Longewala War Memorial

The basics

If you're interested in seeing artillery and war-related ephemera, you'll find plenty to check out at the memorial and its museum, from destroyed Pakistani to dug-out trenches used in battle. Most displays are signposted in English, and while you won’t need a tour to get the gist of what the war was about, going with a guide or joining a tour will help deepen your experience (and alleviate the need to figure out your own transportation).

Things to know before you go

• The Longewala War Memorial is a must-see for those interested in 20th-century South Asian history.
• Longewala is deep in the desert. Don’t forget to wear sun protection and drink plenty of water.
• Pathways around the memorial are paved with rugged paving stones and may prove challenging for wheelchair users.

How to get there

The Longewala War Memorial is located in the village of Longewala near the Pakistan border, nearly two hours from Jaisalmer by car. While the area has limited (and uncomfortable) bus service, you're much better off hiring a taxi to take you there and back again or joining a tour that includes round-trip transportation from your hotel. Tours typically visit other attractions in and around Jaisalmer, too.

When to get there

The Longewala War Memorial is open Monday through Saturday from morning until evening and is closed on Sundays and some public holidays. As with most other attractions in and around Jaisalmer, the memorial is best visited in the winter, when temperatures are cooler than average (January and February are particularly pleasant).

Visiting the Tanot Mata Temple

A short drive from Longewala sits the Tanot Mata Temple, which honors the goddess Aavad. It’s considered auspicious, and some believe that its presence helped India win the Battle of Longewala. The temple is about as close as you can get to the India-Pakistan border without government permission. Visitors wishing to visit the border will need to head up to Wagah near Amritsar, Punjab, instead.