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New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city
of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the
West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture
rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history,
monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising
of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi,
the city is a travel hub of Northern India.
Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes
you through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques,
monuments and forts. You will also discover lively and colorful bazaars
that boast to cater all sorts of good and items at mind-blowing prices
amidst a barely controlled chaotic ambience. The imperial city of New
Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj.
It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting well-composed
and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined avenues of
trees and tall and imposing government buildings.
| Area : 1483 sq. Kms |
Altitude : 239 m above sea level |
| Languages : Hindi, English, Urdu
and Punjabi |
River : Yamuna |
| Maximum Temperature : 46 Degree Celcius
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Minimum Temperature : 04 Degree Celcius |
| Climate : Extreme Hot in Summer and
Cold in Winter |
Winter : December - February |
| Spring : March to mid April |
Summer : April end to August |
| Autumn : September to November |
Best time to Visit : October to March |
In Old Delhi, there are attractions like mosques, forts
and other monuments that depict India's history. The important places
in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort.
The Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb have been declared World
Heritage Sites.
India Gate
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Situated along the ceremonial Rajpath avenue
(meaning King's Way) in New Delhi, India Gate is a memorial raised
in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars
and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars
are inscribed on the walls. The cenotaph (or shrine) in the middle
is constructed with black marble and depicts a rifle placed on
its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph
has inscribed in gold the words Amar Jawan (in Hindi, meaning
Immortal Warrior). The green lawns at India Gate are a popular
evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike. |
| Qutub Minar |
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The Qutub Minar is located in a Mehrauli
in South Delhi. It is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers
up to a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings
and verses from the Qur'an. Qutub-ud-din Aybak 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 story was completed by Qutub-ud-din.
The other stories were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two
circular stories in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq
in 1368, replacing the original fourth story.
The balconies in the tower are supported by exquisite
stalactite designs. The tapering tower has pointed and circular
flutings on the first storey and star-shaped ones on the second
and third stories. |
| Red Fort |
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The decision for constructing the Red Fort
was made in 1639, when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital
from Agra to Delhi. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed
with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel) — Delhi's
seventh fort — ready in all its magnificence[citation needed]
to receive the Emperor. Though much has changed with the large-scale
demolitions during the British occupation of the fort, its important
structures have survived. |
| Lotus Temple |
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The Lotus Temple is a Bahá'í
House of Worship, situated in South Delhi and shaped like a lotus.
It was built by the Bahá'í community. |
| Humayun's Tomb |
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Humayun's Tomb was built by Humayun's widow,
Hamida Banu Begum. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak
Mirza Ghiyas, the structure was begun in 1562 and completed in
1565. The tomb established a standard for all later Mughal monuments,
which followed its design, most notably the Taj Mahal. |
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