*Indgate:**:
India Gate
India Gate was built by the British to honour the 90,000 Indian
soldiers who died fighting for the Allied cause in World War I.
The small flame beneath it was added by Indira Gandhi, in memory
of the soldiers who perished in the 1971 war with Pakistan. India
Gate is the place where many Delhiwallahs spend a few hours
in the evening, eating chaat or kulfi, munching
popcorn or relaxing on the lawns.
Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Presidential palace and it includes
the wonderful Mughal Gardens, which is open to visitors in February
and March (tourists can collect passes from the tourist office).
In British times, this huge mansion built of red sandstone in
Indo-Saracenic style was the home of the Viceroy.
*Olddelhi:**:
Old Delhi
A jaunt through this area for a whiff of the Mughal era. Besides
the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, visit the grave of Razia Sultan,
the first woman ruler of Hindustan. It lies, forgotten, in a by-lane
behind Turkman Gate, a bustee where the infamous demolition of
homes was done during the Emergency (1975-1977, the dark phase
of Indian democracy). Located here is also the Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque of India which is the nerve centre of Muslim Delhi.
Built in 1656 by Shah Jahan at the cost of Rs 1,000,000.
*Redfort:**:
Red Fort
A famous and undoubtedly magnificent
Mughal landmark of India, the fort is a must tourist spot. This
red sandstone fortress was built in 1648 by Shah Jahan. The splendid
Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas Halls reflect an era that today can
only be read about in history books. It is also still used as
a site for important public functions, almost in some kind of
continuation of tradition of the days when Mughal emperors held
darbar here and on Independence Day, the Prime Minister
address the nation from here.
*Chandni:**:
Chandni Chowk
One of Asia's most fascinating
bazars. Chandni Chowk must be experienced to capture the flavour
of the archetypal eastern bazar. European travellers over the
past two centuries have written at length about it. The central
carriageway, to use an antiquated term, down the length of this
kilometre long stretch of shops and residential buildings, covers
what was earlier a beautiful water channel, reflecting the silvery
moonlight on clear nights. Chandni means silver. The shops
sell everything conceivable. There are wholesale market in adjoining
lanes for books, jewellery, shoes, spices and plastic goods. The
biggest electronics goods market of Delhi a located in a bylane
nearby. Eating places that offer authentic local fare are all
found here. A web of narrow lanes that criss cross called katras,
house this congested cluster of shops and dwellings. The populace
here is an equal mix of Bania Hindus, Punjabi khatris and
Muslims. They consider themself the genuine Delhi-ites. The rest
they dismiss as migrants who came in much later.
*Nizam:**:
Nizamuddin
Originally a village, which
came up 600 years ago around the dargh or shrine of the
Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Aulia, this neighbourhood is a place of
pilgrimage for people of all faiths but, particularly, Sufis from
around the world. Nearby, are some fine Muslim masoleums, including
the tomb of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. These are surrounded
by exquisitely laid out gardens ( Muslim rulers had a passion
for gardens). Every Friday in the evening a quawali session,
a very special Muslim style music recital, takes place. Nizamuddin
comes alive during Urs (twice a year) when quawalis, poetry reading
are held nightly. (Ask any of the tourist offices for details).
A short distance away is the Delhi Zoo, located amidst the ruins
of the Purana Quila or Old Fort, one can explore both the zoo
and the fort, which has a lake in front, where boating is allowed.
Nearby is the imposing Supreme Court, another historic landmark.
*Lodhi:**:
Lodhi Gardens
These verdant gardens
are perfect for long walks among sylvan surroundings. The tombs
of emperors of the Lodhi dynasty, evidence of the sixth city and
remnants of mosques are found here. Adjacent to it is the India
International Centre and Lodi Estate, which houses several UN
offices. At the upper end of Lodi Gardens, where there is a major
intersection, Safdarjang's Tomb stands, across the road. It is
an impressive mausoleum built in the 18th century.
*Mehrauli:**:
Mehrauli
Here one finds the remnants
of the first city, Lal Kot. The Qutub Minar,
circa 12th century, a tower erected to "cast the shadow of
God over both East and West", and the rust free Iron Pillar
(4th century) are the easily identifiable structures, on every
sightseeing trip. Nearby are ruins of India's first mosque, Quwwat
ul Islam built using the remains of some 27 Hindu and Jain temples.
Not far away, in South Delhi at Kalkaji and a recent addition
to a tourist itinerary, is the Baha'i temple, a lotus-shaped structure
in white marble, surrounded by a landscaped garden. Absolutely
unique, the temple has no devotional "props" inside.
