Delhi
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Standing on the west banks
of River Yamuna, New Delhi is the capital of India. It is the third-largest
city of the country consisting of two parts: Old Delhi and New Delhi. There
is a legend that the Pandavas (of the epic Mahabharata) originally founded
this city, which was then called as Indraprastha, around 1200 BC. Present
day Delhi is built around the ruins of seven ancient cities.
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Places to See
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Birla
Mandir
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The famous Birla temple patronized
by Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated this temple in 1938 after Raja Baldev
Birla constructed it, is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. It is close to Connaught
Place and is frequented by many devotees regularly.
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Humayun's
Tomb
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It is generally regarded as a prototype
of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. The tomb of Begai Begum, wife of Emperor
Humayun was buried here. The construction took ei ght years to complete
which was made of white marble and red sandstone.
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India
Gate
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Straight down the road from Rashtrapati
Bhavan is this landmark, a 42-meter high arch War memorial built in memory
of innumerable soldiers who laid down their lives during the Afghan war
and World Wars. A flame, Amar Jawan Jyoti, is kept perpetually alive here.
The stretch of lush green lawns spreading from here is a major crowd puller
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Qutab
Minar
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The Qutab Minar is located at a small
village called Mehrauli in South Delhi. It was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek
of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a fluted
red sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 m and is covered
with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Quran. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
began constructing this victory tower as a sign of Muslim domination of
Delhi and as a minaret for the Muslim priest, the muezzin, to call the faithful
to prayer. However, only the first storey was completed by Qutb-ud-din.
The other storeys were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two circular
storeys in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq in 1368, replacing
the original fourth storey.
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Purana
Quila
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The Purana Quila (Old Fort) is built on the site where
the ancient city of Indraprashtha is believed to have existed. Archaelogical
evidences, such as potteries dating back to 1000 BC, found within the Fort
premises prove that the area was indeed the capital of the Pandavas, the
heroes of the great epic Mahabharata. Similar potteries have also been recovered
from other sites associated with Mahabharata. Also the fact that until early
20th century a village called Indrapat existed within the walls of Purana
Quila substantiates the theory. The Old Fort was the citadel of the new
city of Dinapanah, or the Refuge of the Faithful, which Humayun started
building in 1533 and completed in five years. Later when Sher Shah Suri
defeated Humayun, the Afghan king re-named it Shergarh and constructed some
more buildings within the complex.
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Jantar
Mantar
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Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory
with masonry instruments, built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur.
It houses a huge sundial and other instruments intended to show the movements
of the sun, moon etc. This massive salmon colored structure is only a short
stroll down Sansad Marg (parliament street).
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Lotus
Temple
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It is a very recent architectural
marvel of the Bahai faith, located in Kalkaji, south of Delhi. Shaped like
a half opened Lotus flower, this temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite
and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation
and obtaining peace and tranquility.
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Red
Fort
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The hot seat of power of the sub-continent,
the symbol of control, the Red Fort locally known as Lal Qila built of Red
Sandstone was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Annual Independence
Day parade is held on the open grounds in front of the Fort. The light and
sound show held in the evenings bring to life the Days as it was over the
years with important events, which have marked the history of India.
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Raj
Ghat
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A sacred place lying on the banks of river
Yamuna, to many an Indian is Raj Ghat where the Father of Nation, Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi was cremated. These grounds have been tread by many great
persons -the list which includes such great names like Queen Elizabeth II,
Eisenhower, Ho Chi Min etc., in paying sincere respects to the humble soul.
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Other
Places of Interest
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Chandni Chowk
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Connaught Place
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Safdarjang Tomb
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Sound & Light Show
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The Zoological Park
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Tibet House
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Tughlaqabad
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Royal Baths
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Alai Minar
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Feroz Shah Kotla
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Hauz Khas
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International Dolls Museum
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Lodi Gardens
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Lodi's Tomb
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Mughal Gardens
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Nehru Museum
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Raj Path
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Rail Transport Museum
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