Delhi,
the capital city of India, is a fine amalgam of the past and the present as
it has retained the monuments, temples and other heritage sites along with
several modern developments. Delhi's strategic location has been a major
reason for various dynasties to choose Delhi as their seat of power. Delhi
is a city, where dreams come to reality but it is not a fairytale city.
Delhi shelters various beautiful temples, mosques and forts, which have
played a vital role in the formation of its present image.
Attractions of Delhi
Red Fort : This fort is one of the most beautiful pieces
of Mughal Architecture, built by Shah Jahan (a Mughal Emperor) between 1638
and 1648. One can enter the Red Fort from the Lahori Gate or the Chatta
Chowk. This fort is one of the busy markets of Delhi, known as the 'Meena
Bazaar'. This market has a large collection of antiques, miniature paintings
and skillfully crafted fake ivory jewelry. One can also shop for beautifully
woven carpets. The Red Fort is a place, which should not be missed by a
tourist to Delhi.
Qutab Minar : This monument of Afgan architecture is one
of the major attractions Delhi has to offer. It is 230 feet tall that
represents the skill and aesthetic sense of the people from that bygone era.
The construction of Qutab Minar was started by Qutubuddin Aibak in the 12th
century and was later completed by his successors in the 13th century. This
mark of Muslim dominance in Delhi is a distinct monument that tapers from 15
mts. (diameter of base) to 2.5 mts. (diameter at the top) and has retained
its beauty since the time immemorial.
Jantar Mantar : This unique structure is one of the five
astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1724
near Connaught place in Delhi. One can see some abstract structures in this
monument that are the instruments which were used for keeping a track of the
celestial bodies. Also, it tells about the technological achievements that
took place under the Rajput kings and their attempts to resolve the
astronomical mysteries. The other four observatories built by Maharaja Jai
Singh II are located at Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura.
How To Get There
Air:
An extensive network of international as well as domestic flights is
available in Delhi. All the major airlines in the world fly through Delhi,
and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Domestic air links
cover Delhi from all the major cities in the country.
Train: Delhi is an important rail center connected to all
places in India. It is an excellent place for booking too. There are two
main stations in Delhi, Delhi Station and New Delhi station at Old Delhi and
Paharganj respectively. There is also the Nizamudin station in South Delhi.
Trains run from all the parts of the country to Delhi. For nearby places
like Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gwalior, Bhopal, Lucknow and Kanpur, the Shatabdi
Express is recommended.
Bus: Buses from all major places in Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are
available for getting to Delhi. During the summer months, air-conditioned
coaches are recommended.
