INDIA GATE: India Gate, which is
synonymous with New Delhi and is located in the city's heart, is one of the
city's most famous landmarks. India Gate's foundation stone was laid in 1920,
and the structure was completed in 1933. India Gate, designed by Edwin Lutyens,
is a memorial to all British Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Later, the
Amar Jawan Jyoti, a monument devoted to soldiers who gave their lives in the
1971 Indo-Pakistan war, was added. The India Gate is flanked by lush green lawns
that are a popular picnic spot, particularly in the winter afternoons and summer
evenings. Morning and evening walkers frequent the broad streets surrounding the
India Gate. There is also a small pond nearby where boating is possible. India
Gate, along with the surrounding fountains, is beautifully lit up at night,
making for a stunning sight.
LOTUS TEMPLE (BAHA'I HOUSE OF
WORSHIP): The Lotus Temple, also known as the Baha'I House of Worship,
is one of Delhi's most well-known buildings due to its shape and construction.
The Lotus temple is known for its contemporary architecture, which stands out
against the concrete jungle around it. It is made entirely of white marble. The
temple is made up of twenty-seven giant marble petals that emerge from nine
pools and walkways in the shape of an unfolding lotus flower. The number nine
represents the Baha'i faith's nine unifying paths. Sayings from the Baha'i
scriptures can be found in a small niche beneath each petal. The temple does not
have any idols or images because they are forbidden by the Bah'i faith, and
visitors are welcome to meditate quietly inside the temple. The temple is
surrounded by well-kept rules, and the best time to visit is at sunset.
RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN: The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the President of
India's official residence and is a sprawling mansion with stunning
architecture. The Rashtrapati Bhavan's 320-acre grounds house not only the head
of state, but also staff quarters, stables, offices, and the splendid and
well-known Mughal Gardens. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a distinctive blend of
Mughal and European architecture designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens.
Few homes of heads of state from around the world can match the extravagance of
the Rashtrapati Bhavan because of its grandeur. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is
situated on the eastern side of Rajpath, faces the India Gate, which is located
on the western side of the same road. The North Block and the South Block are
located on either side of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and house various government
departments. The lavish Mughal Gardens, which are open to the public from
mid-February to mid-March, are located behind the North and South Blocks. Apart
from that, you can take a guided tour of the newly opened sections of the
Rashtrapati Bhavan, including the Durbar Hall, Lutyens' Gallery, Long Drawing
Room, Ashoka Hall, Children's Gallery, and Gift Museum.
THE RED
FORT (LAL QILA): The Red Fort is a giant red sandstone fort that is
synonymous with Delhi and serves as evidence of the Mughal Empire's glory in the
city. The Red Fort was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1638 when he decided to
move the Mughal Empire's capital from Agra to Delhi. It took ten years to
complete. The Lahore Gate is the main entrance to the Red Fort, and it is also
where the Prime Minister delivers his annual Independence Day speech. The Red
Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread out over a sprawling 254.67 acres,
with walls that stretch for over 2 kilometres. The Red Fort is octagonal in
shape, with lovely flower decorations and calligraphy on the walls, all of which
are examples of later Mughal architecture. The Read Fort was once surrounded by
a deep moat, which was used to keep intruders out. The Diwan-e-Aam, the
Diwan-e-Khas, the Moti Masjid, and the Hayat Baksh Bagh are among the
architectural highlights of the Red Fort.
OVERVIEW OF THE QUTUB
MINAR: The Qutub Minar is a 73-meter-high tower erected by Qutub-ud-Din
Aibak in 1193. After the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu ruler, the tower was
erected to commemorate Muslim dominance in the city. With five storeys and
projecting balconies, this tower is India's tallest structure. The Qutub Minar's
first three storeys are made of red sandstone, while the last two are made of
marble and sandstone. Qitub-ud-Din Aibak began the Qutub Minar's construction,
but he only finished the cellar. His successor Iltutmish took over the
construction of the tower and added three more stories to it. Firoz Shah Tuglak
completed the last two storeys. The Qutub Minar displays a variety of
architectural styles from the time of Aibak to the time of Tuglak. Aside from
the tower, the Qutub Minar complex includes the Quwwat-us-Islam Mosque (India's
first mosque), a 7-meter-high iron pillar, Iltutmish's tomb, Ala'i-Darwaza, and
the Ala'I Minar.
GURUDWARA SIS GANJ SAHIB: Gurudwara Sis
Ganj Sahib is one of Delhi's most historic and well-known Sikh shrines. Baghel
Singh founded the Gurudwara in 1783 to commemorate the martyrdom of the Sikh
Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, located in Chandini Chowk, was
constructed on the site where Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded Guru Teg Bahadur
for refusing to convert to Islam. The current Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib building
was built in 1930, and the tree under which Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded, as
well as the well where the guru would bathe, have been preserved. Devotees flock
to the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib on a regular basis, and everyone is welcome,
regardless of religion, caste, or gender.
OVERVIEW OF THE
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM: Located in Chankayapuri, the National Rail Museum
honours India's rail heritage and first opened to the public on February 1,
1977. The museum, which covers an area of ten acres, houses over 100 life-size
displays of Indian Railways trains. The National Rail Museum houses working and
static train models, as well as signalling equipment, historical photos, and
reading material about railways. The royal Prince of Wales Saloon, constructed
in 1857, and the Maharaja of Mysore's Saloon, built in 1899 and complete with a
rosewood bed, are among the trains on display at the museum. The Fairy Queen,
built in 1855 and thought to be one of the best preserved steam locomotives of
the time, is the most famous train at the National Rail Museum. Aside from
admiring the locomotives on display, visitors can also take a pleasure ride on
the monorail or go boating.
