Delhi
We arrange a day-long excursion tour is visiting various sites and monuments in the national capital. We commence our excursion with the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is 73-metres high, and this 5-storey structure has a tapering design, with the circumference of the minaret reducing in circumference as we ascend higher. The structure’s construction was started by the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak and Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Sher Shah Suri contributed to additions to this monument.
After the Qutub Minar, we visit Humayun’s Tomb, which serves as a mausoleum for the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. The site reflects Central Asian and Persian styles of Islamic architecture. The tomb is surrounded by four gardens famously known as ‘Char Bagh’.
Later, we visit the India Gate, President’s House or Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament House. India Gate is a war memorial dedicated to the 70000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives during the First World War with names of over 13000 soldiers inscribed in the monument. After the 1972 War, a small structure was added known as the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” which consist of a black marble plinth, an inverted rifle, a soldier’s helmet, bounded by four eternal flame, This structure serves as a memorial for the unknown soldiers who have lost their lives in service of the country.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan, also known as the President’s House and previously known as the Viceroy House, serves as the official Residence for the President of India and is spread across a 320-acre area surrounded by the Mughal Gardens. Only certain portions of the Rashtrapati Bhavan are accessible to the general public such as the museum, clock tower, the stables, the Mughal Garden etc. are open to the general public and visitors can witness the change of guard ceremony on weekends.
The Parliament House serves as the building from where the parliament of India functions from. The building has a circular shape inspired by the Ashoka Charka and is surrounded by beautiful gardens with its perimeter fenced for security reasons.
Then we head to the Red Fort, also known as the Laal Qila, which is also the site for Independence Day and Republic Day parades. This palace served as the official residence of many Mughal Emperors. It derives its name from the red-coloured sandstone which is used for its construction. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases the grandeur of Mughal architecture and has several structures such as the Lahori Gate, Delhi Gate, Chatta Chowk, Naubat Khana, Nahr-i-Bihist, Mumtaz Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Hira Mahal, Moti Masjid and many more structures.
From the Red Fort, we head to Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque in India, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Its courtyard can accommodate almost 25000 people, and the Jama Masjid has three domes on its terrace and is surrounded by two minarets with a height of 40-meters. The structure is made of red sandstone and white marble and is filled with Islamic calligraphy adorning its walls.
After visiting the Jama Masjid, we head to Chandni Chowk Market, one of the oldest, busiest and most famous marketplaces in Delhi. The market is renowned for garments, designer clothing, consumer electronics, accessories and jewellery, books and many other goods. Chandni Chowk is also very famous for authentic, delicious food and sweets and has many restaurant and sweet shop making and selling a wide variety of authentic North Indian cuisine.
After some shopping and indulging in local delicacies, we head to Raj Ghat, which is a monument constructed in the dedication of Mahatma Gandhi, who is also warmly referred by many Indians as the father of the nation. It contains a black marble platform and an eternal flame.