Places to See in Delhi

India Gate
Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.

Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan.

Rashtrapati Bhawan
Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen’s New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.

Red Fort
So called because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India’s history is also closely linked with this fort. It was frorth here ht the British deposed the last Mughal ruler, Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the three century long Mughal rule. It was also fromits ramparts that the first prime. Minister of India, pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule.

Qutub Minar
The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world.

Purana Quila
The fort is said to be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha (900BC) by Humayun and Sher Shah. Covering a circuit of about a mile, the walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed by the river Yamuna.

Jantar Mantar
At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art. It is, however, an observatory. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743), a keen astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court, was dissatisfied by the errors of brass and metal astronomical instruments.

Humayun’s Tomb
The mughals brought with them a love for gardens, fountains and water. The first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, Humayun’s Tomb was built by the emperor’s grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD.

Jama Masjid
Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India. Every Friday, the emperor and his retinue would travel in state from the fort to the mosque to attend the congressional prayers.

Safdarjung’s Tomb
Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang’s Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden.

Rajghat
The mortal remains of mahatma Gandhi were cremated on this spot on the west bank of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
Built in 1938, the temple is an ideal introduction to some of the gods of the India pantheon. The temple contains a large number of idols and visitors can also watch priests performing ritualistic prayers.

Temples, Gurudwaras, Mosque & Churches at Delhi

Jama Masjid
Commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1656, this mosque took 5,000 laborers 6 years to complete and is still the largest in Asia, accommodating up to 25,000 worshippers during holy festivals such as Id.

The Bahai Temple
Bahai’s Temple Is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi.

Nizam-Ud-Din Shrine
Nizamuddin’s Dargah in the west Nizamuddin area has alarge number of tombs, shops and crowded lanes and bylanes and by far one of the most magnificent structures is the dargah of Nizamuddin which is constantly thronged by crowds of devotees.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple Built by the well-known industrialist, R.D. Birla in 1938 , the temple is dedicated to Laxmi ( the goddess of wealth) and Narayana( the preserver).

ISKCON Temple
It stands at Hari Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar Main Road, East of Kailash.The magnificent temple has sikharas at a height of 90 feet above the ground level. The hall of the temple is centrally air-cooled with a capacity to accommodate about 1,500 people.

Chattarpur Mandir
Less than four kilometres away from Qutab Minar is the massive and elegant Chhatarpur Temple with the main temple being dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is a modern building with lots of marble being used and built at a fabulous cost.

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Located again close to Connaught Place, it is a sacred place of the Sikhs which is visited by people from other religions also.

Sisganj Gurudwara
Near the Police Station, Chandini Chowk the beautiful golden domes of the Gurudwara Sisgunj immediately strikes your eye.

BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Gardens
Delhi Development Authority is trying best to provide the residents of Delhi with some greenery by construction of parks and gardens.

Mughul Gardens
The famous Mughal Gardens is located in the premises of the Rashtrapati Bhavan – the official residence of the President of India.

Rose Garden
National Rose Garden is situated in the Chanakya Puri area of the capital. This garden has some of the rare and imported rose variety.

Lodhi Garden
Adjoining the India International Center is the Garden, around the tombs of Sayid and Lodhi rulers. delight of joggers, picnikers and those wishing to romance with their friends or fiancees, Lodi Gardens is a huge area which has room for all kinds of people.

The Zoo
The Delhi Zoo, close to Purana Qila, was set up in 1959 and is spread over an area of 214 acres. It 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 the birds.