Delhi

DELHI

 Delhi is a metropolitan region in India that includes the national capital city, New Delhi. Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and the modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. This is why Delhi is sometimes called as City of cities.

Delhi was the site of ancient Indraprastha, the mythical capital of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata. Delhi re-emerged as a major political, cultural and commercial city along the trade routes between northwest India and the Gangetic plain during the Delhi sultanates.

In AD 1639, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built a new walled city in Delhi, which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1649 until the Rebellion of 1857. The British captured Delhi in 1857.  In 1911, it was announced that the capital of British held territories in India was to be transferred from Calcutta to Delhi. The name "New Delhi" was given in 1927, and the new capital was inaugurated on 13 February 1931. New Delhi, also known as Lutyens' Delhi. A new capital city, New Delhi, was built to the south of the old city during the 1920s.  When the British left India in 1947, New Delhi became its national capital and seat of government.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

 The Red Fort

The then Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Red Fort. The Red Fort is popularly known as the Lal Quila and is representative of the true splendor of the Mughal court. This imposing fort will engulf you with its size and grandeur. The scale of construction can well be imagined when one realizes that the walls of the fort are a good 2 km long!

The Red Fort is suggestive of the pomp and power enjoyed by the Mughals in the olden times. The red fort is made out of marble and designed exquisitely. The splendor of this Mughal fort lays in the fact that it has endured barbaric attacks from Nadir Shah the colonial British rulers.

 Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid, was commissioned to be constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It holds the distinction of being one of the biggest and the most well known mosque of Old Delhi. Due to its setting at a very prominent center in Old Delhi, a lot of visitors visit it right through the year.

The name Jama Masjid indicates a reference to the weekly congregation of worshippers who observe prayers every Friday at the mosque. The floor of the mosque has been covered with white and black marble works to give it the look of the prayer mat typical to the Mohammedan culture.

The mosque is open from 7 AM to sunset, but tourists are not allowed to visit the premises between 12:15 and 1:45 PM. Photography is strictly banned during prayer hours.

Qutab Minar

Qutab Minar is amongst the tallest and the most famous monuments in the world. This beautiful minaret is 234 feet high and is regarded as the tallest individual tower in the world. The Qutab Minar is one of the many masterpieces that depicted the sheer brilliance of the Mughal architects of those times. Qutub-ud-din Aibak placed the groundwork for Qutub Minar in 1199 AD and his descendant Shamsu'd-Din- Iitutmish completed the works on this magnificent structure by adding three more storeys.

The exquisitely carved minaret has a number of storeys and inscriptions all round the tower. This monument of fervent historical interest is open from sunrise to sunset. Indian visitors are charged an entry fee of Rs.10 while the foreigners have to pay Rs. 250. Visitors are allowed to carry their cameras inside in order to capture their memories.

The Humayun tomb

The Humayun tomb garden is one of the most popular sites of visit in Delhi. The second Mughal monarch Humayun died after he won Delhi again. His wife, Hamida Begum, who was of Persian origin, commissioned the construction of his tomb. The construction was completed within the time from 1562-1572.

Designed by the noted Persian architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyuath. Humayun’s tomb also houses the remains of hundreds of members from the Mughal times. The tomb is situated on the bank of River Yamuna and is said to have been a pattern of later Mughal mausoleum architectural styles in India. The entry fee to this beautiful garden is Rs. 10 for Indian and $5 for foreigner. However, on Fridays the entry is free.

The Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories that were constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the year 1724. It is easily reachable, since it is located in the Connaught place, which is a major commercial area of New Delhi. It is a place that would pique one’s interest on seeing how our antecedents had formulated ways in order to enhance their scientific knowledge.

Jantar Mantar has a range of old-fashioned structures, which are actually instruments that were used to track the movements of the celestial bodies. Jantar Mantar is a place of heritage interest and marks the achievements of the ancestors in India in the field of astronomy.

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, is one of the nine historical gurdwaras in Delhi. First established in 1783 by Baghel Singh to commemorate the martyrdom site the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Situated in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, it marks the site Sikh Guru was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal emperor on the 11th of November, 1675, Aurangzeb, for refusing to convert to Islam.

 The severed head ("Sis" in Hindi or Punjabi) of Guru Tegh Bahadur was brought to Anandpur Sahib by Bhai Jaita, another disciple of the Guru. It was cremated by the Guru's son, Gobind Rai, who would later become Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs.  

 The present Gurudwara structure was built in 1930. The trunk of tree under which the Guru was beheaded is also preserved here as is the well from which he took bath while in the prison. Also standing adjoining the Gurdwara is the Kotwali (police station), where Guru was imprisoned and his disciples were tortured.

The Nizamuddin’s shrine

The Nizamuddin’s shrine was built as a commemoration of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Chishti. The Nizamuddin Shrine is an interesting tomb that speaks of a keen sense of architecture prevalent in the olden times. The premises of the temple include a tank which is bordered by many other tombs. These tombs are in memory of the people of Mughal times.

The grave of Jahanara, who was the daughter of Shan Jahan and Amir Khusru, who was a celebrated Urdu poet in the Mughal courts are in the same premises.

The sunset on Thursdays is an accepted time amongst the Muslims for prayers and adoration, and hence, this is the best time to visit this temple. The much-liked Qawwali singers start presenting their skills in the evening times.

