Delhi is capital of India has seen several ups and downs. It has been the capital for various dynasties. The city is enriched with architectural marvels since ages. During the Rajput epoch and the sultante times various monuments were erected and they give ultimate satisfaction of Delhi Tour. Discover the best places to visit in Delhi Sightseeing by keen ready of this blog.
Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered India’s tallest brick minaret. It is part of the Qutub Complex, a historic complex that dates back centuries. Currently, it is the tallest brick minaret in the world. While making a wish list of the places to visit in Delhi you must put the Qutub Minar sightseeing on the top. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the heart of Delhi and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The Qutub Minar was constructed in the twelfth century between 1199-1120 by Delhi Sultan Qutub ud din Aibak , it has undergone numerous renovations through the centuries. Its unique iron pillar, built during the early Gupta era, has a fascinating history. The iron pillar was fabricated by a unique ancient Indian process, and it has not rusted.
The Qutub complex is one of the most famous arrays of historical monuments in Delhi. It was constructed over the ruins of the ancient Lal Kot and originally consisted of twenty-seven Hindu–Jain temples. The Qutub Minar, meanwhile, is one of the tallest building in India and an icon for India.
Red Fort- One of the top Places to Visit in Delhi
The iconic fort of Delhi Red fort was constructed by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi in year 1638,The emperor was distraught after the death of his favourite wife Mumtaj mahal who was buried in Agra and Agra reminded him of his late beloved wife . Lal Qila, which means “A Red coloured Fort” in Urdu, is also called the Red Fort. The fort was renamed by the British, who subsequently renamed it to reflect the red colour
There are a number of impressive places to visit in Delhi and even structures within the fort. The Diwan-i-Am, once the throne of the royal family, is the most important palace. The Stream of Paradise is also filled with private apartments. The palaces are all located within the strict geometrical lines of the fort’s octagonal shape. The fort has undergone a series of changes throughout the years. After the British captured Delhi, many of the original structures were destroyed and filled with barrack blocks.
The Red Fort complex comprises six buildings connected by a river, which was once called the Yamuna. It has beautiful, white marble interiors that were designed by famous architects. You’ll find artifacts from the Mughal era in the archeological museum. .
Agrasen Ki Baoli
The Agrasen ki Baoli is the oldest monument in Delhi. This step well has been there for a long time, but it wasn’t of much importance until Amir Khan starred in the Bollywood blockbuster PK. After the release of the movie, it was a popular location for tourists to hunt for. Today, this monument is protected by the Archeological Survey of India. It is also considered to be haunted. There are rumors of people committing suicide in this building.
The Baoli was built by King Agrasen in the Mahabharata period and is one of the must visit places to visit in Delhi. It was originally a communal hall. Women would gather here to talk to each other and enjoy the music and dancing that were featured at the time. Agrasen ki Baoli is a must-visit monument for history buffs.
The Agrasen ki Baoli complex contains a circular well, which is 8 meters in diameter. It is connected to a rectangular passage by shafts. The passage once contained water, but now it’s filled with rooms. The 108 steps to the bottom are still used today. During monsoon, the water level rises to the top of the well. The well is protected by four sandstone pillars.
Humayun Tomb- One of the top Places to Visit in Delhi
Humayun’s tomb was built in year 1570 by wife of Humaon Bega Begum or Haji Begum, and she was Akbar’s mother. This tomb is said to be the motivation behind the world famous Tajmahal constructed much later by the Mughal’s at Agra.
The tomb itself is a magnificent structure. Standing on a massive plinth of 21 feet (7m), it has a bulbous white marble dome topped with a brass finial. The interior volume of the tomb is a vast chamber, surrounded by walls and columns clad in red sandstone. The tomb is divided into three main sections: the main building, the plinth, and the cenotaph.
A large iwan punctuates the center of each facade and is constructed of three different colors. The main tomb building itself is arranged in a ‘ninefold plan’ square with eight-story-high vaulted chambers radiating out from a central double-height domed chamber. The chambers are connected by diagonal and straight passages. The central chamber has a stone-carved lotus in the center. The tomb’s architectural features include chhatris, a design characteristic of Rajput architecture, and carved wooden corners influenced by Gujarat and other regions.
This structure is nestled in the midst of a symmetrical four quartered garden popularly known as Chaar Bagh.The same concept has been followed in the Tajmahal at Agra.
Safdarjung Tomb
The Safdarjung Tomb is one of the Mughal Empire’s last magnificent garden tombs. The tomb was designed by Ethiopian architect Abyssinnian. The tomb is a great example of Mughal architecture, although its design and execution are not as refined as those of Humayun’s Tomb. It is constructed on an elevated platform surrounded by a square garden and a three-domed mosque. Its central Char Bagh, with its nine fold floor plan, is the most striking feature of the tomb. The tomb’s five-part facade and large podium enclose a hidden stairway, making it an imposing monument to behold.
The tomb’s entrance gate has elaborate decoration and features an inscription in Arabic. The tomb’s interiors contain many rooms and a library. The mosque, located on the right side of the tomb, was used as a residence by the Safdarjung family before it was turned into a tomb. The tomb is now a National Monument. The tomb is a major cultural attraction in the region.
