 | Jantar Mantar
Largest of the five remarkable observatories made by Jai Singh in five different cities, this is the best-preserved one. It shows the Maharaja's passion for astronomy. |
| Pragati Maidan
This massive complex is the venue of the annual India International Trade Fair usually held in November. It has permanent buildings for pavilion of all the states of the country. |
| Parliament House
The seat of Indian Parliament is a marvelous piece of architecture designed by the famed architect Lutyens and constructed under the direct supervision of Sir Herbert Baker. Visitors are not allowed to loiter inside the building without special permission, for security reasons. |
| Nizamuddin
It is the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizamud-din Chishti, who died in 1325. Situated across the road from Humayun's tomb, it is one of several interesting tombs here. Other tombs include the later grave of Jahanara - the daughter of Shah Jahan, Amir Khusru - a renowned Urdu poet, Atgah Khan - a favorite of Humayun and Akbar. |
| Nehru Museum
This museum was once the residence of the first Indian Prime Minister, but it was then called as Teen Murti Bhavan. It displays the photographs and newspaper clippings, which give a fascinating insight into the history of the independence movement. |
| National Museum
The National Museum is located on Janpath, housing an excellent collection of bronzes, terracotta sculptures, paintings and costumes, which give a detailed insight into Indian history and way of life. The collection consists of rare coins and pottery. |
| National Gallery Of Modern Art
Located very close to India Gate, this building was earlier the residential palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It exhibits around 4,000 paintings, graphics, and sculptures of modern artists. The gallery arranges special exhibitions |
| Lotus Temple
It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith, located in Kalkaji, south of Delhi. Shaped like a half opened Lotus flower, this temple 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. |
| Lodi's Tomb
The tombs of the Sayyaid and the Lodi rulers are in the midst of the famed Lodi Gardens. Mohammed Shah's tomb (1450) here was a prototype for the later Mughal-style tomb of Humayun. Other tombs include those of his predecessor Mubarak Shah (1433), Ibrahim Lodi (1526) and Sikander Lodi (1517). The Bara Gumbad Mosque is a fine example of its type of plaster decoration. |
| Lodi Gardens
About 3 kms. to the west of Humayun's tomb and adjoining the India International Center are the Lodi Gardens, where the tombs of Sayyaid and Lodi rulers are built. |
| Lahore Gate
The Lahore gate gets its name from the fact that it faces towards Lahore, now in Pakistan. It leads to a vaulted arcade, the Chatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar). This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, where ladies of the court shopped. |
| Iron Pillar
This pillar stands in the courtyard of the Jama Masjid but it has been there since long before the mosque's construction. A six - line Sanskrit inscription indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, and was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya. |
| International Dolls Museum
The famous cartoonist Shankar started this museum in 1954, as a personal collection. Located on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, in the Nehru House, this museum displays about 6000 dolls from 85 countries. |
| Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
This museum was the former residence of Indira Gandhi at 1 Safdarjang Rd. It displays some of her personal effects, including the sari she was wearing at the time of her assassination. |
| India Gate
Straight down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan is this landmark, a 42-meter high arch War memorial built in memory of innumerable soldiers who laid down their lives during the Afghan war and World Wars. A flame, Amar Jawan Jyoti, is kept perpetually alive here. The stretch of lush green lawns spreading from here is a major crowd puller |
| Humayun's Tomb
It is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. The tomb of Begai Begum, wife of Emperor Humayun was buried here. The construction took eight years to complete which was made of white marble and red sandstone. |
| Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas is the historical battleground where Timur defeated Mohammed Shah Tughlaq in 1398. One can find the remnants of an ancient college and Feroz Shah’s tomb here and on the east to a short distance the Moth ki Masjid –built in the finest Lodi style. |
| Gandhi Darshan
A photographic documentation of the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi is exhibited at Gandhi Darshan located at Raj Ghat, where the Mahatma’s mortal remains are kept. The Smarak Sangrahalaya is a memorial containing Gandhiji’s personal possessions. |
| Diwan-E-Khas
Diwan-e-khas is an exotic marble chamber with intricate artwork inside the Red Fort where the Emperor held private meetings with “Khas” (important) people. The famous Peacock Throne adorned this magnificent hall before Nadir Shah carted it off to Iran in 1739. |
| Feroz Shah Kotla
The 13 meter high sandstone obelisk with Ashoka’s edict stands a testimony to the history of this old city in ruins which has seen Hindu and Muslim rulers over years. |
| Diwan-E-Aam
The 13 meter high sandstone obelisk with Ashoka’s edict stands a testimony to the history of this old city in ruins which has seen Hindu and Muslim rulers over years. |
| Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk, the commercial area of the Mughal’s entirely designed with great love and care by Jahanara Begum, Shahjahan’s favorite daughter, has now transformed itself into a colorful shopping area, which is one of the country’s best known wholesale markets. |
| Charity Bird's Hospital
Next to Chandni Chowk right across the Red Fort is Charity Bird’s Hospital –a hospital for wounded birds where treatment is provided free of cost. It is a lilting music to the ears of bird lovers. |
| Connaught Place
This place is a veritable treasure trove for tourists, abound with everything related to tourism. The entire area with colonnaded buildings growing houses many shops, restaurants, banks and airline offices is situated very near to New Delhi Railway station. This complex is a big traffic circle. |
| Alai Minar
The unfulfilled dream of Ala-ud-din as the victory tower, Alai Minar stands 27 meters high built of red sandstone, uncompleted, originally planned to be built along similar lines of Qutab Minar. Alai Darwaza is the main gateway to the entire complex housing the tomb of Imam Zamin, the tomb of Altamish and the mosque. |
| Purana Qila
It is believed that this place was Indraprastha the capital city of Pandavas. Many of the present standing monuments were built during the period of Sher Shah Suri. The double-storied octagonal towered mosque is cited in history as the tower from where, Emperor Humayun accidentally fell to his death. The lake at the foothills has boating facilities.
