| 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.
KUFRI
In the morning visit the Kufri a 30 Minutes drive from
Shimla, an exotica of nature as a place surrounded by
dense forest and snow caped mountains amidst virgin peaks
and natures flora and fauna where one can completely relax
and tune oneself for natural beauty, situated at an altitude
of 2500 meters just an hours drive from Shimla and a very
popular ski resort during the winter months. Later take
a walking tour of Shimla &, visit the Jakhoo hills
which, offers panoramic vies of the Shimla town, Vice-regal
lodge Mall road.
MANALI
SIGHTSEEING
Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Manali covering
the 450 years old temple dedicated to Hadimba Devi, which
has some excellent woodcarving, Tibetan Monastery and
a handicraft center. Rest of the day at leisure OR Enjoy
walk to nearby picturesque village of Vashisht known for
hot sulphur springs |