One is supposed to sit in the sanctum sanctorum and medidate.
The ceiling spirals up into a cone high above. The Baha'i faith
embraces the preachings of all great prophets precedings Baha'iullah,
the Iranian prophet, whoso followers were persecuted as heretices
in Iran.
*Zinat:**:
Zinat ul Masjid
Located in Daryaganj
opposite the Rajghat. Zinat'un Nisa Begum, daughter of the Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb ordered for this lovely mosque to be erected.
She also built a tomb enclosure for her burial in 1710. Of red
stone, the mosque has a facade of seven arches and the three domes
crowning it are of white marble. There is a tank in its courtyard.
A beautiful monument rarely visited.
*Rosehan:**:
Rosehanara Bagh
Located in north Delhi.
A beautiful Moghul garden, it was planned and commissioned by
Roshanara Begum, Shah Jehan's daughter. She is buried in this
garden and aesthetically laid out canals flow around her tomb.
Lush. An unsung tourist destination. Interestingly Roshanara Begum
sided with Aurangzeb when he decided to depose his father, Shah
Jehan.
*Kalkaji:**:
Kalkaji Mandir
Located on a hillock in
Kalkaji in South Delhi, this shrine is dedicated to the Goddess
Kali. A large stone mound, coloured with vermillion, represents
the Goddess. This is called the pind. The temple, according
to popular belief, pre-dates the earliest historical records.
Located in a maze of narrow lanes, lined with stalls selling devotional
paraphernalia as well as an army of alm seekers and sadhus, this
atmospheric little corner of Delhi is in sharp contrast to the
grand monuments of British and Islamic Delhi.
*Jamali:**:
Jamali Kamali and King Balban's tomb
In Mehrauli, not far from the Qutub Minar: Jamali and Kamali were
Sufi saints. Their masouleums are located off the main Mehrauli
Road, in the midst of lush landscaping.
*Bhumi:**:
Bhumi Bhatiari ka Mahal
The well
preserved remnants of the palace of a Muslim noblewoman. It is
located on a hillock.
*Jhand:**:
Jhandewalan Mandir
Located on Jhandewalan
Road on the way to Karol Bagh. Another very revered temple of
the goddess. The temple has a subterranean shrine as well as one
on the ground level. A Delhi version of Lourdes, the temple receives
devotees by the hordes including the rich and the famous. During
the Navratras in spring and autumn, a mela or fair is held.
Thousands of devotees converge for darshan or blessing.
Very festive.
*Yogmaya:**:
Yog Maya Mandir
An ancient Devi
temple located near the Qutub Minar. Among the most fascinating
of Delhi's myriad shrines, it is also one of the oldest and perhaps
the quietest. Inside suspended currency notes provide a unique
form of decoration. The week-long historic Phool Wallon Ka Sair
(flowersellers' festival), in October begins at this temple and
culminates at the Muslim dargah in the Qutab Minar complex.
Participants are people from all communities.
*Digam:**:
Digambara Jain Temple and Bird Hospital
A 16th century temple, the oldest in this area, there are some
beautiful carvings to be viewed. Next door one of India's largest
bird hospital is certainly worth a visit. The various wards -
pigeon, parrot etc - house a sizeable population of maimed or
ill avians.
*Begum:**:
Begum Mahal
A splendid mosque and
small annexes located in a vast complex just behind Sarvapriya
Vihar in South Delhi. Unusual and not on the regular tourist itinerary
and therefore quite free of crowds. Good photo opportunities.
*Shalimar:**:
Shalimar Bagh
A beautiful Mughal
garden in West Delhi. There are remnants of a pleasure house.
Not on the tourist map, but definitely worth a visit. Laid out
by Shah Jehan in 1653, the gardens have some rare trees.
*Ghats:**:
The ghats:
The main cremation ground at Nigambodh
Ghat and adjacent residential ghats overlooking the Yamuna
river and mosque provide an insight into the Indian ethos. Great
for photography.
*Singapore:**:
Singapore City
There are major on-going
industrial projects in Gurgaon, Haryana across the border from
Delhi, which are attracting foreign and NRI investors in droves.
Among these is the Singapore City, just a few kilometres from
South Delhi. It is being set up by compendium of investors and
businessmen from Singapore. Interesting sample of what parts of
India are projected to be like early next century. The Maruti
factory, which produces the lowest cost car in Asia is situated
nearby in Gurgaon.
*End:**: 