that fateful winter day in 1962.
Visiting Bomdila War Memorial And View Point
The Bomdila War Memorial is located at the highest point of Bomdila. You need permission from the Indian Army to visit the Bomdila War Memorial. You can take pictures at the war memorial. When we visited the Bomdila War Memorial, the weather was not good. The memorial was enveloped in fog and it was quite chilly.
The main structure of the War Memorial has a granite plaque that reads:
“1st BN THE SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY – In The Everlasting Memory of Subedar Pritam Singh and All Ranks who laid their lives for their country.”
Another granite plaque lists the names of the 31 martyrs of the battle of Bomdila, including Subedar Pritam Singh. You are enveloped with mixed emotions of sadness mingled with pride as you stand near the very spot that the Indian soldiers fought for till their last breath.
Apart from its historical importance, the Bomdila War Memorial is also the best viewpoint of Bomdila. From this lofty place, if you are there on a clear day, you can see the many snow-clad peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. There is a special viewing platform that stands right opposite the War Memorial, which has pointers that mark the position of the different peaks.
The peaks that can be seen include Gorichen and Kangto among others. The ancient village of Thembang believed to date back to the 1st century can also be seen from the viewpoint.
Being a military territory, you are not allowed to loiter around near the Bomdila War Memorial, you can spend a little time, and then you need to head back. You are not allowed to go beyond the War Memorial.
As we turn back towards Bomdila town, the words that are written near the viewpoint, resonate in our minds and stir our souls,
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
Our hearts swell with pride and our eyes become moist and familiar emotions engulf us, the emotions are similar to what you feel when you are at the Kargil War Memorial in Kargil or the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, the Jaswant Singh Memorial in Sela Pass or the Joginder Singh Memorial in Bumla Pass, or any other place in the country that has been sanctified by the blood of its brave sons and daughters.
Click here for a detailed Bomdila itinerary:
2-Day Bomdila Itinerary – Best of Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh
Some Interesting Facts About The Bomdila War Memorial
- It is built to honour the martyrs of the Indo-China war of 1962
- The 1 Sikh Light Infantry was commanded by Subedar Pritam Singh
- Bomdila was the last post that fell to the Chinese invaders during the 1962 war
- The Chinese troops advanced towards Assam after the fall of Bomdila
- The Bomdila War Memorial is built at the place where the last battle took place between Indian and Chinese forces
- The Bomdila War Memorial provides a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks and the border villages
How To Reach War Memorial in Bomdila
The Bomdila War Memorial is located in Bomdila town of the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is located about 8 kilometres from Bomdila town.
- Guwahati to Bomdila distance is about 263 kilometres
- Bomdila is about 154 kilometres from Tezpur
- Bhalukpong to Bomdila is about 96 kilometres
- Bomdila to Tawang distance is about 177 kilometres
- Dirang is about 35 kilometres from Bomdila
Reaching Bomdila By Air
The nearest and most convenient airport to travel to Bomdila is the Guwahati Airport in Assam. Guwahati is well connected to major cities of India including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Kochi. From Guwahati, you can travel to Bomdila by road.
Reaching Bomdila By Rail
The nearest major railway station to Bomdila is Guwahati, which is well-connected to places including Kanyakumari, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Bikaner, Dwarka, Mumbai, etc.
Reaching Bomdila By Road
Bomdila is well connected to other places in Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam by a good road network. You can travel to Guwahati and proceed by road to Bomdila.
If you are planning a visit to Bomdila, you can book your flight tickets right here through Cleartrip or Makemytrip or CheapAir or Priceline and fly to Guwahati. If you are thinking of a road trip, do check out the rental car options.
Where To Stay In Bomdila
There are a number of hotels and homestays that you can choose for your stay in Bomdila. We stayed at the Lungta Residency and found it very comfortable and convenient.
While planning a visit to Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh, India, if you are looking for a hotel in Bomdila Arunachal, you can book your stay at Hotel Lungta Residency Bomdila or you can book the best hotels in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh, India right here – TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or makemytrip or goibibo or Booking.com or HotelsCombined or Agoda and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.
| Click to book the Hotel Lungta Residency or the best hotels in Bomdila |
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Bomdila Places To Visit Other Than Bomdila War Memorial Arunachal Pradesh
Bomdila offers many attractions and experiences of tourist interest, other than the Bommdila War Memorial. Here are some of the places to visit in Bomdila.
- GRL Buddhist Monastery or Upper Gompa
- Lower Gompa or Thubchog Gatsel Ling Monastery
- Bomdila Crafts Centre & Ethnographic Museum
- Ama Market
- Buddha Park
- Bomdila Pass
- Bomdila View Point
Bomdila War Memorial FAQ
Where is the Bomdila War Memorial?
Bomdila War Memorial is located in the town of Bomdila in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, India.
In whose memory is Bomdila War Memorial built?
The Bomdila War Memorial is built to honour the martyrdom of the soldiers of the 1 Sikh Light Infantry battalion who died while fighting the Chinese in the 1962 Indo-China War.
Is there a permit required to visit Bomdila War Memorial?
You require permission from the JCO of the Indian Army Post in Bomdila for visiting the Bomdila War Memorial.
Are you planning a trip to Arunachal Pradesh and wish to visit Bomdila or any part of North East India? You can connect here with The Holiday Scout Team for a hassle-free and comfortable tour curated by them.
| The Holiday Scout Contact Number: +91 9540698458, +91 9436249862 Email: [email protected] Website: https://theholidayscout.com |
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Our visit to Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh, India was organized by Holiday Scout. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are our own. #travel #Bomdila #BomdilaWarMemorial #PlacesToVisitInBomdila #ThingsToDoInBomdila #GoNEindia #HolidayScout #ArunachalPradesh #ArunachalPradeshTourism #northeastindia #DekhoApnaDesh #IncredibleIndia
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Bomdila War Memorial seems like a great place with incredible historic importance. Thank you so much for sharing all details. I would love to visit it with my family, when come India next time. as usual, the post was quite informative and you have included all needed details properly.
I have heard so much about the 1962 Indo China war. My grandfather was a doctor with the army those days. Reading your eloquent post therefore was very nostalgic. Putting Bomdila in my travel bucket list.
I am loving your Arunachal Pradesh diaries. War memorials make me emotional. I wish I could travel as extensively as you.
Bomdila War Memorial definitely reminds us of our brave soldiers and their sacrifices for us to live peacefully. There is certainly mixed bag of emotions when we visit such place. Thank you for sharing every little details about this great place.
The place has incredible historical importance. There is so much India has to offer. Would love to visit here some day.
This memorial reminded me of hall of fame in Leh. It ignites our passion & love for our country & respect for our brave soldiers.
Your posts are always so information and detailed, one doesn’t have to look elsewhere for any information. This place s of historical importance will surely like to visit.
I feel so bad about myself that was not aware of this place and happy that you shared all these facts with us, I would love to surely visit once over there.
Wow i was not aware about this place. THanks for letting me know about it in detail. I love to visit this place.
Arunachal is a beautiful place. My father and mother had fought the war, and papa used to tell us his experiences to us when we were in school.
The Bomdila War Memorial appears to be a great spot with enormous historical significance. As usual informative post. I love to read with my kids always.
Arunachal Pradesh has incredible historical monuments There is so much India has to offer. Would love to visit here some day.
Your itinerary is amazing
India is blessed with so many unique places. I’m an Army man’s daughter and I’m sure dad would know this war memorial too. Sharing this article right away for some nostalgia from his Army days. I would love to visit the place with him and my daughter.