Delhi, the most famous city during the entire Indian history is the heart of India in a true sense. Nutured and developed by the Aryans, Mughals and then the Britishers, Delhi has a certain charm that permeates every stream of its culture. Reminders of Muslim rule and the reign of the Britishers can be seen in the numerous architectural wonders that New Delhi houses.
The stately Rashtrapati Bhawan, the awesome Red Fort, Qutub Minar, the beauty of the Lodhi Gardens, the Jama Masjid. Safdarjung Museum, Diwan-i-am, Diwan-i- khas and the Jantar Mantar and other such will hold you in awe. Modern monuments like the Lotus Temple have strenghted its position as the city where secularism lives in the heart of every citizen.
Situated on the banks of Yamuna river, Delhi is bounded on the east by the state of Uttar Pradesh and on the north, west, and south by Haryana.Often called as the major travel Gateway, Delhi is India’s busiest entrance points for overseas airlines. The hub of New Delhi is the great circle of Connaught Place and the streets that radiate from it. Most of the banks, travel agents and various state tour operators and hotels are situated here.
In short, if you want to see two facades of the same city, Delhi is the ideal place for you. Full of information and laced with all required fascilities, in Delhi breathes the mini India.
Places to See in Delhi
It is the war memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers, who died during World War I. The name of many soldiers who died during World War I is inscribed on its wall. Edward Lutyens, the man who planned and built New Delhi, designed India Gate. Almost every foreign tourist visits the monument. 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the eternal flame is added later. The eternal flame runs on gas and is a tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in the service of the nation.
Located in Old Delhi, the Red Fort or Lal Quila is a popular tourist attraction in Delhi. The fort was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. The construction of the Fort started in 1638 and it was completed 10 years later in 1648. Some of the important spots inside the Red Fort include royal baths or shahi hamams, Shahi Burj, Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas.
The largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan 1656 AD. About 5,000 labourers and craftsmen worked for six years to complete the monument. The mosque can accommodate about 25,000 people. The mosque is located in the old Delhi. The domes are built in white marble. The prayer hall of the mosque has 260 pillars.
Old Fort or Purana Quila as it is called is located near Pragati Maidan on the Mathura Road. You can club a visit to the Old Fort with your tour of Red Fort and Jama Masjid as the three monuments are located in Old Delhi and are not too far from one another. Humayun started the construction of the fort in 1533 AD, but before the completion of the fort, Sher Shah Suri defeated him and captured Delhi. Sher Shah Suri completed the fort and named it -Shergah. He added many structures to the fort, of which Qila-I-Kuhna Mosque and Sher Mandal are worth mentioning. In 1555, Humayun re-captured Delhi and converted Sher Mandal into a library.
Humayun's Tomb is mausoleum of the Mughal emperor Humayun. Bega Begum also known as Haji Begum, wife of Humayun constructed the mausoleum for her husband. The tomb was built between 1562 and 1572 AD. The tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyuth.
The construction of the Qutab Minar was stated by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199 AD but he died before completing it. His son-in-law and successor Iltutmish completed the construction of the building. Qutab Minar is located in Meharauli.
Also known as the Bahai Temple, the monument was opened to public only in 1986. Located near Nehru Place, the Lotus Temple is designed like a lotus flower. If you are looking for some moments of peace and tranquillity in the crowded city, Lotus Temple is the ideal place to visit.
Connaught Place is the most happening place in New Delhi. It is the central business district of New Delhi. A shopper's paradise- Connaught place is one of the most famous shopping destinations of India. It houses some of the best restaurants, discos and hotels of the city.
Under patronage from the emperor, he set on himself the task of correcting the existing astronomical tables and updating the almanac with more reliable instruments. Delhi's Jantar Mantar is the first of the five observatories that he built with large masonary instruments.
Shopping in Delhi
Delhi is a great place for shopping tours. There are various bazaars and shopping malls in Delhi that you head to when on a tour of Delhi. Some of the exciting tourist places in Delhi include Dilli Haat, National Museum, Crafts Museum, Doll Museum, Lotus Temple and Lodhi Gardens.
