1.Red Fort (Lal Qila)Red Fort is among the seven wonders of India and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It can also be called the main point of Old Delhi besides being a beautiful architectural and engineering wonder of the ancient time. The most splendid Mughals' period can be seen through the photogenic temples and palaces of the complex, which were built during the emperor's reign, and the city that was scattered with its red sandstone walls of up to 2.5 km are on display. Besides large palaces, the fort also offers public audience halls, carved gardens, and impressively decorated gates that suggest the blend of Persian, Timurid, and Indian art and architecture styles. At present, it is not only a place of amusement for tourists but also a symbol of India's independence, thus the Prime Minister goes there every year to hoist the flag on Independence Day. Fort night show, the dramatization of its history, is a wonderful experience every evening, thus making it a very important stop on their itinerary, visitors can catch it every evening.History of Red Fort (Lal Qila)The initial concept of Red Fort was Shah Jahan's idea to move his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638. The building of the palace took almost 10 years of work and was finally completed in 1648. After that, the Mughals relied on the fort as their center of political and ceremonial activities for two hundred years. The fort was initially called “Qila-i-Mubarak”, and Mughals' history is the cycle of dominance, defeat, and revolt. The chief architect of the Taj Mahal, Ustad Ahmad Lahori, was also given the job of building Red Fort. It was inside the royal quarters that the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), and several marble palaces of indescribable beauty were situated. After the 1857 Revolt, most of the fort's buildings were destroyed by the British' taking over the fort. However, the Red Fort still stands as a symbol of Indian tradition and freedom that continues to resist time. It is from 2007 that the Red Fort becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site and since then, it is the place of tourists who want to know the monument's historical and cultural significance.Nearby to Visit Red Fort (Lal Qila)Jama Masjid: Jama Masjid can be found just a few steps away from Red Fort and is one of the biggest mosques in India that Shah Jahan built. The vast courtyard, high minarets, and great architecture are the main features of the place that you cannot forget.Raj Ghat: A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi that is quiet and serene, it is approximately 2 km from the fort. It marks his cremation in 1948 with a black marble platform.India Gate: A memorial to Indian soldiers who gave their lives in wars designed, it is about 5 kilometers from here. With gardens around it, it is very popular for a visit in the evening.National Museum: Near Rajpath, it is the place where the largest variety of artifacts, manuscripts, paintings, and sculptures representing India's cultural heritage can be found.Best Time to Visit Jama MasjidSummer (April to June): For most of the days in this period, the temperature in Delhi will probably exceed 40°C. If the day turns unpleasant, going sightseeing at dawn and dusk would still be bearable only.Monsoon (July to September): The area is very cool because of the rains and it also looks very green around the fort. However, a few heavy-rain incidents can spoil your plans.Winter (October to March): The time of travel is when the temperature range is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. It is the tourist high season, which is very good for visiting the fort and the nearby attractions.How to Reach Jama MasjidBy Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the closest airport to Red Fort and is located approximately 20 km away. For a simple trip to the fort, you can take a taxi, a cab, or a metro.By Train: Old Delhi Railway Station (2 km) is the closest major railway station to Red Fort which is well-connected to the rest of the country. In addition, New Delhi Railway Station is around 6 km away, hence it is very easy to get to the Red Fort.By Road: The road network allows anyone from any area in Delhi to reach Red Fort. Local buses, auto rickshaws, or taxis can be used without any problems to get here. The metro station (Violet Line) at Chandni Chowk is very close to the fort and it is within walking distance from here.2. Qutub MinarThe Qutub Minar, a heritage site inscribed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, is among the most splendid monuments of India as well as a shining example of Indian-Islamic architecture. Its height of 73 meters makes it the tallest brick minaret worldwide and the second most important place to visit in Delhi after the India Gate. The minar was built by the use of red sandstone and marble and decorated with detailed designs and also with verses that are from the Quran. The tapering construction has five storeys, which are different from each other according to the program of a projecting balcony. Qutub Complex surrounds Qutub Minar, where other historical structures like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the Alai Darwaza, and the Iron Pillar of Delhi, which has been standing without rust for over 1,600 years, can be visited. The gardens that surround the monument are green and calm; hence, you can take a break from the boring streets of Delhi here. Nowadays, the Qutub Minar remains to commemorate its history with the same architectural skills, and, therefore, it is included in the day tour of Delhi.History of Qutub MinarThe building work of Qutub Minar was initiated in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the Delhi Sultanate's founder, right after his triumph over the Rajputs. However, Aibak was only able to complete the very first story of the minaret. The successor and son-in-law of the latter, Iltutmish, increased the height by adding three more storeys, and then it was he who finished the last fifth storey of the minaret in the 14th century. This tower was constructed in order to indicate the supremacy