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Welcome to Delhi,

The City of Djinns

DELHI

Delhi is a city that has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC, wiped numerous times with new imperial cities sprouting accompanied by plunders of dynasties and rulers who fought battles just to conquer it as their pride and Glory. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires The city was born out of a complex past that defines the present state of its dynamism, beauty and ramifications. It is amazing to witness the coexistence of both the ancient and modern world in one city that showcases a diverse culture as well as traditional values and yet absorbing modern interventions making it worth exploring, be it the city in itself or the people enriched with variant characteristics and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region.

The city has a very rich and 5000 year's old history that starts with the arrival of the Pandavas. The city is also a witness of the different wars particularly the Indian war of independence. It was made the capital of the nation by the Britishers.

Delhi is the capital territory of India. Delhi is the largest commercial centre in northern India. The National Capital Territory of Delhi has its own Legislative Assembly, Lieutenant Governor, council of ministers and Chief Minister. The people of Delhi are referred to as Delhiites or Dilliwalas. The city is referenced in various idioms of the Northern Indo-Aryan languages.

Delhi's Culture at a Glance...........

Delhi has been ruled by different kinds of the rulers that belong to different regions and thus follow their own tradition. This is the reason that the capital city of India has vast variety of the traditions and the culture with a different faith in every nook and corner of the city which means combination of ancient and modern beauty.

New Delhi has been acting as host of different types of the cultures and this attracts more tourists towards this charming city. It enlightens the heart with every passing monuments, forts, markets, colorful people with mass diversity all around. The dilli walas are culturally and religiously incredibly united. That is why Delhi is one of the top places in the list of tourists and serving as the complete tourism hub for the visitors.

Indira Gandhi International Airport welcomes you with great delight and honor however, for you to be able to make your vacation comfortable and memorable.

Delhi's culture has been influenced by its lengthy history and historic association as the capital of India. This is exemplified by many significant monuments in the city. Delhi is also identified as the location of Indraprastha, the ancient capital of the Pandavas. The Archaeological Survey of India recognises 1200 heritage buildings and 175 monuments as national heritage sites. In the Old City, the Mughals and the Turkic rulers constructed several architecturally significant buildings, such as the Jama Masjid – India's largest mosque and the Red Fort. Three World Heritage Sites – the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb – are located in Delhi. Other monuments include the India Gate, the Jantar Mantar – an 18th-century astronomical observatory – and the Purana Qila – a 16th-century fortress. The Laxminarayan temple, Akshardham temple, the Bahá'í Lotus temple and the ISKCON temple are examples of modern architecture. Raj Ghat and associated memorials houses memorials of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable personalities. New Delhi houses several government buildings and official residences reminiscent of British colonial architecture, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Secretariat, Rajpath, the Parliament of India and Vijay Chowk. Safdarjung's Tomb is an example of the Mughal gardens style. Some regal havelis (palatial residences) are in the Old City.

Mystery, magic, mayhem. Welcome to Delhi, City of Djinns, and 16.7 million people, where the ruins of Mughal forts and medieval bazaars are scattered between the office blocks, shopping malls, and tangled expressways.

ITINERARY : DELHI MONUMENTS TOUR (1 Day)>>

DAY-1 : DELHI

  • 07:00-09:00 : Red Fort (By 7am)
  • 09:00-09:30 : India Gate
  • 09:30-10:00 : Rashtrapati Bhawan
  • 10:00-10:30 : Parliament House
  • 10:30-12:00 : Lotus Temple
  • 12:00-14:00 : Humayun's Tomb
  • 14:00-17:00 : Lunch & Qutub Minar
  • 17:00-18:00 : Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
  • Note: Monuments Entry fee is not included in the tour package.

