DELHI ITINERARY
Delhi, one of the cosmopolitan cities of India has much to offer to its tourists. It caters to the cultural, religious, historical and contemporary interests of the travelers. People from all parts of the world come to witness the heritage and splendor of this city. No doubt that it is called the 'Heart of India'.
CULTURAL ITINERARY
Delhi was the capital of several Mughal, Rajput and Afghan empires in ancient times. As a consequence, Delhi has a unique history of blending itself with several different cultures. People who visit Delhi to find out about its culture will never go disappointed. There are innumerous museums in Delhi, which showcase the artifacts and scriptures from various eras.
Archaeological Museum, situated in historic Red Fort, exhibits objects that date back to Mughal Period. On view are manuscripts that demonstrate the fine art of calligraphy. One can also on view paintings, textiles and costumes of that era. One section is devoted to the relics of the 1857 war and displays maps and weapons.
Indian War Memorial Museum also at Red Fort, depicts the diorama of battle of Panipat, along with the weapons and dresses used in First World War.
National Gallery of Modern Art near India Gate, houses an art reference library that has a vast collection of books. Collections of best contemporary art reproductions are on sale at the counter.
The Air Force Museum at Delhi Cantt depicts the history of the Indian Air Force & has a vast collection of aeroplanes and Armory on display.
RELIGIOUS ITINERARY
Delhi also offers a glimpse of India's religious diversity. It has many temples, mosques, gurudawaras and churches. The largest mosque in India, the
Jama Masjid and the most visited Vaishnavite temple in the world, the
Birla Mandir are located in Delhi. The
Lotus Temple represents the Bahai faith and signifies the purity and the universality of the lord and equality of all religions.
St. James Church, which is built by James Skinnner, and located in north Delhi, is the oldest church in the capital. This church is open only on Sundays. Another very important place of worship in Delhi is the famous
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, which is located in the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place. The recent addition to the list of famous religious monuments is
The Akshardham Temple. Recently built in pink sandstone, this temple is known for its delicate carvings and beautiful lawns. Apart from these some other temples of interest are
Chattarpur Mandir, ISCKON Temple and
Bala Hanuman Temple.
HISTORICAL ITINERARY
A direct consequence of Delhi's rich history is its magnificent monuments. Old Delhi has great architecture wonders like
Lal Quila and
Jama Masjid. Lal Quila which was built by great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. On the other hand Jama Masjid is yet another architectural gift given by Shah Jahan. It is one of the largest mosques in India.
Humayun Tomb and 72.5 meters tall
Qutub Minar are also located in Delhi. The Bahai Temple is the most visited edifice in the world with more 50 million visitors annually. It is also called
Lotus Temple because of its unique architecture. There are various monuments in Delhi that are reminiscent of the British colonial architecture. Some of these structures are
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Secretariat, the Rajpath, the Parliament of India and
the Vijay Chowk. Other famous monuments include India's war memorial, the
India Gate, an 18th century astronomical observatory, the
Jantar Mantar and a 5th century BC fortress, the
Purana Qila.
SHOPPING ITINERARY
Delhi has always remained an important trading center in northern India. There is a 300 year old market,
Chandni Chowk, which is perhaps the most famous commercial area in India for wholesale goods till now. The
Lajpat Nagar market offers economical and good quality Indian garments.
Connaught Place is a major shopping area and has many food joints. It is not only a shopper's paradise but also offers a glimpse of Anglo-Indian architecture.
Dilli Haat, opposie INA market and
Hauz Khas village offer a variety of cultural Indian handicrafts and handlooms. Other major shopping areas include
Sarojni Nagar, Karol Bagh, South Extension and
Greater Kailash market. Several shopping malls, such as
Ansal Plaza, Metropolitian, Sahara Mall and
Centerstage Mall have also opened throughout Delhi.
