National capital state, New Delhi has got the spell to charm locals and travelers alike. Heritage lovers have Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Complex, Old Fort, Red Fort and other historic marvels carved by the mahajarajas. Shopaholics have a real reason to loosen the pockets; Palika, Sarojini Nagar, GK, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Old Delhi. Delhi’s Akshardham, India Gate, Supreme Court, Lotus Temple and Jama Masjid have set a new parameter in the brilliance of architecture.
This city/state acts as a nerve-center for nation’s legitimate and political affairs. Uncountable entertainment options are offered in various malls and amusement parks of Delhi. Jama Masjid, Sri Digambar Jain Temple, Kalka Mandir, Nizamuddin Dargah, Jhandewalan Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara are magnets for pilgrims worldwide.
Foodies must get ready for a real treat for their taste-buds, as Delhi’s butter chicken, daal makhani and rajma chawal are some of the food worth drooling for. In fact, talk about any state’s specialty, and you can easily find it here. Delhi is fit for budget travelers, luxury travelers, kids and solo backpackers; there are a dozen of things meant for every other person who comes over.
Languages: English and Hindi
Best Time to Visit: September to April
Temperature: Summer (25 o C to 45o C) & Winter (8.2 o C to 23 o C)
Climate: Humid sub-tropical
Nearest Railway: Delhi
Nearest Airport: Delhi
India Gate and Rajpath
Situated along the ceremonial Rajpath avenue (meaning King’s Way) in New Delhi, India Gate is a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. The cenotaph (or shrine) in the middle is constructed with black marble and depicts a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier’s helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words Amar Jawan (in Hindi, meaning Immortal Warrior). The green lawns at India Gate are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike. 5 to 10 min
Laxminarayan Temple
Also called the Birla Mandir, the Laxminarayan Temple was built by the Birla family in 1938. Along with the temple itself, the name ‘Laxminarayan Temple’ encompasses a large garden with fountains behind it. The temple attracts thousands of devotees on Janmashtami day, the birthday of Lord Krishna.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
One of the many Gurdwaras in Delhi, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the most visited one in the Delhi area. Millions visit this Gurdwara from all over the world and of all religions to offer their prayers at this elegant yet historical Gurdwara in Delhi. This is not just a sacred Sikh shrine, but also very important to many Hindus .
Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is located in a Mehrauli in South Delhi. It was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an. Qutub-ud-din Aybak began constructing this victory tower as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret for the Muslim priest, the muezzin, to call the faithful to prayer. However, only the first story was completed by Qutub-ud-din. The other stories were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two circular stories in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq in 1368, replacing the original fourth story.
The balconies in the tower are supported by exquisite stalactite designs. The tapering tower has pointed and circular flutings on the first storey and star-shaped ones on the second and third stories.
The Qutub Minar is also significant for what it represents in the history of Indian culture. In many ways, the Qutub Minar, the first monument built by a Muslim ruler in India, heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture that came to be known as the Indo-Islamic architecture style. Other monuments around the Qutb complex, are Jamaali Kamaali mosque and tombs, Balban’s tomb and Adham Khan’s Tomb.
Red Fort
The decision for constructing the Red Fort was made in 1639, when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel) — Delhi’s seventh fort — ready in all its magnificence to receive the Emperor. Though much has changed with the large-scale demolitions during the British occupation of the fort, its important structures have survived.
Jama Masjid
The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, commonly known as Jama Masjid, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656, it is one of the largest and best known mosques in India.
Lotus Temple
A remarkable architecture of Bahai faith, Lotus Temple is constructed in the shape of a lotus using marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The lotus edifice of the temple disseminates the message of peace, purity, love and immortality. The temple provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom.
Salimgarh Fort
Salimgarh Fort, which is now part of Red Fort complex, was constructed on an island of the Yamuna River in 1546. But a gate called the Bahadur Shahi Gate for entry into the Fort from the northern side was constructed only in 1854-55 AD by Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mogul ruler of India. The gate was built in brick masonry with moderate use of red sandstone. The fort was used during the Uprising in 1857 and also as Prison which housed Zebunnisa daughter of Aurangzeb and the British imriosned the freedom fighters of INA. The layout of the Red Fort was organized to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort through the Bahadur Shah Gate. The fort has been renamed as Swatantrata Senani Smarak and a plque at the entrance to the fort testifies to this effect.
s and after that Darshan is possible only from outside. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30 P.M. and the temple closes at 11 P.M. Most of the offerings at the Kashi Vishwanath temple are given to poor.Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk, a main marketplace in Delhi, keeps alive the city’s living legacy of Shahjahanabad. Created by Shah Jahan the builder of Taj Mahal, the old city, with the Red Fort as its focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying centre, has a fascinating market called Chandni Chowk. Legend has it that Shah Jahan planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted. The market was divided by canals. The canals are now closed, but Chandni Chowk remains Asia’s largest wholesale market. Crafts once patronized by the Mughals continue to flourish there.Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in central north Delhi, India the Laal Quila (The Red Fort) and Fateh Puri Masjid. With the most famous mosque of Delhi Jama Masjid (Delhi) in the vicinity, along with Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Jain Mandir and a lot of small temples, the place witnesses a genuine cultural harmony.