of Islam in Delhi, and it also functioned as a victory tower besides the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque built in India, as the inscriptions reveal, was made up of materials taken from the destroyed Hindu and Jain temples. During the past several centuries, the minar was exposed to disasters like lightning and earthquakes. But it was recovered and renovated by the people in power from time to time, who in this way ensured its survival. The complex that surrounded it developed, including a new dome, the Alai Minar, the Alai Darwaza, and madrassas, thus representing the cultural development in the Delhi Sultanate. The present-day Qutub Minar not only tells the saga of the early Muslim Empire in India but also visibly celebrates the Indian and Islamic art.Nearby Places to Visit Qutub MinarMehrauli Archaeological Park: Right next to Qutub Minar, the green belt Mehrauli Archaeological Park is home to mosques, stepwells, and ruins that represent various ages of Delhi's history.Chhatarpur Temple: Established only 4 km from Katyayani shrine, the Mother's temple, and rated among the largest temple complexes in the nation, it is the Hindu temple of Chhatarpur.Lotus Temple: The distance between Qutub Minar and the architecturally impressive as well as tranquil Bahá'í House of Worship that symbolises a lotus flower is about 12 km, so you can get there without any difficulty.Hauz Khas Village: Just 7 km from downtown, the place not only allows you to see the past and present lifestyles through historical ruins, a lake, trendy cafes, boutiques, and art galleries, but also makes it possible for you to have fun.India Gate: A war memorial, almost 15 km from Qutub Minar, is known as a superb place for relaxation, especially in the evenings.Best Time to Visit Qutub MinarSummer (April to June): Delhi is extremely hot during summer, and the mercury reaches 40°C most of the time. Hence, visiting the place during the day is out of the question. A trip in the early morning or late evening at this time of the year is really nice.Monsoon (July to September): As the rains set in, the Qutub Complex looks very attractive and greener. However, there can still be an intermittent heavy shower which can hinder a person's going.Winter (October to March): It is the best time to come if it is not too cold and the temperature is quite high for the season (10–20°C). The visit to the monument and other places in the neighbourhood becomes a very comfortable one.How to Reach Qutub MinarBy Airport: The nearest airport to Qutub Minar is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and it is just around 12 km away. For a quick trip to Qutub Minar, you can go by metro, taxi, or an app-based car from the airport.By Railway: New Delhi Railway Station (17 km) is the nearest major station that has good connections with all other parts of India. Other than that, there is an option with a distance of 15 km between Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station.By Road: If you are almost at a main road or in any part of Delhi that intersects with or is close to a main road, then local buses, taxis, rickshaws, and app-based car services are mostly available because almost all such places are well connected to Qutub Minar. The metro station at Qutub Minar (on the Yellow Line) is just 2 km from here; thus, it is one of the easiest ways to get to this place.3. Humayun's TombHumayun's Tomb is the epitome of India's Mughal architecture, which amazed the world by setting a standard for the Taj Mahal and other similar later works. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb, situated in Nizamuddin, Delhi, is a must-visit for visitors. Sometimes, this mid-16th-century project is considered the very first garden-tomb of South Asia. Actually, the royal quarters are very beautifully decorated with a huge Charbagh (four-quadrant garden) of promenades, fountains, and symmetrical layouts, all of which are Persian inspirations in nature. Red sandstone and white marble were used in building the tomb, and the dome, which is large and wide, in the middle, is such that a very perfect play of the skyline of Delhi, which is very attractive to the spectator, can be made. The workers have not only decorated the emperor's tomb but also provided a brilliant example of the transition from early Islamic to grand Mughal styles. Moreover, the place is the location of some other architectural and historic interest buildings like Isa Khan's tomb, Bu Halima's Tomb, and the Barber's Tomb. Humayun's Tomb is one of the most crowded and historic places with people. It is the place where the largest number of tourists, historians, and photographers访 and the city of Delhi has been lately showing a lot of interest in it.History of Humayun's TombSince 1565, the slow but certain implementation of the design of Humayun's Tomb through detailed and careful planning got underway. Bega Begum (Haji Begum) took the initiative with this work, nine years after the Emperor's death. Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas was the one who made the bleak idea of the work visible. One among the most powerful Mughal Emperors, Humayun had a lamentable life, but the records after his death were such that he should have still left and dwelt in Persia, where arts and architecture were very fascinating to him. Consequently, a monument was erected by his wife after his demise in 1556. It was the first garden tomb of the Mughal dynasty that is identified as such from the time it was established in 1572, and has been the trend of garden tombs that are used as an influence by the Taj Mahal, and many other monuments later on to this very day. This masterpiece of architecture is found in the middle of the Charbagh garden, which can be called plots separated by the roads and water channels that pass through it and is the depiction of the symbolism of heaven in Islamic sacred texts. Thus, this is the place where the royal dead are changed into the graves of emperors who ruled the Mughal dynasty and are sealed underground beneath the monument's shade. Indeed, the last Emperor of the Mughals, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was