  • Places to Visit in New Delhi:

    Monuments with out Entry fee:

    • India Gate
    • Rajghat
    • Rashtrapati Bhawan
    • Teen Murthi
    • Lotus Temple
    • Iskon Temple (Vaishnava temple)
    • Jama Masjid (Principal Mosque-old Delhi)
    • Birla Mandir-Lakshmi Narayan Temple
    • Cathedral Church (Viceroy Church)
    • Gandhi Smriti
    • Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
    • Chattarpur Temple
    • Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir
    • Nizamuddin Dargah
    • Gandhi National Museum

    Monuments with Entry Fee:

    • Humayun's Tomb: Entry 550 Rs
    • Red fort : Entry 550 Rs
    • Qutab Minar: Entry 550 Rs
    • Jantar Mantar: Entry 250 Rs
    • Purana Qila: Entry 250 Rs
    • National Museum : Entry 150 Rs
    • National Rail Museum : Entry 20Rs
    • Only two monuments will be witnessed as per the time in a day, as these monuments take much time to witness.
    • NOTE: Only 7-10 Tourism spots can be covered in a day for Delhi Tour.
    • The participant has to follow the dress code while taking entry in to some of the sacred temples.
    • Delhi Monuments remain closed for all visitors on Monday.

    Detailed Delhi Tour:

    Delhi Monuments along with Swaminarayan Akshardham (Third largest Hindu Temple in the world)

    Places to Visit in New Delhi with short Descriptions:

    INDIA GATE

    ieff delhi tour:India Gate

    The India Gate, originally called the All India War Memorial. It stands 42 m high as the symbol of victory.

    The names of 82,000 soldiers of Indian army are written on it which is incredible and represents our brave soldier and our respect for them. Within the premises of India gate, one can explore raj path, parliament house too. India Gate that in fact lies around the ceremonial avenue of Raj path is an Important and significant Memorial Site completed in February of 1921 and forms the landmark of Delhi also known as the gate of the eight city of Delhi named 'New Delhi'

    Red Fort/ Lal-Qila: (1638-1648)

    ieff delhi tour:redfort

    Shahjahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and laid the foundations of Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi, named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone with bastions, gates and wickets at intervals. The Red Fort has an area of 254.67 acres (103.06 ha) enclosed by 2.41 kilometres (1.50 mi) of defensive walls,[2] punctuated by turrets and bastions and varying in height from 18 metres (59 ft) on the river side to 33 metres (108 ft) on the city side. The fort is octagonal, with the north-south axis longer than the east-west axis. The marble, floral decorations and double domes in the fort's buildings exemplify later Mughal architecture.

    Of its fourteen gates, the important ones are the Mori, Lahori, Ajmeri, Turkman, Kashmiri and Delhi gates, some of which have already been demolished. The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan.

    he Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In 1638.

    Lotus Temple/ Bahai Temple

    ieff delhi tour:lotus temple

    The Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi, India, is a Bahai House of Worship completed in 1986, and is the last of seven Major Bahai's temples built around the world. It is set among the lush green landscaped gardens. Notable for its flower like shape, it serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian col-lg-12continent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

    The Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.

    The structure is made up of pure white marble The architect Furiburz Sabha chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainismand Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate. Around the blooming petals there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. It looks spectacular at dusk when it is flood lit.

    Qutub Minar

    ieff delhi tour:Qutub Minar

    Qutub Minar - It was built by Qutab-udin-aibak in 1193 after the defeat of the last king of Hindu kingdom. It stands 73 m high in the sky with five stories with balcony made up of red stone and marbel. Apart from this, it was also the first mosque of India known as Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.

    The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone.

    At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

    Within the premises of the Qutab minar there also stands an iron pillar of 7 m. The first Muslim ruler of Delhi started its construction in 1200 AD but only could complete the basement and thereafter his successor built three more stories and later in 1368, Firoz Shah Tuglakh built the rest of the floors. The mosque completed its construction in 1197 itself.

    Qutub Minar Complex

    Qutub Minar complex

    In a city awash with ancient ruins, the Qutb Minar complex is something special. The first monuments here were erected by the sultans of Mehrauli, and col-lg-12sequent rulers expanded on their work, hiring the finest craftsmen and artisans to create an exclamation mark in stone to record the triumph of Muslim rule. The Qutb Festival of Indian classical music and dance takes place here every November/December. To reach the complex, take the metro to Qutab Minar station, then take an autorickshaw for the 1km to the ruins. Bags should be left in the cloakroom.

    The complex is studded with ruined tombs and monuments. Ala-ud-din's sprawling madrasa and tomb stands in ruins at the rear of the complex, while Altamish is entombed in a magnificent sandstone and marble mausoleum almost completely covered in Islamic calligraphy.

