Tourist Places in Delhi
Delhi, better known as New Delhi, is the India’s capital. Delhi has a mixed population from three states: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. Since it is India’s capital, people from different parts of India come and reside in Delhi. The city has seen many rulers and kingdoms falling under his feet. The Government of India sits in New Delhi, and the country is run from here. All major offices of the Government of India are situated in Delhi. Delhi was the capital of major empires like the Mughals and British, so they created monuments and sites now used for tourists.
1. National War Memorial and National Police Memorial
Address: C-Hexagon, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi, 110001
Nearest Metro Stations:
- Udyog Bhawan (2.5km) and Yellow Line- Central Secretariat (2.5km)
- Violet Line: Khan Market (2km) and Janpath (2km)
- Blue Line- Pragati Maidan (2.5km) and Mandi House (1.5km)
Timings: 9 am to 7:30 pm
However, timings get changed after March
New Timings: 9 am to 8:00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
National War Memorial (Rashtriya Samar Smarak) was completed on 25 February 2019, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it; it was built near India Gate, New Delhi.
India Gate was built in the rememberance of the soldier who gave supereme scarifice in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and in World War I. 83,000 Indians died in the war, in which 13,516 names can be seen on the monument.
Based on the idea of India Gate, National War Memorial is dedicated to the soldiers who gave supreme sacrifice during the India- Pakistan War in 1947, 1965, and 1971, Indo-China war in 1962 and the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) Operations Kargil conflict of 1999 and Sri Lanka.
The memorial has 16 walls created on the ancient war strategy called Chakravyuh. The memorial also has four concentric circles that represent the noble values of the armed forces:
- Amara Chakra
- Veerta Chakra
- Tyag Chakra
- Rakshak Chakra
National Police Memorial
Address: Pandit Uma Shankar Dikshit Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
It was inaugurated on 21 October 2018 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. On this day, 10 Bravehearts policemen gave their lives in fighting with heavily armed Chinese soldiers to defend our nation’s territorial integrity at Hotsprings (Ladakh). It is built in the memory of brave police officers who gave their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and defended our nation’s integrity. The NPM campus has the capacity to accommodate 750 persons and gives a panoramic view of the ceremonial parade ground and actual podium from different angles. A wall of Valour has been constructed in which names of the braveheart are inscribed into it.
2. Jama Masjid
Location: Jama Masjid Road, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006
This Mosque is also known as Masjid-i- Jehan Numa. It is one of the largest mosques in India and was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is affiliated with Sunni Islam, and the governing body is the Delhi Waqf Board, Government of India. It is located in Old Delhi. It was constructed at the cost of ₹ 1 million rupees. It has 3 domes and 2 minarets. Materials used in the construction are Red sandstone and marble. To get know more about it, log on Delhi Tourism website.
The Mosque symbolizes the Mughal dominance and the Islamic rule of the Mughals. It was one of the last monuments to be built by Shah Jahan.
Role of Jama Masjid in the Revolt of 1857
When the British gained control over the Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad), Mughals remained symbolic heads of the Mosque, but their status, patronage and power had significantly reduced. In the initial stage, Britishers undertook renovation work and repaired the damaged part of the Jama Masjid; they did not try to destroy something.
But twist came during the Revolt of 1857, when British people were killed, and it posed a great challenge to the British Colonial Authority. This revolt decimated the power and status of the Mughals. British believed that revolt was provoked by the Muslims, and all the strategies were made inside the Mosque. British confiscated the Jama Masjid at that time and banned any religious practice inside the Mosque. The Britishers destroyed many mosques and banned large congregations of Muslims in the mosques. They favored mosques’ destruction, but, however, they were used as barracks for the European and Sikh soldiers. But, the British handover the Masjid in 1862 to Muslim populations after they sensed widescale resentment among the Muslim fraternity. But they imposed multiple conditions, and it included that Jama Masjid should only be used as religious site; to enforce this condition, the British created Jama Masjid Managing Committee. The committee comprises people with repute from the Muslim community, and they were made responsible for enforcing conditions.
3. Lal Quila (Red Fort)
Location: Netaji Subhash Marg, Lal Quila, Chandini Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi, 110006, India.
