Let's Go India Tours

Saturday, 17 February 2018

16 Tourist Places In Delhi That Everyone Must Visit

So if you are planning to visit Delhi for the first time and you are excited yet confused about showing him the tourist places in Delhi. Not your fault. The long list of tourist attractions in Delhi often gives nightmares to most established trip planners.

All you have to do is figure out what you like, and choose from our list of famous tourist places to visit in Delhi across different categories.

1. The grand ‘Red Fort’

The Red Fort is an epitome of the Mughal era in India and is the face of tourist attractions in Delhi. Built in 1638, it is an outstanding marvel of Mughal architecture made of red sand stone. Within its magnanimous walls, the chhata bazaar and an every evening sound and light show are special attractions.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians, and INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Digambar Jain Mandir, Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Paranthe wali Gali nearby

2. The glorious ‘India Gate’

India Gate is one monument that defines Delhi or India for that matter. It was built in 1931 as a memorial for martyrs of World War I and war in Afghanistan. At Rajpath, the structure looks amazing in evening lights. The gardens that line the structure are a must visit among the sightseeing places in Delhi.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Always open
Must visit: National Gallery of Modern Art

3. The architectural beauty called ‘Rashtrapati Bhawan’

On the opposite of the Rajpath is residence of the President of India. Not among the typical tourist places in Delhi, access to this grand piece of architecture is restricted. With four floors and 340 rooms in a floor area of 200,000 square feet, it has a huge presidential gardens (Mughal Gardens), large open spaces, residences of bodyguards and staff, stables, other offices and utilities within its perimeter walls. Just a walk past the monument will give you the idea of how grand the monument is.

Opening hours: 9 am till late evening. For an inside visit, one can pre book at the official Rashtrapati Bhawan website.
Must visit: Stroll through the road and you will get a glimpse of Parliament House, National Secretariat and Defence Headquarters

4. The mysterious ruins of ‘Qutub Minar’

Among the other places to visit in Delhi, Qutub Minar stands tall with its 73 meter tall brick minaret. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the structure has five stories abundant with chiseled carvings and scriptures.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians INR 250 for foreigners
Opening hours: Sunrise until sunset, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Chhatarpur Temple

5. The equinoctial sundial called ‘Jantar Mantar’

Constructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory. Fascinating for their ingenuity, the instruments at Jantar Mantar can no longer be used accurately because of the tall buildings around. However, a visit to admire the science of Indian astronomy makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi.

Entry fee: INR 5
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Central Park in Connaught Place and get a selfie with the largest Tiranga

6. The first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent: ‘Humayun’s Tomb’

A world heritage site under UNESCO, the Humayun’s Tomb was built in 1570 by Humayun’s wife Haji Begum. It is unarguably one of the most amazing works of Mughal Architecture to which Taj Mahal owes its design.

Entry fee: INR 10 for domestic and SAARC Visitors, INR 250 for others
Opening hours: Daily, up till sunset. Best viewed in the morning or a full moon evening.
Must visit: If on Thursday, walk to the Dargaah of Nizam-ud-din Auliya for a spiritual qawwali evening

7. The wonderful Swaminarayan ‘Akshardham Temple’

While sightseeing in Delhi, a visit is necessarily suggested to Swaminarayan Akshardham – one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. Built by the BAPS spiritual organization, it’s a stunning architectural work made of the pink stone and white marble.

Entry fee: Free, separate fee to view exhibitions
Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Closed on Mondays

8. ‘Chattarpur Temple’ for its wonderful architecture

Set amid the beautiful surroundings of South Delhi, Chattarpur is a popular temple founded in the 1970s by Sant Shree Nagpal Baba. This divine temple has an incredible architecture and it’s a perfect blend of north and south. There are beautiful statues of Shiv-Parvati, Ram-Darbar, Maa Katyayani, Radha-Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Hanuman.

Opening hours: 4:00 am – 11:00 pm

9. The stunning ‘ISKON Temple’

ISKCON is a spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. You can see the beautiful visual presentations of Bhagavad Gita with colourful lights that create wonderful effect on the huge screen. They also organize beautiful robotics and Mahabharata show during the evenings. There’s a simple Govinda’s restaurant inside the temple premises, where you get veg food.

10. A remarkable landmark of Delhi: ‘Lotus (Bahai) Temple’

Famously known as the Lotus temple in the list of famous tourist places in Delhi, Lotus in the Bahai Temple symbolizes four religions namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam. This temple belongs to the Bahai faith which proclaims that all people and religions are united. Worshippers of every religion are welcomed here.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Rrom 9 am till sunset
Must visit: Kalkaji and ISKCON Temple nearby

11. One of the largest mosques in India called ‘Jama Masjid’

Among the other tourist attractions in Delhi is the largest mosque in India–Jama Masjid. It can hold 25000 devotees at a time. It was Shah Jahan’s first architectural marvel. The mosque has four towers and the southern tower gives a stunning view of the city. You’ve to be dressed appropriately to enter the mosque. If not, rent an attire provided by the mosque authority.

