|
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.
QUTUB
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.
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.
GATEWAY
OF INDIA
Mumbai`s most striking monument, this too was designed
by George Wittet. It has an imposing gateway arch in the
Indo-Saracenic style with Gujarati and Islamic elements
such as wooden carvings. It was built to commemorate the
visit
of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. This
area is also the departing point for ferries plying to
Elephanta Island and other beaches across the port. Behind
it is the beautiful old (and new) structure of the Taj
Mahal Hotel
CHHATRAPATI
SHIVAJI TERMINUS
This is a magnificent building, and considered to be architecturally
one of the finest stations in the world. Built by the
British in 1888, it has exquisite ornamentation on its
facade along with beautifully executed panels and friezes.
It holds the statue of Queen Victoria on its dome.
FLORA
FOUNTAIN
The Flora Fountain stands on the site of the old church
gate of the Bombay Fort, now a major crossroad named Hutatma
Chowk. It was erected to honour Sir Bartle Frere, a former
governor of Bombay and named after the Greek goddess Flora.
MANI BHAWAN
This simple and charming museum was where Mahatma Gandhi
lived on his visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. Gandhi`s
room and belongings including his books are on display.
Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnam Road, near the August
Kranti Maidan, where the `Quit India` movement was launched
in 1942. Open daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm
HANGING
GARDEN
Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens) and the Kamala
Nehru Park. Both provide relaxing atmospheres of greenery.
Beside the Hanging Gardens are the Parsi Towers of Silence.
But these are off-limits to all except those who have
come to dispose and pay respect to the dead.
CHINESE
FISHING NETS
These cantilevered Chinese fishing nets are a sight to
behold for many. But they are also a source of livelihood
for many who make a living out of the backwater. The nets
shown in this month`s picture are from the serene backwaters
of Kumbalangi, a small village near Kochi which has been
declared as a Model Tourism Village by Kerala Tourism.
JEWISH
SYNAGOGUE
A short walk from Mattancherry bus stand or from the boat
jetty nearby would take you to the Jewish Synagogue, situated
at one end of the Jew Street in the Jew Town enclave of
Mattancherry in Fort Kochi. This synagogue was built in
1568 by the Malabar Yehudans or Cochin Jewish community.
It was built close to the Mattancherry Palace Temple on
the land gifted by King Rama Varma, a former ruler of
Kochi. The Mattancherry Palace Temple and the Mattancherry
synagogue share a common wall. This synagogue at Mattancherry
is the oldest one in the Commonwealth of Nations.
DUTCH
PALACE
Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja
Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated
in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi temple
in the central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala
style mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy,
nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening
out to a central courtyard.
The
double storeyed palace building which stands by the panoramic
Kochi back waters has an exquisite collection of murals
collectively covering over 300 sq. ft of its walls. The
themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great
Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and
mythology and legends about the Hindu Gods especially
Guruvayurappan. Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam
and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Also
on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings
and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of
the royal family. |