    Birla Mandir

    IEFF Tour:Birlamandir

    Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction. Built by the industrialst Sh. J.K. Birla in 1939, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place.

    The temple is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

    Iskcon Temple

    IEFF Tour:Iskon Temple

    Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, generally known as the ISKCON Delhi temple, is a well known Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi.

    The whole ambience of the temple is very attractive with ongoing devotional chants, fountains and gift shops. Iskcon in Delhi has eight temples across Delhi and our main temple at East of Kailash which is known as “Glory of India-Cultural Center” is spread in 3 acre area.

    It has developed Vedic Expo , Asias only technology center promoting Vedic Sciences and culturewherein a very high technology usage of Audio, visual presentation of Bhagvat Gita is depicted with lights and sound used for creating historical effect and a very interesting tourist attraction.

    Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Gurudwara

    Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, and the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar."

    It was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.

    The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large (holy) pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langar hall). The Langar (food) is prepared by gursikhs who work there and also by volunteers who like to help out. At the Gurdwara, visitors are requested to cover their hair and not to wear shoes.

    Old Fort

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Old Fort

    Old Fort – also known as 'Purana Qila' is situated in Old Delhi. It was built by Emperor Humayun in 1533-1538. it was constructed with the purpose to form a protective wall or shield for the city against enemy attacks.

    The fort takes pride in being very strongly built with straight walls and a bold design though seen in a dilapidated state today but one can only admire its stealth and beauty.

    A daily light and sound show is held in the Old Fort for tourists and visitors that tells tales of how the seven cities of Delhi saw changes be it the city name or infrastructure and architectural design that clearly depicts the gradual transformation from the first ancient city named 'Indraprastha' to the new and modern 'New Delhi' City.

    Hazrat Nizam-ud-din Dargah

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Hazrat

    Hidden away in a tangle of bazaars selling rose petals, attars (perfumes) and offerings, the marble shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Auliya, offers a window through the centuries. Brightly painted, full of music and crowded with devotees, this is how Delhi's historic tombs and shrines must have been in life.

    The ascetic Nizam-ud-din died in 1325 at the ripe old age of 92, and his mausoleum became a point of pilgrimage for Muslims from across the empire.

    Other tombs in the compound include the graves of Jahanara (daughter of Shah Jahan), and the renowned Urdu poet, Amir Khusru. It’s one of Delhi’s most extraordinary pleasures to take a seat on the marble floor and listen to Sufis singing rousing qawwali (devotional hymns) at sunset. Scattered around the surrounding alleyways are more tombs and a huge baoli (step well). Entry is free, but visitors may be asked to make a donation.

    Safdarjung Tomb

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Safdarjung Tomb

    Safdarjung's Tomb is the last enclosed garden tomb in Delhi in the tradition of Humayun's Tomb, though it if far less grand in scale. It was built in 1753- 54 as mausoleum of Safdarjung, the viceroy of Awadh under theMughal Emperor, Mohammed Shah.

    It has several smaller pavilions with evocative names like Jangli Mahal, (Palace in the woods), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and Badshah Pasand(King's favourite). The complex also has a madarsa. The archaeological Survey of India maintains a library over the main gateway.

    Humayan's tomb (1569-1570)

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Humayan Tomb

    The most perfectly proportioned and captivating of Delhi's mausoleums, Humayan's tomb seems to float above the gardens that surround it.

    Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, wife of the Mughal emperor Humayun, the tomb brings together Persian and Mughal elements, creating a template that strongly influenced the Taj Mahal. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian col-lg-12continent.

    The arched facade is inland with bands of white marble and red sandstone, and the building follows strict rules of Islamic geometry, with an emphasis on the number eight. Alive with green parakeets, the surrounding gardens contain the tombs of the emperor's favourite barber and Haji Begum. This was where the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, took refuge before being captured and exiled by the British in 1857.

    To the right as you enter the complex, Isa Khan's tomb is a fine example of Lodi-era architecture, constructed in the 16th century. Further south is the monumental Khan-i-Khanan's tomb , plundered in Mughal times to build Safdarjang's tomb.

