As the capital of the largest
democracy in the world, Delhi is the focus of the socio economic and
political life of India. It's origins are thought to extend as far back as
1200 BC, and since then seven cities have been built and destroyed. People
say, the gods founded Delhi; the Mahabharata tells the story of
Indraprashta, of course
As of now, from the grand vistas of New
Delhi and throbbing lanes of Shahjehanabad to the South Delhi, and not so
matching suburbs of Dabri, Dwarks, Narela and Matiyala, Delhi has many
faces. Infact, Delhi is the home to history the Mumtaj, the chosen one of
all the dynasties from time immemorial. All of them has left their mask,
reprint and relics and those are the things that makes the capital city as
well as the most popular city of India an irresistible travelmasti
itinerary.
India Gate (All
India War Memorial) This 42 metre high, free standing arch,
designed by Lutyens and founded on February 10 1921 by the Duke of
Connaught, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died during World War
I. "Amar Jawan Jyoti", another memorial, added under the arch in
1971 is the nation's tribute to Indian Jawans, who laid their lives during
Indo-Pak War of 1971. The names of the demised soul (soldiers) are inscribed
all along the walls of the arch.
Red
Fort
 |
Built in almost 20 years (1639-1648), by the Mughal monarch
Shahjahan, who shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi had a great
significance in historical delhi. Built at a cost of Rs 100 lakhs, this
imposing building in redstone has its walls that vary in height from 18 m on
river (Yamuna) side to 33 m on the city side. Of the two gates, Lahore Gate
and Delhi Gate, the former facing the Chandni Chowk is more imposing. The
Lahore Gate faces to Lahore (now in Pakistan) and gives access to Chhatta
Chowk (the vaulted arcade). Of the prime attractions in the fort are
Diwan-i-Am (the Hall of Public Audiences), Diwan-I-Khas (the Hall of Private
Audiences), Royal Baths, Shahi Burj, Moti Masjid (built by Aurangzeb in
1659), Khas Mahal, Rang Mahal, Mumtaz Mahal and Svatantrata Sangram
Sangrahalaya. It was in the Diwan-i-Am, wherein a marble dias is said to
have supported the famous Peacock throne of Shahajahan which was valued at
some six million sterling and alas (!) was taken away by Nadir Shah when he
looted Delhi in 1739.
Old Fort (Purana Quila) Constructed on the historical site of Indraprastha by Mughal
emperor Humayun and Sher Shah, the fort has a circuit of about a mile.
Rectangular in shape, it houses the famous Sher Mandal and Qila-i-Kohna
Mosque, built by Sher Shah. Earlier, it was Humayun (1538-1545) who rebuilt
Indraprastha and renamed it as Dinpanalh, while Sher Shah who had defeated
Humayun named it Shergarh. Sher Mandal, a two storeyed octagonal tower was
used by Humayun as library, from where he slipped from its steep stairs and
died. Among other attractions are a small archaeological museum, a zoo and a
sound and light show held every evening.
Qutub
Minar About 15 km south of Delhi, in Mehrauli, this 238 feet and 1
inch high Minar has been referred to as "one of the wonders of world".
This soaring tower of victory was built immediately after the defeat of the
last Hindu Kingdom in Delhi. Qutb-ud-din Aibak laid its foundation in 1200
A.D. Iltutmish added three more storeys. After damaged by lightning in 1368
A.D. Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the fourth story, added the fifth and a harp
shaped cupola. A doorway in each storey opens to its own balcony. As of now,
upper storeys are closed for visitors, yet its a treat to watch this
magnificent travelmasti monument. Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, Iron Pillar and
Alai Gateway are worth having a look.
Chandni
Chowk Chandni Chowk, the commercial area of the Mughal’s
entirely designed with great love and care by Jahanara Begum, Shahjahan’s
favorite daughter, has now transformed itself into a colorful shopping area,
which is one of the country’s best known wholesale markets.
Chandni Chowk or Silver Square is the main street of Old Delhi, congested
but colourful shopping bazaar. At its eastern end (towards the Red Fort) is
a Digambara (sky-clad) Jain Temple, a Birds hospital, a Shiva temple and the
Gurudwara Sis Ganj dedicated to the 9th Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur who was
beheaded here by Emperor Aurangzeb. Fatehpuri Masjid, built by one of
Shahjahan’s wives, marks the western end. The bazaar is one of the
largest and busiest wholesale and retail markets where one can find almost
every thing - clothes, fabrics, watches, shoes, books, gems and jewellery so
on and so forth.
Birla
Mandir This is one of the landmarks in the nation’s capital
New Delhi. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla family of
industrialists known for its many other temples in India. It is modern in
concept and construction. It attracts several devotees and international
tourists. The presiding deity here is Lakshmi Narain (Vishnu).
The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet while the
ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with
beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. There is also a
temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing
his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper
gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in
Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial
mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.
National
Zoological Park
|
The National Zoological Park (NZP) was a dream of Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru who envisioned the zoo against the majestic backdrop of the
Purana Quila. Designed by Major Weinman of Colombo, Sri Lanka and the famous
Carl Hagenbeck of West Germany, the NZP opened in 1959. When news of the new
zoo spread, forest departments and individuals started sending “animal
gifts” across, with a pair of three-month old leopard cubs from
the State government of Madhya Pradesh being the first to arrive. The park
was designed using modern concepts of zoo management. Its 176-acre expanse
has manicured lawns, expansive animal enclosures, thick woodlands
interspersed with brooks and lakes, and a thriving populations of migratory
birds. The zoo is visited by more than 13,00,000 people every year and
currently houses approximately 1200 birds, mammals and reptiles. The NZP is
the only zoo that is managed by the Central Government through its Ministry
of Environment and Forests.
Jama
Masjid The largest mosque in India, was built by the great Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644 and completed finally in 1658 at a cost of
ten lakhs of rupees, it has three gateways, four angle towers and two 40 m
high minarets. Situated on a rocky eminence in Old Delhi on the other side
of road to the Red Fort. One of the finest Specimen of Mughal structure, its
notable features are its bold treatment in red sandstone inlaid with black
and white marble, spacious courts, massive pillars supporting engrailled
arches, elegant bulbous domes - all well proportioned with decorative
manipulation. Spend some time here for some serious travelmasti pleasures.
Lotus
Temple (Bahai Temple)
|
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 tranquility. It is a very recent architectural marvel of
the Bahai faith. The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the
world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá'u'lláh
(1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís as the most recent in the
line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that
includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. The central
theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity is one single
race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society.
God, Bahá'u'lláh said, has set in motion historical forces
that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and
nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The
principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of
their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.
Humayu`s
Tomb (Safdarjung Tomb) 
Built in 1565 AD by Haji Begum, the Persian born senior wife of Humayun,
this tomb is an important landmark in the history of Indian architecture.
Its uniqueness lies in the introduction of certain Persian features, viz the
bulbous double dome and surrounding formal gardens. Held as "an Indian
interpretation of a Persian conception", this tomb is the general
dormitory of so many distinguished personalities of the Mughal dynasty, like
Haji Begum, trunk of Dara Shikoh (Shahjahan's son) emperor Jahandar Shah and
Frarruksiyar as well as Humayun's barber.
Jantar Mantar
Of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja
Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743), Jantar Mantar, at Delhi is one of
them. (Others were erected at Ujjain, Varanasi, Jaipur and Mathura) Built in
1724, it contains six masonary instruments, the largest one Samrat Yantra
(Supreme Instrument) is like a sun dial. Built for observing the movements
of the stars and the planets, through these Yantras one can known about the
shortest and the longest day of the year, days of the week, months, time and
other astronomical data.
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