Red Fort or Lal Quila : Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, laid
the foundation of Red Fort in 1639 and it got completed in
1648. This colossus citadel is built with red stone and that is
how the fort got its name. The total area of this fort is about
2.41 km. The fort is octagonal in shape. A wide moat that was
originally connected with the river and was filled with water
surrounds the fort. The main entrance to the Quila is through the
Lahori Gate. Some of the main buildings within the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am (hall of public audience), Diwan-i-Khas (hall of
selective audience), the Hamam (the bathroom set), Moti Masjid
(pearl mosque), Mumtaz Mahal (one of the main palaces), Naubat
Khana (music house). After India got its independence from the
British rule, the National Flag of India is hoisted at the Red
Fort every year on 15th of August by the Prime Minister. This
magnificent structure with its historical past is truly glorious
and demands your visit.
Purana Quila: The fort was constructed on the historic
site of Indraprastha by Humayun and Sher Shah. The walls of the
fort have three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed by the river
Yamuna. The wall was built by Humayun while the buildings in the
fort are attributed to Sher Shah. The structures that have
survived in the fort are the Sher Mandal and the Quila-I-kholina
Mosque. As a tourist, you will cherish the fort and its brilliant
architecture
Humayun's Tomb: The tomb of Humayun was built by the
orders of Humayun's widow, Hamida Banu Begum, starting in 1562. It
took 8 years for the tomb to get completed. The structure is built
with red sandstone, whereas white and black marble has been used
largely in the borders. This
tomb is set in a geometrically arranged garden crisscrossed by
numerous water channels. It is the first example of Mughal
architecture, with high arches and double dome. Humayun's Tomb is
one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments in Delhi
Qutub Minar: Your trip to Qutub Minar will be
fascinating. This world heritage site is located in Mehrauli,
South of Delhi. This tallest brick tower in the world, built in
1193 AD, is named after Qutab-ud-din Aibak. He ruled initially
from Lahore and later moved the capital to Delhi; he is considered
the first Muslim ruler of South Asia. This tower was started by
Qutub-ud-Din Aibak but was completed by his son-in-law Iltutmish
and ultimately by Firoz Shah Tughlak. This tower is 72.5 meters
tall with 399 steps leading to the top. The base is 14.3 meters
wide and the top floor is 2.75 meters wide. While visiting this
Minar, do not miss the nearby Iron Pillar. You will immensely
enjoy the tour of this monument
India
Gate: You have to visit India Gate, the famous landmark of New
Delhi, India. It is one of the largest war memorials in India and
commemorates the members of the former British Indian Army who
laid their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in World War I and
the Afghan Wars. The foundation stone for India Gate was laid in
1921 by the Duke of Connaught and was completed in 1931. This
enormous structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. After
India's independence, India Gate became the site of the Indian
Army's tomb of the unknown soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The 42 meter high archway is made of red stone and has the name
"INDIA" written on both sides. More than 70,000 names of soldiers
are also inscribed on the arch. The archway is located on the
Rajpath in New Delhi. This monument is surrounded by lawns,
children's park and a boat club. Locals and tourists gather near
the India Gate and spend their evenings in leisure
Akshardham Temple: This 100 acres of sprawling Hindu
temple is visited by thousands of people every day. Within this
temple, under the central dome, the statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan
is erected, which is 11-foot high. This statue is surrounded by
other similar statues of the gurus of the sect. This is a very
popular tourist spot. The temple was inaugurated in 2005. You can
enjoy programmes in the IMAX theater as well as the musical
fountain along with Swaminarayan temple in this Akshardham complex
in Delhi
Lotus Temple: This Baha'i House of Worship is in the
shape of lotus. That is the reason this temple is called Lotus
Temple. This beautiful structure was opened to public in December
1986. The temple is so popular that it is one of the most visited
places in the world. When you enter this temple, you have to
maintain a pin drop silence. The atmosphere inside the temple is
calm and serene. Visiting this temple is once in a lifetime
experience.
ISKCON Temple: This temple is built by the Hare Rama
Hare Krishna cult followers. ISKCON Temple is dedicated to the
Hindu god, Lord Krishna. It is erected on a hillock. This complex
is gracefully built and is one of the largest temple complexes in
India. You will be impressed with the temple and its propaganda
throughout the world.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum: This museum was once the
residence of the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. It
is same place where her own bodyguards assassinated her on 31st
October 1984. After her assassination, it was later converted into
a museum. This museum preserves her personal belongings, right
from the sari she was wearing when she was assassinated to a
collection of rare photographs of her family and the Nationalist
movement. You will have a great time touring this museum
Rajghat: This is the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi,
the father of the nation. It is one of the most visited sites in
Delhi. It comprises a simple square, black-marble platform that
stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. The entire
area of Rajghat is surrounded by trees and you can see some of the
most exotic shrubs of the country. This place is very green and
peaceful. You can also visit the nearby cremation sites of popular
politicians of India, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi,
Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Garden of Five Senses: The five senses park is an
interesting place to visit and the whole ambience leaves a deep
feeling of satisfaction. This garden is located at Said-ul-Aizab
village, close to Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi. The garden
of five senses stimulates all the five senses that awakens the
mind to the beauty of life and invokes a gift of touch, sight,
sound, smell and taste. You must visit this garden for an
unforgettable and pleasant sight.
Parliament House: Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert
Baker are the architects who are responsible for building this
House. The Parliament House holds two Houses of Parliament, Lok
Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
It was inaugurated in the year 1927 by the then Governor-General
of India, Lord Irwin. This circular building houses ministerial
offices, a number of committee rooms and a splendid library.
Before visiting this place, you need to take prior permission from
the Parliament Secretariat, if you are an Indian and foreigners
can take permission through their Embassies or High Commissions
Rashtrapati Bhawan: Rashtrapati Bhawan is the building
that holds President of India. It is the residence of the
President. It was formerly known as 'Viceroy's House' and was
occupied by the Governor-General of India, until independence
Deer Park: This park in Delhi is nature lover's
paradise. The park has well trimmed lawns and it has soft grass
lined with trees. A water body inside the Deer Park makes it even
more picturesque and ideal for animal lovers. The park is near
from the Hauz khas Village, Safdarjang Enclave and Delhi Lawn
Tennis Associations Courts. You will be able to see spotted deers,
peacocks, rabbits, guinea pigs and variety of birds. It is a
perfect place in the middle of the city where you can find green
patches
Mughal Gardens: This garden is spread across six
hectares of the Rashtrapati Bhavan Complex. Mughal Gardens were
designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Lady Harding. These gardens are
planned according to formal Mughal style along with the British
garden designs. It has more than 250 variety of roses at one
place, 60 kinds of bougainvillea, and the best and largest
collection of Indian marigold and dahlias of 13 different colors.
The Bonsai collection is one of the finest in the country. You can
visit these gardens only during the months of February and March,
except on Mondays
Japanese Garden: This garden is maintained by the Delhi
Development Authority. The Japanese Garden is situated in Rohini,
Delhi. It has a beautiful lake, woods, boating facilities and the
nature. You will see couples and families enjoying their evening
in this garden