Dense fog closed down the airport in New Delhi and our flight from Udaipur was canceled. Our only option was to make the trip by car…a two-day, exhausting journey.
We had to condense our Delhi sightseeing from two days into one, so we did our best to pack in all of the important world heritage sites and monuments. With the help of Singh and the good people at Rajasthan Tour by Car and Driver, we designed a great Delhi itinerary. Here are some of the highlights.
Raj Ghat–Memorial for Mahatma Gandhi
Meaning “Royal Steps”
It is a black marble platform accompanied with an eternal flame marking the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation.
Birla Mandir Temple
Also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple referring to Vishnu. The temple expands over 7.5 acres. It began construction in 1933 and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939. Gandhi ruled that any people from any caste are allowed inside the temple.
Red Fort
UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1638, Mughal emperor, Shahjahan, transferred the capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort, built with red sandstone, started construction in 1639 and took nine years to complete. In 1644, Shahjahan began building the Jami’–Masjid the largest mosque in India. It was completed in 1650.
Humayun’s Tomb
This tomb was built in 1570 and it was the first garden-tomb in India. This state of the art tomb(for its time) was built for Humayun who was the second Mughal Emperor of India. Also, it contains possibly 150 graves of the Mughal dynasty. I was very impressed by Humayun’s Tomb!
India Gate
Located in the center of New Delhi, this archway commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British Army during World War I. The structure has the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
There is an eternal flame burning underneath the India Gate to remind the nation and the world of soldiers who died in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.
Parliament Building
The building was designed by two highly esteemed architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker. Construction began in 1921 and the opening ceremony was on January 18, 1927.
Flying Carpets Shop–Can I fly one home?!
Bahai Lotus Temple
Inaugurated for public worship in December 1986, the Bahai House of Worship in New Delhi has drawn more than 70 million visitors. The Bahai Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith focusing on Peace and Harmony.
Qutab Minar
Built in the early 13th century(1192-1198) a few kilometers south of Delhi, this red sandstone tower or minar is 72.5 meters high using materials from demolished Hindu temples. It is thought to be used as a minaret. This famous minar was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first sultan ruler of Delhi. The stairs of the tower has 379 steps and vistors used to be able to climb to the top. Unfortunately, in 1981 after an electrical failure, the lights went out in the tower causing a chaotic stampede. This stampede to evacuate the minar killed about 45 people including many school children. Now, vistors are not allowed inside the minar.
Ed says
India is incredible! What a wonderful trip — and what magnificent photos and explanations!