 Delhi is one of the oldest capital cities of the world. It was called Indraprastha in the Mahabharata Era. We do not have any archeological evidence to prove that it was a flourishing city in the epic era (1500BC) but we do have archeological remains in the form of massive forts and other monuments to conclude that it was a seat of power for the rulers of the subcontinent from 400 AD onwards. Lal Kot is the oldest ruin of Delhi’s past that we can see. At that time more than 700 big and small temples dedicated to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism stood in its full glory. Gradually when Muslim invaders conquered the land they destroyed these magnificent structures and build their own buildings partly by modifying it and mostly by using materials from destroyed structures. This game of destruction and construction continued till the British occupied the land. They also build a magnificent city taking inspiration from the art of the land as well as from the contemporary European design. Most majestic of their work is Presidents house built on Raiseena Hill. In Recent years Delhi has seen another wave of construction, these modern building are primarily utility structures greatly impressed by contemporary global patterns. Delhi suburbs like Gurgaon and Noida represent India’s resurgent economy, are also must see spots if you wish to know the city in its entirety.
Delhi represents the culture of entire country. You cannot miss the diversity of its people while walking on the streets. You can notice the difference in dressing, their language their food, depending on the region they belong to. In connaught place itself you can find around half a dozen restaurants representing different region of the country. Out of all differences among its people most saddening is the difference of their economic capability. Many of its citizens earn less in a month than what its rich citizen spends in a single evening outing. But again its economy is diverse enough to accommodate its less fortunate people. |
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Popular Sightseeing Spots |
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 Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is relatively older than other popular monuments of Delhi. The minar was said to have been built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori, the invader from Afghanistan, over the Rajputs in 1192 and it was partly completed by his viceroy, Qutabuddin Aibak ( 1192 -98), the first sultan of the Slave dynasty.After his death, the rest was completed by Iltutmish, another Muslim King. It stands just outside the central courtyard of Quwwatul Masjid and it was meant to function as a Minar so that the muezzin could call the faithful to prayer and also as a symbol of the military might of the Turko-Afghan slave dynasty. It is 72.5 meters high and one has to climb 379 steps to get to the top.The diameter of the base is 14.3 metres while the top floor measures 2.7 meters in diameter. Lightning knocked off the uppermost floor in 1368, it was left to Firozshah Tughlak to restore and also add two floors, which introduced white marble in the otherwise red and buff sandstone exterior. One can not enter inside the Minar but recently a facility to have a roof top look through a screen has been added. If time permits one can have walk up to the Lal Kot, Delhi’s oldest monument resting peacefully inside a reserved forest area. |
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Red Fort or Lal Qila
Red Fortor Lal Qila as it is more popularly known is a Masterpiece of Architecture and one of the most haunting spots for tourists from both India and abroad. Before the mutiny of 1857,the fort presented an altogether different picture from what it presents today because only about one-fourth of the imposing structure is accessible to visitors with the rest of the area being under the control of the Indian Army, which continues the occupation begun after the uprising of 1857 was suppressed in 1858, a large number of palaces in the fort were demolished, many of the taikhanas ( basement rooms) sealed and massive barracks constructed for the soldiers. Before 1857, the fort was a mini-city with palaces, offices, workshops and halls of audience where about 3,000 people lived, yet today more than 10,000 visitors come to savor the magnificence of the building everyday. There are 15 distinct structures within the fort with the first being the Lahore Gate and the last one the Moti Masjid. The barbican added by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, veils the Lahore Gate of the palace. The gate is from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation and unfurls the National Flag on August 15, Independence Day.
The entrance of the Gate leads through a long covered bazaar called the Chatta Chowk. From Chatta Chowk follows the Naqqar Khana(Drum Room) also called Naubat Khana or the Welcome Room, which earlier formed part of a square enclosure with apartments for the umrah (Nobles) on duty. It was at this point that everyone other than the Emperor had to dismount from their elephants and walk towards the magnificent Diwan-e-Am(hall of public audience) where the Emperor used to listen to the grievances of the common man.
The Naqqar Khana is 49 feet high with an open arched hall at the top, which served as a music gallery from where the strains of music filtered down to welcome the Emperor, or to bid him a safe journey. The War Memorial Museum is housed on the first floor. The Diwan-e-Am is built of red sandstone and is set atop an impressive plinth. The southwest and northwest corners of the pavilion are articulated by small chhattris.
