New Delhi, the capital city of India, unwinds a splendor rich with cultural heritage. The successive seat of power, Delhi is adorned with powerful history, historical monuments, museums, galleries, panoramic gardens and cultural shows. Comprising into two distinct Delhi, the Old Delhi and the New Delhi,

The city is a travel hub of entire India. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the narrow lanes of Chandani Chalk, passing through formidable mosques of Jama Masjid, just opposite to it lies the famous monument of Red fort. The imperial city of New Delhi highlights the monumental structures of India Gate, President House representing the colonial style of architecture.
 

OLD DELHI SIGHTSEEING

Red Fort
Another marvel of architecture is the Red Fort and it could perhaps be singled out as yet another monument which should not escape the tourist's eyes. Known as lal qila (lal means red and qila means fort), it is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon. It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. The Mughal king Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was completed in 1648, nine years after the king shifted to this city. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market. Shah Jahan, incidentally was also the king who built the Taj Mahal of Agra. The fort has the Diwan-e-am, where the king would grant audience to the public to listen to their problems. The other feature is the Diwan-e-Khas (khas means special) where the king would grant audience to important people. Besides this, is the Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment for the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where several traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal rates. Another attraction is the Light and Sound Show held in the evenings.

Chandni Chowk
It was the eyes and ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts and is today one of the country's best known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and watches. The entire area was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was then inhabited by the well-to-do families oft he time. There is however a word of caution and that is that there are several elements who are believed to be selling duplicate goods and the tourist needs to be careful about this.

Jama Masjid
Is the country's largest mosque where thousands of Muslims offer prayers even today. It was built in 1656 and is a tribute to the values of the Mughal Kings as also their commitment to religion and prayer. It lies opposite the Red Fort and is surrounded b a large number of shops which deal in a variety of goods. The flight of stairs and its large courtyard are something to be admired. Besides this there is a variety of the choicest non-vegetarian food available in several restaurants located around the complex.
 

Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan temple)
Birla Mandir is another landmark close to Connaught Place and was built by industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an important prayer site and contains idols of several deities. Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.

India Gate:
Straight down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan along a magnificent view and totally unhampered drive is India Gate which is primarily a memorial to the unknown soldier. Designed by Lutyens, the 42 metre high structure is a war memorial in honour of the soldiers who died during the second world war. The imposing structure from where stretch massive lush green lawns has an eternal flame (amar jawan jyoti) to honour the memory of the unknown soldiers. A popular picnic spot, one can see hoards of people moving about the area and on the lawns on summer evenings.

Lotus Temple
Is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi. Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility.

Purana Qila (Old Fort):
The ruins of the fort are located on a small hill which once stood on the banks of the river Yamuna. Legend has it that the fort marked the site of Indraprastha, the magnificent capital of the Pandavas, though the construction was carried out by Sher Shah Suri any time between 1538 to 1545 A.D. The structure houses a mosque which has a double-storeyed octagonal tower. It is said that the Mughal king Humayun fell from the tower accidentally and died. At the foot of the hill is a lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating.

Qutab Minar
Perhaps the most fascinating feast for the tourist's eye is this magnificent structure in the southern part of the capital. Minar (which means tower) was built by a Muslim King, Qutab-ud-din Albak, as early as 1199 A.D. and a part of it which he could not finish was completed by another Muslim King, IItutmish.
The tower is 72.5 metres high and has at its base a mosque. In front of the imposing structure is an iron pillar believed to have been built in the 5th century A.D. It's uniqueness lies in the fact that it has not caught rust ever since it was built. Tourists are not permitted to climb the tower.

Humayun's Tomb
This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife, took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture. The emperor's wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the tomb and the structure is the first of its kind built in the centre of a well-planned garden. The combination of white marble and red sandstone was a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra.

Safdarjang's Tomb
The garden tomb was built in 1753-54 soon after Safdarjang died. It is a red and brown sandstone with double storeyed towers in the corners and is one of the last examples of Mughal architecture.
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Parliament House:
A marvellous piece of architecture which can be admired only from outside on account of security restrictions. Close to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, it is a domed almost circular structure almost a kilometer in circumference, and was designed by the famed architect Lutyens. It is the seat of the Indian Parliament and during the sessions of Parliament there is a flurry of activity in and around the structure.

Rashtrapati Bhavan:
Almost a stones' throw away from Parliament House is the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is the official residence of the President of the country. Designed by Lutyens, it was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. With 340 rooms and an area of about 330 acres. It is an imposing structure anda tourist's delight. The pillars and the porticos are an architect's marvel and so are the Durbar Hall and the Ashoka Hall within the complex. Although special permission has to be obtained to visit the complex, the Mughal Gardens within the complex are a treat for the eyes and are open to the public during certain periods of the year.

National Gallery of Modern Art:
Located very close to India Gate, the building was the palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It has around 4,000 paintings of modern artists and also included are graphics and sculptures. The gallery arranges special exhibitions for those who wish to exhibit their works. The gallery also houses a library which can be used by museum, which is open from 1000 hours to 1700 hours, is closed on all holidays and observes Monday as its weekly off.

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 alsoof central Asia. In fact the museum takes one through a fascinating journey of what ancient India was all about, rare coins, pottery, 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.