|
Attractions in Delhi
Old Delhi :
Red Fort – The Red Fort served
as the center of the Mughal Empire for more than 200 years. Lal Qila (Red Fort) is actually a series of individual pavilions,
each with a specific purpose. The Khas Mahal served as the emperor's private quarters and was the most exquisitely
decorated of all the pavilions. Among other building within are the Diwan-i-Khas, Moti-Masjid (Pearl Mosque). The prayer-hall
of the mosque is inlaid with outlines of 'Musallas' (small carpets for prayers) in black marble, and it stands at a
higher level than the courtyard. |
|
|
Ferozshah Kotla - The ruins of Ferozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, erected by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 can
be found at Feroz Shah Kotla. A 13-metre-high sandstone pillar with Ashoka's edicts (and a later inscription) can
be seen in the old fortress palace. Also to be seen are the remains of an old mosque and a fine well. But most of
the ruins were used in the construction of later cities.
Chandni Chowk - Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square) is opposite the Red Fort and is
a market that hubs with activity all through the year. The area was laid out by Shahjahan's daughter, Jahanara. The
water in a pool reflected the moonlight and then flowed into a channel that flowed through the avenue. It is a crowded
place and normally there is a maze of traffic that one has to negotiate almost every second. North of the avenue were
vast gardens and one of them surrounded the glittering Jahanara sarai, which has a plinth as spacious as that of Jama Masjid.
It has a large number of galis (lanes), each of them having something special about it for instance there is the paranthawali
gali, where people could feed on the choicest paranthas.
There are galis which house the wholesale textiles market
and there is also a gali where jewellers have their shops.
Jama Masjid - Located opposite the Red Fort is the majestic Jama Masjid which
is a masterpiece of architecture. It has a flight of stairs which lead to crowded bazaars. It is the most popular mosque
where Muslims offer prayers every Friday and also on special religious days.
New Delhi
:
|
 |
Safdarjang's
Tomb – Built in 1753-54 as the mausoleum of Safdarjang, the viceroy of Awadh, it is known more as the
last enclosed garden tomb. It has many smaller pavilions that have very attractive names which include Badshah
Pasand (King's Favourite), Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls) and Jangli Mahal (Palace in the woods).
The complex also has a madrasa (a place where persons wishing to study the Quran and other religious practices
of the Muslims could do so by learning from Muslim scholars).
|
Purana Quila - Purana Quila in Delhi
has been built on a small hill standing on the banks of river Yamuna with its massive rubble wall and imposing gateway
houses. The structure houses a mosque, which has a double storied octagonal tower. It was built by the great Afghan
ruler, Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century AD, on the banks of the Yamuna. Today, one can cruise down by the side of
the lake and even enjoy a Sound and Light Show that depicts 5000 years of Delhi’s history.
Lodi Tombs - A joggers delight, the Lodi Gardens are laid out around the enchanting and
extremely beautiful tombs of the Lodi and Sayyaid sultans who ruled Delhi and the north of India in the 15th and 16th
centuries.
Humayun's Tomb - Built by Haji Begum in memory of
Humayun, this excellent piece of architecture was said to have been the major idea that is said to have inspired Shahjahan
to construct the wonderful, Taj Mahal at Agra. The tomb is set in the centre of a huge square garden enclosed by
high walls on three sides. It was designed by the Persian architect, Mirza Ghyas and his team. The Queen later got
the team of architects killed - she didn’t want this structure to be copied. Today it remains one of the best
monuments in Delhi.
|
|
Qutub Minar- Qutub Minar, is another most sought after tourist spot in Delhi. It is 72.5
metres high and one has to climb 379 steps to get to the top. Built in consistent Islamic designs, numerous inscriptions
in Arabic and Nagari characters revealing the history of Qutub are to be found here. There is also a belief that
goes that if you stand with your back to the pillar and holds your hands around it, all wishes can come true!
