Tourist Places in Delhi Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Connaught Place

Delhi

Delhi is the capital of India and is a city of many monuments showing India's rich history, culture and tradition. Delhi has the newest Metro line and it is quite comfortable and clean. It is a quick way to get around the city, a bit crowded during rush hours as anywhere else in the world, but the crowd is very decent and clean.

One of the best options to visit the Tourist Places near Delhi like Agra and Rajasthan is to take a trip on the special tourist train called the 'The Palace on Wheels' for a week long or the extended tours. This is an experience of a life time, while on the 'Palace on Wheels' you get to become a Maharaja for a week in the ambience of your own Palace and with a very comfortable 5 star hotel like room.

The important Delhi tourist places and sites worth visiting in Delhi are listed below.

Red Fort in Delhi is an imposing structure and has been enlisted by UNESCO as a world Heritage Site . This is how they describe it on their site “The Red Fort Complex was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad – the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan. Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex. The private apartments consist of a row of pavilions connected by a continuous water channel, known as the Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise). The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new level of refinement. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions The Red Fort’s innovative planning and architectural style, including the garden design, strongly influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and further afield.”

The Red Fort Archaeological Museum displays rare artefacts and personal belongings of the Mughal kings. The collection is lavish and beautiful. The Red Fort is open for visitors all days except Fridays, from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. There is a sound and light show that takes place in the evenings after dark.

Humayun's Tomb is a UNESCO world Heritage site in Delhi . This is how it is described on their site “This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.”

Akshardham Temple in Delhi is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. It displays centuries of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture. The temple is visited by the majority of tourists visiting Delhi. There is a theatre in the temple, Hall of Values, Musical Fountain, Garden of India, Boat Ride and much more.

Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest markets of Delhi built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. There are very old and popular traditional Indian food stalls like Natraj’s dahi bhalla shop, Ghantewala Halwai, Paranthe wali Gali.

Qutub Minar: is the world's tallest free-standing brick minaret or tower and is 72.5 meters (238 ft) tall. It is the third UNESCO World Heritage site in Delhi and this is how it is described on their site “Built in the early 13th century a few kilometers south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters high, tapering from 2.75 meters in diameter at its peak to 14.32 meters at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.”

Central Cottage Industries Emporium: Located on Tolstoy road, Janpath, Cottage Emporium is a fully air conditioned six storey showroom. It is a fixed price shopping place, directly under the control of Government of India Ministry of Textiles. Cottage Emporium was established with the purpose of showcasing traditional Indian craftsmanship. The huge building is like a permanent exhibition with the items offered for sale to the visitors. There are dress fabrics, garments, teas, home decor items, furnishings, gift items, Indian crafts and so much more, all under one roof.

Connaught Place (CP): Now renamed as Rajiv Chowk, built during the British times and designed by the great British architect Edwin Lutyen. The shopping area includes an underground wholesale market called Palika Bazaar.

Dilli Haat: Dilli Haat is a permanent craft market. Right now there are two of these in Delhi, one in South Delhi, opposite the INA market and one in West Delhi at Netaji Subhash Place. Craftsmen from all over India display their goods here. The most colourful products from various states are thus available at one stop, and at reasonable prices. The markets have been developed by the Tourist Department of Delhi, not only to render an opportunity for the Indian craftsmen to display their creations, but also for the convenience of the Tourists. In Dilli Haat, you will also find many good food outlets with traditional Indian food from the different regions of India. It is one of the best places to collect Indian souvenirs.

Hauz Khas Village in South Delhi, is a less crowded market and with some better quality shops. Antiques, designer and traditional Indian clothes, carpets, gift items, etc. are available. There are good restaurants all over the place.

India Gate designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens was originally known as the ‘All India War Memorial’. It is a prominent landmark in Delhi and was built to commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the erstwhile British Indian Army who lost their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in World War-I. Following India's independence, India Gate became the site of the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ (Immortal Soldier). India Gate is 42 meters (138 feet) tall. There are fountains and gardens all around.

Jama Masjid is the largest Mosque in India. Completed in the year 1656, Jama Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

Lodhi Gardens is a park is located on Lodhi Road and stretches over an area of about 90 acres. There are domed tombs of rulers from the Sayyid and Lodi times here. There is a Big Dome (Bada Gumbad) and a Glass Dome (Shessh Gumbad), inside the garden premises. It is believed that the Taj Mahal design was inspired by these Domes.

Lotus Temple so named due to its Lotus flower like shape, is a Bahai House of Worship. It is a well known tourist spot in Delhi. The temple was completed in the year 1986 and is not specific to any religion. It is a divine structure, which propagates the idea of worship without any restrictions. Nine pools of water surround the flower structure, or the petals. See the picture on the right.

Mughal Garden: There are a number of famous historic gardens in Delhi, which are open for visitors. One of these is the Mughal Garden, located inside the premises of Rashtrapati Bhavan, and is renown for its exclusive verities of roses. The garden is open for visitors only during the months of February and March every year.

Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. This simple memorial in remembrance of Gandhi’s simple life just a black marble platform, that marks the spot where Gandhi's cremation took place on 31 January, 1948. There is no roof and an eternal flame burns perpetually at one end. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located near by. The epitaph inscribed there is “Hei Ram” meaning 'Oh Ram' to mean 'Oh God', the last words uttered by the great soul. Almost all foreign dignitaries visiting India, come here to pay their respects.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India and is the biggest residence in the world for any Head of State. Before independence it was the official residence of the British Viceroy or Governor-General to India and was known as the ‘Viceroy’s House’. In 1911 when the British decided to move the Capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi, the great British architect Edwin Landseer Lutyens was given the job of designing Delhi. He did a wonderful job and New Delhi owes its beauty to him, and in honour, it is sometimes referred to as Lutyen’s Delhi.

Museums & Galleries in Delhi

National Museum on Janpath Road is one of the most well known Museums of Delhi. It gives an insight to India’s culture down the ages.

National Gallery of Modern Art is in the Jaipur House, near India Gate. A rich collection of paintings by various Indian artists are on display.

The National Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi is spread over 10 acres and has many interesting historical displays of the over 100 years history of Indian Railways. One of their star attractions is the oldest working steam engine in the world and Guinness book of world records holder the 'Fairy Queen' described thus on their site " 1855, The year when the majestic Fairy Queen rolled out for the erstwhile East Indian Railway. For the first time after 1908, the Fairy Queen rolled again on Feb. 1st, 1997 from Delhi to Alwar. The steam engine is the oldest working engine in the world. Finding its pride of place in the Guinness Book of World Records and also capturing the National Tourism Award, this prestigious pristine beauty that graces the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, is steaming once again."

Luxury Train Tours

‘The Palace on Wheels’ and ‘ Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’ are two luxury tour trains operating out of Delhi and visiting the most important tourist destinations of Agra and Rajasthan. Both these luxury tourist trains hope to recreate the splendors of the era of the Maharaja’s who used to travel in their own superbly fitted Railway Coaches.

The cabins of both the Palace on Wheels and the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels are all air-conditioned with twin beds and attached toilets. Two fine restaurants, "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani", are there serving continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. Both trains depart from New Delhi and during its eight day journey, travels around Rajasthan with stops in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra. Some of the tourist attractions covered are the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Ranthambhor National Park, Chittaurgarh Fort, Jag Niwas (Lake Palace), Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the Agra Fort and finally the Taj Mahal.