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India has a lengthy and fascinating past. The population is diverse, with each region, state, or territory having its own distinct culture. One such location in our nation that is worth visiting is Delhi.
The National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi has historical landmarks, monuments, palaces, old tombs, and temples that have helped the tourism sector of India develop over the years by bringing in a steady stream of visitors. It is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and the Red Fort.
It includes New Delhi, the capital of India, which is renowned for its cleverly planned structure. Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and the Supreme Court of India are all located here.
Prominent Tourist Locations/Attractions of Delhi
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Agrasen Ki Baoli
Agrasen ki Baoli, also known as Ugrasen ki Baoli, is a well-preserved historic step well in New Delhi. It is 60 meters long, 15 meters wide, and has 108 steps. There are only three levels visible, and each one has arched niches on both sides.
The Baoli or Bawdi (also referred to as Jassi, Baori, or Bauri) is situated on Hailey Lane, adjacent to Hailey Road and close to Connaught Place.
Additionally, it is relatively close to other significant Delhi landmarks like the India Gate and the Jantar Mantar.
This must-see location in Delhi is used for photography, videography, as well as filmography.
Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham Temple (Akshar means "eternal" and "Dham" means "abode"), sometimes referred to as the Akshardham Delhi or Swaminarayan Akshardham, is acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest and most elaborate Hindu temple in the world.
Situated near the borders of Noida, this temple was officially inaugurated on November 6, 2005.
The temple is 141.3 feet long and 316 feet broad, featuring about 20,000 idols, 234 exquisitely carved pillars, 20 quadrangle peaks, and 9 intricately designed domes. Under the main dome is the 11-foot-long statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, surrounded by sages. The statues of other Hindu deities are made of the 'Panch Dhaatu', a blend of five metals: copper, gold, iron, silver, and zinc.
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Connaught Place
Connaught Place, commonly abbreviated to "CP," is one of the most important and largest business, commercial, and financial centres in New Delhi. Connaught's Inner Circle, Connaught's Middle Circle, and Connaught's Outer Circle are the three main concentric circles that make up this magnificent building. W.H. Nichols came up with the idea of this circular form that is famous worldwide.
Known for hosting national and international brand stores, flea markets, lavish hotels, and restaurants, this is the ninth most costly place to rent in the world and the best place to spend the weekends.
Visitors to Connaught Place love the equinoctial sundial, Jantar Mantar, and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, which has a magnificent pool, the Sarovar. Not only that the vibrant Delhi nightlife, which can be enjoyed at spots like Kitty Su, is also located in Connaught Place.
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Chandi Chowk
Chandni Chowk is one of Delhi's oldest and most prominent markets. Situated near the Old Delhi Railway Station, this is a significant historic location and is widely known for selling a wide variety of products, including electronics, clothes, jewellery, perfumes, and mouth-watering food.
The Parathe Wali Gali in particular is a must-visit for its wide selection of parathas, including the Aloo Ka Paratha and Bhindi Paratha. Additionally, spots like the Chaatwallah, Gole Hatti, Jalebiwala, Natraj's Dahi Bhalle, etc. will enrich your experience at Chandni Chowk.
The Red Fort monument is situated at Chandni Chowk's easternmost point. Additionally, visitors can see the Fatehpuri Mosque.
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Dilli Haat
The Dilli Haat is a 6-acre outdoor marketplace with around 62 shops selling regional food and handicrafts from around India. Pitampura, Janakpuri, and INA are the three haats (markets) here. The Delhi Haat INA, which is located directly across from the INA Market in South Delhi's commercial district, is the most well-known among them.
Beads, brassware, decorated camel hide shoes, elegant cloth and draperies, gems, jewellery, metal crafts, rosewood and sandalwood sculptures, and silk and wool fabrics are examples of products commonly available in this market.
To promote handicrafts and handlooms, exhibitions are held in Haat's exhibition hall. Additionally, Dilli Haat also organizes a variety of cultural events, such as dance and music shows.
The Sarojini market, which is close to Dilli Haat, draws a lot of young people since it sells stylish clothing and accessories at incredibly low prices.
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Humayun’s Tomb
The Humayun's tomb is the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Situated in Delhi's Nizamuddin Eastern region, the tomb appears to be the earliest structure in India to be constructed in the Mughal style of architecture and is one of the best-preserved Mughal structures.
Not only that, it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent as well as the first structure made of red sandstone. In 1993, UNESCO designated this well-known Delhi tourist destination as a World Heritage Site.
The arched alcoves, corridors, and double dome of the tomb are all influenced by the Persian design.
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India Gate
The All India War Memorial, also known as India Gate or Delhi Memorial, is a massive 42-meter-high sandstone arch gate. It is situated along Rajpath, near the eastern end of New Delhi's "ceremonial axis," which was originally known as Kingsway. This colossal gate serves as a memorial to the 84,000 British Indian Army personnel who lost their lives in World War I (1914–1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919).
13,300 names of Indian martyrs are carved on the surface of this gate. The Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in December 1971 to honour Indian Army troops who achieved martyrdom, is located directly beneath the archway.
India Gate's massive structure is a sight to behold, and at night, when the fountain's colourful lights go on, it is even more beautiful. Visitors can take their families on a picnic near India Gate or just have a rejuvenating morning stroll.
Jama Masjid
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The Jama Masjid, also known as Masjid-i Jehan-Numa, is the second largest mosque in India. It was built between 1650 and 1656 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and serves as a great representation of the golden age of Mughal architecture.
The mosque, located close to the Red Fort and Connaught Place, was built over six years by around 5,000 workers. There are many entrances, but only three of them permit tourists into the mosque: Gate 1 on the southern side; Gate 2 on the eastern side; and Gate 3 on the northern side. Originally, the Gate 2 eastern entrance was only meant to be used by royals.
