There are several things that people can see and do while on a visit to Delhi, India. Delhi being the capital of India has a mix of old and new culture. On one side you can find historical monuments and museums giving the glimpse of historic India, while at the same time Delhi also has some of the famous nightclubs, malls, theaters and pubs.
So if you are wondering what are the things to do in Delhi take a look at the following famous places, monuments and tourist spots to visit in Delhi:
Visit to Qutub Minar of Delhi:
Qutub Minar, a historical monument and a World Heritage Site is one of the oldest icon of Delhi and hence comes at the top spot.
It is very easy to reach Qutub Minar because of the metro. People can take a metro up to the Qutub Minar metro station on the Yellow lane, from where Qutub complex is pretty close.
Once you are in the complex, there is not just one but many buildings on the site. A mosque, Alai Gate, Alai minar, Iron pillar, tomb of Iltutmish, tomb of Alauddin Khilji, ruins of Jain temple and Qutub Minar.
The main Minar is made of Red sandstone and marble. The construction of it was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak but was finished by his son-in-law Iltutmish. It is 238 feet high, 40 feet in diameter at the base and 9 feet diameter at the top.
Just next to Qutub Minar is Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak. It is considered as the first mosque built in Delhi.
Tourists visiting Qutub Minar and Qutub Complex get to see the oldest surviving architecture and part of history that dates back to 11th century.
Entry Charges and Fees of Qutub Minar: Rs. 10 (Indians), Rs. 250 (Foreigners)
Qutub Minar remains open everyday.
Shopping at Janpath and Connaught Place(The Heart/Business Hub) of Delhi:
Both Janpath and Connaught Place are famous place of shopping in Delhi. Situated in the heart of the city these places have high-end brands and at the same time have street market for budget shopping.
While CP (Connaught Place) incorporates all the big brands of clothes, jewelry and other accessories, restaurants and coffee houses, people looking for affordable shopping can make way to Janpath. At Janpath tourists can find wide collection of antiques, designer wooden lamps, miniatures, clothes and footwear.
Nearest Metro Station to Connaught Place and Janpath: Rajiv Chowk.
Visit to Lodi Garden of Delhi: A must to see place in Delhi
Spread over an area of 90 acres, Lodi Gardens are some of the well-preserved Gardens in Delhi that are rarely visited but are best tourist spots to come close to nature.
Lodi Gardens has Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad. The Tomb of Mohammad Shah was built in 1444 A.D. and reflects the architecture during his time. Then there is the tomb of Sikander Lodi built in 1517.
Bara Gumbad and Sheesh Gumbad are known as Big dome and Glass Dome respectively. While the former one is a gateway to a mosque, the other is a remains of a building.
Surrounding these historical monuments is a beautiful and well-preserved garden that is a famous picnic spot and a lover's spot in Delhi.
Nearest Metro station to Lodi Gardens: Khan Market
Visit to Humayun Tomb:
Hamida Banu Begum wife of Mughal emperor Humayun built this tomb in his memory in 1562 A.D. Declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, this tourist place witness thousand of footfall every year.
This spot not only has Humayun Tomb but also incorporates many graves and tombs of Mughals Hamida Begum, Dara Shikoh, son of Shah Jahan, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat and Alamgir II.
However the tomb of Humayun depicts the Mughal style of architecture at its best. It took 9 long years and thousands of workers to complete the structure.
Around the tomb is the famous Char Bagh Gardens. It depicts the Persian style and is still well preserved. Complete garden is divided in 4 complete square (hence the name Char Bagh) by paved walkways and two bisecting central water channels.
Besides it also has structures like Tomb and mosque of Isa Khan, Bu Halima's Tomb and Garden, Afsarwala Tomb and mosque, Arab Sarai, Nila Gumbad and Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia in the vicinity.
Nearest Metro Station to Humyun Tomb: Jangpura or JLN Stadium
Visit to India Gate:
If you are on a tour of Delhi, India Gate is a must see place. This 42-metre tall structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1921 as All India War Memorial. Later the name was changes to India Gate
In the recent years it has become a prominent and iconic landmark in Delhi and one just cannot miss a visit to India Gate.
It was built to commemorate the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for India or for British Raj, in World War I, the Third Anglo-Afghan War and the North West Frontier operations.
