Delhi Tourism
RED FORT:- Red Fort is the most popular tourist destination in
Delhi and is located near Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. It is called Red
Fort because it is made of red stone. It came into existence when the
Mughal capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi in 1638. This fort is the
best living example to India’s history and witness to the struggle for
freedom. It was from the Red Fort that the three century long Mughal
rule came to an end and first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru announced India as a free nation from the shackles of the British
rule.
JAMA MASJID : - Near the Red Fort about 500m away is the Jama
masjid, the biggest mosque in India. It was begun by Shah Jahan in 1650
and completed six years later and the whole cost about a million
rupees. It is hard to imagine a building more suited to evoking the awe
of the majesty of Allah in man. The mosque stands on a rocky elevation.
Its huge gateway looks down at you like fastidious connoisseur from an
immense platform which has steps that lead up to it.Constructed in redstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can be entered from both the directions - North and the South Gates. The eastern gateway is supposed to remain open in Friday and was used by the emperor himself. Jama Masjid is cluttered by devotees who offer namaz, especially during Muslim Festival. For those who don't belong to non - Muslim community, a specified time is mentioned to enter the mosque.
CHANDNI CHOWK : - A visit to Delhi would be incomplete without
a trip to Chandini Chowk. A very well known market, this was once
visited by merchants from Turkey, China and even Holland.Some of the more important bylanes now are listed below.
¤ Katra Neel
Katra was a separate wing for tradesmen and craftsmen in the same business who lived and worked together. This particular katra is the cloth bazaar. Silk, satin, crepe, cotton, muslin and any other fabric you can think of.
¤ Bhagirath PalaceSaid to be Asia’s largest market for electrical goods, it is also known for medical equipment and allopathic medicines. Locals know this as Chooriwali ki Haveli (The Bangle Seller’s Palace). This was originally the mansion of Begum Sumroo, a Kashmiri nautch girl with the most accomplished band of dancers in her troupe. The story of her life would actually make a sensational film – a drama of almost epic scale. This bewitching seductress was not only an accomplished dancer and singer but a shrewd businesswoman who knew precisely when to grab an opportunity. She converted to Christianity and married two mercenary European adventurers in succession and it was thanks to them that she ultimately became ‘Begum’ of a principality at Sardhana, near Meerut.
¤ Kinari Bazaar
Check this place out for any kind of zari and zardozi work - the sheer burst of colour will overwhelm you. This street has everything an Indian bride could need for her trousseau.
¤ Dariba Kalan
Once upon a long, long time ago, there were rows of jewellers specializing in gold and silver ornaments in this lane. Today a few remain, producing silver jewellery. Do visit Gulab Singh Johri Mal, a shop established in 1819 – they are well-known manufacturers and exporters of natural attars (perfumes).
¤ Chhatta Chowk BazaarThis ‘covered bazaar’ dates back to the 17th century, to the days when ladies used to practise the purdah (veils) very rigorously. Caravan traders used to lay out their wares in a covered thoroughfare leading up to the Red Fort and moved away to allow the ladies to come and make their choice. Things continued like this till the British turned the fort into a garrison for their troops. Today the Chhatta Chowk has around forty shops selling artificial and semi-precious jewellery, embroidered bags, hand painted wall hangings and fake ‘antiques’. (They are definitely not originals, so don’t get taken in.)
¤ Other Bazaars Around Chandni Chowk
Ballimaran : For leatherware and shoes.
Old Lajpat Rai Market : For electrical goods
Moti Bazar : For shawls and pearls
Tilak Bazar : For chemicals.
RAJ GHAT :- Raj Ghat is a memorial tribute to the Father of
the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi aka Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was killed
by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948 in the premises of Birla Mandir.
The last words that were uttered out of his mouth “Hey Ram” are
inscribed in golden letters on his cenotaph.The premises of Raj Ghat are covered with lush green gardens with water fountains and variety of exotic plants and trees for the complete serene silence and peaceful environment to remember Mahatma Gandhi known as “Bapu “world over. Prayers and meetings are held every Friday at 5 pm in his memory.
