Insight India : A Travel Guide to India: Attractions in Delhi

Showing posts with label Attractions in Delhi. Show all posts

In Attractions in Delhi, India Gate by Gaurav Kumar // // Leave a Comment

India Gate : Attractions in Delhi

I am living in New Delhi for last 3 years. I have visited many places in New Delhi during my stay which includes Qutb Minar, Purana Quila, Red Fort, Lotus Temple and Akshardham temple among others. Of all the tourist places I have visited till now, India Gate is my favorite tourist place in Delhi and I often go here to spend evenings especially during summer.

India Gate attracts tourist mainly because of the 42 m high Victory Tower erected to commemorate the Indian soldiers who fought and died in World War II. All along and across there are lush gardens which are kept well-manicured. This place looks magical when the lightings are turned on after the dark.

Usually summer is the best time to visit in India Gate and most of the people come here at the evening time or after the sunset and weekend is the time visited by the most of families. You can spend here some wonderful time after your daily’s work stress.

India gate offers a variety of environment like – children plays inside of the field, balloon seller comes around you and also could eat local street foods such as some popular are Dahi Bhalla, Gol Gappe, Bhelpuri etc., as well as ice cream and cold drink seller. The place takes on the appearance of a fair with cultural potpourri of India on showcase.

India Gate History at a glance:

Amar Jawan Jyoti in side the India Gate

Located at the centre of New Delhi, India Gate, is the India’s national epitaph. It was built in 1931, which is designed by Edwin Lutyens. The national monuments commemorates to the 70,000 Indian soldiers who had dead during First World War and another Amar Jawan Jyoti added after India’s independent in 1947, which burns day and night under the arch to remind the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.

[Explore Delhi Tour Packages at IndianHoliday.com]

Author Bio:

A seeker, learner and explorer, Sandeep Manral loves to travel which could be attributed to the fact that he was born and brought up in Uttarakhand located in Great Himalaya, a digital marketing professional by profession, Sandeep also loves to write on diverse travel topics along with regular features on SEO and Digital Marketing tips and tricks.

In Attractions in Delhi, Protected Monuments in Delhi, Purana Qila by Gaurav Kumar // // Leave a Comment

Purana Qila: Attractions in Delhi

Purana Qila in Delhi is one of the most ancient sites in Delhi and a popular attraction. I have been to this place several times now and each time there’s something new to discover. The trick is the timing with early morning offering not just the best photo ops and unobstructed views of the monuments and structures inside, but it is also the time when it is not visited by couples who have led to a notorious reputation of Purana Qila. For those of you who don’t know about “Seven Cities of Delhi”, Purana Qila happens to be the Sixth City of Delhi. One of the reasons why I love my City is the history and heritage and tales of thrones, empires and powers that be which often pushes me to explore the road less traveled. Purana Qila is one such attractions in Delhi with its rich history which often beckons the explorer in me.

Bada Darwaza is the only entrance open to allow visitors inside Purana Qila

Purana Qila or the Old Fort is located near Pragati Maidan in Delhi. Purana Qila is also believed to be the site where Pandavas built Indraprastha during the times of Mahabharata. During the excavations, some pottery dating back to 1000 B.C. have been uncovered but nothing much to substantiate that this one is the site where the legendary Indraprastha was constructed. The recent history of this place starts with the rule of Humayun who renovated the Old Fort and laid foundation of his city Dinpannah (Refuge of People), “sixth city of Delhi”. Humayun was later defeated by Shershah Suri in 1540 and Suri declared himself the ruler of Delhi and named this site Sher Garh. He ruled briefly and his sudden death led to eventual return of Humayun.

You could notice the massive ramparts of Purana Qila from a distance. There are three massive gates only one of which is open to allow visitors inside. The fortified rubble masonry entrance walls are known as the Talaqi Darwaza (Forbidden Gate), Humayun Darwaza (probably because Humayun's Tomb is visible from this gate) and Bada Darwaza (Only door which remains open). There is one other gate opposite of the entrance to Purana Qila. It is the massive yet now crumbling Sheh Shah Gate or the Lal Darwaza (probably because it is made up of red sandstone).

One of the still standing and most impressive structures inside Purana Qila is the Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque built during Shershah Suri’s rule. It is surprisingly well maintained. Built as a Jami Masjid for royal family and courtiers, this exquisitely built single domed mosque is a great example of pre-Mughal architecture. There are a total of 5 arched niches or mihrabs set in the western walls of the mosque. The central iwan or the rectangular prayer hall is carved using white marble and red sandstones and there are intricate calligraphic inscription which one could observe on the Pishtaq.

