The capital of India, Delhi, has a unique charm of its own. There are plenty of places to see in Delhi from the historic monuments of the Sultanate period to new places such as Connaught Place.
It completes the Golden Triangle of Tourism with Agra and Jaipur, and hence it gets a lot of tourists from all over the world. Here are some of the best sights and attractions in Delhi.
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Qutub Minar
The 73 m tall minaret’s construction was started by Qutb ud Din Aibak, who was the ruler of Delhi in the 12th century while there have been many restorations over the years.
The impressive tower is visible from most parts of Delhi. Since it was constructed by different rulers over the years, there are visible differences in terms of design and materials. However, Red Sandstone is the main material used. The complex contains many landmarks such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the Iron Pillar, Iltutmish’s Tomb, and Ala-ud-din Khilji’s Tomb.
The ticket price is Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners, and the timing is from 7 am to 5 pm.
Red Fort
The magnificent Red Sandstone building was constructed by Shah Jahan as a residential palace in 1639. This was the site where the first Prime Minister of India hoisted the flag of India on 15th Aug 1947 as a mark of Independence. This tradition continues as there is a flag hoisting ceremony every year on Independence Day by the Prime Minister on this site.
The palace had been looted of precious artworks and stones, including the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond during Nadir Shah’s invasion in the 18th century. Some of the prominent attractions at this site are Rang Mahal, Mumtaz Mahal, Khas Mahal. The ticket price is Rs.35 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners, and the timing is from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. There is a Light & Sound show in the evenings.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
Constructed in 1929 as a residence for Viceroy, this building is currently the residence of the President of India. The architecture of this building is the Indo-Saracenic style.
There are three tours available to visitors that must be booked online before the visit. The first involves a tour of the rooms within the main building, the second includes the museum, and the third includes the Mughal Gardens, available from August to March.
The ticket price is Rs.50, and the timing is from 9 am to 4 pm from Thursday to Sunday. The tickets are subject to cancellations due to security or other reasons. You can have a view of the beautifully designed Parliament house located nearby. Also, you can visit the Gyarah Murti or Dandi March Statue nearby, which is dedicated to Gandhi’s civil disobedience.
Humayun’s Tomb
It’s a grand mausoleum constructed in 1572 by Emperor Akbar in the memory of Humayun, his father, and former Emperor. The monument was the beginning of the Mughal style architecture with Persian influences. It’s made of Red Sandstone with White Marble dome on top. The tomb is surrounded by Mughal style 4 gardens with water channels. The complex has many other tombs as well, and it is widely believed to contain 150 tombs.
The ticket price is Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.500 for foreigners, and the timing is from 6 am to 6 pm. Another famous attraction nearby is the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the famous Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
India Gate
It’s a war memorial constructed in 1933, and it’s dedicated to soldiers who were martyred during World War I. The architecture of this monument is similar to that of Arc-de-Triomphe in Paris. It’s located near the prominent Rajpath area and is among the most visited places in the city. There is another war memorial in the vicinity called the Amar Jawan Jyoti for the soldiers martyred in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war.
Lodhi Garden
Formerly known as Lady Willingdon Park, the garden houses famous monuments from the Lodhi dynasty, such as Bara Gumbad, Sheesh Gumbad, and Sikandar Lodhi’s tomb. It’s a famous retreat spot where locals often spend time relaxing and exercising.
Purana Qila
It’s one of the oldest forts in Delhi and is believed to be built on the historical city of Indraprastha. The construction of the fort began with Emperor Humayun, and then the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri took over and reconstructed the fort. The prominent attractions include Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid and Sher Mandal. The ticket price is Rs.20 for Indians and Rs.250 for foreigners, and the timing is from 7 am to 5 pm.
Raj Ghat
It’s the samadhi (memorial similar to a tomb) of Mahatma Gandhi. There are similar memorials of former prime ministers and presidents located nearby.
Akshardham Temple
It’s a large temple complex constructed in 2005 that showcases Indian culture and traditions. The grand temple is constructed from sandstone and marble with many beautifully carved sculptures and designs. It has exhibitions on the life of the deity Swaminarayan and his teachings. The other attractions at the complex include a boat ride showcasing India’s history and a musical fountain show in the evening.
Hauz Khas Village
Located in the affluent south Delhi area, this place is a mixture of old and new. It has a reservoir surrounded by ruins of old Islamic architecture from the Mughal and Tughlaq era. The place, however, has turned into a party hotspot, especially for youngsters as many restaurants and bars have sprung up in the area.
Lotus Temple
Constructed in 1986, this unique lotus-shaped temple is open to visitors from all faiths. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and pools. The prayer hall in the interior contains no photos or idols, and visitors can relax and pray according to their faith.
Travel tips to Delhi
The best time to visit Delhi is from December to March, as the weather is pleasant. There is high pollution around October and November.
The temperatures in winter can drop up to 2 degrees Celsius while the temperatures in summer can rise to 45 degrees Celsius.
