COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND DELHI SIGHTSEEING

DELHI SIGHTSEEING - While you visit New Delhi for the Games, some tourism for you:

RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN - THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

Before India gained independance in 9147 it was know as the Viceroy's House occupied by the British Governor General. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in an Indian style, it was inaugarated in 1931. In 1911, a decision was taken by the British Government to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhawan has 340 rooms and 4 floors spread over 200000 square feet. Mughal Gardens, the gardens surrounding the Rashtrapati Bhawan are famed for it's beauty. It is occupied by the Indian President and is also the venue for the swearing-in of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

INDIA GATE

A memorial built by the British in honour of Indian soldiers who were martyred in the World Wars. This monument was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens and herbert Baker. The road that begins at the India Gate is called Rajpath and is the venue of the Republic Day parade held on January 26 every year. The other end of Rajpath is an intersection called Vijay Chowk where the Beating The Retreat is held on Jauary 29. The gardens surrounding India Gate and an adjacent lake with boats is a popular venue for outings especially on weekends by people living in the city. Straight ahead of Vijay Chowk is the Rashtrapati Bhawan, flanked on both sides by North and South Blocks which have the offices of Government. On the right side of Vijay Chowk is the Indian Parliament an imposing round structure where Members of Parliament gather for their sessions.

The inscriptions on the walls contain the names of the soldiers who were martyred.

 

QUTUB MINAR

A victory tower known as Qutab Minar is situated towards the south of New Delhi in an area called Mehrauli. This tower was built in 1199 AD with a height of 72. metres during the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak, a Sultan who started the slave dynasty. Aibak was captured during his childhood and sold as a slave. However, he was treated as part of the family and went on to become highly educated and trained in horsemanship and archery. He was slater purchased by a king Mohammed Ghori who made him a general and then a viceroy. After Ghori died Aibak was nominated as the Sultan of Delhi.

The tower is build in red sandstone and contains inscriptions from the Quran. It has five storeys with a staircase going all the way to the top. However, the staircase is closed and one cannot go up the tower, with views restricted to the outside of the tower. The first storey was built by Aibak and the tower was completed till the fifth storey by Iltutmish his successor.

The vicinity of Qutab Minar is a hub of fashion designers who have set up stores to showcase and sell their latest dresses and designs.

 

LOTUS TEMPLE

This is a Bahai House of worship and was built in 1986. It is an architectural wonder and is built in the shape of a lotus flower. The temple is open to people from all religions and doe snot encourage the use of any particular religious text in its premises. Also all who enter the building are requested to follow silence while inside the building.

 

CONNAUGHT PLACE

This is a central Delhi area named after the Duke of Connaught, now known as Rajiv Chowk after the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It is a planned centre desgned by Sir Edward Lutyens and is circular in shape. It contains two concentric circles, known as Inner and Outer circles, divided into blocks. The blocks contain offices and stores, Connaugt Place being one of the main shopping areas in Delhi. Arterial roads lead up to Connaught Place, coming in from different parts of the city. One of these arterial roads, Janpath is a major shopping area for handicrafts, momentoes, clothes and miscellaneous items. Inside the centre of Connaught Place is an underground shpping area called Palika Bazaar.

 

RED FORT

The fort which is made completely of red sandstone was completed in 1648 after Empero Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1939. It has an octagonal shape and has two gates called Delhi Gate and Lahori Gate indicating the directions that te gates face toward. On the eat of the fort runs the river Yamuna. TAT the entrance of the Lahori Gate is a covered bazaar known as Chatta Bazar or Meena Bazar. Inside the Fort are a hall of public audience and that of special audience, known as Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-khas respectively. Hamam is a bathing area made of marble with a beautiful floral design. Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque is to the west of Hamam has a prayer hall with black marble outlines for offering prayers and has three large domes.

Red Fort is open from 10 am to 4 pm and is closed on Monday. The fort has restricted parts open since the rest is occupied by the Indian Army.