Delhi

Golden Triangle

The famous Golden Triangle of India actually covers three most beautiful and captivating cities of the country, Delhi (the capital of India), Agra (the city of Taj) and Jaipur (the land of Rajput kings). It is actually a kaleidoscope that presents the Indian pageantry in its most colorful forms and offers you a dazzling vista of stately and grandiose architectural buildings, forts and palaces with a legendary heritage and a fertile and affluent tradition of art and culture. 

Each city has its own unique identity made up of a combination of different sights, sounds and experiences. Delhi is as modern as any big cosmopolitan city with a degree of sophistication that comes from being the ruling capital of a nation and modernity that comes from being frequented people of all nationalities and cultures. Agra showcases the opulence of the Mughal Empire while a royal elephant ride and warm welcome in the city Jaipur are not the only reminiscent of to the city’s medieval Rajput culture.

Delhi is already honored of being the capital city and moreover the numerous historic monuments dotting the city are the substantiate proof of its glorious past. There are numerous historical places in Delhi and these places are of great significance as it reveals the glorious past and highlights the culture and tradition of this legacy. Delhi historical places are adored by the tourists as these are unique pieces that bring out the brilliance of craftsmanship.

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom. The Bahai temple was completed in 1986. Since then the temple has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments in India. The credit for building this beautiful structure goes to the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada.

The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The team comprised of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans who worked diligently to give realization to one of the most complex edifices in the world. The temple integrates the aesthetic values along with the technological influence within the whole structure. There are nine reflecting pools that encompass the temple from outside. Converting the geometry of the design that did not have any straight line to the actual structure needed a lot of effort and dedicated engineering.

The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall. The whole structure is made of white marble that adds to the glory of the temple. It is about 40 meters tall surrounded by nine ponds and appears as if the temple is floating like a Lotus flower in water.

War Memorial Gate

Situated on the Rajpath in New Delhi, India Gate (originally called All India War Memorial) was built by Edwin Lutyens to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afghan Wars.  This is built in the style of a triumph arch that pays tribute to 90,000 Indian Army soldiers. Close by the arch is a cupola that now stands empty.

The names of the soldiers who died in the wars are inscribed on the walls. Burning under it since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (eternal soldier’s flame) which marks the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb.A flame known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal soldier) is kept perpetually alive here.

India Gate (originally called All India War Memorial) was built by Edwin Lutyens to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afghan Wars.  

This is built in the style of a triumph arch that pays tribute to 90,000 Indian Army soldiers. Close by the arch is a cupola . Qutb Minar, a symbol of Islam's impact on India. Begun by Delhi's first Sultan, Qutn-ud-din, but not completed until 1368, the 73m tower erected to celebrate the Sultan's conquest of Delhi. The tower has five stories, each a tapering cylinder with angular and convex ribs, separated by balconies.

Red Fort (Lal Qila)

Dominating Old Delhi, the Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built by  Shah Jahan when he transferred the capital back to Delhi from Agra, and was completed by 1648.  Behind the ramparts, the Delhi citadale is more a palace than a fortress, with white marble preferred over the region's red stone. it is thought he used the same architect who worked on the Taj Mahal. Red Fort showcases the very high level of art  and ornamental work. The art work in the Fort is a synthesis of Persian, European and Indian art which resulted in the development of unique Shah Jahan style which is very rich in  expression and colour. Red Fort,  is one of the important building complexes of India which encapsulates a long period of Indian history and its arts. Its significance has transcended time and space. It is relevant as a symbol of architectural brilliance and power.

Wide Angle View of Pavilions in the Courtyard

Some of the buildings are in fairly good condition and have their decorative elements undisturbed. In others, the marble inlay flowers have been removed by looters and vandals. The tea house, though not in its historical state, is a functioning restaurant. The mosque and hamam are closed to the public, though one can catch peeks through the glass windows or marble lattice work.

Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India and tallest brick minaret. It has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75m on the top. 

All the stories are surrounded by a projected balcony encircling the Minar and supported by stone brackets, which are decorated with honeycomb design.

The minar did receive some damage because of earthquakes on more than a couple of occasions but was reinstated and renovated by the respective rulers.

Adjacent to the Qutb Minar, the ruined  Quwwat-ul-Islam-Masjid (which means “The Might of Islam” was built by local Hindu craftsman.  

  

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi Which  is situated to the south of Red Fort. The black marble tomb is inscribed by the words 'Hey Ram!', the last words that were spoken by Mahatma Gandhi, as he fell down after being shot by Nathuram Godse. As homage to the Mahatma, an eternal flame, in a copper pot keeps on burning there. The whole structure of the Samadhi reflects the simple and nature-loving personality of the great leader. The monument stands surrounded by earthworks that protect it from the flooding of the Yamuna. 


It is customary to circumambulate the tomb three times. The powerful spiritual aura of the place touches one's heart. This national shrine has an eternal flame and the sandstone walls enclosing it are inscribed with various passages written by Gandhi. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi.

Parliament House Complex

The 'Rashtrapati Bhawan', President’s Palace is at the end of 'Rajpath' the road that connects it to the India Gate. Until 1950 when India became a republic, it was known as "Viceroy's House" and  has been used by the Governer-General of India.


Rashtrapati Bhavan which was designed by Edwin Lutyen and built in 1931. It covers 4.5 acres of land and has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies, 18 staircases and 37 fountains. Can only be viewed from the outside, but photos can be taken.


The North and south block buildings are the seat of power in India. This is where the Central Government houses most of its ministries and offices of the Defence forces.

Jama Masajid Mosque

Shah Jahan, as his final architectural extravagance, built one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. It is situated in Old Delhi area of the capital. Owing to its huge size, it has taken six years to be fully complete. Situated on a high platform, this  beautiful building has built in red sandstone and  white marble. The platform of Jama Masjid has been beautifully carved out of a single block of marble. It has three gateways, four high towers and two minarets. The 130-ft high slender minarets of the mosque grace its impressive façade.

The eastern gate was once reserved for the Emperor. Wide staircases and arched gateways greet the visitors of the mosque. The relics of the Prophet and the Holy Koran are enshrined here and its courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers at one go. Designed by Ustad Khalil, the great sculptor of his time, it was built at an astounding cost. However, the greatest treasure of the Jama Masjid is, the hair of the beard of Hazrat Mohammed, kept in the northeast corner of the white shrine. It also preserves his used slippers, a chapter of Koran taken from its original holy book, the canopy of his tombstone and the foot print of Muhammad on the stone.


During his reign, Emperor Shah Jahan built many other important mosques in Agra, Ajmer and Lahore. The grand building of Jama Masjid has stood the test of time and stands undeterred, reminding about the glory of the bygone era. Most of the tourists coming to Delhi make it a point to visit this magnificent edifice.