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.
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.
MANDORE
GARDEN
The Mandore Garden were once the old capital of Marwar.
Now the archaeological site is also ideal for seeing.
Balsamand Lake Gardens
These are built around the artifical lake constructed
in 1150 AD, the oldest in Asia. The gardens were developed
later on.
MEHRANGARH FORT
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable
and magnificent fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it
in 1459 but subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have also added
to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads to the
from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball
hit by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on
the second gate. To the left is chhatri of Kirat Singh
Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending the
fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates,
which include Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja
Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and
Bikaner armies.
JASWANT
THADA
Near the Mahrangarh Fort complex is the 19th century white
marble royal cenotaph called Jaswant Thada. This memorial,
constructed to commemorate the life of Maharaja Jaswant
Singh II, stands next to three other cenotaphs built on
the site. The main cenotaph contains a collection of rare
portraits of former maharajas of Jodhpur, who are still
revered by many local people.
JAISALMER
This morning you are driven deeper into Rajasthan to the
golden city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is straight out of
an Arabian Nights fable. The very name Jaisalmer induces
a dramatic picture of the utter magic and brilliance of
the desert. The hostile terrain not withstanding, the
warmth and color of people is simply overwhelming.
Deep
in the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the
last princely bastions in the region. Founded on the crossroads
of lucrative trade routes between India and Central Asia,
this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valor
of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented
by their palaces and havelis. The rich merchants engaged
stone- craftsmen who worked with great diligence on the
sandstone mansions they built, filling up the facades
with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions
and beautiful balconies.
JAISALMER
FORT
Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth
retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities
of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different
facets of its own glorious heritage. Though you can find
historical monuments scattered all over the city, the
Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention.
Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila,
the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands
PATWON
KI HAVELI
These five wonderfully ornate houses built between 1800
and 1860 are connected from within, offering a rare look
inside a traditional Rajasthani haveli. Inside this structure
visitors will find the Basant Art Emporium, one of the
finest places to purchase regional handicrafts in Jaisalmer.
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