Open:, Tuesday- Sunday Mondays closed
Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk
Entry Fee: ₹950 (Foreigners) ₹ 90 (Indians)
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Ticket: “Disble Friendly”
₹30 (Children)
₹80 (Adults)
Light and Sound show: 6 pm onwards in English and Hindi
Videography and Photography: ₹25 for Videography and nil for Photography
Built: 12 May 1639- 6 April 1648
Built By: Shah Jahan
Architectural Style: Mughal, Indo Islamic
Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahori
Height: 18-33m
Ownership: Government of India (1947-Present)
British India (1803-1947)
Maratha Empire (1771-1803)
Mughal Empire (1638-1771)
It is one of the most sought tourist destinations in Delhi. Red Fort served as the residence for the emperors of the powerful Mughal dynasty for two centuries.
Shah Jahan had ordered the construction of the red fort on 12 May 1638. At that period, he announced his decision to move its capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort was completed in the span of 10 years. Ahmad Lahori, Persian Architect, who designed the Taj Mahal, was also being asked to design Red Fort. Red Fort is double in size compared to Agra’s fort.
Nadir Shah plundered its jewels and artwork when he invaded India in 1739. British confiscated the fort in 1857. Later, the British razed some of the structures of the Lal Qila to suppress the revolt of 1857. But the fort remain undamaged due to its high wall, and it was used as a garrison.
Jawahar Lal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, on 15 August 1947, raised the Indian flag on the Lahori gate. Now it has become a culture. Every Prime Minister hoists the tricolor on the eve of independence day from the Red Fort and delivers the national speech, broadcast on the national television channel and All India Radio. Pictures of the Lal Quila can be seen on the ₹500 rupee note after the post-demonetization period.
UNESCO declared the Red fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
4. Connaught Place
Address: Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110001.
Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (Yellow Line)
It 2.1 kilometers is away from the New Delhi Railway Station.
Connaught Place is also called Rajiv Chowk, and it is the business and commercial center of New Delhi. It is situated in Delhi’s heart. It is under the jurisdiction of the New Delhi Municipal council. The area is named after former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Connaught place has showroom of Johnson watch Company, Allen Solly, Bon Ton, Adidas Orginals, Kalpana, Lee, Roopchand Jwellers, Wills Lifestyles, Louis Philippe, Neelkanth Jwellers, Nike, Orra Park Avenue. The market consists of two circles: Outer circle blocks: G to P and inner circle blocks A to F. Robert Tor Rusell designed the Connaught place, and per square costs $1,650 in present time, and it is one of the most expensive locations in the world. The structure is made in Georgian Style, and it houses some magnificent colonial buildings in it. Many people flock to Connaught Place with their friends and family for shopping.
The places which are needed to be explored at Connaught place are:
Vintage Cinema
Before the dining establishments, bazaars came into the picture; the area was quite popular for the cinemas. The place was used by the elite, and many Bollywood, Hollywood, and Urdu films were played at that place. But the charm has vanished with the passage of time. Some heritage theatres which exist are Rivoli and Odeon.
Address: Rivoli, Regal Building, Hanuman Road Area, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, , Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi, 110001.
Hanuman Temple
It is the most suitable place to go on weekends. It is said that this temple was part of the Mahabharata. Worshippers of the temple chanted a Hindu mantra called “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Ram” continuously for 24 hours nonstop, and it made a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Common Tourist Attraction points: Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Ram Chander and Sons, ICCR Auditorium, Agrasen ki Baoli, Dhoomial Art Centre, and much more.
5. Rashtrapati Bhavan
Address: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, 110004
Timings: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, but prior booking and permission required
Entry Fee: No Charges for the visitors below 8 years of age
₹1200 per person + ₹50 per additional visitor (for a group of more than 30 people)
₹50 per person per circuit (for individuals or a group of fewer than 30 people)
₹1200 per person (for a group of 30 people)
Circuit: Gardens (Thursday to Sunday; from August to March)
Circuit: Closed on Mondays at Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex
Circuit: Main Building and Central Lawan (Thursday to Sunday)
Timings
- 4:30 pm to 5:10 pm (15 November to 14 March)
- Saturday and Sundays
- Sundays 5:30 am to 6:10 am (15 March to 14 November)
- Saturdays 8:00 am to 8:40 am (15 March to 14 November)
- 10:00 am to 10:40 am (15 November to 14 March)
- All circuits are closed on Gazetted Holidays
Architecture style: European Style of Architecture (also influenced by the Indian Style)
Sometimes people also refer to it as a Presidential Palace. Originally it was called a Viceroy’s house. It is the formal residence of the President of India. The present tenant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan is Ram Nath Kovind (President of India) and Savita Kovind (First Lady of India). For more information, log on to rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in.
