DELHI: AN AMALGAMATION OF CULTURE AND HISTORY

Read. Imagine. Travel.

Namaste! Visiting India is a bucket-list trip for plenty of seasoned travellers. Whether one is travelling to Rajasthan or visiting the Himalayas or the great national parks of central India or any other places in India, one cannot do better than starting the trip from the capital of India – Delhi! In this edition, we will explore Delhi, the capital of India and an amalgamation of culture and history. Experience the timeless allure of Delhi in this short video.



Delhi seldom needs an introduction. Being the political hotspot of India since 12th century, it is a perfect blend of modern, medieval and ancient India. So what makes a visit to Delhi memorable? Honestly, there is no particular answer to it. For some, the thin alleys of Old Delhi, the chaotic markets, its medieval mansions and old houses, are the most loving memories of Delhi. For some, the architectural grandeur, the precursor of the Taj Mahal, the lush green gardens and not to miss the mouthwatering street food of Delhi are the most cherished memories. The reasons may vary for different souls, but one thing is sure that one can see all the aspects of human society in this beautiful,multicultural and multilingual city. Here are some of the amazing places that one should visit in Delhi:

1. Explore Old Delhi

The city has seen inhabitance since 6th century B.C. As per the epic story of Mahabharata, the current city was said to be the capital of Pandavas and was named ‘Indraprastha’. However, there are no records about the ancient history of Delhi. What we know about Delhi was covered extensively starting from the 12th century by Delhi Sultanate. In the 16th century, when Shah Jahan ascended the throne, Shahjahanabad (present Old Delhi) was founded by him. He made this city the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1639-1648. It was during his regime, that Delhi achieved its glory which is quite visible at Jama Masjid and Red Fort. Both these monuments are just exceptional architectural marvels whose beauty still astounds everyone.

After exploring the grandeur of the old city, don’t forget to get on a bicycle rickshaw to get inside the chaotic streets of Old Delhi. If you love to shop, then Chandni Chowk is your place. Here you can buy fabrics like silk, satin, crepe, and cotton to muslin with Zari and Zardozi work on them. If you love reading while you travel, a visit to NaiSarak is a must. It is among the best places to buy books. Love semi-precious jewellery or want to buy a fancy finely knitted bag, or maybe a wall hanging, you must visit the Chhatta Chowk. As you roam along the narrow alleys and bylanes, you will be astonished by the engaging aroma of its mouthwatering foods like Kebabs, Biryanis, Paranthas (a flat unleavened bread) etc. The streets of Old Delhi are famous for their delicacies and, are loved by everyone visiting this remarkable place. The vibrant colours of Old Delhi, the calm chaos, the street food and the history makes this place at the top of our amazing places one should visit in Delhi

2. Hangout in Connaught place

Connaught Place is one of the most significant and most comprehensive commercial, financial and business centre in India. It is a showcase of the striking architecture by Sir Edwin Lutyen who designed the New Delhi. A place packed with shops, bars, boutiques, underground markets, cinemas and mouthwatering eateries, Connaught place allows a carefree evening stroll.

3. Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most prominent Sikh house of worship. It is known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. A pond is located inside the complex, known as "Sarovar", whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and known as "Amrit". It was first built as a small temple in 1783 by Sikh General, SardarBhagel Singh, who supervised the construction of the nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II. Be sure to try or take part as a volunteer in their Langaar services, commonly known as the community kitchen.

4. Get blessing at Birla temple

Also known as the Lakshminarayan Temple, it is one of the most magnificent structures in Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated it in the year 1939. The multi-shrine temple sprawls in the core city, dazzling in yellow and red colours. The temple houses statues of Lord Vishnu (The Preserver) and Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity). People from various religious faiths visit the temple and take blessings here. The Temple beautifully reflects the Orissan architecture with tall curved towers (Sikhara) capped by large segmented or notched stone disks (Amalakas).

5. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal

Humayun's Tomb is among the most visited monument in Delhi. It is also one of the legacies of the great Mughal-Era architectural might. The impressive monumental Tomb, with its elegant garden setting, was a first of its kind in India. It paved the way for a new style of Mughal architecture, which served as an inspiration for constructing the famed ‘TajMahal’, an epitome of love and a UNESCO world heritage site. Hence, Humayun's Tomb is also said to be the precursor of the Taj Mahal. In 1993, UNESCO declared Humayun's Tomb a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Presenting to you a timeless saga of love and longing, Humayun's Tomb in this short video.

