Delhi Attractions

Another one of Shah Jahan's architectural masterpieces is the Red Fort (Lal Qila). "If there is paradise on the face of this earth, this is it." The emperor had these words inscribed on the white marble pavilion, Diwan E-Khas, of the Red Fort. Though this ornately decorated hall, which was meant for a private audience, is one of the more celebrated areas in the fort, having housed the famed Peacock Throne till Nadir Shah plundered it in 1739, it is the magnificent palace, the Red Fort itself, which is absolutely breathtaking. It is made of red sandstone, from which it derives its name.

The palace is inextricably linked with some of the most country's most important historical events...

Another landmark of Lutyen's Delhi is the majestic stone archway set on the eastern end of Rajpath – India Gate. Everything about and around India Gate is grand. From the enormous road that circles it, the lovely lawns flanking it, and the 42 meter high archway itself, made of red stone with 'India' written on both sides. This stunning war memorial was built to commemorate the soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan wars. Over 70,000 names of soldiers are inscribed on the arch and after Independence the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial, the eternal flame marking the Unknown Soldier's Tomb, was added as a tribute to all the unknown heroes who died while defending the country. Though the memorial is of a serious nature, India Gate and it's surroundings are picturesque and absolutely lovely any time of the day...

Towering high over an assortment of Afghan architectural marvels is the iconic Qutub Minar. Built by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1199, with three more storeys added later by his son-in-law, as a monument to give calls for prayer, the Qutub Minar is a 72.5 meter high tribute to Islamic architecture. It's a striking structure of red and buff sandstone, with intricate carvings and inscribed verses from the Koran.

There are other intriguing monuments surrounding it like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, a mix of Hindu and Islamic design and materials, with Islamic calligraphy and brocaded designs and pillars with Hindu motifs. These pillars were taken from Qila Rai Pithora, the city of the Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan...

A fortress, whose crumbling ruins still exist today, dominated the center of the sixth city, Dinpanah. Purana Qila's main highlights are two buildings within its massive walls: Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid and the Sher Mandal. Sher Shah, who was in power briefly after displacing Humayun, built the former in 1541 in Afghan style.

It is an elegant construction in black and white marble, red sandstone and adorned with graceful arches. The Sher Mandal served as an observatory and library for Emperor Humayun, who later returned to power. This octagonal red sandstone building is where, in 1556, he plunged to his death down a steep flight of stairs, on his way to say his prayers...

Nizamuddin is situated in a busy area and the change from the modern frenzy of the outside to when you enter this village from the Middle Ages, with its winding alleys and old buildings, is distinct. Dominating this area is Hazrat Nizamuddin Darga, one of the greatest Sufi shrines. This marble tomb was built for Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, the fourth saint of he Chishtiya order, in 1325. It has been renovated several times and the actual tomb is enveloped by lattice screens, arches, a marble rail and covered by a mother-of-pearl canopy. The dargah is vibrant and alive, drawing devotees from all over the world. Evenings here are filled with religious songs and music, performed by qawwals, or poet-singers.

In front of the saint's tomb is another one made of red sandstone, the resting-place of Amir Khusro...

The beautiful red and white sandstone building was built in 1570 by Haji Begum, Emperor Humayun's senior wife, and has the distinction of being the first garden tomb in the subcontinent. Built in the Persian charbagh, quartered garden, style, the central tomb is surrounded by four squares separated by water pathways forming this typical Mughal garden. The building is topped with a soaring double dome, rising to a height of 38 meters.

Other intriguing sights within the grounds include a square tomb belonging to Humayun's barber. His importance lay in the fact that he was the only man who could hold a knife to the emperor's throat! An octagonal tomb with a blue tiled dome marks the grave of a faithful servant and some believe this might be older than the Emperor's mausoleum...

Humayun's tomb was the first Mughal garden tomb in the country and Safdarjung's was the last. The history surrounding its construction is one of dying glory when Nadir Shah looted the city and the Mughal Empire's might and power had dwindled to almost nothing. Many consider its design to be symbolic of the over extravagance and degeneracy that had become a part of the later Mughal era. The tomb consists of a longish dome and gaudy plasterwork interiors....

Hauz Khas is a fashionable area with some of the most chic boutiques and restaurants in the city. It is also one of the most historic areas, deriving its name from the Royal Reservoir that was excavated in 1300 A.D to supply water to Alauddin Khilji's capital, Siri. The picturesque ruins comprising a madrasa (Islamic school), which was built by Feroz Shah Tuglaq, and his tomb, are stunning. The latter is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Night is an especially good time to visit this area as the lighting creates a tranquil, mellow ambience. You can round off a nocturnal ramble with dinner at "Terrace in the Sky", a roof top restaurant with great views of the ruins and the intoxicating strains of the sarod, tabla and other instruments...

Built by the Tughlaqs in a short span from AD 1321-25, this imposing fort may be crumbling, but its soaring walls, massive bastions and huge towers are absolutely magnificent. It's lovely at night when it's lit up and the soft glow gives it a haunting beauty. Steeped in tales of conspiracy, curses and political unrest, this fort built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq to protect his people from the Mongols, is one of the most captivating sights in the city....

...

Even though the population is predominantly Muslim, there are some equally intriguing religious monuments of other faiths. The Digambar Jain Temple, a place of worship for adherents of the Jain faith, is a tranquil oasis amid the chaos and is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi, its simplicity being its main attraction. There is a bird hospital attached to it where sick and injured birds are taken care of, though the odors can be quite overwhelming! The Gauri Shankar Temple, fringed with heaps of marigolds sold to people going in to pray, has an 800-year old lingam, a stylized phallus worshipped as a symbol of the Hindu Lord Shiva. Another interesting stop is the Sisganj Gurudwara of the Sikhs, where Shah Jahan's tyrannical son, Aurangzeb, beheaded the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur...

Built between 1921 and 1929, this palatial structure, designed as the official residence of the Viceroy, but now home to the Indian President, incorporates within its distinctly British style, Indo-Islamic and Buddhist design elements. The most visible feature is the drum-mounted Buddhist style dome. The building contains 340 rooms and is built on 330 acres of land, including a private garden. Classical columns with bells carved into them grace the front entrance. The apparent symbolism behind this is that Lutyens felt the bells being silent meant that British rule would never end.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is flanked by the two Secretariat buildings, which are now the headquarters of the Finance and External Affairs ministries. Though the inside of the palace is not open to the public, the Mughal Gardens within are on display in February each year...

Built in the shape of a lotus - a symbol of beauty and purity, and made of white marble, the Bahá'í Temple has left an indelible mark on the city's landscape. The Lotus Temple was completed in 1986, constructed by the followers of the Bahá'í faith. It is shaped like a lotus with 27 marble petals, emerging from nine pools and walkways, which symbolize the nine Bahá'í spiritual paths. Anyone can enter, regardless of caste or creed, and pray, meditate or simply savor the beauty of this place. Adding to the serene atmosphere are the surrounding pools and gardens. It is an award winning monument, raved about for its form and design. Behind this ethereal vision of simplicity is a complex plan that required traditional workmanship because of the absence of high-tech equipment...

This grand avenue runs between Rashtrapati Bhavan in the west and India Gate and the National Stadium in the east. Flanked by manicured lawns and fountains, this is where the annual Republic Day Parade is held every year on January 26....