The medal is a circular bronze disc 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) in diameter. The state emblem appears in the centre, on a raised circle. Surrounding this, four replicas of Indra's Vajra (the all-powerful mythic weapon of the ancient Vedic King of Gods). The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar. It is named on the edge.
On the rear, around a plain center, are two legends separated by lotus flowers. The words Param Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English. A purple ribbon, 32 millimetres (1.3 in) long, holds the Param Vir Chakra. The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to the Gods for making Vajra
Facts about Param Vir Chakra: 1. Of the 21 Paramveer Chakra awardees, 20 are from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force. 2. Som Nath Sharma, the first recipient of the award, was the award designer Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar's son-in-law posthumous. 3. Grenadiers Regiment have received the most number of Param Vir Chakras, with 3 awards, one each for the Indo-Pakistan 1965 war, 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and the Kargil War. The Gorkha Rifles have also received three awards, with the 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment), 8th Gorkha Rifles and 11th Gorkha Rifles each receiving one. 4. The Sikh Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, 17th Poona Horse and Jammu and Kashmir Rifles have received two awards. 5. The highest rank to be awarded a Param Vir Chakra is that of a Lieutenant Colonel. Lt. Col. Ardeshir Tarapore. 6. The award to Major Dhan Singh Thapa, for the battle of Sirijap in the 1962 War was initially announced as a posthumous award. It was not known that Major Thapa was taken POW at that time.
Param vir chakra winners
Stories of the highest gallantry award winners of the armed forces.
1947-48 Jammu and Kashmir Operations
Major Somnath Sharma, 4 Kumaon, posthumous
Major Somnath Sharma Major Somnath Sharma son of Major General Amarnath Sharma, was born on January