After 1857, an ornamental panel depicting Orpheus was dismantled, but it was restored at Lord Curzon's initiative at the beginning of the 20th century. The Diwan-e-Am was originally gilded with elaborate stuccowork. However, today only the shell of the magnificent structure can be seen. Along the eastern wall of the fort and commanding a scenic view of the Yamuna river was spaced out the private realm of the Emperor.
The Yamuna in those days flowed past the walls.The remains of the palaces exist today in the form of Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, the hammam and the Shah Burj from where originated the Nahar-e-Bishisht ( Canal of Paradise) which flowed in a channel through these buildings.
The Museum of Archaeology, which has artifacts salvaged from the royal palace, is housed in the Mumtaz Mahal. Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors) gets its name from its painted interior. The northern and southern sections were called Sheesh Mahal( Sheesh-mirrors and mahal- palace).Embedded in the ceiling which reflected lights in fascinating multiplicity, were embedded in the ceiling. This, with its basement, was the palace of the royal ladies. Khas Mahal(Emperor’s Palace) has special rooms for private worship and for sleeping. It was small and elegant and had a fine marble screen at the north end, which carried a motif of the scales of justice, which are seen in many miniature paintings of Shahjahan's time.
A marble balcony, which once projected over the banks of the Yamuna and once the river changed its course it was from this place that the Emperors used to present themselves for public appearance. Perhaps the most elegant part of the fort is the Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience) and it is almost like an indetachable part of the history of the Mughal Empire.
In 1739 the hall witnessed Nadir Shah receiving the submission of Emperor Mohammed Shah, and depriving him of his most valuable treasures including the famed Peacock Throne. It was again here in May 1857 that Indian soldiers declared Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Emperor of Hindustan. The throne was set on a high impressive plinth along the rear wall and its flat ceiling supported by a series of engrailed arches, was gilded in sliver and had some of the finest pietra dura work and paintings.
Over the corner arches is inscribed the couplet of Firdaus, the poet in Shahjahan's court which when translated from Urdu means:" If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here". The hammam (bathing area) has three chambers with a fountain in the middle of the one in the centre. It also has pietra dura work on the walls. Shah Burj was a place where the emperors held private conclaves and it is in a secluded point.
Besides the conclaves, the emperors would also relax in privacy pondering over various issues. Moti Masjid( Pearl Mosque) was a private masjid and was added by the emperor Aurangzeb. The masjid , with three domes in perfect proportion give it a rare look of elegance. To the north of this masjid is the Hayat-baksh,a Mughal garden built by Shahjahan. While at the southern and northern ends are the Sawan Bhadon pavilions in the centre of the garden is the grand Zafar Mahal. |
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| A sound and light show is held every evening giving an idea of the Mughal history, both in Hindi and English. The timings for summer Hindi 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and English 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and for the winter they are in Hindi 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and English 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The entrance charge is Rs. 20. |
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Jama Masjid
Emperor Shah Jahan built several important mosques in Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Lahore. The Jama Masjid's floorplan is very similar to the Moti Masjid at Agra, but the Jama Masjid is the bigger and more imposing of the two.Its majesty is further enhanced because of the high ground that he selected for building this mosque. Jama Masjid of Delhi is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best known mosque in India. (There are also Jama Masjids in many other cities with a history of Islamic rule, or large Muslim populations.) Masjid-i-Jahan Numa means "the mosque commanding a view of the world", and the name Jama Masjid is a reference to the weekly congregation observed on Friday (the yaum al-jum`a) at the mosque. The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. The mosque also houses several relics in a closet in the north gate, including a copy of the Qur'an written on deer skin incurred on the construction in those times was 10 lakh (1 million) Rupees. |
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Lotus Temple
A place of worship, or temple, of the Bahá'í Faith. The teachings of the religion envision Houses of Worship being surrounded by a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific pursuits, although none have yet been built to such an extent.The Bahá'í temple in Delhi, India was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. The architect was Fariborz Sahba from Canada. Inspired by the lotus flower, its design is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Nine doors open onto a central hall, capable of holding up to 2,500 people. Slightly more than 40 meters tall, its surface shining white marble, the temple at times seems to float above its 26 acre (105,000 m²) nine surrounding ponds. The site is in south Delhi close to famous Kalka ji Temple. Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it the most visited building in the world. [2] Its numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. On Hindu holy days, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people; it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day). This House of Worship is generally referred to as the "Lotus Temple" by Bahá'ís and non-Bahá'ís alike. |
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Connaught Place