only given a very short time to see Humayun's Tomb due to the First Indian War of Independence in 1857. The tomb was vandalised and left in disrepair during the colonial era, but it has always been one of the Mughal heritage and has been restored even now.Nearby Places to Visit Humayun's TombIsa Khan's Tomb: The buildings are very close to each other, and Isa Khan's Tomb is just next to it. It is one of the old buildings of the area, and the octagonal Isa Khan's Tomb, besides historically being earlier than Humayun's Tomb, also varies in terms of its unique Lodhi-era architectural style.Nizamuddin Dargah: It is a nearby famous Sufi shrine. The dargah is the place where the saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya stays. The shrine becomes a very strong spiritual centre especially at the time of the qawwali performances.Lotus Temple: The Bahá'í House of Prayer, with its extraordinary petal-like shape and quietness, is only about 6 km from here.India Gate: A war memorial that pays tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in wars is located about 5 km from Humayun's Tomb. Enclosed by gardens, it is a place where people come for a walk, especially in the evening.Purana Qila (Old Fort): Rumour has it that the fort was the place where the Mughal emperor Humayun's residence and it is located about 3 km from here. Besides that, the museum is inside the fort.Best Time to Visit Humayun's TombSummer (April to June): Delhi experiences a very hot and dry summer. In general, the temperature reaches up to 40 degrees Celsius or even higher. So, the very early morning or late evening visit to the landmark will be more relaxing for you.Monsoon (July to September): At that time, the tomb's gardens get very leafy and green. But, very heavy rain can shorten your visiting time.Winter (October to March): The best time to visit is that which is the most convenient for lovers of the temperature between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius and the cold, which makes it very pleasant to walk around the monument and the neighbouring places.How to Reach Humayun's TombBy Airport: The closest airport to the tomb is the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is about 16 km from the tomb. A taxi, cab, or metro can take you from the airport to the location very easily.By Train: The nearest railway station to the tomb is Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, which is 3 km away. New Delhi Railway Station (7 km) is also another convenient alternative.By Road: You can easily get to Humayun's Tomb by road from Delhi. You may take a bus, car, autorickshaw, or even a taxi app to get there. The JLN Stadium (Violet Line) metro station, which is around 2 km from the monument, is the closest to you.4. India GateNew Delhi is the location of the India Gate, which can be recognized as the central point of the city. Among the most outstanding national monuments of the country, India is one of them. The India Gate, a great arch, was made by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is generally compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is 42 meters high. Beautiful lawns, fountains, and gardens surrounding the monument enhance the India Gate, and people can often see the crowd that includes both residents and tourists who come to relax. Those who lost their lives during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War are the ones whose names have been etched on the India Gate. In 1971, a small monument called Amar Jawan Jyoti was installed under the arch to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who died in wars after the First World War. At night, people can enjoy the monument when it is illuminated, and the fountains surrounding it give out colored light, which adds to the whole fascinating view. India Gate today is not only a memorial but also a place where cultural activities take place, events that are of national importance are organised, and people take peaceful walks in the evening, which is why it is one of the most accessible spots in Delhi.History of India GateThe Duke of Connaught laid the stone for the India Gate in 1921, while the construction of the monument ended in 1931. British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens was the one who came up with the idea to build a memorial as a recognition of Indian soldiers who went to war in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, and those who died. The names of more than 13,000 soldiers whose names were carved on the surface of the monument were initially given as the "All India War Memorial". The location of the monument right in the heart of the new capital of New Delhi gave it a crucial place in Lutyens' plan for the city. After India got its independence, the Flame of the Immortal Soldier or Amar Jawan Jyoti was installed under the arch and lit to remember the martyrs of the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971. The fire of the warrior is still alight and commemorates the martyrs of India with proper honours. Over time, India Gate has evolved from a colonial war memorial into a symbol of India's pride and sacrifice. Additionally, it is also the venue of the Republic Day Parade, one of the biggest annual events in the country, and thus a place of historical and cultural significance.Nearby Places to Visit: India GateRashtrapati Bhavan: The place where the President of India lives, located at the western end of Rajpath, is not only famous for its large and beautiful architecture but also for the Mughal Gardens it houses.National War Memorial: Near India Gate is this new memorial, sculpturally as well as architecturally, and the circular design with the perpetual flames that salute the soldiers of the Indian armed forces who lost their lives in the wars fought after independence is in this way.Rajpath: Rajpath is the ceremonial avenue between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the place from where the Republic Day parades and evening walks are held.National Museum: It is nearly 3 km away, a formation of the past, present, and future of