6. Pay homage to the soldiers at India Gate & National War Memorial

At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triumph" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. It was constructed in 1931 by erstwhile British Empire to commemorate the Martyrs of India during World War I as well as Third Anglo-Afghan War.

The National War Memorial that lies in the same complex and commissioned in 2019 represents the gratitude of the nation to its armed forces. It stands as a testimony to the sacrifices made by the India soldiers during various conflicts, United Nations Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations since Independence of India. Here a Stambh (obelisk) houses the immortal flame ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, remembering the Indian armed forces who had lost their lives during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

7. Drive by the most fascinating Government buildings in the Rajpath area

Delhi for the time immemorial has been the seat of power & capital of various rulers, from the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Dynasty to the British Empire and now the Government of India.

The New Delhi, as coined by the British was developed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who had conceptualized, designed and constructed buildings during the period of the British Raj. The Lutyens Delhi as we know today houses several prestigious government buildings and official residences which were the masterpieces of Sir Lutyens.

8. Get amazed by the Mehrauli Archaeological Park

There are striking riches spread around Mehrauli, with over 440 monuments dating as far as the 10th century to as recent as the British era. One of the most impressive among the large pool of monuments here are the tombs of Balban and Quli Khan, his son, and the Jamali Kamali mosque which is now in ruins. To the west of the complex lies a 16th-century step well called Rajon ki Baoli.

At the northern end of the village lies the Adham Khan’s Tomb. This magnificent Tomb was used as a British house, later as a police station and now as a post office. On moving northwards past the Tombs, one will find the pre-Islamic walls of Lal Kot also known as Qila Rai Pithora constructed in the 11th century AD.

Down south of the village lies the remains of Zafar Mahal, the Mughal palace. Just close to Zafar Mahal lies the Dargah of Qutab Sahib, a Sufi shrine. Interestingly, even today a small empty burial ground can be seen here which was supposed to be the resting place of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last king of Delhi. Sadly, he died in exile in Burma in 1862, thus could not be buried here.

A walk through the Mehrauli Archaeological Park with one of our experienced guide is like reliving the times that had gone by centuries ago. Although a lesser-known place, this comes under the amazing places one should visit in Delhi.

9. Visit the leaning tower of India, Qutub Minar

Nearly as old as the history of the Delhi Sultanate, Qutub Minar is the world's tallest brick tower, roaring through the skyline of Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a five-storeyed minaret that stands 238 feet tall and still lives as one of the most brilliant buildings of India from the medieval era.

It was constructed by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who founded the Mamluk dynasty in India. After the victory tower at Ghazni, Afghanistan, the construction of Qutub Minar began in 1192 AD. Unfortunately, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak could not see the completion of his dreams as he died early. Therefore, the tower eventually finished under Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq who were his successors.

One of the most famous structures among many at Qutub Minar, is the Iron Pillar, or the Ashoka Pillar which was installed in the 4th century. This 24 ft high structure, weighing more than six tonnes and a masterpiece of scientific supremacy of ancient India is famous for its high corrosion resistance. A visit to Qutub Minar is a must for architecture lovers. Walk in and witness the tower of victory, the wonder of the tallest brick minaret in the world, Qutub Minar, in this short video.

10. Enjoy shopping at Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is an open-air market and crafts bazaar that presents the ambience of a traditional village market or a rural haat. It is a treasure house of Indian culture and offers art, handicrafts, cultural performances and a chance to sample ethnic Indian cuisine representing different parts of India, in one place. Witness Dilli Haat in this short video.

It will be unjustified to describe Delhi with just the above experiences as there are plenty of other amazing places to see and experiences to cherish in Delhi. Rather than just visiting, one need to absorb its essence, fragrances and flavours that are on offer here. We invite you to come and indulge in the amazing places to visit and intriguing stories when you are here! We, at Indo Asia Tours, are all about the handcrafted tours, memories, and moments you take out of your trip, and believe us, this escapade will be a life-changing one!