Top 5 travel attractions in Delhi

Delhi, the capital city of Independent India, sometimes called as Dilli , is the 2nd-largest city in India after Mumbai with a population of 14 million, and the industrial center of northern India. Delhi is a historic city that traces its foundation to as early as the Indus Valley Civilization, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and is among the oldest cities of the world. Delhi enjoys the honor of being the capital city at various ancient times in history and under the sovereignty of different rulers and empires. It's the most happening tour spots among the tourists. With well-defined roadways, railways and airports, from different parts of the glob it is easy to reach this metropolitan city. Indian capital offers several tourist attractions to the foreigner as well as to local visitors. From modern buildings to historical monuments and museums to shopping centers, Delhi has every kind of attraction related to all kinds of age groups whether they are young kinds, teenagers, adults or old ones.

Here is the top five tourist attractions in Delhi:

Qutab Minar

Situated 5 kilometers away from the south of Central Delhi is the sprawling complex that houses one of Delhi's most known and oldest monuments . This huge monument with 238 feet tall was built in the period 1193 - 1369 A.D. to symbolize Islamic power over Delhi and celebrate the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the capital's very last Hindu empire. The building is bedecked with script presenting verses from the holy Koran and tapers from a 15 meter diameter at the foundation to just 2 and half meter at the peak. There are 5 different floors each surrounded with a gallery, the first 3 are constructed with red colored sandstone, and the upper 2 are faced with whitish marble.

A mystifying Iron Pillar situated in the same compound, bearing 4 th century Sanskrit inscriptions from the era of Kingdom Chandragupta II, that has arouse curiosity among scientists to no end for the reason that it has withstood centuries of climatic upheavals and remained rust-free till today. A popular fable says that if you can enclose it with your arms while standing with your back touching it, any wishes will be fulfilled.

The major monument as well as tourist attractions of Delhi is the Red Fort, known locally as Lal Quila. Built by King Shah Jahan in the period of 1618–1647 A.D. at the orders of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. Red Fort, with its gigantic sandstone boundaries and superb architecture were built to keep out looting invaders, and is the last memento of the sheer wealth, majesty and supremacy of the Mughal Empire.

The main attractions of the red fort are Diwan-i-Aam, Dewan-i-Khas, Nawab Khana, Hammams, Rang Mahal, Pearl Mosque, Musamman Burj and Chatta Chowk. Besides these there are three Archaeological museums also which are worth visiting.

Jantar Mantar is quite a fantastic place. It is very popular among foreign tourists and the people of Delhi. At first sight, it appears like a modern art gallery, however, an observatory. The Jaipur government maintains it because Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur built it in 1710 A.D. This observatory was used by the ruler for calculating the positions of the planets and stars, for prediction of eclipses and measuring time.

Some of the major instruments at Jantar Mantar are:

1. The Samrat Yantra 'Prince of Dials' - (equal hour sun dial).
2. The Misra Yantra - (combination of four scientific gadgets).
3. The Ram Yantra - two circular buildings (reading altitudinal angles).
4. The Jai Prakash - (ascertaining the position of the sun and other celestial bodies).
5. Pillars on the southwest of Mishra Yantra used to measure the shortest and longest days of the year.

India Gate

Sir Edwin Luytens designed India Gate in 1921 A.D. This 42 meters high arch represents the War Memorial by the British to honor the sacrifice of 90,000 Indian soldiers in the North West Province during the 1st World War and the Afghan War of 1919 AD. The names of all the soldiers are emblazoned on the India Gate walls. Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame that marks the Unknown Soldier's tomb, is always burning in the remembrance of the soldiers killed in the 1971 war with Pakistan. The India Gate is a popular evening venue for young and old alike.

Old Fort (Purana Qila)

The Purana Quila or Old Fort is regarded as one of the old monuments of India epic days. Supposed to have been built on the ruins of the primordial original city of Delhi (Indraprastha, founded in 3rd or 4th century B.C.), by the Afghan king Sher Shah Suri in between 1538 to 1545 in the 3rd century . It is said that the Mughal king Humayun fell from tower accidentally and died.

The Purana Quila is another remarkable reminder of the past Mughal era that excelled in architectural styles. The Purana Quila has three majestic gates: The Bara Darwaza, The Talaqi Darwaza, and The Humayun Darwaza.

The other 2 attractions at the Old Fort are:

1. Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid
2. The small museum
3. Sher Mandal
   

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