|
The Red Fort, Delhi
The Red Fort, with a circumference of over
2.2 kilometers, was built by the banks of
the river, Yamuna in the 17th century.
The fort is a delight
to one's imagination. Imagine the Naqqar
Khana (Drum room) also called Naubat Khana
(Welcome Room), where once drums loudly
heralded the arrival of the emperor and
the Diwan-e-Am (Hall of Public Audience)
resounded with the incantations of the people.
Amazing, isn't it? There's more to see -
Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal (Palace of Colours),
Khas Mahal (Emperor's Palace), Diwan-e Khas
(Hall of Private Audience), the Hammam (bathing
area) and Shah Burj. The fort has two main
entrances - Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate.
The latter get its name from the fact that
it faces Lahore in Pakistan. A light and
sound show recreates the history of Delhi
and the Red Fort.
Summer timing : Hindi - 7 pm to 8 pm, English
- 8 pm to 9 pm
Winter timing : Hindi - 6 pm to 7 pm, English
- 7 pm to 8 pm
Purana Quila, Delhi
In 1538, the Mughal emperor Humayun laid
the foundations of his city named Dinpanah,
or the Refuge of the Faithful. The inner
citadel of this city is today called Purana
Qila or the Old Fort. Excavations near the
eastern wall of the fort reveal that the
site had been occupied since 1000 B.C.The
Purana Qila has three gates - Humayun Darwaza,
Talaqi Darwaza and Bara Darwaza. The present
entrance is the Bara Darwaza, an imposing
red sandstone gate on the western wall.
Inside the Purana Qila is the Sher Manzil,
a two-storied octagonal pavilion in red
sandstone, built by the Afghan ruler, Sher
Shah Suri. Timings: 6 am to 6 pm Tickets:
Available at the site and Delhi Tourism
office
Qutub Minar, Delhi
The highest stone tower in India, the Qutub
Minar was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the
Viceroy of Mohammed Ghori in 1192. It was
built to celebrate Ghori's victory over
the Rajputs.
The Minar is a five-storey building with
a height of 72.5 metres. The first storey
of the Qutb Minar was completed in the lifetime
of Qutb-ud-din. His son-in-law and successor,
Iltumush, added the next three storeys.
Within the complex, is the famous Iron Pillar
which has stood the test of time without
rusting. Quwwat-ul-Islam,was the first mosque
built in India, and the Alai Darwaza, the
gateway to the complex was erected by Alauddin
Khilji.
Qutb Minar is a successful tribute to architecture,
as it captures one's attention, owing to
the delicate and almost ethereal carvings.
Address: Mehrauli, Delhi-Gurgaon Road Timings:
6 am to 6 pm
Iron Pillar
The 7.2 metre high pillar, standing within
the Qutb Minar complex, is a proof of India's
advanced knowledge of metallurgy 2000 years
ago. It stands even today, rust-free.
It was erected in memory of King Chandragupta
Vikramamditya who ruled from 375 to 413
AD.
Address: Qutb Minar Complex,
Mehrauli, Delhi-Gurgoan Road Timings: 6
am to 6 pm
India Gate, Delhi
Formerly known as the All India War Memorial,this
solemn monument was built in 1931 in the
memory of the Indian soldiers who died in
World War I. Names of 13,516 soldiers are
inscribed on its walls. Later in 1971, an
eternal flame was lit here in memory of
the unknown soldiers who died in the 1971
Indo-Pakistan war. India Gate stands at
the end of Rajpath, and is a popular picnic
site especially during the hot summer evenings.
At night, the gate and the fountains are
brightly lit. It is indeed a beautiful sight.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The official residence of the President
of India,can boast of having welcomed the
most powerful men in history. The Rashtrapati
Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens and
built in 1931, to be the central point of
the British power in Delhi. Originally called
the Viceroy's House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan
has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies and
loggias, 18 staircases and 37 fountains.
The most magnificent room in the Rashtrapati
Bhavan is the Durbar Hall, which lies directly
beneath the main dome. All important Indian
State and Official ceremonies are held here.
To the west, is the famous and beautifully
landscaped Mughal Gardens, designed after
the terraced gardens which the Mughals built
in Kashmir. The garden is called the 'Butterfly
Garden' as the numerous butterflies visit
the varied flowers. It is open to the public
only in February.
Change of Guard Ceremony:
April-October : 8:30 am
November-March: 10:35 am
Teen Murti Bhavan
It was designed by Robert Tor Russel as
the residence of the Commander-in-Chief
of the British Forces in India. After independence,
it was occupied for 16 years by the first
president of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Since his demise,the house was converted
into a national memorial comprising a library
and a museum. The library is one of the
finest with information on modern Indian
history.Pandit Nehru's love for roses is
well known and the rose garden in full bloom
is a sight to behold. A light and sound
show,'Tryst with Destiny', every evening
depicts his life and the independence movement.
Rajghat
Rajghat is the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi, the 'Father of the Nation'.It is
situated only 4 kms away from Janpath, on
the banks of the river, Jamuna. His last
words -'Hey Ram' are inscribed on the simple,
square, black marble plaque. Every Friday
(the day of his death) a prayer service
is held, except on Mondays. Projecting Gandhi
philosophy in pictures and sculpture form
is a regular feature between 10-00 am to
5-00 pm. at Rajghat. Gandhi Memorial Museum
projects the life and the philosophy of
Sarvodaya Movement in film from 9-30 am.to
5-30 pm. every day, except Thursday and
Sunday at 4-00 pm. in Hindi. Extensive lawns
create a peaceful atmosphere.
Shanti Vana
It is the cremation site of Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
Vijay Ghat
This is the tomb of the second Prime Minister
of India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Beautiful
landscaped gardens and national monuments
built in the memory of the founders of the
nation stand here.
|