Morning
combined city tour of Old & New Delhi which includes following places of
interest:
Red Fort : Red Fort --- derived from a Hindi word Lal which means
red and Quila which means fort. It is laid out along the river Yamuna as an
irregular octagon, surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 kms in circumference
and is built of red sandstone. Shah Jahan started construction of the
massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The fort has two main
entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate, which faces the famed Chandni
Chowk market. The fort has Diwan - e - Am (hall for public audience); Diwan
- e - Khas (hall for private audience); Rang Mahal (a water-cooled apartment
of royal ladies); Pearl mosque, built of white marble.
Jama Masjid : In Old Delhi, an architectural extravaganza of Shah
Jahan, is the country's largest mosque where thousands of Muslims offers
prayers even today. It was built in 1658. The flight of stairs and its large
courtyard are marvels of architecture.
Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) : It is the colourful main street and
shopping bazaar of Old Delhi and is today one of the country's best known
wholesale market for textiles, electronic goods and watches. The entire area
was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was then
inhabitated by the well-to-do families of the time. Around the area is the
famed Paranthawale Gali, known for its delicious paranthas, Dariba Kalan,
the gold market and well-known sweetmeats shops.
Raj Ghat : On the banks of river Yamuna, a simple square platform of
black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his
assassination in 1948. A commemorative ceremony takes place each Friday, the
day he was killed.
Birla Mandir : Close to Connaught Place, it was built by the
industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an important prayer
site and contains idols of several deities.
India Gate : This 42 metre high, free standing arch was built in
1931.It was originally called All India War Memorial in the memory of the
90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the
soldiers are inscribed all along the walls of the arch. In 1971, the eternal
flame was lit here to honour the Amar Jawan (Immortal Soldier).
Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House) : It is the official
residence of President of the country. Designed by Lutyens, it was the
official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India.
Humayun's Tomb : It was built by Haji Begum (widow of Humayun) in
1565 - 66, nine years after his death.
Qutub Minar : This magnificent structure in the southern part of the
capital was built by the Muslim King, Qutab - ud - din Aibak in 1199 A.D.
Minar (tower) is 72.5 metres high and has as its base a mosque.
Bahai's Temple : It is a very recent architectural marvel of the
Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in South Delhi. It is a lotus
shaped and has rightly been given the name.
Overnight at the Hotel.
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