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Chandni
Chowk
One of the main markets of Delhi, Chandni Chowk was once
lined with beautiful fountains. But today the place is
very crowded and congested. Chandni Chowk is located opposite
the Red Fort. The Area has got the Digamber Jain Temple
which houses the Birds hospital. On one end of Chandni
Chowk is the Fatehpuri Mosque which was erected by the
wives of Shah Jahan. Opposite the old police station or
the Kotwali is the Sunheri Masjid from where Nadir Shah
ordered his troops to plunder and massacre Delhi.
The Ghats
Along the banks of Jamuna are located the places were
the leaders and freedom fighters of India were cremated.
The Raj Ghat is one of the most visited ghats. A simple
square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma
Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. To
North of Raj Ghat is the cremation ground of Jawaharlal
Nehru named as Shanti Van. The cremation ground of Indira
Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi are also in the
vicinity. The cremation ground of Lal Bahadur Shastri
is nearby.
Jama Masjid
One of the Architectural gift given by Shah Jahan, Jama
Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi
but in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three
gateways, Four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets.
You can enter the mosque but take precaution to take off
your shoes and make sure that you are properly dressed
before entering. One can also go to the top of minarets.
From here you can have a birds eye view of Delhi.
Red Fort
Built in Red Sand stone this imposing fort is 3 kms in
perimeter with the height of the wall varying from 18
to 30 meters at places. When the Red fort was being built
Yamuna used to flow on its one sides and there were deep
moats on the other. Today Yamuna flows almost a kilometer
away from the fort and the moats have dried up. In the
evening the Delhi Tourism organises a light and sound
show which narrates the history of Delhi in context of
the Red Fort.
The Lahore gate, the main entrance, has some emotions
and sentiments attached with the Indian independence as
the Tricolour flutters on the top of this gate. On 15th
August the Indian Prime minister addresses the nation
from here. As soon one enters in the fort from the Lahore
gate There is a small Bazzar, here all kinds of items
are available. This Shopping arcade was known as the Mina
Bazar and was open only to women on Thursdays`s during
the Mughal era.
The
arcade leads to the Naubat Khana or the drum house where
the Musicians used to play drums on the arrival of Emperors
or princes. Just above the Naubat Khana is the Indian
war memorial museum which has a rich collection of armours,
guns, swords, and other items related to war.
The
Dewan-i-Am or the place of public hearing had a wall paneled
with marble in laid with precious stone which were removed
during the mutiny of 1857. The Dewan-i-Khas or the place
for special hearing was the area where the emperor used
to hold meetings with his ministers. Next to Dewan-i-Khas
are the royal baths or the Hammams and Shahi Burj which
are closed for public viewing. The white marbled Moti
Masjid or the pearl mosque was the private mosque for
Aurangzeb.
Rajpath
Flanked by ornamental ponds and lawns, Rajpath is host
to the Republic Day Parade. The two secretariat buildings
and Rashtrapati Bhawan on the Raisina hills are located
on the two sides of this immensely broad road. Previously
the Boat Club, besides the Rajpath, was host to many demonstrations
and Rallies. India Gate is towards the eastern end of
Rajpath.
India Gate
India Gate is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears
the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in
the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations
and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial
to the unknown soldier. India Gate is surrounded by green
grass lawns and trees.
The Parliament House
Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament house is the supreme law
making body in the country. It is the center of power
and politicians decide the fate of the Indian Democracy
here. Visitors are not allowed inside the house but when
the house is in session, visitors may take permission
to go inside and watch the proceedings of the house. The
parliament consists of three halls- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
and the central hall. For the foreign visitors permits
are given only after they obtain an introductory letter
from the respective embassy.
QUTAB MINAR
The 72.5 metre high-tower dates back to the 13th century
and is one of the greatest bequests of Islamic culture.
At its base lies the Quwwatul-Islam Masjid, the first
mosque in India.
Iron
Pillar
A famous iron pillar of the 5th century, inside
Qutub Minar complex. It has remained rust free for 1500
years. According to local belief if you can get your fingers
to touch, with your back to the pillar, your wishes will
be granted.
Humayuns
Tomb
It was built by Humayun`s widowed Queen Haji Begum, in
the 16th century. Architecturally the forerunner of the
Taj Mahal, it stands in Nizamuddin, which has Mughal architecture
at its graceful best.
Taj
Mahal
Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for
love, it was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as
a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white
marble took 22 years to complete (1630-1652 AD). Ustad Ahamad
Lahori, a Persian Architect, is said to be the main designer
and planner for this magnificent memorial. On full moon
nights, the glory of the Taj is at its best. Over the centuries,
the Taj has attracted more visitors than perhaps any other
Monuments in the country, and it is all too easy resort
to conventional superlatives when describing it. What makes
the Taj Unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity,
medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior
reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while
it is dazzling white during the day and glowes pearl-like
in the moonlight and during the monsoon. Standing on a high
plinth, the Taj Mahal is visible for miles around and forms
a backdrop to mustard fields and mud-walled villages. It
can be seen from guestrooms at some of Agra`s hotels, as
well as from the landscaped gardens to the west of the complex.
Agra
Fort
Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on
the bank of the Yamuna River was begun by Emperor Akbar
in 1565, though additions were made up until the rule
of his grandson, Shah Jahan. In Akbar`s time the fort
was principally a military structure, but during Shah
Jaha regin it had partially become Palace. It is an imposing
strcture with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers
long. Entered through the Amar Singh Gate, the eastern
part of the fort contain palace, audience hall and mosques
built by three emperors. The fort presents a good sampling
of their favoured architectural styles. Akbar drew on
Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic.
By Shah Jahan`s time the style had become so homogenized
that it is impossible to seprate the Hindu and Muslim
strands. The Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall), the beautiful
Diwan-i-Khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent
Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) were also added by Shah Jahan.
City Palace And The Museum
situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about
one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend
of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storeyed
Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view
of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public
audience) has intricate decorations and collection of
manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has
a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection
of costumes and textiles. There is a Clock Tower near
Mubarak Mahal. Sileh Khana has a collection of armory
and weapons.
Hawa Mahal (Palace Of Winds)
The intriguing `Palace of Winds` is really a facade built
in 1799 to allow royal ladies to view the city from the
windows.
Jantar Mantar
Between 1727 and 1734 Maharajah Jai Singh II of Jaipur
constructed five astronomical observatories in west central
India. The observatories, or "Jantar Mantars"
as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings
of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical
measurement. These structures with their striking combinations
of geometric forms at large scale, have captivated the
attention of architects, artists, and art historians world
wide, yet remain largely unknown to the general public.
Amber
Fort
Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur. Construction
of the fortress-palace started in 1592 by Raja Man Singh,
the Rajput Commander of Akbar`s army. It was later extended
and completed by the Jai Singhs. The fort is a superb example
of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside
and over-looking a lake which reflects its terraces and
ramparts. Riding on elegantly caparisoned elephants, we
approach the palace in the traditional way. The high gateways
allow us to enter on these broad-backed animals.
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