The tomb is constructed of red sandstone and features a huge central dome. It was also built using slabs from Abdul Rahim Khankhana’s mausoleum. Its two-storey main entrance gate provides a superb view of the mausoleum and the monument. There are several rooms and a library on the rear side. The tomb contains the graves of Safdarjung and his wife Amat Jahan Begum.
Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple, one of the seven mashriqi in the world, was built by the Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba in the early twenty-first century. The architecture of the lotus temple derives its name from its nine-sided structure, which is regarded as mystical by Baha’is. It took ten years to complete and involved more than eight hundred people. In its early years, the lotus flower was a symbol of fertility, peace, and purity.
The main structure of the Lotus Temple is shaped like a lotus flower and is surrounded by nine ponds. The nine doors leading to the main hall represent the nine major religions in the world. The interior of the temple contains a shrine for the goddess Parvati, a Hindu god. The lotus is the symbol of the Hindu religion. The lotus appears on the oldest Hindu monuments. It is also a symbol of enlightenment and purity.
The Lotus flower was a sacred flower for the Hindus and was used as the inspiration for the temple. The lotus represents purity and cleanliness, and its architecture reflects this. The architect, Fariborz Sahba, studied Indian architecture and designed the structure in stages. The project was completed in 1986. The architect used an expressionist architectural style to create a building that is reminiscent of a lotus flower. The Lotus flower is a symbol of tenderness and purity, and is used across many religions. The structure of the Lotus temple comprises 27 petals arranged in clusters of three. The outer shells contain a pattern of ribs.
The architecture of the Lotus Temple is remarkable in many ways. Its central hall has a height of approximately forty meters, and can accommodate over 2,500 people. Nine arches support the superstructure and create interesting contours. The temple is also home to the administrative office and a reception centre. It is also surrounded by nine reflecting pools. The interior is decorated with Buddha’s statues. This structure is considered to be a masterpiece of Chinese architecture.
Raj Ghat
Located in the heart of Delhi, the RajGhat is a popular tourist destination for tourists from all over the world. It’s a well-known place that has a rich history.The Gandhi Memorial: A large square platform in black marble bears the words “Hey Ram,” the last words spoken by Gandhiji before his death in 1948. A perpetual flame burns in one corner of the monument. The monument is flanked by stone pathways and green lawns. This monument was designed by architect Vanu G. Bhuta, who was inspired by Gandhiji’s policy of simple living. Despite its historical significance, the monument is not the only place to see Mahatma Gandhi’s final resting place.
In addition to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, the Raj Ghat grounds are also home to the memorials of other prominent figures. On Fridays, foreign dignitaries pay respect to Gandhi with flowers, and on Sundays, there is a Hindi film about Gandhi’s life and philosophy. You can also visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum and watch a film in Hindi about the life and legacy of the legendary politician.
Akshardham Temple
The main idol inside the temple is of Swaminarayan and the temple was built by the Swaminarayan sect a prominent Hindu sect from Gujarat. There are over 20,000 statues depicting the Hindu Gods and Goddesses . The temple is made from intricately carved marble. There are three exhibitions and a thematic garden. The temple is located on 100 acres, and the entire complex is spread over 86,342 square feet.
The Akshardham temple complex contains three unique exhibitions and attractions. The Akshardham Mandir stands 141 feet high and spans 316 feet. The interior is covered with carvings depicting deities, dancers, and musicians. A visit to this temple is not complete without visiting the temple. It is the largest Hindu temple in the world.
India Gate
India Gate was constructed by the British Government of India as homage to the 84000 Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the First world war, names of some of these soldiers have been inscribed on the India Gate . The construction of this elegant massive victory gate was completed in year 1941 taking almost a decade for construction. Famous architect Sir Edward Lutyen’s made the designs.
The structure of the India Gate is hexagonal in shape it stands 42 meters high and nine meters wide. It is made of red and yellow sandstone from Bharatpur. The cover was constructed as a tribute to King George V in 1936. However after the independence, there were protests from the Indian public, so the marble statue was removed. The statue was later reinstalled in the city’s Coronation Park. The monument has become a symbol of India and the country’s unity.
The Indo-Pak War of 1971 resulted in the deaths of many Indian soldiers. The Indian government decided to add a memorial structure to the India Gate, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti. This structure was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi, the then Indian Prime minister. India Gate is one of the most prominent structure in New Delhi and a focal point for the Republic Day Parade.
Jama Masjid- One of the Places to visit in Delhi
The Jama Masjid was originally called Masjid-i-Jahannuma, which means “mosque reflecting the world.” It was completed in 1656 with the help of 5,000 workers and used red sandstone, as well as marble.
This iconic mosque is open to the public seven days a week, but timings for the mosque are strictly enforced. Tourists are not allowed in the mosque during prayer hours. While visiting the mosque, be aware that there are strict laws regarding the entry of non-Muslims. As such, it is not recommended to visit during prayer hours.
The Jama Masjid was originally built by the Mughal Empire and is considered to be the largest mosque in India The mosque was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was a royal mosque of the Mughal era.
The mosque also contains many mausoleums and relics. The eastern entrance, which was reserved for Mughal rulers, has 35 steps. The north and south gates have 33 steps, respectively. The mosque has five-story minarets. Each minaret has an imprint of the Prophet Mohammed on a marble block. The main prayer hall is decorated with intricate engravings and carvings.