    Jantar Mantar

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Jantar Mantar

    Jantar Mantar (Yantra - instruments, mantra - formulae) was constrcted in 1724. Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur who built this observatory went on to build other observatories in Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. Jai Singh had found the existing astronomical instruments too small to take correct measurements and so he built these larger and more accurate instruments.

    The instruments at Jantar Mantar are fascinating for their ingenuity, but accurate observations can no longer be made from here because of the tall buildings around.

    The old Lady Willington Park, now known as Lodhi Garden, is dotted with monuments of Sayyid and Lodhi Periods, which include tombs mosques, and bridges.

    The tombs of Muhammad Shah and Sikandar Lodhi are the good examples of octagonal tombs. Shish and Bara Gumbad are square tombs with imposing dome, turrets on corners and facades giving false impression of being double storeyed.

    It is a favourite point for early morning walkers from the posh south Delhi colonies.

    Jama Masjid : (1650-1656)

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Jama Masjid

    Jama Masjid is been the home of excellence in Indo-Persian art. The Jama Masjid is also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahan Numa' which means the 'World Reflecting ancient & biggest Mosque, accommodate over 25,000 worshippers at one time, that was the Shah Jahan’s final architectural opus.

    It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high, and is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Entry from gate 1/3.

    Raj Ghat

    IEFF Delhi Tour: Rajghat

    In our city of tombs, this mausoleum stands without a tomb. This is the site of Mohandas K Gandhi’s cremation- Father of the Nation.

    The samadhi – the exact spot of the cremation – is marked by a platform of black marble. Mr Gandhi’s funeral was held on January 31 1948, a day after his assassination at a bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi. The light-brown stone wall that circles the samadhi-garden is inscribed at regular intervals with Mr Gandhi’s sayings, translated in different Indian languages.

    It is usual to come across tourists, from India and abroad, looking overwhelmed with deeply-felt emotions as if their journey to Mr Gandhi’s memorial was a long-dreamed pilgrimage to a holy shrine.

    Raj Path

    IEFF Delhi Tour:Raj Path

    The focal point of Edwin Lutyens' plan for New Delhi was Rajpath (Kingsway), a grand parade linking India Gate to the offices of the Indian government. Constructed between 1914 and 1931, these grand civic buildings were intended to spell out in stone the might of the British empire – just 16 years later, the British were out on their ear and Indian politicians were pacing the corridors of power.

    Shielded by a wrought-iron fence at the western end of Rajpath, the 340-room Rashtrapati Bhavan , is the official residence of the president of India, and former home to the British viceroy.

    Mountbatten, India’s last viceroy, was said to have employed 418 gardeners to care for the Mughal-style gardens – they be visited during the annual opening from mid-February to mid-March (free admission, no cameras, 10am to 5pm daily) and at other times with advance permission; bring your passport.

    Rashtrapati Bhavan is flanked by the mirror-image, dome-crowned North Secretariat and South Secretariat , housing government ministries. The Indian parliament meets nearby in the Sansad Bhavan , a circular, colonnaded edifice at the end of Sansad Marg.

    At Rajpath’s eastern end, and constantly thronged by tourists, is India Gate . This 42m-high stone memorial arch, designed by Lutyens, pays tribute to around 90,000 Indian army soldiers who died in WWI, the Northwest Frontier operations, and the 1919 Anglo-Afghan War.

    Lodi Gardens

    IEFF Delhi Tour:LodhiGardens

    Lodi Gardens is a park in Delhi, India. Spread over 90 acres (360,000 m2). It contains Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad,[2] architectural works of the 15th century by Lodhis, an Afghan dynasty, that ruled parts of northern India and Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of modern day Pakistan, from 1451 to 1526.

    A favourite picnic spot and a joy for morning walkers with lots of greenery and trees. Access from Lodi Road.

    Chandni Chowk

    IEFF Delhi Tour:LodhiGardens

    Chandni Chowk, a 17th-century market, is one of the most oldest & popular shopping areas in Delhi for jewellery and Zari saris. Delhi's arts and crafts include, Zardozi , an embroidery done with gold thread and Meenakari , the art of enamelling.

    Delhi tourism cannot be complete without walking on the roads of chandani chowk. makes way from many narrow lanes and countless shops of various sizes. The place witnesses temple, mosque, Gurudwara and church under one roof.