Chandigarh is set to make its historic debut at Bharat Parv 2026 with a Republic Day tableau that places the Chandigarh War Memorial at its forefront, symbolizing that remembrance and sacrifice will lead the city's national narrative during the celebrations. The tableau will be displayed at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31 as part of the Union government's Republic Day festivities, opening with a sculptural representation of the memorial to honor soldiers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh who gave their lives for the nation after Independence.
The Chandigarh War Memorial: A Tribute to Post-Independence Martyrs
Located in the Bougainvillea Garden in Sector 3, adjacent to the Leisure Valley, the Chandigarh War Memorial stands as one of India's largest post-Independence war memorials. It commemorates between 8,459 and 11,000 martyrs who perished in conflicts such as the Indo-Pak and Indo-China wars, as well as later military operations including those in Sri Lanka and Kargil.
Historical Origins and Community Involvement
Conceived in 2003–04 by Lt Gen J F R Jacob (retd), a hero of the 1971 war and then Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, the memorial was envisioned as a citizens' project to instill pride in the armed forces. Jacob laid the foundation stone on April 28, 2004, describing it as a shandar yadgar, while Gen SF Rodrigues (retd), former Army chief and later Punjab Governor, performed the ground-breaking ceremony. The memorial was inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by President APJ Abdul Kalam on August 17, 2006.
A defining aspect of the memorial's history is the pivotal role played by The Indian Express, which spearheaded a city-wide citizens' initiative to raise funds for its construction. Built entirely without government funding, the project cost approximately Rs 78 lakh, mobilised through public donations driven by the newspaper group in partnership with the UT Administration. This effort transformed the memorial into a community-owned space of remembrance, rather than a conventional state-funded structure.
Architectural Design and Symbolism
Architecturally, the memorial is notable for its subterranean design, sunk about six feet below ground to preserve views of the Shivalik hills and remain faithful to Le Corbusier's planning principles for Chandigarh. The original concept emerged from a design competition won by two final-year students of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, Shivani Guglani and Nanaki Singh, in 2002–03. The Department of Urban Planning, under then chief architect Renu Saigal, refined the design, while architect Shams Shaikh prepared detailed drawings, supervised the site, and created the iconic 22-foot-high central sculpture.
The sculpture, made of powder-coated steel sheets on a tubular frame, features three converging posts symbolising the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Black granite-clad concrete walls, engraved with the names of martyrs and illuminated at night, form the memorial's core, along with built-in planters and stepped seating that also functions as an open-air space for tributes and public gatherings.
Beyond the Memorial: Chandigarh's Contemporary Identity
Beyond the war memorial, the tableau vividly depicts Chandigarh's modern identity in motion. One section highlights the city's sporting culture through a dynamic portrayal of kayaking at Sukhna Lake, with rippling water effects and stone textures capturing both adventure and calm. This segment reflects youth energy, fitness, and the city's close relationship with its natural water bodies.
Celebrating Creative and Ecological Legacy
Another segment celebrates Chandigarh's creative and ecological legacy, featuring the Rock Garden waterfall and figurines inspired by Nek Chand's recycled art, alongside lush greenery, birds in flight, and people interacting in shared spaces. Together, these elements project the city as a harmonious balance of memory and modernity, where sacrifice, creativity, nature, and people-centric planning coexist.
This narrative, blending remembrance with contemporary vibrancy, will be presented by Chandigarh for the first time on the national stage during Republic Day, offering a unique glimpse into the city's rich heritage and forward-looking spirit.
