Purana Qila (Old
Fort):
The ruins of the fort are located on a small hill which
once stood on the banks 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 accidentaly and died. At the foot of the hill is a lake where the
Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating.
Jantar Mantar
Within the Connaught Place area is the Jantar Mantar observatory
built by the Rajput king of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh in 1724. It was velieved
to have been built with masonary instruments for obeserving the movements
fo the stars and the planets. The samrat of the uantra supreme instrument,
the largest structure in the comples which is in the shape of a right-angled
triangle, is actually a huge sun-dial.
Humayun's Tomb
This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife,
took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early
Mughat archetecture. The emperor's wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the
tomb and the structure is the first of its kind built in the centre of
a well-planned garden. The combination of white marble and red sandstone
was a great influence on later Mughal architecure. It is generally regarded
as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra.
Safdarjang's Tomb
The garden tomb was built in 1753-54 soon after Safdarjang
died. It is a red and brown sandstone with double storeyed towers in the
corners and is one of the last examples of Mughal architecture.
Lodi's Tomb: The tombs
are in the midst of the famed Lodi Gardens and is believed to have been
built by rulers of two dynasties, the Sayyaids and the Lodis. History has
it that the tombs are remants of another city that was soght to be built
in Delhi.
Chandni Chowk:
It was the eyes and 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 area was designed by Jahanara
Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was then inhabited by the well-to-do
families oft he time. There is however a word of caution and that is that
there are several elements who are believed to be selling duplicate goods
and the tourist needs to be careful about this.
Charity Bird's Hospital:
Just before one enteres the Chandni Chowk area one cannot
miss seeing the charity bird's hospital located within the precincts of
a temple. Bird lovers bring their pets here for treatment free of cost.
So if one of your pets is in trouble then this is the place you need to
go to.
Delhi may be an ancient city, but besides the old monuments
mainly of the famed Mughal era, the city has a lot to write home about
its modernity and the marks that it has left on the capital. And some of
the comparatively recent structures are as much worth visiting as are the
ancient lot.
Parliament House:
A marvellous piece of architecture which can be admired
only from outside on account of security restrictions. Close to Tashtrapathi
Bhavan, it is a domed almost circular structure almost a kilometer in circumferance,
and was designed by the famed architect Lutyens. It is the seat of the
Indian Parliament and during the sessions of Parliament there is a flurry
of activity in and around the structure.
Rashtrapati Bhavan:
Almost a sones' throw away from Parliament House is the
Tashtrapati Bhavan which is the official residence of the President of
the country. Designed by Lutyens, it was the official residence of the
Viceroy when the British ruled India. With 340 rooms and an area of about
330 acres. It is an imposing structure anda tourist's delight. The pillars
and the porticos are an architect's marvel and so are the Durbar Hall and
the Ashoka Hall within the complex. Although special permission has to
be obtained to visit the complex, the Mughal Gardens within the complex
are a treat for the eyes and are open to the public during certain periods
of the year.
Mughal Gardens:
Situated within the Presient's Estate, these gardens boast
of the finest varieties of roses in the country besides other flowers which
are maintained with the utmost care and thought. The lawns of the gardens
is the place where the President hosts tea parties. Besides this there
are several artificial ponds where one can get to see a variety of fish
and perhaps one of tthe most interesting sights are the almost romantically
designed fountains illuminated with multicoloured lights.
India Gate:
Straight down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan along a
magnificent view and totally unhamnpered drive is India Gate which is primarily
a memorial to the unknown soldier. Designed by Lutyens, the 42 metre high
structure is a war memorial in honour of the soldiers who died during the
second world war. The imposing structure from where stretch massive lush
green lawns has an eternal flame (amar jawan jyoti) to honour the memory
of the unknown soldiers. A popular picnic spot, one can see hoardes of
people moving about the area and on the lawns on sumer evenings.
Connaught Place:
One of Delhi's most popular shopping cenres built as early
as 1931 there is nothing that one cannot buy here and it also has several
eating houses which are foar a large part of the day dull. The state emporia
buildings are also located in this area so are the head offices of major
banks, airlines and other such things of importance to the tourist. The
complex, popularly referred to as C.P. is an important meeting point for
all sections of people and is something which no tourist should miss if
for nothing else then for its architecture and the humdrum of everyday
life.
National Gallery of Modern Art: Located very close
to India Gate, the building was the palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It
has around 4,000 paintaings of modern artists and also included are graphics
and sculptures. The gallery arranges special exhibitions for those who
wish to exhibit their works. The gallery also houses a library which can
be used by museum, which is open from 1000 hours to 1700 hours, is closed
on all holidays and observes Monday as its weekly off.
National Museum:
The National Museum is another interesting spot located
very close to India Gate. The museum has a rich variety of all facets of
ancient Indian history and alsoof central Asia. In factt the museum takes
one through a fascinating journey of what ancient India was all about,
rare coins, pottery, and numerous such things including art and architecture,
costumes are for all to see. It's something every tourist should find time
to visit even if the schedule is tight.
Birla Mandir:
Birla Mandir is another landmark close to Connaught Place
and was built by industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is
an important prayer site and contains idols of several deities. Interestingly
Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also a regular visitor
to it and would often pray there.
Rail
Transport Museum:
Located in the south of Delhi close to the diplomatic
area of Chanakayapuri it traces, through exhibits, the 140 year-old history
of the Indian Railways. The museum, established in 1977, and spread over
a ten acre area, is the first of its kind in India. The highlights include
the Fairie Queen of 1885 the oldest workign steam locomotive, the luxury
saloon of the Prince of Whales and the saloon of the Maharaja of Mysore.
Timings Summer 0830 to 1130 and 1600 to 1730 hours, Winter: 0900 to 1730
hours. It is closed on mondays.
National Zoological Park:
The Delhi zoo, close to Purana Qila, near ITO, was established
in 1959 and is spread over a massive area of 214 acres. Is 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 birds. There are more than
2,000 animals and bird species from places like Africa, America, Australia
and even Asia. There is a lot of greenry around the zoo and it is an ideal
picnic spot espelially in winter. Timings summer 0800 to 1800 hours, winter
0900 to 1700 hours. Closed on Friday.
Pragati Maidan:
The venue of the annual India International Trade Fair
where thousands of businessmen and visitors come from all over the world
in November. It is a massive complex with well laid out roads and close
to the zoo as ITO. The complex also hosts all the international trade fairs.
It also has permanent buildings for pavillions of all the states of the
country. It is ideal to visit in the winter months. Timings Weekdays: 0930
to 1730 hours; Sundays and public holidays: 0930 to 2000 hours.
Lotus Temple
Is a very recent architectural marvel 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.
It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths
and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranqillity.
Aurobindo Ashram:
Again in the south of Delhi near the Indian Institute
of Technology on the road to Meharauli it has literature on the life of
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and has an ashram where devotees can come
to meditate. There is also some acommodation avalable for devotees of Sri
Aurobindo.
Teen Murti Bhavan:
It was the official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru when
he was the Prime Minister and after his death it was converted into a museum.
Through pictures and other literature, the various facets of the life of
Pandit Nehru have been shown.
Bahai Temple:
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