Ye shahar nahin mehfil hai, ye Delhi hai mere yaar, bus ishq, mohabbat, pyar
As penned by the famous Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib, “I asked my soul: What is Delhi? She replied: The world is the body, and Delhi its life.”The heart of the nation, the city par excellence, an epitome of modernity beautifully interwoven with traditionalism, Delhi is loved by all. First-time visitors may feel overwhelmed by the city's blast of energy and chaos, but give it a few days, and they will fall in love with dilwalon ki dilli. Culture, traditions, architecture, beauty, and essence are a few words associated with this magnificent city. Backed with 2000-year-old history, it has a lot of stories to share.
The streets, the buildings, the architecture, the planning, the tree-lined avenues, the vast historical buildings, the monuments, and the places one can visit in Delhi are just a marvel and a sight to gasp at. So, Delhi explorers, what are you waiting for? Here we present a list of some of the top places to visit in Delhi, the city with a potpourri of the past.
Delhi is India's capital and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Lively and full of cheer, it has managed to keep its culture, feel, and look intact while working on developing the modern-day infrastructure at par with global cities. Here, we bring you a carefully-curated list of Delhi tourist places that will give you a glimpse into its rich historical, cultural, architectural, and political significance.
The former residence of the British Viceroy, Rashtrapati Bhawan, is a fine example of architectural splendour. It has 2.5 km long corridors and 340 rooms. Do not miss out on enjoying a glimpse of the massive Presidential library, the domed Durbar Hall and the gilded Ashoka Hall. The walls of this palatial building resonate with years of history, power, and culture. It was built in 1912 by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is one of the best places to visit in Delhi.
Located in the heart of the city, The India Gate stands tall as the largest war memorial. It was built in memory of soldiers who lost their lives in different wars protecting the country against enemy attacks. Names of 13300 soldiers are inscribed on its walls. The Flame of Immortal Soldiers or Amar Jawan Jyoti can be seen below the arch.
As the sun-warmed Delhi sky overlooks the expanse of beautifully constructed red-sandstone building, it shines brightly as if reiterating its historical and political significance. Built by the banks of River Yamuna, the huge walls of Red Fort looks majestic from afar. It is a fine example of the anti-colonial defiance and the architectural brilliance of our forefathers.
The largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, was built by Shah Jahan. Considered one of the most impressive buildings in the country, this mosque can hold 25,000 at a time in its prayer hall. A beautiful example of Mughal architecture, the mosque is known to command the view of the world.
Truly majestic in looks, Qutub Minar, the UNESCO Heritage Site in Delhi, stands tall with pride. It is one of the surviving minarets in the city and is located in Mehrauli. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the minaret suffered a lot of enemy attacks. This 72.5-meter-tall building is also the tallest brick minaret in the world.
Known for its unmatched architectural grandeur, Humayun’s Tomb is the first garden tomb and an opulent mausoleum in the country. Built-in the 16th Century, the tomb looks truly majestic and palatial. It is a beautifully preserved heritage and one of the must-visit Delhi's famous places, a grand edifice that should be a part of your itinerary.
An elegant and graceful memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Rajghat is an example of simplicity in structure and design. It is the place where Bapu was cremated after his assassination. If you are a true history lover or looking for peacetime, visit Rajghat and spend some quiet moments.
Also referred to as Kamal Mandir, Lotus Temple is one of the most prominent places of worship by the Bahai Community. Built in a unique spectacular lotus shape with lovely white petals, this temple attracts thousands of visitors annually and is one of the best places to see in Delhi. No ritualistic ceremonies are held in the temple. The temple has nine doors, and 2500 devotees are allowed to visit the temple at a time.