"The world is the body and Delhi its soul,"
wrote the poet Mirza Ghalib about the city he loved and lived in.
And, as the soul is hard to describe, so is Delhi, this city with
hundreds of years of history. As a political city and the capital
of the country, Delhi is also an administrative unit in itself. It
houses the power structure, the ministries and the parliament. And,
perhaps the most special of all, it offers a variety of cultural activity
of dance and music shows of the highest caliber DELHI
- PLACES TO VISIT
There are several places to see,
visit, and explore in New Delhi. New Delhi is an international metropolis
with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history
that goes back to antiquity. A remarkable feature of New Delhi is
the extent of greenery all over. New Delhi is also a dream city
for visitors looking for items of handicrafts, not only the rich
artistic crafts of its own craftsmen but also of craftsmen from
all over the country. New Delhi offers a multitude of interesting
places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes
difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the city
National Museum
The National Museum is another interesting
spot located very close to India Gate. The museum has a rich variety
of all facets of ancient Indian history and also of central Asia.
In fact the museum takes one through a fascinating journey of what
ancient India was all about, pottery, rare coins, and numerous such
things including art and architecture, costumes are for all to see.
It's something every tourist should find time to visit even if the
schedule is tight. On the right of Rajpath at Janpath is National
Museum or Yadughar. Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone in
1955 and the museum was opened to visitors in 1965. Collections
from Mahenjadaro, Harappa, Lothal, Kalibangan and antiques of prehistorical
periods are on display. The history dated back to 5000 years are
vividly displayed in the museum. The collections of Indus civilization,
Brahminical, Jain and Buddhist sculptural antiques are all there.
The colour paintings of Mughal, Rajput, Deccan are praiseworthy.
Besides, there are the holy Git Gobinda, the holy Mahabharata, the
holy Bhagabat Gita in golden alphabet, Octogonal mini Quran, Babamama
in Babar's handwriting, Jahangir's diary, musical instruments of
more than 300 types, varieties of tribal dresses enriched the museum.
The antique collections of Sir Aurel Stein has added the attraction
of the museum. The evolution of ornaments through ages from prehistoric
era to recent modern time, its shape, size, design and pattern and
of metalic combinations with or without jewel set are all on display
in the ornament gallery of the museum. It draws tourists most.You
may attend film show here at 14-30, which is a regular feature.
Except Monday open daily from 10-00 to 17-00.
Bangla Sahib
Near Connaught Place in New Delhi,
a vast and magnificent building that once belonged to Raja Jai Singh
of Amber now stands stately Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, in memory of
Guru Har Krishan ji. Guru Har Rai ji had two sons, Ram Rai was elder
and the younger Har Krishan. Ram Rai had displeased his father on
account of his manifesting miracles despite strict instructions
not to do so as it was against the Sikh faith. Guru Har Rai ji had
thus ordained Guruship to his younger son Har Krishan. Through a
cunning and crafty design, the deranged and distraught Ram Rai involved
Emperor Aurangzeb against the succession. The Emperor ordered Raja
Jai Singh to get Guru Harkrishan ji to see him in Delhi. The Raja
was a great devotee of the Sikh Guru's and he knew the true story
of the succession too. The Raja instead of presenting the Guru before
the King, made him his own guest. It so happened that at time Delhi
was inflamed with the epidemic of smallpox and people in large gatherings
had been visiting the Guru continuously. The Guru thus could not
escapee the attack of smallpox and he left for his heavenly abode
in 1664 at the tender age of just eight. It is at this place where
the Guru breathed his last and the big palace was converted into
an inspiring Gurdwara now known as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, which
is a sacred place for pilgrimage with the Sikhs.
India Gate
A memorial inscribed with the names
of the valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World
War I. The green, velvety lawns at India Gate, particularly, are
a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike.
A must visit place in New Delhi.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Modern New Delhi, or New Delhi as it is called,
centers around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very
impressive building standing at a height, flowing down as it were
to India Gate. This stretch called the Rajpath is where the Republic
Day parade is held. The imposing plan of this area conceived by
Lutyens does not fade in its charm with the numerous summers or
winters that go past. For lovers of flowers and beauty, the annual
spring opening of the glorious, meticulously tended Mughal Gardens
at the stately Rashtrapati Bhawan is a bonanza topped by an amazing
assembly of roses in perfect bloom-perhaps the best in the whole
of India. Mughal Gardens is indeed a place to see.
Red Fort
In Old Delhi, you may visit the ramparts of
the Red Fort. The decision for constructing the fort was taken in
1639, when Shahjahan decided to shift his capital to New Delhi from
Agra. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red
Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel)-New Delhi's seventh fort,
ready in all its magnificence to receive the Emperor. The Red Fort
still retains some of its lost glory. The Red Fort was the last
fort built in New Delhi and it witnessed the vicissitudes of fortune,
the splendour and the fall of the Mughals, British rule, and finally
the dawn of Indian Independence. A place must see by all tourists
visiting Delhi.
Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat On the bank of the legendary Yamuna,
which flows past New Delhi, there is Raj Ghat-the last resting place
of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. It has become an essential
point of call for all visiting dignitaries. Besides Raj Ghat the
other near by places must see in New Delhi are the two museums dedicated
to Gandhi.
Qutab Minar
The Qutab Minar is located at a small village
called Mehrauli in South New Delhi. Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave
Dynasty, who took possession of New Delhi in 1206, built it. It
is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of
72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from
the holy Qur'an. The landmark of New Delhi is a place to see.
Laxminarayan Temple
Also called the Birla Mandir, the Laxminarayan
Temple was built by the Birla family in 1938. It is a temple with
a large garden and fountains behind it. The temple attracts thousands
of devotees on Janmashtami day, the birthday of Lord Krishna. The
temple is a place to visit by most of the tourist coming to New
Delhi.
Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's wife Haji Begum built his Tomb nine
years after his death. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak
Mirza Ghiyas, and completed in 1565, the edifice was a trendsetter
of the time by remains a must visit place in New Delhi till date.
Chandni Chowk
The
living legacy of New Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by the builder
of Taj Mahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and
Jama Masjid as the praying centre, has a fascinating market planned
to shine under the light of the moon, called Chandni Chowk. Shahjahan
planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that
she wanted. It was divided by canals filled with water, which glistened
like silver in moonlight. The canals are now closed, but Chandni
Chowk remains Asia's largest wholesale market. A must visit place
in New Delhi.
Shanti Vana
Lying close to the Raj Ghat, the Shanti Vana
(literally, the forest of peace) is the place where India's first
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated. The area is now a
beautiful park adorned by trees planted by visiting dignitaries
and heads of state.
Bahai Temple/Lotus Temple
The Bahai Temple, situated in South New Delhi,
is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye-catching edifice worth exploring.
Built by the Baha'i community, it offers the visitor a serenity
that pervades the temple and its artistic design.
Purana Quila
The Purana Quila is a good example of medieval
military architecture. Built by Humayun, with later-day modifications
by Sher Shah Suri, the Purana Quila is a monument of bold design,
which is strong, straightforward and every inch a fortress. It is
different from the well planned, carefully decorated, and palatial
forts of the later Mughal rulers. Purana Quila is also different
from the later forts of the Mughals, as it does not have a complex
of palaces, administrative and recreational buildings, as is generally
found in the forts built later on. The main purpose of this now-dilapidated
fort was its utility, with less emphasis on decoration. The Qal'a-I-Kunha
Masjid and the Sher Mandal are two important monuments inside the
fort. |
