The capital of India, Delhi, is the third largest city of India. A
fusion of the ancient and the modern, standing along the West End of
Gangetic Plain, Delhi, revels a picture rich in culture, architecture and
human diversity. It has rich history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens
and exotic shows, truly representing India. Delhi comprises of Old Delhi and
New Delhi, both very different from each other but providing a rich blend of
past and the present to this capital city of India. The city is strewn with
pieces of Mughal and British architecture. Delhi has many hustling and
bustling bazaars, where you can find all sorts of goods and items. The city
is well-planned, there are trees that line the spacious streets and imposing
buildings that reflect the progress of the city.
Visit Delhi and experience a fusion of power, politics, invasions, and
conquests & of free India. It is one of the most enchanting cities in
the world, luring visitors from every corner of the globe to explore and
discover the exotic culture which still flourishes along the flows of
development.
Attractions in Delhi
» Qubab Minar : It is one of the prime attractions
in Delhi, it is regarded as bequest of Islamic culture in India. It also
represents the military might of the Turko-Afghan Salve Dynasty ruling India
during the 12th century. This 73 meter-high-tower is believed to have been
built in 1193 A.D. by King Kutub-ud-din-Aibak to celebrate the victory of
the Afghan invader over the Rajputs. Its five stories are graced with fine
sculptures made of sand stone. At the foot of the tower, there stands a
Mosque which was built in 1197. The tower was repaired for several times due
to the earthquake and lightning.
» Red Fort : Lal Quila or the Red Fort is one of the
elegant structures in Delh. It lies on the riverbank of Yamuna, surrounded
by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference and built of red sandstone. The
construction of the Fort began when the Mughal King Shah Jahan transferred
his capital from Agra to Delhi and was completed in 1648. The highlighted
structures include the Diwan-e-Am (hall of public audience), the
Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience). Besides this is the Rang Mahal, the
water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is
a market where several traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal
rates. The Red Fort also has light and sound in the evenings.
» Humayun's Tomb : Built in the 16th
century as a memorial to the Mughal emperor, this enormous piece of
architecture is said to have inspired Emperor Shajahan to construct Taj
Mahal in Agra. The tomb was built to dedicate to Emperor Humayun by his
widow, Haji Begum in A.D. 1565. The tomb was made of red stone, crowned with
the gorgeous marble dome.
» India Gate : India Gate is Located at the end of
Rajpath in New Delhi.Designed and built by the British architect Lutyens, it
was originally called "All India War Memorial" in memory of Indian
soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I, the North-West Frontier
operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Names of the martyrs are inscribed on
the walls with the eternal flames honoring them.
» Rashtrapati Bhavan : Rashtrapati Bhavan is the
official residence of the President of India. It is the former the residence
of the Viceroy during the British Raj. Perching on the magnificent Raisina
Hill, the grandiose building comprises 340 rooms for several functions.
Visitors wishing to visit the building are supposed to contact the deputy
Military Secretary to The President are allowed to visit the Durbar Hall,
Ashok Hall, the Dining Room and the Mughal Gardens only.
» The Ghats : The Ghats along the banks of Yamuna
River are marked by memorial places where the leaders and freedom fighters
of India were cremated. The most visited among them is Raj Ghat where the
father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in
1948. Within the premises there are cremation grounds of Jawahar Lal Nehru,
Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri also.
» Lakshmi Narayan Temple : Built by G. D. Birla, the
industrialist, Laxmi Narayan Temple is known also known as Birla Mandir. One
of the most worshiped Hindu temples in India, it is located in the west of
Connaught Place, the temple is devoted to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and
God Vishnu, her spouse. After six years of construction, the temple was
inaugurated in 1939 by Mahatma Gandhi, and for the first time, the temple
was opened to people of all castes, no exemption for the untouchable caste.
» Bahai's Temple : Bahai temple built in
1986, is also known as the Lotus temple because of its lotus shape which
reaches a height of more than 40 meters. The temple belongs to the Bahai
House of Worship, dedicated to the oneness of all religions and mankind.
» Ishkon Temple : Iskon temple is complex of temples
dedicated to Lord Krishna and stands on the Hari Krishna Hill at a height of
90 feet above ground level. It is decorated with attractive paintings of
Russian artists, depicting stories of legendary personalities of Ramayana
epic like Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman. Performances of traditional music
are also displayed every Sunday.
» Chandni Chowk : Chandni Chowk, situated in Old
Delhi, literally means Moonlight Square. It is a pack of bazaars, where the
colorful lifestyle of Delhi can be seen. Here one can buy anything and
everything ranging from fish and poultry to second-hand items, gems and
gold, garlands, turbans, and spare car parts.
» Jantar Mantar : Located within the area of the
Connaught Palace, the stone observatory of Jantar Mantar was built in 1724
by Maharaja Jai Singh, who later built the others on the same lines in
Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. It used as the observatory, boasted
for its accuracy in calculating the astronomical movements.
» National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo) : This zoo
was established in 1959 and it covers an area of 214 acres. Considered as
one of the finest zoo in Asia, it is a good natural habitat to wide variety
of animals and birds form Africa, America, Australia and Asia. The zoo also
has a large greenery space, ideal for a picnic.
» Dilli Haat : Dilli haat is located opposite of INA
market, it is a one-stop mall selling a large selection of local handicraft
from almost every part of the country. Here you can look forward to buy
jewelry, handicrafts, garments and artifacts representing the local
workmanship.
Getting There
» By Air : All the major national and international
air lines have their flights operating from Delhi's Indira Gandhi
International Airport.
» By Rail : The Indian Railway with their
modern and organized network connects Delhi to all major and minor
destinations in India. There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi
namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin
Rly. Station.
» By Bus : Delhi is well connected by road to all
major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) are
located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport
Corporations of the neighboring states provide frequent bus services through
Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches.