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple is also known as the Birla Mandir. The Birla Mandir has been built in order to pay tribute to the Hindu goddess of wealth, Laxmi and her companion, Lord Vishnu who is regarded as the preserver of the Hindu Trinity. The temple premises have many temples, fountains, and a big garden.

This temple was inaugurated by the hands of Mahatma Gandhi. The temple sees thousands of devotees on the day of Janmashtami, which is the birthday of Lord Krishna. Birla Temple is a tranquil situate where one can take a break after a hard day's work. The religious value of this shrine is known to all the Hindu devotees.

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple is one of the most incredible architectures of the Bahai faith. It is situated at Kalkaji, a place close to New Delhi. The temple has been constructed to resemble a lotus flower. The huge lotus flower has been made out of marble, dolomite, cement, and sand. The temple does not impose restrictions on any visitor and has been thrown open to people of all religions. The place is known for its spotlessly clean environment that allows believers to meditate in peace.

The Bahai temple, which was completed in 1986 by the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada is known for its prayer sessions that include prayers of all religions. Visitors are allowed a free entry to the majestic temple, but they are expected to maintain silence in the interiors. The integration of the vibrant Indian history with the modern styles of engineering and architecture stands out boldly and makes the temple unique in its appeal.

The Akshardham Temple

The Akshardham Temple has been constructed of recent times and was inaugurated in the year 2005. The temple has been built by the Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha on the banks of the River Yamuna. The Delhi Akshar Dham Mandir was thrown open to the general public after the then President APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated it. The temple stretches over an area of 100 acres and was completed in two years.

Akshardhaam Temple of New Delhi is constructed in an architectural fashion comparable to that of the Akshardham temple that is located in Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. Its structure is based on the olden Sthaapatya shastras of India and is erected entirely out of sandstone and marble without using steel. The main shrine house the idol of Lord Swaminarayan and a monument celebrating world peace is also prominent on the temple premises.

India Gate

India Gate is located on the Raj Path in New Delhi and is one of the most visited destinations in Delhi. The works on India Gate were commenced by Edwin Lutyens to pay reverence to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting the World War I and the Afgan War.

A close look at the huge walls of India Gate reveals the names of around 90,000 soldiers who died during these wars. The structure was completed in 1931 and since then, has attracted many a tourist. India Gate was originally known as the All India War Memorial. This 42 meter tall gate has beautiful gardens and fountains around it.

The lush green lawns, the boat club, and the children’s park around India Gate make it an ideal destination for an idyllic evening out.

The Parliament House

The Parliament House is the building that is of supreme importance for the Indian sub continent. The decisions affecting the ruling of the nation are passed here. The house of the Parliament is located at the end of the Sansad Marg. This splendid structure was designed by Herbert Baker and was formerly called as the Circular House. The two hundred and forty seven enormous pillars, which are representative of the Mughal style of architecture, are a unique feature of the Parliament House.

The Lok Sabha or the House of People, the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States and the library can be visited upon obtaining the necessary permit from the office on Raisina Road. For the foreign visitors, permits are granted only if their respective embassies grant them with an introductory letter.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official house of the President of India, and is located at the west end of the Rajpath. The Rahstrapati Bhavan boasts of an architectural fashion that is a mixture of Mughal and classical European and is visited by many tourists. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has a gigantic copper dome over a long arcade and 340 bedecked rooms.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is a brilliant structure that is reminiscent of the British imperialism. The enormous columns, verandahs, as well as the balconies integrated with typical Indian designs like the chhatris lend a quaint beauty to this huge residence. The Government of India Tourist Office gives permission to few people to enter the premises. However, the Mughal gardens, is open to the general public in the month of February.

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is the cenotaph built in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. It is located on the banks of the river Yamuna. This grave black marble podium marks the spot of Mahatma’s cremation on the 31 January 1948. An abiding flame at one end, which burns ceaselessly, flanks the platform. A stone alleyway with lawns on either sides leads to the enclosed space that has the memorial with the epitaph Hey Ram, thought to be the last words articulated by Gandhiji.

As a mark of respect, it is obligatory for visitors to remove footwear before entering the memorial. It has become a routine for foreign personages visiting India to pay their reverence to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat.

Chandani Chowk

 Chandani Chowk is one of the oldest market places of Old Delhi. Despite that, Chandni Chowk has still retained its charm. Although the place is very disorderly and congested today, once upon a time, it was well- lined with striking fountains. It was regarded as a market that sold every kind of goods.

Chandani Chowk is located opposite the Red Fort. At one end of the Chandni Chowk, one can see the Fatehpuri Mosque, which is believed to have been built by the wives of Shah Jahan. At the other end of Chandani Chowk, is the old police station or the Kotwali. The Sunheri Masjid, which was the place from where Nadir Shah ordered his army of men to pillage and massacre Delhi is located close by. The Chandani Chowk is still visited by many curious tourists due to its historical importance.

Janpath

Janpath translated People's Path, is one of the main roads in New Delhi. It starts out as Radial Road 1 in Connaught Place, adjacent to Palika Bazaar, and runs North-South perpendicular to, and past Rajpath (the "Rulers' path"). Originally called Queen's Way, it was an important part of Lutyens' design of the Lutyens' Delhi, upon the inauguration of new capital of India in 1931. Today the most popular spot on this road is the Janpath market, which is a heaven for budget travelers and shoppers, buyers of curio, handicrafts and garments, and numerous Indian-style fast-food placess