 Connaught Place (Officially called Indira Chowk, but referred to as C.P. by Delhiites) is a central business district of New Delhi and a very popular shopping destination for the visitors of this city. It is instantly recognisable on any map of Delhi, being the big circle in the middle with radial roads spreading out in all directions, like spokes on a wheel. Rajiv Chowk station, located under Connaught Place, and one of the largest and busiest stations metro network. Although Connaught Place appears to be a logically planned area, specific shops have become frustratingly hard to find due to the various one way streets and heavy traffic. Connaught Place's obvious Victorian architecture is modeled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. Eight separate roads lead out from Connaught's inner circle, named Parliament Street and Radial Roads 1 through 7. Twelve different roads lead out from Connaught Circus, the outer ring; the most well-known of these is , the continuation of Radial Road 1. Connaught Place is closed on Sundays. |
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Humayun Tomb
This world heritage site was said to have been the major idea that have inspired Shahjahan to construct the wonderful, Taj Mahal at Agra.The red and white building has a close resemblance to the Taj Mahal. The inspiration for construction of the tomb came from the death of Humayun and was a tribute to his memory from his widow, Haji Begum in 1565-66. Its unique character lay in the fact that the Begum was said to have spent million and a half rupees on its construction. The grandeur of the building is visible at once when one enters through the lofty double-storeyed gateway. The tomb is set in the centre of a huge square garden enclosed by high walls on three sides while a river could have been its fourth boundary. The garden is divided into four parts by wide causeways and water channels with each square divided into smaller squares by pathways as is common with all Mughal era gardens.The fountains were worked with simple yet highly developed engineering skills which were common to India in those days.To enter the tomb's chamber one has to come through the south entrance while the other three sides are covered with mesh wire in white marble. In the quietude of the central chamber lies the tomb, though the actual resting place of Humayun is directly beneath in an underground chamber.Several members of the Mughal royal family lie buried in the mausoleum and many tombstones are seen on the terrace |
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Akshardham
Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years  of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.
Akshardham has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world, including the likes of Bill Clinton who commented "Akshardham is not only a unique place in India but in the whole world. It is even more beautiful than what I had imagined. Taj Mahal is definitely beautiful, but this place, along with beauty, has a beautiful message. |
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| The Exhibitions at Akshardham Temple |
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 Hall 1, named 'Sahajanand Pradarshan', features life-like robotics, dioramas, and scenes from bhagwan Swaminarayan's life, portraying his message of peace, harmony, humility, service to others and devotion to God.
Hall 2, named 'Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra', houses Delhi's first and only large format screen. The theatre shows a movie specially commissioned for the complex that shows the journey Swaminarayan made during his teenage years across the length and breadth of India.
Hall 3, named 'Sanskruti Vihar', takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in 10 minutes. Visitors sit in specially designed peacock boats that make their way around an artificial river, passing the worlds first university, chemistry laboratories, ancient hospitals and bazaars, finally ending with a message for the future of India. |
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| The Yagnapurush Kund is India's largest step well. It features a very large series of steps down to a traditional 'yagna kund'. At night, visitors take their places on the steps and watch an inspiring musical fountain and light show. |
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| The Bharat Upavan, or 'Garden of India', has lush manicured lawns, trees and shrubs, dotted with bronze sculptures of contributors to India's culture, including Children of India, Women of India, and Heroes of India. |
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| This ingenious sunken garden, shaped like a lotus when viewed from above features large stones engraved with quotes from world luminaries ranging from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King to Swami Vivekananda and Shreeji maharaj (another name for lord Swaminarayan )himself. |
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Chandni Chowk
One of the oldest and busiest markets in central north Delhi. This area is located in the historically important Shahjahanabad, between the Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid. With the most famous mosque of Delhi Jama Masjid in the vicinity, along with Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Jain Mandir and a lot of small temples, the place witnesses a genuine cultural harmony. As in it’s old days, Chandni Chowk's speciality is the variety of its markets and their Indian-ness. From authentic Indian food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1000 kinds, to sarees with chikan, zaree work. There are lots of narrow lanes with many shops selling books, clothing, shoes and leather goods, electronic and consumer goods and what not. The area, even more so than the rest of the city, is congested. This is also a good area for window shopping. Hiring a cycle riskshaw is the best way to navigate through its confusing lanes. |
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Dilli Haat
Dilli Haat is a combination food plaza and craft bazaar located in the heart of Delhi.Dilli Haat has stalls representing each State of India, giving complete variety of tastes available all over India. There are also stalls of crafts from all over India, showcasing the variety of handicrafts in store in the rich cultural traditions of India. According to the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality, this market recently became fully wheelchair-accessible, including an accessible bathroom. This is a relative rarity in India.