India Gate
- India Gate, a majestic structure, 42 metres high, is set at the end of Rajpath, perhaps the most beautiful area of
New Delhi with plush green lawns in the backdrop. It is a popular picnic spot during the winters and equally popular
as a relaxation area during the summer evenings. Designed and built by Lutyens, it was originally called All India
War Memorial in memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I, the North-West Frontier
operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. On the walls of the structure are inscribed the names of
all the soldiers. An eternal flame called Amar Jawan Jyoti that runs on gas was lit in 1971 to honour the martyrs.
|
 |
The
Lotus Temple - The Lotus Temple or Bahai Mandir is an architectural marvel of the
Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi. Located in the southern part of Delhi, it is lotus shaped
and has rightly been given the name. The temple is surrounded by nine large pools of water which not only enhances the
beauty of the temple but also plays a significant role in the natural cooling system.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple - Birla Mandir , also known
as |
Laxminarayan temple, is among the most popular of Hindu temples in Delhi. One of the most important
festivals of the Hindus, Janamashtami coinciding with the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour in the temple
and the occasion is visited by lakhs of devotees. At the entrance is a plaque which welcomes people of all faiths and religions
to visit the temple and that there would be no exclusion of any kind.
| Parliament
House - It is a huge circular,
colonnaded building where the sessions of Parliament are
held. It has a dome-shaped circular Central Hall and three
semi-circular structures, the Rajya Sabha, (Upper House),
Lok Sabha (Lower House) and the library. A verandah with
as many as 144 columns and the boundary wall has blocks
of sandstone carved in geometrical patterns that remind
one of the Mughal jaalis.
|
 |
| The
Delhi Zoo - The Delhi
Zoo, close to Purana Qila, was set up in 1959 and is spread
over an area of 214 acres. It is regarded as one of the
finest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide
an almost natural habitat to the animals and the birds.
There are more than 2,000 animals and bird species from
Africa, America, Australia and even Asia.
Raj Ghat - On the bank of the legendary
Yamuna, which flows past New Delhi, there is Raj Ghat- the
last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the
nation. It has become an essential point of call for all
visiting dignitaries. Besides Raj Ghat the other near by
places must see in New Delhi are the two museums dedicated
to Gandhi.
Jantar Mantar - The fabled
Connaught Place area created and envisioned by the legendary
architect, Lutyens, boasts of an observatory of yore called
the Jantar Mantar. According to the rays of the Sun falling
on it, it helped the people calculate to some extent the
time of the day.
|
Museums
:
Shankar's International Dolls Museum
- One of the largest and best collections of costume dolls all
over the world, Delhi Dolls Museum is suitably named Shankar's
International Dolls Museum after its founder K. Shankar Pillai.
Starting off with a modest collection of just about a thousand
dolls, today, the museum boasts of over 6,500 exhibits from 85
different countries.
National Museum of Natural History - The National
Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a subordinate office of the
Ministry of Environment & Forests, whose basic function is
to promote environmental education and create environmental/conservation
awareness among the people through various in-house and outreach
activities. The Museum has various exhibit galleries, a Bio-Science
Computer Room, an Activity Room and a Mobile Museum, which are
used for promoting environmental awareness among different target
groups.
 |
Rail
Museum - National Rail Museum is the focus of
Rail Heritage of India a source of fascination and interest
in Railways for all. This one-of-its-kind museum in Asia
has an interesting collection of history, heritage, romance,
nostalgia, fun, leisure and entertainment, all at one place.
Sprawling over 10 acres, it comprises an indoor gallery
for the display of various exhibits, models, records, photographs,
coat of arms, documents etc. about 100 real size exhibits
display the glory of the bygone era.
|
|
 |
Quick
Getaways near Delhi
Surajkund - Located 8 Kms from Delhi, Surajkund has
become famous for the crafts Mela it hosts each year in February for
fifteen days.
Damdama Lake - A serene gray-green lake disappearing into a
cluster of hazy hillocks, a fairy-castle-like tourist complex glistening
in the sunshine, and carpet of star-like flowers dotting the lake-this
is what Damdama, a picturesque resort just 64 kilometers from Delhi,
is all about.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - The 55 km journey by road
from Agra drives you to the town of Bharatpur-the eastern gateway to
Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary-the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park - finest in Asia rich avian variety. Every year
the rare Siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate
of Bharatpur.
Neemrana Fort Palace - Neemrana fort, 122 kms from
Delhi is situated on a majestic Plateau in the Aravalli ranges. Constructed
in 1464 AD by Rao Rajdeo, the property covers 25 acres of land and palace
spans 5 levels of construction which cut into the hill. Along the southern
ramparts, the recently laid hanging gardens, add to the rugged beauty
of this fort palace.
|
|
|