Considered as one of the most intriguing historical capitals in the world, Delhi is a city that is bustling with activity at any given time of the day. The attractions are numerous and to discover this part of Asia is to walk through history.
Delhi can be divided into the Old and the New. The old city has monuments like mosques, and forts which are of immense historical value. Of these the old Red Fort is by far the most popular. The New city, designed by architects Baker and Lutyens is a modern metropolis housing most of the embassies and government departments. In terms of global significance Delhi is one of the eight largest cities in the world in terms of its population.
As early as the 6th century, Delhi placed along the River Yamuna has been inhabited by various nationalities and tribes from Europe to Asia. The city due to its unique position in days of old was able to develop trade routes from the northwest and the Indo plains. Today, it is the commercial and cultural hub of India.
India Gate or the Gateway to India is a popular landmark in the city. Positioned along Rajpath Avenue, it is a memorial to brave Indian soldiers that passed away during Afghan and World War I. While the walls of the monument are inscribed with the names of the soldiers, the shrine in the middle resembles that of a gun resting upwards, with a soldier’s helmet resting at the top.
A sight of beauty is the Laxaminarayan Temple. During the religious festival of Janmashtami day - considered as the day Lord Krishna was born, many flock to the Laxaminarayan Temple, or better known as the Nila Mandir. The temple consists of beautiful water fountains which add to the spiritual atmosphere of the place.
Next on the to-do-list is to pay a visit to Qutb Minar set in the south of the city. It was built by Delhi’s one time ruler the Qutb-ud-din Aibak, in 1206. The structure is a basic reddish sand stone coloured tower that stands at over 70 meters. The tower is inscribed with holy verses from the Quran. During Aibak’s rule the tower served as a reminder of Muslim domination, it also served as a muezzin which would call the people to prayer. In terms of historical value this monument was perhaps the first that was built by a Muslim ruler, and with it came a new culture and art form that would influence the architecture of that period, more commonly known as Indo Islamic architecture.
Coming to another century, it was in the 1600s that emperor Shah Jahan decided to transfer the capital to Delhi. And just like that, in eight years the Red Fort was brought to life and still exists today as one of the amazing marvels in India. Although the Fort and its architectural work suffered at the hands of the British, during their occupation of India, its main structure is still intact.
The extent of attractions and things to see in Delhi is so vast that a couple weeks would be needed to actually sample the culture of this amazing Asian giant. To savor some typical Indian hospitality a stay at a
hotel in New Delhi is a must. The Shangri- La Hotel New Delhi is a
luxury New Delhi hotel that has been designed specifically for visitors to rest, relax and recharge themselves. The hotel offers panoramic views, and is centrally located.
