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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.
Qutab
Minar
In 1199, Qutbuddin raised the Qutab Minar either as a
victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque.
From a base of 14.32 mtrs. it tapers to 2.75 mtrs. at
a height of 72.5 mtrs. It is still the highest stone tower
in India, one of the finest stone tower in India, one
of the finest Islamic structures ever raised and Delhi`s
recognised landmark. It was completed by the Sultan`s
successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The tomb of Iltutmish,
which he himself built in 1235, is nearby, Its interiors
are profusely decorated with calligraphy, though the dome
has collapsed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FATEHPUR
SIKRI
This magnificent fortified ghost city was the capital
of the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585. The
downfall of this once magnificent capital of the Mughals
started with the rise of the Jats when Emperor Aurangazeb
left this place never to return again. The credit for
preserving the ancient monuments situated here goes to
Lord Curzon. Since then , these protected monuments and
the environs of the city have been well maintained by
the Archaeological Survey of India. The city is rectangular
in shape with nine huge gates - Delhi Darwaza, Lal Darwaza,
Agra Gate, Suraj and Chandra Darwaza, Tehra Gate and Ajmeri
Darwaza.
RANTHAMBORE
Ranthambore
National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned
national park in Northern India. The park is located in
the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan,
which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Being considered as
one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas
of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain
is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled
the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers
in this destination.
BHARATPUR
BIRD SANCTUARY
The
first wildlife park on the Golden Triangle of tourism
is Keoladeo, 55 Kms from Agra. The rich aquatic plant
and animal life in the shallow, fresh-water marsh of Bharatpur
has been attracting resident and migratory aquatic birds
in thousands since times immemorial. It has a recorded
history of 100 years of duck shoots. There are over 353
species, belonging to 56 families. The Siberian Cranes
visit no other waters in India, except the mashes of Keoladeo.
For the number and variety of birds to be seen, Keoladeo
is matchless. The prominent fauna : Egrets, Darters, Cormorants,
Grey herons, Storks, Pheasant- tailed and bronze-winged
jacanas, Greylag geese, Siberian cranes during winter.
Also Nilgai, Chital, Sambar, Black bucks and Pythons.
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.
KHAJURAHO
Khajuraho
is known for its magnificent temples, which are among
the most creative examples of Indian architecture. Built
between 950 and 1050 A.D., only 22 temples out of 85 now
survive. Khajuraho sculpture is sublime and sensuous,
the center of new imagery in art. The popular theme is
woman: reflectful, playful, amorous. The carvings also
depict griffins, nymphs, beasts, demons in revolt, gods
in cosmic evolution, fear, doubt, and jealousy, ardent
love and consummate passion.
BANDHAVGARH
Bandhavgarh
National Park is one of the most popular national parks
in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. Due to its high tiger
sighting which is directly proportional to its tiger sighting.
Bandhavgarh nationa park situated at 197 km away north-east
of Jabalpur and has derived its very name from an ancient
fort in the area.
Bandhavgarh National Park as an unspoilt national habitat
for a variety of wildlife peculiar to the area. This includes
gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, leopard, porcupine, wild
boar, sambhar and spotted deer, among others and of course,
the tiger.
KANHA
Kanha
National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve in
the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
In the 1930s, Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries,
Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km² each. Kanha
National Park was created on 1 June, 1955. Today it stretches
over an area of 940 km² in the two districts Mandla
and Balaghat. Together with a surrounding buffer zone
of 1,0067 km² and the neighboring 110 km² Phen
Sanctuary it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The park has
a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards,
the sloth bear, Barasingha and Indian wild dog. |