Herbert Baker, an Architect, was a partner with Edwin Lutyens. They acquired 4,000 acres of land on Raisina Hill to develop new capital and residence for the Colonial Government. It took 17 years to complete the construction of the mansion in 1929, and the British spent ₹ 14 million. Around 23,000 laborers were involved in the construction of the magnificent buildings.
When India attained Independence, the Government of India took the task of renaming the building and accorded the name Government House in 1947.
Later, Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India to become the resident of the mansion, and it was again renamed Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Pranab Mukherjee opened the complex to the general public in 2012.
The Architecture of the Rashtrapati Bhawan
It has 340 rooms consisting of the President’S official residence, reception halls, a ballroom, a library, offices, and quarters of the President’s bodyguards. The central dome is the distinctive feature of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The National Flag keeps flying over the dome. Rashtrapati Bhawan has a sprawling garden, also called as Mughal Garden, and it has spread over 15 acres of the land. The Garden has 159 varieties of roses, and it is also referred to as the “Soul of the Rashtrapati Bhawan“.
Circuit-1 (Main Building and Central Lawn)
- Central Lawn
- Fore court
- Banquet Hall
- Library
- Durbar Hall
- Central Dome
- North Drawing Room
- Long Drawing Room
- Ashok Hall
- Iron Gate
- Jaipur Columns
- Tuscan Pillars
- Navachara
Circuit-2(Museum)
- The Stables
- The Garages
- The Clock Tower
Circuit-3(Garden)
- Spiritual Garden
- Musical Garden
- Mughal Garden
- Herbal Garden
6. Qutub Minar
Address: Mehrauli, Delhi
Owner: Archaeological Survey of India
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Easiest Ways to visit Qutub Minar
Nearest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand: Kashmere Gate Bus Stand
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar Metro Station
Entry and Timings of the Qutub Minar
Opening Timings: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closing Timings: Open for All Days
Entry fee: ₹600 (Foreigner)
₹40 (For Indians)
Suitable time to visit Qutub Minar
Summer: It starts in April and peaks in May and June. The ideal temperature remains around 32 degrees celsius.
Monsoon: August to September
Winter: Begins in November and becomes severe in December and January. The average temperature remains 12 degrees to 13 degrees.
Suggested season to go: November to March
History
It is a 73-meter high tower built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193 in response to the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu Kingdom. It is a five-storied structure built by a number of rulers. Qutub Minar is commissioned by the ruler Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, king of Delhi Sultanate. He built it as a victory tower around 1192. He was able to build the first story of the minaret, and later, his successors built another story, the minaret. Shams-ud-din- Iltutmish, ruler of Delhi Sultanate, built three floors in 1220. Due to lightning, the topmost structure experienced some damage. Firoz Shah Tughlaq reconstructed the damaged part and inserted the fifth and final story into the tower. Sher Shah Suri built the entrance to the Qutub Minar.
UNESCO designated a Heritage site in Delhi in 1993 for its architectural brilliance and historical importance.
Sites to see in Qutub Minar Complex
The famous structures which are inside the complex are:
- Madarsa and Alauddin Khilji
- Tomb of Imam Zamin, who was a Turkestani Cleric
- Alai Minar, the unfinished victory tower of Khilji
- Smith’s Folly, the cupola that was once installed on top of the tower
- Iron Pillar of Chandragupta II, which never rusts
- Ala”i Darwaza, a domed gateway to the Mosque from the south side
7. India Gate
- Location: Near Rajpath
- Metro Station: Pragati Maidan
- Entry Fee: Free
- Timings: Morning to Night
- Days Close: None
- Photography charges: Nil
It was built in the center of New Delhi and stood 42m high at India Gate. It was built in honor of 70,000 soldiers who gave the supreme sacrifice in World War I. They fought for the British Army, and the memorial has the name of 13,516 soldiers inscribed on it.India Gate foundation stone was laid down by the His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, and the task of designing the memorial was given to Edwin Lutyens. Lord Irwin, then Viceroy of India and Governor-General of India, dedicated this memorial to the nations. After India got Independence, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added. It is an eternal flame that burns day and night, and it reminds us of the Bravehearts who laid down their lives during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. India Gate is beautifully lit at night with lovely and beautiful colored lights.