Another of the few remaining structure inside the Purana Qila is Sher Mandal. This two storey red sandstone octagonal structure stand amidst the well manicured garden. The foundation of the tower - topped by an octagonal chattri supported by 8 pillars - was laid by Babur and was supposed to be his personal observatory. Later, Sher Shah too tried to finish the construction but the tower was completed by Humayun after the short reign of Sheh Shah ended. Humayun used this tower as his personal library and it is also the place from where Humayun fell to his tragic death later.

Practical Information: Purana Qila is a paid monument i.e. you need to pay an entrance fee to explore this fortress complex. For Indian visitors, fees is Rs. 10 whereas for fees for foreign tourist is Rs. 100. There’s no availability of locker room as they have at Qutub Minar but you could deposit your luggage and belongings at locker room of Delhi Zoo which is in the vicinity. There are food court with availability of food and drinks in plenty and washrooms (restrooms) could be found both outside and inside Purana Qila. One could also enjoy a boat ride in the lake near the entrance to Talaqi Darwaza or you could go visit Delhi Zoo which is also a popular attraction in Delhi.

Central iwan decorated with red sandstone and white marble with calligraphic decoration- Qila-i-Kahuna Mosque, Purana Qila

Sher Mandal inside Purana Qila is one of few standing structures of note

A view of Talaqi Darwaza or the Forbidden Gate of the Purana Qila from the inside

[Explore Delhi Tour Packages at IndianHoliday.com]

In Attractions in Delhi, Qutub Minar Complex Delhi, World Heritage Site, world heritage sites in India by Gaurav Kumar // // Leave a Comment

Qutub Minar: Attractions in Delhi

Qutub Minar: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi

Qutub Minar from Mehrauli Archaeological Park

This was taken from inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park on a beautiful sunny morning

One of the gems of Delhi, Qutub Minar is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its immense cultural value. I often travel to Qutub Minar and combine this trip with Mehrauli Archaeological Park which is close by. As a history buff, photographer and my personal interest in heritage and architecture, I am often drawn to this historical site.

Qutub Minar was built by using the material of 27 Jain Temples and thus was named as Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam) after Ghauri defeated last Hindu ruler Prithviraj Chauhan in 2nd Battle of Panipat.

Even as you stand inside the mosque you may see the pillars with Hindu motifs used extensively. There's an Iron Pillar with Bramhi inscription too in the middle of the prayer courtyard which dates back to the Gupta Period and reign of Vikramaditya before the beginning of this millenia.

Qutub Minar Complex is built upon what was Lal Kot, first city of Delhi ruled first by Tomar Rajputs and later Prithviraj Chauhan. Qutub Din was left incharge of governance of Delhi as Ghouri went back to Afghanistan where he died eventually and Qutub din Aibak declared himself the first Sultan of Delhi ushering in the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty in India. Qutub Minar was also extended by Iltutumish after the death of Aibak and later extensively by Alaudin Khilji.

The structures of note inside the Qutub Minar Complex include Qutub Minar, Quwwat ul Islam Mosque, Tomb of Imam Zamin, Madarsa and Tomb of Alaudin Aibar and exquisitely carved tomb of Iltutmish.

One of the structures which ever draw me here is the unfinished Alai Minar. Its foundation was laid by Alaudin Khilji and Alai Minar was supposed to be twice in size of Qutub Minar.

There are wash rooms for ladies and gentlemen inside the complex. You could also rent audio guide if you want to know the story of each of the structure inside the complex.

Unfinished Alai Minar is my Favorite Structure inside Qutub Minar Complex

One of the best days to visit this complex is on Mondays as only a few visitor come to this place. Ticket price is Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs 250 for foreigners for entrance in Complex and cloak room/locker facility for luggage and parking is available.

I'd also recommend you club it with trip to Mehrauli Archaeological Park which houses close to 70 monuments which include Rajon ki Baoli, Gandhak Ki Baoli, Jamali Kamali Mosque & Tomb and Balban's Tomb along with several of Metcalfe's Follies and Dilkusha (Quli Khan Ka Maqbara).

Tomb of Quli Khan or Metcalfe's Dilkusha

Tomb of Quli Khan inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park was converted later by Thomas Metcalfe as Dilkusa (Heart's Delight)

Author Bio: A post graduate in marketing from University of Mumbai, India, Nikhil Chandra seeks out travel inspiration with friends and often through solo wandering, exploring heritage and culture, meeting new people, tasting local cuisine and choosing homestays over hotels . His travel stories and articles have appeared in several travel magazines, online travel guides and travel blogs among others.