Wake up to a grand breakfast, board your transport and off we go to visit the major landmarks in Delhi. Our attractions include Birla Mandir, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Rajpath, India Gate, and Raj Ghat.
A fairly modern temple built by famous industrialist J K Birla, Birla Mandir was built in 1933 and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. One of many temples by J K Birla around North India, this Mandir for Lord Vishnu with his consort Goddess Laxmi, is made of Kota stone and marble in the Nagara style of architecture and adorned with Fresco paintings. Along with the side sanctums for Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Buddha, the grounds extend to a good 7.5 acres. Temple remains open daily from 4.30am onwards.
The Qutub Minar is the tallest single tower made of bricks, standing tall at 73 meters. The tower boasts of an eventful history and has withstood the ravages of natural and environmental disasters, standing testament to the great architecture of the Minaret. It was built in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak but completion of the structure took more than a century and several succeeding monarchs. The five-storied structure in intricately carved with verses from the Quran. The first 3 levels are made of red sandstone while the top 2 levels are made of white marble and sandstone. Going up the tower is restricted now due to the age of the building. The Qutub Minar along with the famous Iron Pillar and Alai Darwaza in the complex will keep you wonderstruck at its glory. The monument is open to public viewing on all days from sun-up till sun-down.
This garden tomb of Humayun was commissioned by his widow consort, Haji Begum in 1569-1570, 9 years after his death. The beautiful architecture of this red sandstone building shows some Persian leanings but is mainly Islamic. Surrounded by the Char Bagh gardens, the tomb of Humayun and his other family members are on the banks of the River Yamuna.
As you walk down the regal Rajpath you come to India's largest famous war memorial – India Gate (42 meters in height), dedicated to 80,000 odd Indian and British soldiers who died in World War I. Inscribed on the haloed stone surfaces of the Darwaza are the names of 13,300 servicemen. It was inaugurated by the Viceroy Lord Irwin in 1931. Amar Jawan Jyothi, right under the Arch, is an eternal flame burning for the immortal soldiers of India. The surrounding grounds are a popular picnic place. In the evenings, above the floodlights, the India Gate glows enchantingly.
The official residence of the President of India is located majestically at the Western end of Rajpath. The massive mansion with its magnificent architecture and royal halls has seen several Presidents. The political history of the largest democracy in the world reverberates around its office complex. The palace is surrounded by the famous Mughal gardens which are open to public viewing from February to March every year for the Udyan Utsav. It is considered to be the largest residence of a Head of State in the world. Straight down on Rajpath flanking the grand road on both sides are the Secretariat Buildings and further down is the Parliament Building. The view from Rajpath with the ceremonial horses on both sides on the ramparts is spectacular.
The place of cremation of Mahatma Gandhi has been sanctified into a memorial called Raj Ghat. Here, an eternal fire burns next to the memorial. The memorial as such is a black slab facing upwards, amidst lush green lawns. Nearby is the place of rest of Jawaharlal Nehru – Shanti Vana and several other leaders and statesmen of India.
Later on, you will be dropped at the airport or railway station whence you will take your lovely experiences and memories back home with you.
