Tourism in Delhi

Delhi, the capital of the country, and one of India's fastest growing cities, has spread far beyond the "seven cities", created between the 13th and the 17th centuries. It has sprawled over the west bank of the river Yamuna, straddling the river. Remnants of the glorious past survive cheek - by - jowl with soaring skyscrapers, posh residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country.

Delhi has speciality restaurants to please the gourmet, sprawling parks and gardens ablaze with flowers, and in the winter months, a variety of cultural events. The myriad faces of the city are simply tantalizing, and entice the curious traveller into a fascinating journey of discovery.

Places to see in Delhi

Jantar Mantar

An astronomical observatory with masonry instruments, designed by the astronomer - king Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur, in 1724.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

This was the royal palace of Raja Jai Singh. He dedicated this palace, to the sacred memory of Guru Harkishan, the eighth Guru of the Sikhs.

Laxmi Narayan Temple

Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, this huge Hindu temple was built in 1938.

Qutab Minar

Built by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, this tower standing 72.5 m tall, dates back to the 13th century, and is one of the greatest bequests of Islamic culture.

Lotus Temple

A distinctive lotus - shaped marvel, built in marble, it has been dubbed the "Taj Mahal of the 21st century".

Safdarjung Tomb

This marble - domed mausoleum was the last Mughal monument to be built in Delhi.

Red Fort

One of Delhi's magnificent monuments, the Red Fort was built by Emperor Shah Jahan, the architect of the Taj Mahal, in 1648.

Jama Masjid

India's largest mosque, built in 1656, it is an eloquent reminder of the religious fervour of the Mughals.

Rajghat

Cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

Humayun's Tomb

An example of early Mughal architecture, it is believed to be the prototype of the Taj Mahal.

Zoo

One of the finest zoological parks in the country, it houses the largest number of white tigers.

India Gate

The 42 m high arch was raised as a memorial to the soldiers, who laid down their lives in the great world war.

Connaught Place

The stylish commercial centre, Connaught Place, with the colourful stalls on Janpath, and the emporia on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, is a shopper's paradise.

How To Get There

Air: Delhi has an extensive network of international and domestic flights. All the major airlines in the world fly through Delhi, and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Domestic air links cover Delhi from all the major cities in the country.

Train: Trains run from all the parts of the country to Delhi. For nearby places like Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gwalior, Bhopal, Lucknow and Kanpur, the Shatabdi Express is recommended.

Bus: Buses from all the major places in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi. During the summer months, air-conditioned coaches are recommended.