Are you obsessed with the thought of finding the perfect way of capturing the topmost must visit places in Delhi while venturing into Incredible India Tour? Delhi, the capital of India, with its rich history charms and cajoles with landmarks old and new, phenomenal, affordable cuisine, museums, arts and culture galore. The city is dotted with spellbinding mosques, forts, and monuments left over from the Mughal rulers that once occupied the city. And a visitor to this place is left with no other option, but to be enchanted by the magic of bygone eras and thrilled by the aspirations of the modern India. Delhi has dozens of must visit places. Here is a list of 10 must visit places in Delhi.
The Red Fort (Lal Quila)
The most famous among the historical monuments of India, stands as a reminder of the Mughal rule in the country. Located just opposite to Chandni Chowk in old Delhi, the fort is a great way to get to know the past glory of India. The construction of the UNESCO World Heritage Site began at the behest of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the early 17th century. This unique fort of Delhi has many types of developments added on after its construction by Shah Jahan. The art work in Red Fort is a mixture of Indian, Persian, and European art which combined together to form the development of unique Shahjahani style of art that is rich in form, expression, and color. After looking at the beautiful engravings and art work, one can estimate that creativity had a special place in the life of people at that time. Furthermore, the fort consists of The Hammam (bathing area), Shah Burj (an octagonal tower), Khas Mahal (emperor’s palace), Diwan-e Khas (hall of private audience), and Rang Mahal (palace of colors) of Mumtaz Mahal. Like other tourist attractions in Delhi, Red Fort- an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal Empire attracts millions of travelers around the world to Delhi.
Qutab Minar (234 ft.)
The excellent UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to the 12th century. This famous mosque in Delhi is the tallest brick minaret on earth. It is an important landmark of Delhi and is also one of the finest store towers in India. It is the earliest of the structures where you are able to see a combination of the Indian and the Islamic architecture. The reason of building Qutub Minar remains unknown even at present. While some believe that it stands for the victory of the Mughals on the Indian soil, others claim that it had been a tower of prayer. The five-storied tower is decorated with great carvings and quotations from Koran. Qutb-ud-din Aibak was the first Muslim of India who initiated the orders for construction of this minaret in 1193. It is located in Qutub Complex which is a large area comprising of many ancient and medieval structures and their ruins. The Qutub Minar is also significant for what it represents in the history of Indian culture and is one of the main Delhi tourist attractions.
Chandni Chowk
One of the top must visit places of Old Delhi, gives you a pleasant surprise. It presents a striking contrast to the modernized New Delhi. Cars, cycle, rickshaws, hand-pulled carts, pedestrians, and animals all compete for space. It is chaotic, crumbling and congested, but completely captivating as well. As one of the oldest and busiest markets in India, its narrow winding lanes are full of inexpensive jewelry, fabrics, and electronics. For the more adventurous, Chandni Chowk is an excellent place to come to sample some of Delhi’s street food. Walking on the streets here will be a great opportunity for those who wish to get acquainted with the delicacies of the region. The chowk keeps alive the city’s living legacy of Shahjahanabad. Legend has it that Shah Jahan, the builder of Taj Mahal, planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted.
Humayun’s Tomb
Another must visit places of Delhi, looks a bit like the Taj Mahal in Agra. It is because it was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal’s creation. A structure built in the midst of exotic plant life, this tomb contains the body of Humayun, the second Mughal ruler of the nation. A foremost archetype of Mughal design ingenuity, the 16th century Tomb of Humayun is a red sandstone marvel. Subject to a superb restoration effort which endures to the present day, the mausoleum is one of the most remarkable in the world, if not India. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the structure was begun in 1562 and completed in 1565. The tomb established a standard for all later Mughal monuments, which followed its design, most notably the Taj Mahal.
Gandhi Smriti, Raj Ghat and National Gandhi Museum
These three landmarks of Delhi, form the top must see attractions in India. A visit to Gandhi Smriti will show you the exact spot where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. He lived in the house for 144 days up until the time of his death. The room that he slept in, kept exactly how he left it, and the prayer ground where he held a mass congregation are both open to the public. Plenty of photos, sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions are also on display. Raj Ghat on the bank Yamuna River is the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. The eternal flame of Raj Ghat marks a prominent memorial to Mahatma Gandhi but tributes to other major figures throughout India’s history, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi serve to inspire visitors. The National Gandhi Museum rounds out this must-see area of Delhi.
India Gate
One of the topmost Delhi attractions at the center of New Delhi, is a war memorial. Built in memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for the British Army in World War I, India Gate is located at a short distance from Raj path. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. The area wears a magic charm with the floodlights during the night.
Bahai Temple
A major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance, is also known as Lotus Temple. The temple is also one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. This is a temple which proclaims the unity of all religions. The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding “petals” made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The temple looks more attractive during the night when it is decorated with enchanting lighting arrangements. The surrounding gardens and ponds make it an ideal location to refresh for some time.
Jama Masjid
The principal mosque of Old Delhi commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is one of the largest and best known mosques in India. Its courtyard can hold an incredible 25,000 devotees. The mosque took 13 years to build, and was completed in 1650. A strenuous climb to the top of its southern tower will reward you with a stunning view across the rooftops of Delhi. Be sure to dress appropriately when visiting the mosque. This means covering your head, legs and shoulders. Attire is available there. A failure to abide by the instructions would deprive you of the opportunity of admiring this artistic wonder.
Rail Museum of Delhi
Located in Chanakyapuri, is a must see attraction for rail buffs. There are several models of old train engines and coaches displayed in this museum. The pride of National Rail Museum is India’s very first train which was a steam engine that covered its journey from Bombay to Thane in 1853 at the time of British Raj in India. The locomotives and rail engines are all displayed in open although there is a special museum as well which provides abundance of information on the history of railways in India. The vintage displays of National Rail Museum include the Viceregal Dining Car (1889) – a still working oldest locomotive on earth. Other old locomotives include Maharaja of Baroda’s Saloon from 1886, Prince of Wales Saloon from 1875, Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon (1899). The elaborated interior design inside the royal saloon mentioned above is a must see attraction of this museum.
Lodi Gardens
A must visit places in Delhi while heading for The Golden Triangle India Tour, is an ideal location for someone who wishes to escape from the busy streets of the city. A set of gardens planted by the Britishers in respect of those who ruled India during the fifteenth and sixteenth century, these offer solace to tired minds. The history of Lodi dates back to the late 15th century, when the mausoleum of the last Sayyid dynasty ruler was built. Since then, the serene calm of the Gardens has been ground zero for beauty and recreation in Delhi. Joggers, yoga practitioners, and young couples all enjoy this park.