art, culture, and heritage of India and the world for many thousands of years.Connaught Place: It is 2 km from here, the commercial area as well as the cultural centre of Delhi, and it is very popular for its shopping, dining, and colonial-style architecture.Best Time to Visit India GateSummer (April to June): The intense heat and the soaring temperatures over 40°C make India Gate quite unbearable to visit during the day. The place can still be visited in the evening when the weather is more agreeable.Monsoon (July to September): The rains cool the city, and thus the gardens around the India Gate also look green and fresh. Short and sudden showers that may interrupt the visit but also make the place more charming, can occur.Winter (October to March): This is the real time, or rather the most delightful season to visit, with the temperature ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the January Republic Day Parade, which is a great show, adds more to the memorial’s value.How to Reach India GateBy Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is approximately 15 km, is the nearest airport to India Gate. One can reach there by taxi, cab, metro, or chauffeured car.By Railway: The nearest railheads are New Delhi Railway Station (5 km) and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (7 km), both very well connected to the rest of the country by train services.By Road: Delhi’s road network makes it very easy to get to the India Gate. Local bus & auto rickshaw services, taxis, and radio or app-based cab services are all widely available. Moreover, if you want to go by metro, which is a very convenient option, it is about 2 km from the Central Secretariat Metro Station (Yellow and Violet Line).5. Jama MasjidThe Jame Masjid seem to be a simple building with a certain number of features and details, but rather, it looks like it was detached and uniquely constructed with intricate and unique designs as well as with the first and fantastic ones. Being the fifth-largest mosque in India and situated in Old Delhi, it is unrivalle in the style of Mughal architecture and thus referred to as a complete marvel. Besides the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort, these are the most prominent Islamic monuments of Shah Jahan, erected in 1656, and considered the most powerful Islamic centres, one that could be observed with the over 25,000 people who come here to worship at a glance. Things from the combination of both reddish sandstone and white marble in the mosque are very delightful to the eyes of the three large gates, the four turrets, and the two minarets, which are 40 meters high, for panoramic views of Old Delhi, for example. Besides the outdoor mosque courtyard and the large prayer hall, both of them adorned with beautiful calligraphy and sculptures all over the walls, the artistic and religious greatness of the Mughals is no less as they proclaim their faith. miss the chance and head very quickly to the southern minaret to take the birds-eye view of the lively Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort. At that time, it was a symbol of the old, different-world cultures, but now it is a museum of past architectural magnificence, historical richness and spiritual period.History of Jama MasjidThe Jama Masjid building was made at the order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650. The project was finished in 1656 after six years of continuous work. Previously, the mosque used to be called Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, i.e., "the mosque with the view of the world," the central mosque of Shahjahanabad (now Old Delhi). Most of the mosque was constructed in the traditional Mughal style, which is an excellent fusion of Persian and Indian architectural standards. The mosque features, such as the amazing domes, the tall minarets, and the delicate carvings, are the main attractions. The three biggest domes are striped in black and white, the others being all of white marble. Besides, the domes can even be spotted from afar due to the contrast between the domes and the red sandstone building.Nearby Places to Visit Jama MasjidRed Fort (Lal Qila): It is next door, one of the most famous monuments of Delhi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well-known for its Mughal architecture and historical significance.Chandni Chowk: The museum's adjacent pedestrian mall, which is the vibrant market area offers something for everyone from street food and spices to gold and traditional clothing.Raj Ghat: A memorial without noise dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, located about 3 km from the mosque, it marks the spot where the great leader’s cremation took place.Sis Ganj Gurudwara: The Sikh temple in the Chandni Chowk area is the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur's place of worship, where he was martyred.St. James ‘Church: The colonial-era architectural church and one of the oldest churches in Delhi, continues the trend and is located 2 km away from Jama Masjid.Best Time to Visit Jama MasjidSummer (April to June): Simply put, summer days are generally very hot and on a few days, the temperature reaches 40°C or even higher. So, if any visit can be made during this period, it would only be very early in the morning or very late in the evening.Monsoon (July to September): The place may still be very attractive in the rain; however, there can be some heavy downpours.Winter (October to March): The landmark gets the perfect hour to be seen when the weather is perfect and the temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius.How to Reach Jama MasjidBy Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the closest airport to Jama Masjid, which is about 20 km away. The means of transport from the airport to the Jama Masjid are taxis, cabs, the Delhi Metro, and buses.By Train: Old Delhi Railway Station (2 km) is the nearest railway station to the Jama Masjid, while New Delhi Railway Station (4 km) is also not far apart. Both stations are well connected.By Road: The metro station that is closest to the Jama Masjid Metro Station (Violet Line) is only a few minutes away.
