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NEW
DELHI
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Delhi is the third largest
city of India. The city consists of two parts Old Delhi and New Delhi.
Old Delhi
It was the capital of India Between 17th and 19th centuries. In Old Delhi
you will find many mosques, monuments and forts relating to India's Muslim
history.
New Delhi
The other Delhi, the imperial city created as the capital of India by the
British . In addition to its historic interest and role as the government
centre, Delhi is a major travel gateway. The city of Delhi covers most of
the Delhi Union Territory, which is a federal district similar to Washington
DC, Canberra, or Brasilia. In 1911,the British asked Lutyens to give new
meaning to city development which is reflected in the architectural designs
and sophistication that buildings in Delhi like Parliament House,
Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Connaught Place and various administrative
buildings like the South and North blocks along the breathtaking view
available from Raj Path.
Modern Delhi
has something for everyone and that is amply reflected in the
cosmopolitan culture that nurtures festivals of all faiths and religions,
places of worship. You can take a stroll at your own leisurely place, or or
a jog or a run and move faster than a common man. This is also reflected in
the market places, the dhabas and restaurants or the gorgeous five star
hotels. Theatre, drama and entertainment of all sorts including discotheques
are all there. Delhi is one city from where you can branch off to any corner
of the country either by a well connected system of railways or by road and
air.
SIGHTSEEING
 RED
FORT
Red Fort is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon,
surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference and is built of red
sandstone. The Mughal king Shah Jahan transferred the capital from Agra to
Delhi and the Fort was completed in 1648. The fort has two main entrances,
the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate which faces the famed Chandni Chowk
market. The Fort has Diwan-e-am, and Diwan-e-Khas where the king would grant
audience to the public and would grant audience to important people
respectively. Besides this is the Rang Mahal, the water cooled Apartment for
the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where traditional
Indian goods can be purchased at nominal rates. Another attraction is Light
and Sound show held in the evenings.
OLD FORT
The ruins of this fort are located on a small hill which once stood on the
bank of the river Yamuna. Legend has it that the fort marked the site of
Indraprastha ,the magnificent capital of the Pandavas, though the
construction was carried out by Sher Shah Suri any time between 1538 to 1545
A. D. The structure houses a mosque which has a double storeyed octagonal
tower. It is said that the Mughal King Humayun fell from the tower
accidentally and died.
There are three Gates to
this fort. Today entrance is through the Bara Darwaza. The South Gate is
called the Humayun Darwaza, probably because Humayun built it or because the
tomb of Humayun is visible from here. The third gate is the Talaqi Darwaza.
Recent excavations in the fort has revealed painted grey pottery which date
back to 1000 BC. Such and many more findings inside the fort have proved the
location to be inhabited since the early civilizations. In fact there was a
village inside the fort till 1913 called Indrapat which is very close to
Indraprastha adding credibility to the theory of Mahabharata having taken
place here.
Inside the fort Qila Kuhna
Masjid which is one of the finest example of architectural style being used
in those days. The Masjid was built by Sher Shah in 1541 and it seems that
there was an attempt to build the whole structure in Marble. But the
scarcity of marble forced the use of Redsand stone. This mixture was
accidental forced or intended we do not know, nevertheless the combination
adds a different look to the structure. The inner west wall of the Masjid
has five arched openings and which are richly ornamented in white and black
marbles.
At the foot of the hill is
the lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating and also
organizes a Sound and Light Show.
 JANTAR
MANTAR
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory with masonary instruments,
built in 1724 by Jai Singh, the mathematician and astronomer king. The
Samrat and Yantra supreme instrument, the largest structure shaped like a
right-angled triangle, is actually a huge sun-dial; the other five
instruments are intented to show he movements of the sun, moon etc.
LODHI TOMB
About 3Km to the west of Humayun's tomb and adjoining the India
International Centre are the Lodhi Gardens. In these well kept gardens are
the tombs of Sayyid and Lodi rulers. Mohammed Shah's tomb(1450) was a
prototype for the later Mughal-style tomb of Humayun, a design that would
eventually develop into the Taj Mahal. Other tombs include those of his
predecessor, Mubarak Shah(1433), Ibrahim Lodi(1526) and Sikander lodi(1517).
The Bara Gumbad Masjid is a fine example of its type of plaster decoration.
 INDIA
GATE
Straight down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan is India Gate which is
primarily a memorial to unknown soldier. Designed by Lutyens , the 42 meter
high structure is a war memorial in honour of soldiers who died during the
second World War. The structure has an eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) to
honour the memory of the unknown soldiers.
RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN
Formerly known as the Vicergal Lodge, Rashtrapati Bhawan is the
highlight of Jutyen's New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of
12,53,000 Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms. At
one time, 2,000 people were required to look after the building and serve
the Viceroy's household. It has an impressive garden called the MUGHAL
GARDENS, which is open to public twice in a year, usually in February and
March.
 LOTUS
TEMPLE
Lotus Temple or Bahai Temple is a very recent architectural marval of
the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south delhi. Located in
Kalkaji in the south of Delhi. It is Lotus shaped and has rightly been given
the name.
Visited by over four million
people, annually, it is crystallization of aspirations of Baha'i followers
in over 200 countries. This temple signifies the purity and the universality
of the lord and the equality of all religion.