INDIA GATE : - Not just the most prominent landmark in the
city, India Gate is in fact the largest war memorial of the country
located in the national capital, New Delhi. It was built in fond memory
of all the brave martyrs of this country who lost their lives fighting
for the Indian Empire in World War I and the Afghan War. India Gate is a
tomb to the holy flame of the immortal soldiers, Amar Jawan Jyoti. It
is the most magnificent piece of architecture designed by Sir Edward
Lutyens to honor the unknown soldiers. Standing tall and proud the
height of India Gate is 42m arch shaped gateway carved out of red
Bharatpur stone and is surrounded by lush green garden area in circular
shape. It lies at the end of Janpath that leads to the Rashtrapati
Bhawan, the Parliament House of India. Message inscribed on India Gate
is "To the dead of the Indian armies who fell honored in France and
Flanders Mesopotamia and Persia East Africa Gallipoli and elsewhere in
the near and the far-east and in sacred memory also of those whose names
are recorded and who fell in India or the north-west frontier and
during the Third Afghan War."
PRESIDENT HOUSE : - Situated on Rajpath and designed by Sir
Edward Luytens, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi is the official address to
the President of India. Spread in 200,000 square feet of land it was
initially refereed as the “Viceroy’s House”, but it was in year 1950
that it became a home to the President of the country and from then it
was renamed to “Rashtrapati Bhawan”. Along with Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha there are offices of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs also
located in very close proximity.
HUMAYUN's TOMB : - Humayun’s Tomb is the first example of
garden tomb of Mughal Architecture in India. It took 14 years to build
this tomb in memory of Humayun that has double dome made out of marble
with a height of 12.5 m. The construction started in 1569 under the
guidance of Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, and ended in 1572. Mirak
Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, was the architect of this tomb. The tomb is
octagonal in shape was imported from Persia under which there are
numerous graves of members of the royal family. Humayun Tomb is among
the earliest constructions of the Mughal era. The tomb is the grave to
Humayun's father, Babur.
LOTUS TEMPLE : - This is one such temple that facilitates the
Bhai's Faith of Worship. The Bahai House of Worship is dedicated to the
oneness of all religious and mankind. Subsidiary buildings that afford
relief to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter to the
wayfarer, solace to the bereaved and education to the ignorant will
abound around the House of Worship.There is no clergy in the Bahai Faith and its service consists of prayers and readings of selections from Bahai scriptures, and religious texts of the other faiths of the world.
QUTUB MINAR : - Situated in Mehrauli, Qutub Minar in Delhi is
among the most famous landmark of the city. Qutub Minar is named after a
Turkish saint and successor of Aibak, Qutub–ud-din Bakhtar Kaki.The most unique feature of this historical monument is its height which makes it the tallest 234 feet high minaret in India. The construction was started by the first emperor of Delhi, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, the founder of the slave dynasty at the end of 12th century, but after his death, the responsibility to complete the tower was under taken by his successor and son-in-law Shamas-ud-Din Iltutmish. The last and fifth storey was made and repaired by Firuz Shah Tughlaq during 1351-88 A.D. The tower is visible from most of the parts of city. The design of the monument is very much inspired by the Persian architecture style. Its tower and walls are full of the verses and numerous inscriptions from the holy Quran that are carved on it tell a tale of its history.
AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE - is a magnificent Hindu shrine, situated in
the east region of New Delhi. Located on the banks of River Yamuna, it
was inaugurated in November 2005, by the former President of India - APJ
Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister - Manmohan Singh and Pramukh Swami
Maharaj - the spiritual leader of BAPS. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the
current spiritual leader of Swaminarayan Sanstha, BAPS. Swaminarayan
Akshardham was constructed under his guidance, after his guru, Yogi Ji
Maharaj, expressed a wish for the same.As a spiritual leader, Swamiji constantly travels and meets people across the world, to help them lead better lives. There are various cultural and educational activities conducted by the Swaminarayan Sanstha. Akshardham is also a part of BAPS's initiative to promote Indian art, culture and values. BAPS also has a charitable arm, known as BAPS Care, working for the betterment of the people. The main shrine in the complex is dedicated to Bhawgwan Swaminarayan.
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