Jama Masjid

The splendid mosque built by Muhammad Ali Shah in the typical Mughal style with two minarets and three domes, lies to the west of the Hussainabad Imambara and is entirely free from pseudo Italian art then in vogue in Lucknow. Mohammad Ali Shah started the construction of this splendid mosque in 1840 but his wife Begum Malika Jahan finally completed it after his death.  Jama Masjid is the country's largest mosque where thousands of Muslims offer prayers every day and is located in old Delhi. It took over 14 years to complete and was built in 1656. It lies opposite the Red Fort. The flight of stairs and its large courtyard are marvels of architecture. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40 meters high. Earlier, the eastern gateway was only opened for the emperor, but now it remains open only on Fridays and on Muslim festival days.

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is located in the southern part of the capital and was built by the Muslim King, Kutab-ud-din Aibak in 1199 AD. Minar(tower)is 72.5 meters high and tapers from 15 meter-diameter base to just 2.5 meter at the top. The tower has distinct stories, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three stories are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.

Safdarjang's Tomb

Safdarjang's Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden. Built in 1753 by Nawab Shauja-ud-Daula to house the remains of his father, who was a minister in the Mughal court, the tomb is referred to as the "last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture."

Humayun's Tomb

The first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, Humayun's Tomb was built by the emperor's grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD. Constructed with red sandstone and ornamented marks the beginning of a new tradition of ornate style which culminated in the Taj Mahal of Agra.
Designed by the Persian architect, Mirza Ghyas, Humayun's Tomb shows a marked shift from the Persian tradition of using coloured tiles for ornamentation.

Red Fort

Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India's history is also closely linked with this fort.The mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, after ruling from Agra for elleven years, decided to shift to Delhi and laid the foundation stone of the Red Fort in 1618. For its inauguration in 1647, the main halls of the palace were draped in rich tapestry and covered with silk from china and velvet from Turkey. With a circumference of almost one and a half miles, the fort is an irregular octagon and has two entrances, the Lahore and Delhi Gates.

Ferozshah Kotla

The period of the Delhi Sultanate (1191-1526) was witness to a number of dynasties: the Slave dynasty, the Khiljis, the Tughlaqs, the Sayyids, and the Lodhis. Delhi saw the building of a number of important monuments and forts under their rule. The Tughlaq rulers (AD 1321-1414) were great patron of architecture. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty) built the great fort city of Tughlaqabad and his tomb adjacent to Tughlaqabad. His son, Muhammad-bin Tughlaq, built a small fort adjoining Tughlaqabad, known as Adilabad. He also built the fourth city of Delhi called Jahanpanah, of which little survives.

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.

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is a green peaceful place to visit in Delhi. It's Mahatma Ghandi's final resting place and it's inside a quiet well-looked after little park. The shrine itself is very simple: a raised square platform made of black marble and covered in flowers, with a perpetual flame burning at one end of it. When I was there, one day after Indedpendence day (15 August) the number of flowers formed a carpet over the shrine. Entrance to the memorial is free, but you must take off your shoes to go near the shrine. At the entrance there are guarded shelves where you can leave your shoes.

Memorials to National heroes

The Gandhi Museum, near Raj Ghat, houses many belongings of Gandhiji and photographs depicting his life story. The memorial at Teen Murti House is a similar memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru. The Indira Gandhi Memorial is at 1, Safdarjung Road where she was assassinated.

Jantar Mantar

 Jantar Mantar an astronomical observatory with masonry instruments, built in 1724 by Jai Singh, the mathematician and astronomer king. The Samrat or Yantra supreme instrument, the largest structure shaped like a right-angled triangle, is actually a huge sun-dial; the other five instruments are intended to show the movements of the sun, moon, etc.


Museums  in Delhi

National Museum

The galleries of the museum follow a historical and chronological sequence. The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. The most outstanding object here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl.


Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum situated in the historic Red Fort, the museum exhibits objects that date to the Mughal period.On view are manuscripts and firmans' that demonstrate the fine art of calligraphy. Also on view are paintings, textiles and costumes. One section concentrates on relics of the 1857 war (First War of Independence) like maps and weapons


Rail Transport Museum

The stately Jaipur House is the location for the National Gallery of Modern Art. On display are paintings, sculpture and graphic art dating from the mid 19th century to today. All the well known an present, are exhibited here. There works by Raja Ravi Varma.


Gandhi Memorial Museum

There are original copies of his correspondence as well as photostats of his letters and the journals he published. These are further supplemented by microfilms and a number of photographs which depict the various aspects of his invaluable contribution to modern India.his personal museum displays the relics of Mahatma Gandhi.


Other places of interest in Delhi

The Bahai Temple

Completed in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.

Nizam-Ud-Din Shrine

The tomb of the famous sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya is built on the way from Humayun's tomb. Inside the premises of the shrine is a tank which is surrounded by many other tombs. It is said that there was a controversy between the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint over building this tank. The saint had said that the city of Tughlakabad will never flourish and so did it happen. The shrine also has the tomb of Amir Khusru and the grave of Jahanara, the daughter of Shah Jahan.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

This temple was built over a six-year period (1933 - 1939) and was inaurgated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes especially untouchables would be allowed in. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla family of industrialists known for its many other temples in India.

ISKCON Temple

Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Currently the main attraction of the temple are the Robot who enact and preach the Gita.

Chattarpur Mandir

A complex of temples called Chattarpur mandir is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga. Build in South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples through the year, during the navratras devotees come from near and far. During the festivals there are special bus services to these temples.


Surajkund

Surajkund is situated 11 km from the Qutab Minar, in Delhi, on the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. It is the site of a perennial lake surrounded by rock-cut steps. The remains of the Sun temple, built in 1000 AD by a Tomar chieftain, named Surajpal, can also be seen. It is also the venue of the famous annual Surajkund Crafts Mela, where craftsmen from all over the country assemble during the first fortnight of February to participate.