Places to Visit in Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India was once under the Mughals. It is a must visit place for anyone coming to India. With the numerous monuments scattered around, Delhi has become a top tourist destination in India.
Check out this list of the 15 most popluar places to visit in Delhi. Get information on how to reach them and what to do there.
Red Fort
Red Fort is no doubt the most important place to visit in Delhi. One of Delhi's most famous historical monuments, Red fort or "Lal Qila" is made in red sandstone and is a seemingly eternal witness to the Mughal splendor and extravagance.
Built by Shah Jahan, the 5th in the line of Mughals, the fort covers a semi-octagonal area of about 2km, its longest walls facing the town in the west and the River Yamuna in the east.
Completed in 1648, it contains halls of private and public audience called Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am respectively, domed and arched marble palaces, lavish private apartments, a mosque, and highly designed gardens.
Diwan-i-Khas is made of marble and its crowning glory used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by the Persian invader Nadir Shah in 1739.
Each night a Sound and Light show is performed in the Red Fort. The palaces are gorgeously lit in different colors with a historical commentary on the aspects of Mughal India playing in the backdrop. Know more..
Akshardham Temple
On the banks of the Yamuna river, this Hindu Temple, is a World class structure in architecture and beauty. Made entirely from the Rajasthani Pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, the temple has finely carved pillars, statues, and domes.
The place also has a theatre where the pictures and stories related to the arch-guru, Swaminarayan are displayed. You can also visit the beautiful, lush gardens and the musical fountain, all within the temple Complex. Know more..
Lotus Temple
An architectural splendor, Lotus Temple's flower shaped structure has made it a delight for tourists. The marble structure, has white marble floorings in the interiors, and is surrounded by nine ponds and beautiful gardens. Though a Temple, it does not have statues or idols in the vicinity, no sermons and preachings can be done, but every person, irrespective of his or her religion can come and remember the God here. Know more..Know more..
Humayun's Tomb
The tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, near Purana Qila, is a World Heritage Site and is a beautiful building made of red sandstone.
Its Charbagh gardens are full of botanical delights and the mausoleum itself is constructed in strict Mughal code of architecture, with domes, lattice screens, and a centrally designed Mihrab (a screened window) at the main chamber, containing the Emperor's cenotaph, is also there which faces west to the Mecca.
There are various other tombs and buildings in the compound area, where other Mughal artistry can be observed. Know more..
India Gate
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this building is a symbol of India's pride and history. The building is connected to Rashtrapati Bhawan through Rajpath, from which the national parade takes place on the Republic Day, which keeps marching to the Red Fort.
The place is recognized as a spot where all the soldiers who have laid their lives for the nation are commemorated through the sacred fire of the Amar Jawan Jyoti, A cenotaph for all soldiers with a rifle and a soldier's helmet at the top of it. Know more..
Jama Masjid
One of the most popular mosque in India, built by Shah Jahan in 17th Century, on the Chawri Bazaar Chawk of Old Delhi, is a sacred place for Muslims, and is highly recognized for its architecture.
Its ultimate Mughal structure reminds us of an old World charm, and with the beautifully constructed domes, minarets, compound, it is a popular sight for the tourists as well. Know more..
Old Fort or Purana Qila
Constructed in 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Humayun, this fort went under the maintenance of many rulers and ultimately remained neglected, resulted in the remaining ramparts, which is under government authority now.
The old and historical site, has various small structures inside like, Sher Mandal and Qila-i-Kuhan Mosque. Excavations also took place on this site many times, resulting in the accumulation of many artifacts which are preserved in the Archaeological Museum.
There is also a lake adjoining the back walls of the fort, which is a regular picnic place now, where boating can be enjoyed. Know more..
Laxminarayan Temple
Also known as the Birla Temple, this temple is a Hindu sacred place and one of the oldest and highly appreciated architectural structures.
The best attraction of the place is the intricate carvings on every part and wall of the temple building depicting stories from Hindu mythology. There are man made waterfalls and landscapes in the compound area, adorning the Temple. Know more..
Qutub Minar
World's tallest brick minaret, this building is amongst the popular places to visit in Delhi. An example of the Indo- Islamic architecture, the building is surrounded by various other ruins and historical structures, together forming the Qutub Complex.
Built in red sandstone, you can see a lot of carvings and sermons from the Quran over the structure and the interiors have also used white marble. The building has survived many earthquakes and is now a World Heritage Site. Know more..
Rajghat
A memorial of Mahatma Gandhi , this place is an open air, black marbled platform, which is the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi.
Located on the banks of river Yamuna, this place is the burial ground of many other people, like Jawaharlal Nehru, who has been dedicated a portion of Rajghat called the Shantivan. There are properly maintained gardens in the vicinity. Know more..
Rashtrapati Bhawan
The residence of the President of India, this building is a beautiful, though security bound place. With many pillars, domes, carvings, and cannons outside, this place has a beauty of its own. Surrounded with beautiful gardens and clean roads, it is the biggest residence of any chief of the state in the whole World. Know more..
Connaught Place
The central business and shopping hub of Delhi, this place was designed in a Victorian pattern with beautiful white colored pillars and in a circular shape by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Today with maximum number of cinema halls, shopping brands and top name business firms, this place is a regular hang out for people and tourists, and the central park in the core of the circular shape structure is a well maintained picnic spot for families.
National Museum
One of the largest museums in India, near Janpath area in Delhi, preserves many art works of the country.
Funded and maintained by the Ministry of Culture, the museum treasures art pieces from many fields, from paintings to arms, from manuscripts to armours, from Mohenjo daro time to the modern age. Know more..
Dilli Haat
It is a unique market cum food plaza where you can have a taste of all the flavors of the country from cuisine to handicrafts.
An open air compound, you can buy the antiquities of the country, all the folk objects and folk paintings and also have an experience of the festivals of India, which are celebrated in full swing at this place.
National Zoological Park
The only zoo in Delhi, that boasts of its wildlife and botanical treat, this place is a delight for the people who are nature lovers.
Near Old Fort in Delhi, the park has varieties of animals, even imported from foreign countries and also possess an aquarium and well maintained parks and gardens.
The other tourist places to visit in Delhi are:
Jantar Mantar | Safdarjung's Tomb | Hazrat Nizamuddin
Last updated : Dec 9, 2011.