The temple is designed to
make people conscious about the beauty of life. For, life's beauty can be
preserved, rising as the lotus out of swampy slime, clean and perfect - a
manifestation of god.
It is one of the
architectural land marks of modern DELHI. It is made up of marble, cement
dolomite, and sand.
TIMINGS: Summer- 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. Winter- 9:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Monday
closed
SAFDARJANG TOMB
Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture,
Safdarjung's Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden. Built in 1753
by Nawab Shauja-ud-Daula to house the remains of his father, who was a
minister in the Mughal Court, the tomb is referred to as the "Last flicker
in the lamp of Mughal Architecture".The tomb stands on a high terrace
surrounded by an extensive walled garden. It makes a pleasant retreat from
the urban bustle. It's short walk from Lodi Garden.
DILLI HAAT
A delightful amalgam of crafts, foods and cultures. Dilli Haat is the
first ever permanent fair for crafts, regional foods and cultural activities
in India spread over a six acre and situated in the heart of the city. Dilli
Haat is an upgraded variance of 'traditional-haat'. The craftsmen from all
over India and the cultural activities provide a panoramic view of the
richness traditions and culture as well as regional cuisine.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
The National Museum of India was established on August 15, 1949, in the
Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Subsequently, a new building
was constructed suited to the purpose, and the by now sizeable collection
was tranferred to the new address, where the works of art were thrown open
to the public on December 18, 1960. Today, the Museum houses more than 2,
00, 000 wonderful works of art, Indian and international, spanning more than
five thousand years of our cultural heritage. Apart from collections of
pre-history, archaeology, jewellery, paintings, decorative arts,
manuscripts, Central Asian antiquities, anthropology, pre-Columbian and
Western art, arms, armour, numismatics and epigraphy, the Museum also houses
a well-equipped Conservation Laboratory that not only provides restoration
to all the artefacts but also training facilities to students and deserving
professionals.
 QUTUB
MINAR
The origins of Qutub Minar are shoruded in controversy. Some believe
that it was built as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the
Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the adjoining
mosque and was used by the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. However,
no one disputes that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in
India, but also in the world.
Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the
first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutub Minar
in A.D. 1193, but could only complete its basement. His successor, Iltutmush,
added three more stories, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tuglak constructed the
fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural styles from
Aibak to Tuglak are quate evident in the minar. The relief work and even the
materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet high Qutub Minar is 47
feet at the base and tapers to 9 feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented
by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by
elaborately decorated brackets. Even in its ruin, the QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM (Light
of Islam) MOSQUE in the Qutub complex is one of the most magnificent in the
world.
The main mosque comprises an
inner and outer courtyard, of which the inner one is surrounded by an
exquisite collonade, the pillars of which the inner one is surrounded by an
exquisite collonade, the pillars of which are made of richly decorated
shafts. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hidus temples which were
plundered to construct the mosque. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's
most curious structures the Iron Pillar. Dating back to 4th century A.D.,
the pillar bears an inscription which states that it was erected as a
flagstaff in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta
King Chandragupta II(375-413). How the pillar moved to its present location
remains a mystery. The pillar also highlights ancient India's achievements
in metallurgy. The pillar is made of 98 per cent wrought iron and has stood
1,600 years without rusting or decomposing.
HUMANYUN TOMB
This tomb, which as built by emperor Humanyun's wife, took eight years
to complete. The emperor's wife Begai Begum was buried in the tomb and the
structure is first of its kind built in the center of a well - planned
garden. The combination of white marble and red sand stone was a great
influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a
prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra.
The Mughals brought with
them their love for gardens, fountains and water. The first mature example
of Mughal architecture in India. HUMAYUN'S TOMB, was built in AD 1565.
Designed by Presian architect, Mirza Ghyas, Humayun's Tomb shows a marked
shifts from the persian tradition of using coloured tiles for ornamentation.
Located in the midst of a large square garden, screened by high walls, with
gateways to the south and west, the tomb is a square tower surrounded by a
magnificent marble dome. The dome stands 140 feet high from the base of the
terrace and is topped with a copper pinnacle.
 BIRLA
MANDIR
Due west of Connaught Place, this garish modern temple was erected by
the industrialist B.D. Birla in 1938. It is dedicated to Lakshmi, the
goddess of prosperity and good fortune, and is commonly known as Birla
Mandir or Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
The temple is an important
prayer site and contains idols of several deities . Interestingly Mahatama
Gandhi who inaugurated the temple was also a regular visitor to it and would
often pray there.
CHANDNI CHOWK
One of the main markets of Delhi, Chandni Chowk was once lined with
beautiful fountains. It was the eyes and the ears of the Mughal's commercial
instincts and is today one of the country's best known wholesale markets for
textiles , electronic goods and watches. The entire arc was designed by
Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was the inhabited by the
well to do famlies of the time.
But today the place is very
crowded and congested. Chandni Chowk is located opposite the Red Fort. The
Area has got the Digamber Jain Temple which houses the Birds hospital. On
one end of Chandni Chowk is the Fatehpuri Mosque which was erected by the
wives of Shah Jahan. Opposite the old police station or the Kotwali is the
Sunheri Masjid from where Nadir Shah ordered his troops to plunder and
massacre Delhi.
ISKCON TEMPLE
Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this
temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama
Hare-Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of
the largest temple complexes in India . Currently the main attraction of the
temple are the Robort who enact and preach the Gita.
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