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| Quwwat-Ul-Islam-Masjid
Known as the Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam), this is the earliest extant mosque in the country, constructed originally in 1197 AD during the period of Qutub-Ud_Din Aibak. It was built from the remains of twenty-seven Hindu and Jain temples. |
| Rail Transport Museum
140 years of Indian Railway history and heritage is preserved in this Rail Transport Museum located in the diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri with exotic and fascinating collections of Engines and other exhibits. It houses a Victorian age engine built in 1885 still in working condition. |
| Raj Ghat
A sacred place lying on the banks of river Yamuna, to many an Indian is Raj Ghat where the Father of Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was cremated. These grounds have been tread by many great persons –the list which includes such great names like Queen Elizabeth II, Eisenhower, Ho Chi Min etc., in paying sincere respects to thehumble soul. |
| Raj Path
More popular for being the venue of the annual Republic Day parade Raj Path is an immensely broad road, designed by Lutyens. Ornamental ponds on either side flank it. |
| Red Fort
The hot seat of power of the sub-continent, the symbol of control, the Red Fort locally known as Lal Qila built of Red Sandstone was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Annual Independence Day parade is held on the open grounds in front of the Fort. The light and sound show held in the evenings bring to life the Days as it was over the years with important events, which have marked the history of India. |
| Royal Baths
Hamams or the Royal Baths for the royal were huge rooms with domes fixed with colored class on the roof to allow natural lightings. This place that is now closed for public viewing contains fountain in the middle and the floors inlaid with pietra dura work. |
| Safdarjang Tomb
This monument built in red and brown sandstone with two storied towers in the corners is one of the last examples of the Mughal architecture, which houses the tomb of Safdarjang. |
| Secretariat Building
Popularly known as the North Block and South Block the present seat of the ministry of Finance and External affairs respectively was the original Secretariat built on Raisina hill. These imposing structures are topped with Chatris on the corners giving it a typical oriental look. |
| Sound & Light Show
The eventful history Red Fort has been witness to is brought out as a sound and light show every evening on the ramparts of the Red Fort. |
| The Zoological Park
Established in 1959 over 86 hectares of greenery, Delhi Zoo is home to more than 2000 species of animals and birds from Africa, America, Australia and Asia. Lying adjacent to Purana Qila it is a perfect place to see a variety of animals. |
| Tibet House
The fascinating personal collection of ceremonial items brought by Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet following Chinese aggression is exhibited in Tibet House on Lodi Road. |
| Tughlaqabad
Lying east of Qutab Minar the third city of Delhi with 13 gateways is Tughlaqabad built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tuglaq. |
| Rashtrapati Bhavan
In summer the President's Bodyguard changes guard and this can be seen from outside the gate. One can only visit are the Durbar Hall, Ashok Hall, the Dining Room and the Mughal Gardens. The Durbar hall served as a museum for several years until the building, which now houses the National Museum, was constructed.
As dawn breaks over the Yamuna, streaks of pale golden rays embrace the tall magnificent granite structures on Rajpath. Rashtrapati Bhavana, the creation of two British architects-Edwin Lautyens and Herbert Baker was completed in 1931. The road down Rajpath is deserted other than a few early morning joggers, and the flutter of a flight of pigeons.
The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is the oldest and senior most unit of the Indian Army and the President's personal troops. The Viceroy's Bodyguard split in 1947 with the partition and one third went to Pakistan. On India becoming a Republic in 1950, with Dr. Rajendra Parsad as its first president, it came to be known in its present form as The President's Bodyguard.
As it nears 0630 hrs, the sound of music, marching of footsteps and hoof beats arise from within the complex and a contingent of a Rajputana Rifles (Infantry) Battalion and mounted troops of The President's Bodyguard (PBG) accompanied by a brass band in colorful maroon berets of the parachute Regiment, emerge on to Rajpath, marching to the strains of "Vijay Bharat".
On every Saturday a ceremonial changing of the guard takes place. Changing of the guard is a military tradition whose origins are lost in antiquity and from time immemorial, guards and sentries at forts, palaces and defense establishments change daily to enable a fresh body of soldiers to take charge. Soldiers of the band and marching contingents are assigned from different regiments for duty over a short period of time in rotation but the mounted troops are permanently stationed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
While the guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan changes daily, every Saturday a traditional military ritual of guard changing is conducted with precision and solemnity at a fixed time and place.
The PBG performs dismounted ceremonial duties at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, adding that touch and grandeur without which State functions would lose much of their impressiveness.
The spacious plaza at the foot of Rashtrapati Bhawan is known as Vijay Chowk. Rashtrapati Bhawan, is really part of the new urban complex built after King George V announced in 1911 that the British would shift their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The Old Guard marches off to "Sare Jahan Se Achha". Compliments are paid by the New Guard, which assumes charge and the balance of the New Guard marches off along with band playing "Amar Jawan".
This short spectacle of colour and martial music, horse and man, rifle and lance, bugle and brass, traditions and trumpets leave a distinct feeling of nostalgia grandeur and pride for being a part of it all. It covers the same area as the Trafalgar Square in London.
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