Many of you may know that I am a big fan of Delhi. It’s the one place in India I never get tired of visiting. One reason I love Delhi is because of all the wonderful architectural beauty there especially those built during the era of the Sultanate and the Mughal rulers in India.
It’s very popular to hate on New Delhi these days, but every time I read something negative in the headlines, I can only think of the wonderful monuments, the lovely Mughal gardens, the fabulous transport system (for someone from Bangalore, yes, the transport system is fabulous), and the awesome shopping.
Here’s my top ten list of favorite places in Delhi to visit if you are a first-time visitor and/or interested in history and/or architecture:
- Red Fort: Red fort is one of the most famous monuments in Delhi. Believe it or not, its wall is spread over more than 2-km in length. In fact, it was built to stop the invaders, though it didn’t work forever. The famous red fort was built in 1638. Want to know more about the red fort? Then watch the one hour-long light show reflecting the history every evening. It remains open from 9am to 6pm except on Mondays. Don’t miss it if you visit Delhi.
- Jama Masjid: This is another great place to visit in Delhi. It represents the old Delhi. It was built in 1650, and it took 13 years to complete this structure. Want to get a great view?Then you need to move to the top of the southern tower. Don’t forget you need to dress modestly; otherwise you will not be allowed. It remains open every day but closes before the sunset.
- Humayun’s Tomb: It might look like the Taj Mahal to everyone as it is inspired by the same design. It was built in 1570. The body of Humayun is kept inside the building. You should know that this is the first monument in India of its kind. It remains open from sunrise to sunset, but visit it in the late afternoon to get the best light.
- Qutab Minar: This is another wonderful place to visit in Delhi. You may not know that Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret not only in India, but also in the entire world and is a wonderful representation of Indo-Islamic architecture. It was built in 1206, though the reason for building the monument is still unknown.
- India Gate: This is another famous attraction in Delhi. It was built to honor the Indian martyrs of the World War I. It looks nice during night because of the floodlights. It always remains open.
- Lotus Temple: This famous temple is also known as the Bahai Temple. It looks like a lotus and looks really nice at night. People from all religions are welcomed to visit the place. It is a great place to have a picnic as the gardens and the ponds are really calm and quiet. It remains open from 9 am to sunset. You should visit it if you ever visit Delhi.
These are popular tourist spots in Delhi, so expect crowds at all times. However, they are all still worth visiting just the same.
