New Delhi is the capital city of India. Modern Delhi is a combination of many ancient towns and cities Dilli, Rajkot (Quila Rai Pithora), Siri, Tughluqabad, Jahanpanah, Feroz Shah Kotla, Purana Quila (Shergarh), Dinpanah, Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), and Lutyens’ Delhi (New Delhi). These all were different rulers and dynasties of Delhi. Today Delhi is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India. It is the 8th largest metropolis in the world by population. Being the capital of India, the city is also the commercial and business hub of India. Delhi presents the perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
There are many places of tourist attractions and recreation parks & spots in Delhi appealing tourists from all over the world. The city has many historic monuments. The city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation facilities in Delhi are excellent catering to people of all budgets. Delhi NCR (national capital region) includes suburbs like Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon. The city is also the gateway to north India travel and tourism. Major destinations like Rajasthan, Kashmir, Shimla, Manali, Agra, Dehradun, Varanasi, Khajuraho, etc are conveniently accessed from Delhi.
Major Tourist Attractions in Delhi
Red Fort: It is a major attraction in Delhi. It was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the year 1639 after deciding to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Built-in red sandstone the fort is also called Lal Quila or Delhi Fort. In the year of 2007, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its architectural excellence, it attracts the attention of travelers and tourists from all over the world. The fort complex houses many beautiful palaces. Diwan-i-Aam, Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal, Moti Masjid, etc are attractions inside the complex.
Qutub Minar: This is the longest brick and stone minaret in the world. It is situated in Mehrauli, South Delhi. It was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty. It is surrounded by many other ancient structures and ruins. Collectively they are known as Qutub Complex. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was India’s most visited monument in 2006. It attracted in that year more visitors than of Taj Mahal.
Humayun’s Tomb: It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi. It is also known as Humayun ka Makabara. It was commissioned by Humayun’s widow Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. The architecture of the Tomb was designed by a famous Persian architect – Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. It was the first garden-tomb monument in the Indian Sub-continent. The architecture of the complex is eye-catching and never fails to grab the attention of visitors.
India Gate: India Gate is an imposing war memorial monument situated on the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath. It is dedicated to brave Indian soldiers who laid their lives during the Afgan Wars and First World War. The names of the soldiers who died are inscribed on the walls of India Gate. There are green lawns at India Gate which are very popular among people for evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike.
Lotus Temple: Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of the Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite, and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides an immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom. Since then the temple has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments in India. The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall.
Akshardham Temple: Its construction is based on the ancient Sthaapatya shastras of India and it is built without steel, entirely out of sandstone and marble. Approximately 234 ornate pillars, floral motifs, arches, exquisitely carved pavilions, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangle shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants), adorn this architectural wonder. There are 20,000 statues inside Akshar Dham Mandir of Delhi of India’s great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personas.
Other features of the Akshardham Temple are an IMAX theatre, a Swaminarayan temple, and an elaborate musical fountain. The area around the temple building has been converted into manicured lawns with beautiful water fountains. The main shrine of the New Delhi Akshardhaam temple houses the statue of Lord Swaminarayan. There is an Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace inside the temple complex. Along with that, there is also a restaurant modeled on the Ajanta and Ellora caves and an Ayurvedic bazaar. Combining Rajasthani, Orrisan, Gujarati, Mughal and Jain temple architecture, the mandir presents a magnificent sight.
Other Attractions in Delhi
- Rashtrapati Bhawan – President House.
- Sansad Bhawan – the Parliament of India
- Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Temple) – Dedicated to Lord Vishnu & Goddess Laxmi
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib – One of the most visited Gurdwaras in Delhi
- Salimgarh Fort – now a part of Red Fort
- Chandani Chowk – Main Marketplace in Old Delhi
- Jama Masjid – one of the largest and best-known mosques in India.
- Rajghat – final resting place of Rashtra Pitah Mahatma Gandhi
How to Reach Delhi
By Air: Delhi is well connected by Domestic and International Flights. It has two airports – Delhi International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport.
By Rail: Delhi is well connected by railway networks with all the major cities of India.
By Road: Delhi is well connected to all the major destinations of North India.