About Delhi
About Delhi
1. New Delhi:
New Delhi, the capital city of India, enjoys a rich cultural heritage, exemplified by a variety of
architectural and culinary contributions by the Mauryas, Lodhi dynasty, Mughals and the British over
the centuries. With a population of over 20 million people, New Delhi is one of the four megacities
in the country. Beyond the hustle and bustle of the city centre, New Delhi also boasts of many
beautiful parks that provide the opportunity for leisurely walks. Old Delhi area is popular for its
ancient monuments along with its overcrowded gastronomical lanes, which serve food from various
cuisines across the country. Being the capital city, New Delhi is the seat of the national government
and houses the secretariats of the various Ministries. With its tourist attractions, New Delhi continues
to bring in tourists from around the world throughout the year, especially from mid-October to mid-
March, which is considered an ideal time as the weather conditions are pleasant during this period.
Swaminarayan Akshardham
'Akshardham' means the divine abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and
peace. Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi is a Mandir – an abode of God, a Hindu house of
worship, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. Timeless
Hindu spiritual messages, vibrant devotional traditions and ancient architecture all are echoed in its
art and architecture. The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830), the
avatars, devas and great sages of Hinduism. The traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on 6
November 2005 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts
of skilled artisans and volunteers.
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Humayun’s Tomb
It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam.
Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with
pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.
There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857
A.D; Lieutenant Hudson had captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II.
India Gate
At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway
in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000
Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The
memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern
Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by His Royal
Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens. The monument
was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar
Jawan Jyoti was added much later, after India got its independence. The eternal flame burns day and
night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who laid down their lives in the Indo-
Pakistan War of December 1971.
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Lotus Temple
Located in the national capital of New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is an edifice dedicated to the Baha'i
faith. The magnificent structure of this building unfolds in the form of a stupendous white petal lotus
and is one of the most visited establishments in the world. The design of this shrine was
conceptualized by Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba and was completed in the year 1986. This
temple seeks to propagate the oneness of the Almighty and is open to all regardless of their
nationality, religion, race or gender. The Lotus temple is one of the seven Baha'i House of Worship
present around the world.
Red Fort
A Delhi Tour is synonymous with a trip of Red Fort, famously called as Lal Kila of Delhi. Originally
Red Fort was known as 'Qila-I-Mubarak', meaning a residence for the royal family. Comprising of
many buildings with intricate carvings, floral motifs, double domes and majestic defence wall of
around 2.5 km, Red fort is spread over an area of 255 acres.
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Built as palace of Shahjahanabad which was the capital city of fifth Mughal emperor it is now one of
the most popular monuments not only of Delhi but of India. It was Emperor Shah Jahan who built
Red Fort; he also created another popular architecture of India- Taj Mahal of Agra. Owing to the red
sandstone used for its construction, this fort is called as Red Fort.
With an impressive structure of red sandstone and rich historical background and a prominent national
importance, Red Fort Delhi is a place which must be visited by all. Delhi Red Fort has been
recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site too.
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