Delhi

Delhi the capital of India and is located in the northern part of India. The strategic location of Delhi and always attracted the attention of almost every king to conquer Delhi. The city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Industrialists, entrepreneurs and migrant labour from all over India have turned to Delhi in search of livelihood and success, and made it a commercial capital as well. The facilities and opportunities available in Delhi have attracted Indians from far-flung corners of the country, making it a melting pot of sorts.

Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments-the Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb-have been declared World Heritage Sites. One of the most fascinating aspects of Delhi is its historic past. The earliest known capital city of Indraprastha was founded by Pandavas in 1450 BC. Delhi has important historical past. The rulers of successive dynasties between the 13th and 17th centuries established seven cities in different parts of Delhi.

Delhi is the third largest city of India. Delhi, the seat of one of the world’s largest democracies is a combination of old Delhi-the capital of Muslim India and New Delhi-the imperial city, which was created by the British as Modern India’s capital. Delhi is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. It is an architectural college of parks and flyovers, historical buildings and skyscrapers. Here people live of different cultures, languages, states, traditions and countries in complete harmony.

Places of attraction

National Memorials

Raj Ghat:
A place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in the year 1948. It is surrounded by lush green lawns and imposing boundary walls of concrete.

Shanti Vana: India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated here in 1964. Adjacent to Raj Ghat, it is flanked by lawns and foliage of many variety.

Vijay Ghat: Nehru’s successor, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was cremated here.

Shakti Stahal: The daughter of Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru, Smt Indira Gandhi was cremated here.

Vir Bhumi: Rajiv Gandhi, elder son of Indira Gandhi, who was prime minister after his mother’s assassination, was cremated here.
Kisan Ghat: Memorial to the legendary farmer’s leader Charan Singh, who was also the prime minister briefly in the year 1979.

Samta Sthal: The site is opposite Raj Ghat and was built as a memorial to the legendary leader of the backward communities, Jagajiwan Ram.

Amar Jawan Jyothi: The eternal flame was lit after the 1971 Indo-Pak was under the arch of India Gate

Historical and other Places of Delhi

Jama Masjid: The largest and most splendid mosque in India, which was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. The three majestic black and white marble domes cover the prayer hall. It can seat 20,000 people at a time.

Safdarjung’s Tomb: A beautiful garden, criss-crossed by water channels. Built in 1754 for the prime minister of Emperor Mohammed Shah.

Iskcon Temple: An embassy of the spiritual world, visited by millions of Indians and Foreigners, to worship and appreciate the gorgeous Deities. Govinda’s at ISKCON is the only place for Pure Sattvic exotic Indian cuisine in a spiritual environment.

Tughlaqabad Fort: The majestic fortress, built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. The sprawling, towering ruins are now overrun by families of Langur monkeys.

Red Fort: Also known as ‘Lal Quila’, made of red sandstones, one of the most magnificent monuments in Delhi, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639. It was here that the National Flag was hosted for the first time, when India gained her Independence on 15th August, 1947.

India Gate: It is known as the war memorial arch, built in honour of 90,000 Indian Soldiers who lost their lives in World War 1. Below it burns the Amar Jawan Jyothi, the eternal flame tribute to all martyred soldiers of India.

Jantar Mantar Complex: This observatory was built by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur. The five instruments plot the course of the planets and predict eclipses.

Laxmi Narayan Temple: (Birla Mandir) – Dedicated to Laxmi Narayan the main shrine has images of Lord Vishnu and his consort Laxmi.

Humayun’s Tomb: An elegant example of early Mughal architecture, the tomb of the second Mughal emperor also houses the graves of his wives.
Qutab Minar: A soaring stone tower was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193. The tower has five distinct storeys, each with a projecting balcony.

Rashtrapati Bhavan: A beautifully landscaped 3 acre garden on a hilly terrain with a statue of Bhagwan Mahavira seated on a lotus over a raised platform of white marble is present here.

Azad Hind Gram: Located on NH 10m the Azam Hind Gram Tourist Complex at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. It reflects the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship. An amphitheatre, a tourist information counter, a souvenior shop, a garden shop and food kiosks is present here.

Bangla Sahib:
It is situated on the Gole Dakhana round about on Baba Kharak Singh Marg. The eighth sikh guru, Guru Harkrishna Sahibji, on request of people from Delhi where chicken pox had epidemic proportions, he decided to come here from Hoshiarpur.

Nizamuddin: A village founded 600 years ago around the Hazrat Nizamuddin’s Dargah. The tomb was built to one of the most renowned of saints of the Chistia order, Nizamuddin.

Parliament House (Sansad Bhawan): Just north of Rashtrapati Bhawan stands the Parliament House. Designed by Sir Lutyens, the building contains two legislative chambers and the Parliament Library.

Pragati Maidan: Just next to the Purana Quila, lay the extensive exhibition grounds. At one end this ground contains the enchanting Crafts Museum. The other end of this ground contains the popular amusement park, the Appu Ghar.

Roshnara Bagh: This garden, was laidout by Roshnara Begum. The garden contains a variety of roses, a Japanese garden and a network of water channels. It also contains a small traffic park for children.

Shahjahanabad: The most splendid of Delhi’s old cities, built by Emperor Shah Jahan, is now a part of Old Delhi. This walled city or Old Delhi as it is now known as is infact a city within a city

The Baha’I House of Worship (Lotus Temple): Situated on top of the Kalkaji hill. This is shaped to form a lotus of 45 petals in white marble and surrounded by a landscaped garden

Famous Parks of Delhi

Lodhi Gardens: It was earlier the burial ground of Lodhi Kings. Today the place is a highly favored spot for the citizens of the capital for picnics, jogging, leisured activities and winter ambling.

Mughal Gardens: It is kept open for the public from the third week of February at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Nehru park: It is situated near Ashoka Hotel in Chanakyapuri is another well-landscaped garden, full of flowering shrubs. A group of three enormous trees (Ailanthus excelsa) provides a focus on the lawn near the statue of Lenin.

Garden of Five Senses: A spectacularly designed picturesque located at Said-ul-Ajaib in southern part of Delhi. This garden is an amalgamation of colour, fragrance, texture and form with a unique chime of 500 bells producing soothing sounds in its background.

Deer Park: A paradise for morning walkers, has picnic huts, approachable from Hauz Khas village.It is near the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association.

Zoological Garden: Designed by the West German zoo specialist, Hergenbeck. It is between Purana Quila and Humayun’s Tomb. Closed on Friday.

Millennium Park: Located near Sarai Kale Khan behind Humayun Tomb. This park provides lusty green and peaceful environment to the people.

Ashola Willife Sanctuary: Immediately after the Ghiyassuddin’s Tomb, towards the south, is one of the most beautiful drives in Delhi with lust greenery and pink bougainvillea bushes on both sides. Along the road is the entrance to Sanctuary.

Suraj Kund: It is set amidst the barren and rocky landscape. It has a manmade lake nearby. Every year a Crafts Fair is held here, which attracts tourists from all parts of India and abroad.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary: It houses numerous migratory birds in winter. Best time to visit November-February.