The mosque's beautifully appealing structure is composed of red sandstone with vertical white marble strips and two 40-meter-high minarets. It consists of four towers, the southernmost of which provides a breathtaking view, making it another must-visit location in Delhi.
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Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar is one of the five oldest enormous sundials and astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The observatory is situated on Parliament Street, just south of Connaught Circus, and is equipped with thirteen masonry-built astronomical instruments composed of brick shards and lime plaster.
This scientific wonder was used to create astronomical records and forecast the movements and times of the sun, the moon, and the planets.
While reliable readings are currently difficult due to the nearby large buildings or towers, it is nonetheless worthwhile to explore this noteworthy city landmark and A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourists can have a great time admiring the massive triangle gnomon, which is a quadrant of a circle with the hypotenuse parallel to the equator.
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Lodhi Gardens
The Lodhi Gardens is a stunning park with architectural marvels on exhibit all around. Known earlier as the Lady Willingdon Park, the place was constructed during the Lodhi dynasty's rule.
The garden is about halfway between the Safdarjung Tomb and Khan Market and covers 90 acres (360,000 square meters) of land. The place showcases an outstanding fusion of captivating greenery and majestic tombs and mosques from the 15th and 16th centuries. The main tombs are of two Delhi sultans: Sikandar Lodhi, monarch of the Lodhis, and Mohammad Shah, the ruler of the Sayyids.
Lodhi Gardens is the ideal location for family activities, such as picnics, in the midst of a quiet and calming natural environment. For residents, it has also become an ideal place for morning and evening workout routines. The sunset views are extremely beautiful in this garden.
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Lotus Temple
The Bahá's House of Worship, also known as the Lotus Temple because of its unusual flower-like design, is an excellent piece of modern Indian architectural work. The Temple is one of the most popular places of worship in the world, open to people of all races, religions, cultures, and castes.
It is situated on a 9.7-hectare plot of land in South Delhi next to Nehru Place and Kalkaji Mandir. The structure has nine sides made up of 27 free-standing, marble-covered "petals" placed in groups of three. Nine doorways lead into a central hall with a ceiling height of just over 34 meters and seating arrangements to accommodate 1,300 people.
Built by architect Fariborz Sabha, the Lotus Temple has won various architectural awards.
In addition, it was printed on the Rs 6.50 Indian postage stamp and was highlighted in many newspaper and magazine columns.
National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park, also known as Chidiya Ghar, is a popular weekend destination in Delhi for both adults and kids. The National Zoological Park was founded in 1959 and is regarded as one of the top zoos in Asia. This 176-acre (71 ha) zoo, close to the Old Fort, provides a habitat for some 1,500 animal and bird species, including those from Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Tourists visiting the area will have a great experience riding on battery-operated electric vehicles and sighting African Wild Buffalo, Asiatic Lion, Axis Deer, Banteng, Black Buck, Brow-antlered Deer (Sangai), Chimpanzees, Cobras, Emu, Elephants, Gir Lion, Hyena, Hog Deer, Hippopotamus, Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Sand Boas, Jaguars, Lion-tailed Macaque, Macaque, Rhinoceros, Spider Monkey, Swamp Deer, and the magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers. Bird watchers will always be in awe of the sight of exotic birds like the Great Indian Hornbill, Peafowl, and Red Jungle Fowl.
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Purana Qila
Purana Qila is an Urdu name that translates to "Old Fort." It covers 1.5 square kilometres of land and is located in New Delhi close to the banks of the Yamuna River. The National Zoological Park and the massive Pragati Maidan exhibition arena situated on the Delhi-Mathura route are also not far from it.
The fort was initially built during the reign of Humayun but was finished by Sher Shah Suri, for whom it is also known as Shergarh or Sher Fort. The fort is aesthetically pleasing for the tourists mostly for the white and blue-tiled marble decorations on the bastions and gates.
There are 3 entrances: the Bara Darwaza, also known as the Big Gate, which faces west; the Humayun Gate, which faces south; and the Talaqqi Gate, also known as the Forbidden Gate. These gates are two-storeyed and involve massive semi-circular bastions on either side of them.
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Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar, which is part of the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a uniquely stunning and preserved minaret of India. Situated in Mehrauli, this 238-foot (72.5-meter) tower is the second-tallest structure in Delhi.
This elaborate five-storeyed structure is built from a variety of stones. Red sandstone makes up the first three storeys, while sandstone and marble were used to construct the fourth and fifth stories.
The Alai Minar, is a 2,000-year-old iron pillar, a 1310 gateway, and the tombs of Altamish, Alauddin Khalji, and Imam Zamin are all part of the site.
In addition to all of this, the tower is surrounded by a lovely garden where visitors can unwind while taking pictures of the tower's intimidating silhouette.
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Red Fort
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Kila is a massive historical fort in Delhi, fully constructed of red sandstone. There are numerous fairytale structures located inside the perimeter of the red fort. The two main notable structures within the Red Fort are the Diwan-i-Khas (or the Shah Mahal) and the Rang Mahal (or the Imtiyaz Mahal). Inside the Red Fort, there is another renowned structure called Diwan-i-Aam, or the Hall of Public Audience.
A series of palaces and pleasure rooms, an elaborate mosque, protruding balconies, geometric gardens, indoor canals, and spas are all enclosed within the fort's enormous 75-foot (23-meter) tall walls. There's also Son et Lumière, an amusing light and sound show.
Chatta Chowk, a covered market that sells food, souvenirs, jewellery, silks, and silverware, is accessible by the Lahore Gate. All of these together make the Red Fort a must-visit in Delhi with friends and family.