Built by red and pale sandstone and granite, India Gate looks amazing during the sunrise and sunset. Being open all day at every time, it is mostly visited by people in the evening, as it looks amazing.
Amar Jawan Jyoti, the flame of the immortal soldier is burning in a shrine under the arch of India Gate since 1971.
Republic Day Parade on 26 January every year starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes through India Gate to reach the Red Fort.
Nearest Metro Station to India Gate: Central Secretariat
Shopping at Palika Bazaar:
Palika Bazaar is a famous shopping complex in Delhi. Located underneath the Connaught Place, it is famous for cheap clothes, apparels, footwear and electronic items. Hundreds of shops are located in a circle building, which is completely underground.
Tourists who are looking for budget shopping can look forward to these shops in Palika Bazaar. Bargaining at these shops are crucial, as the initial price will always e high but if you are an expert you can get it for pebbles.
It remains open every day and thousands of shoppers visit here and hence it remains crowded. Nearly 390 shops are present in this underground market. There are 7 gates for Entry in Palika Bazaar.
Nearest Metro Station to Palika Bazaar: Rajiv Chowk
Visit to Red Fort/Lal Qila of Delhi:
The Red Fort or Lal Qila is one the famous tourist spot of Delhi India. It took 9 years, more then 10 million Rupees and thousand of worker to complete what is Delhi's pride, Red Fort. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, this structure was also the center of politics during the British times.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site lies along the river Yamuna. It is built by Red sandstones and hence the name Red Fort.
Travelers who are curious about the history of India must travel to Red Fort as it has well preserved some of the historic items, art and other things that reflect Persian, Indian and British culture and style.
On 26 January and 15 August every year, Indian flag is hosted in this building and various culture programs are held.
It is not just the Red Fort building but there are few attractions within the vicinity of Red Fort like Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Nahr-i-Behisht, Zenana, Moti Masjid, Hayat Bakhsh Bagh, The Hammams, Muthamman-Burj, Rang Mahal and Naqqar Khana.
Entry Fee of Red Fort: For Indians: Rs. 10/-, For Foreigners: Rs. 250/-.
Nearest Metro Station to Red Fort: Chandni Chowk
Visit to Jama Masjid of Delhi:
Built in 1656 A.D. by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is the largest mosque of India. It took 6 years to complete, 1 million Rupees and more then 6,000 people to built this structure. It reflects the Mughal and Islam architecture to the core.
Jama Masjid has 3 gates. In front of Jama Masjid there is a Meena Bazaar (market) where tourists can buy clothes, accessories and footwear.
Jama Masjid is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year as it holds a special place among Muslims. Around 25, 000 people gather during the Eid to pray.
Nearest Metro Station to Jama Masjid: Chandni Chowk
Lotus Temple or Bahai House of Worship: A popular Tourist place of Delhi
The Lotus Temple near Nehru Place, is one of the famous and new structures of Delhi. It is Bahai House of Worship and is a structure of Bahai faith.
Lotus temple has 27 freestanding marble petals that form its nine sides. The structure has nine doors that lead to the main hall.
Around 2,500 people can collect at a time inside the Lotus temple. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand.
Persian architect Fariborz Sahba designed the temple and a team of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans completed the structure.
The building has nine reflecting pools surrounding the temple from outside. Inside the temple it is forbidden to talk, take photos and shoot video.
Travelers must visit the Lotus temple in the evening, as it looks beautiful and marvelous with all the light work.
Nearest Metro Station to Lotus Temple: Kalkaji Mandir
Visit to Raj Ghat of Delhi:
Mahatma Gandhi memorial or the place where he was cremated is Raj Ghat. He was cremated here on 31 January 1948.
The memorial has a black marble platform with an eternal flame on one side with an epitaph "Hey Ram". These were the last words of Gandhi.
Besides Gandhi's memorial, memorials of many famous politicians are here like of Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Jagjivan Ram, Choudhary Charan Singh, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Shankar Datal Sharma, Giani Zail Singh, Chandra Shekhar and Devi Lal.
One must remove shoes before entering the Raj Ghat.
Nearest Metro Station to Raj Ghat: New Delhi
These are few of the things to see in Delhi. There are lot many things visitors can do while being in the city. Nightclubs and pubs of Delhi are equally famous.
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