Dilli Haat is an upgraded version of the traditional weekly market held in the countryside, offering a delightful amalgam of craft, food and cultural activities. However, while the village Haat is a mobile, flexible arrangement, at Dilli Haat, a permanent Haat, it is the craftsmen who are mobile and ever - changing thereby offering a kaleidoscopic view of the richness and diversity of Indian handicrafts and artifacts. A wide variety of skillfully crafted handicrafts, intrinsic to each part of the country are available in this exotic bazaar. These range from intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, to sophisticated fabric and drapery. All manner of gems, beads, brassware, metal crafts, silk and wool fabrics, etc. are available at Dilli Haat. The handicraft stalls are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen from all corners of the vast and varied land of India, usually for fifteen days thus ensuring that different handicrafts are available to visitors at each visit, and also enabling them to buy authentic wares at prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs. Shows promoting handicrafts and handlooms are held at the exhibition hall in the complex. |
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Old Fort(Purana Quila)
 The ruins of this fort are located on a small hill which once stood on the banks of the Yamuna river. 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, which served as Humayun’s library. It is said that the Mughal King, Humayun, fell from the tower accidently and died. At the foot of the hill is a lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating and also a sound and light show.
The location of Purana Qila is not new to history, as the earliest reference to this site is made in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Recent excavations at the fort site have yielded painted grey ware pottery which dates back to 1000 B.C.The fact that until 1913 there was a village within the fort called Indrapat gives credence to the belief that Purana Qila was built on the ruins of Indraprastha. The walls of the fort are 18 metres high at some points and there are groups of holes arranged in patterns on the walls which were apparently meant to be nesting spaces for birds.
The fort has three gates- Humayun Darwaza, Talaqi Darwaza and Bara Darwaza, through which one can enter the fort today. Inside the fort is the Kuhna Masjid built by Sher Shah in 1541 and is considered to be a masterpiece of architecture. The inner west wall of the building has five arched openings which are richly ornamented in white and black marble. On a marble slab inside the mosque is an inscription which when translated reads: ' as long as there are people on this earth, may this edifice be frequented and people be cheerful and happy in it'. |
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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. During the night, it is intensely floodlit and the fountains nearby are lit up with coloured lights. Close by is the canopy which once became controversial and under whose red sandstone roof was the marble statue of King George V which has been shifted from there. The canopy was also designed and built by Lutyens. In summer evening People use its vast and well lit lawns to enjoy evening breeze with their friends and family. |
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 National Museum
National Museum, New Delhi, today , has in its possession over 2,00,000 works of exquisite art, both of Indian and Foreign origin covering more than 5,000 years of our cultural heritage. Its rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines which represents a unity amidst diversity, an unmatched blend of the past with the present and strong perspective for the future, brings history to life. Apart from the collections of Pre-historic Archaeology, Archaeology, Jewellery,Paintings, Decorative arts, Manuscripts, Central Asian Antiquities, Arms and Armour, etc. ,the Museum today has a separate branches of publication, Hindi, Public Relations, Education, Library, Exhibition cell, Display, Modelling, Photography, Security and Administration. |
Location: National Museum is located in central Delhi area near Connaught Place and India Gate.
Admission: 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. (Monday Closed).
Entry Fee:
Indian Citizens - Rs. 10 each.
Other - Rs. 300 each (inclusive of Audio Tour Charges).
Students - Rs. 1 each.
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Audio Tour Charges:
For Indian Citizens:
English
Rs. - 150 each
Rs. 400 for 2 adults and 2 Children below 12 years Family Rate.
Hindi
Rs. - 100 each
Rs. 200 for 2 adults and 2 Children below 12 years Family Rate.
Cameras (still) for:
Indian Citizens - Rs. 20 per Camera.
Others - Rs. 300 per Camera. |
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