Entry fee: Free, but videography fee is INR 300
Opening hours: Daily, 7 am-12 pm: 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. It is closed during prayers and the timings depends upon the direction of the moon
Must visit: Try Changezi chicken at Karim’s Hotel nearby

12. One of the oldest forts in Delhi: ‘Old Fort’ (Purana Quila)

In the list of places to visit in Delhi, Purana Quila is one of the most ancient grandeurs of the city. With rectangular dimensions, it spreads over a circuit of nearly 2 kilometers. Boating in the lake nearby and a sound and light show in the evening are special attractions.

Entry fee: INR 5 for domestic, INR 100 for foreigners
Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
Must visit: National Zoo and Supreme Court Museum nearby

13. The holy ‘Bangla Sahib Gurudwara’

With the gurgling sarovar inside its complex, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783. The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital.

Entry Fee: Free
Opening hours: Everyday
Must visit: Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, Birla Mandir and St Cathedral Church nearby if you are on a sightseeing in Delhi

14. A memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi: ‘Raj Ghat’

Gandhi Smriti shows you the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The room is exactly how Gandhiji left it and that’s where he built his abode for 144 days until his time of death. The room where he slept and the prayer ground is open to the public. It also has a display of paintings, sculptures, etc. On the other side of the road is Raj Ghat.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed on Mondays
Must visit: Feroz Shah Kotla fort

15. The gorgeous ruins of ‘Hauz Khas Fort’ and the happening village

The Hauz Khas Fort Complex rests amidst the splendid beauty of a lake and is a 10 pointer among the very famous tourist places in Delhi. Firoz Shah Tughlaq re–excavated the silted tank and cleared the channels to give shape to what is a famous recreational spot in South Delhi. Built in the 13th century, is a hub of activities, a bird-watcher’s delight and a favored picnic spot for the locals.

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Must visit: Green Park (attached to the fort)

16. The haunted ‘Agrasen Ki Baoli’

Agrasen Ki Baoli, which is also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli, became quite popular after Amir Khan’s PK movie. It’s infamous for its haunted activities at night. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide step well in Connaught Place attracts many. You must pay a visit to this place while exploring the lanes of CP.

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

History of TAJ MAHAL

Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his cherished wife, the Taj Mahal stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. The famed mausoleum complex, built over more than 20 years, is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. At its center is the Taj Mahal itself, built of shimmering white marble that seems to change color depending on the sunlight or moonlight hitting its surface. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, it remains one of the world’s most celebrated structures and a stunning symbol of India’s rich history.

TAJ MAHAL: SHAH JAHAN’S ROMANTIC GESTURE
Shah Jahan was a member of the Mughal dynasty that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid 18th-century. After the death of his father, King Jahangir, in 1627, Shah Jahan emerged the victor of a bitter power struggle with his brothers, and crowned himself emperor at Agra in 1628. At his side was Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), whom he married in 1612 and cherished as the favorite of his three queens.

In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died after giving birth to the couple’s 14th child. The grieving Shah Jahan, known for commissioning a number of impressive structures throughout his reign, ordered the building of a magnificent mausoleum across the Yamuna River from his own royal palace at Agra. Construction began around 1632 and would continue for the next two decades. The chief architect was probably Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, an Indian of Persian descent who would later be credited with designing the Red Fort at Delhi. In all, more than 20,000 workers from India, Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, along with some 1,000 elephants, were brought in to build the mausoleum complex.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TAJ MAHAL
Named the Taj Mahal in honor of Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum was constructed of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones (including jade, crystal, lapis lazuli, amethyst and turquoise) forming intricate designs in a technique known as pietra dura. Its central dome reached a height of 240 feet (73 meters) and was surrounded by four smaller domes; four slender towers, or minarets, stood at the corners. In accordance with Islamic tradition, verses from the Quran were inscribed in calligraphy on the arched entrances to the mausoleum, in addition to numerous other sections of the complex. Inside the mausoleum, an octagonal marble chamber adorned with carvings and semi-precious stones housed the cenotaph, or false tomb, of Mumtaz Mahal. The real sarcophagus containing her actual remains lay below, at garden level.

The rest of the Taj Mahal complex included a main gateway of red sandstone and a square garden divided into quarters by long pools of water, as well as a red sandstone mosque and an identical building called a jawab (or “mirror”) directly across from the mosque. Traditional Mughal building practice would allow no future alterations to be made to the complex. As the story goes, Shah Jahan intended to build a second grand mausoleum across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, where his own remains would be buried when he died; the two structures were to have been connected by a bridge. In fact, Aurangzeb (Shah Jahan’s third son with Mumtaz Mahal) deposed his ailing father in 1658 and took power himself. Shah Jahan lived out the last years of his life under house arrest in a tower of the Red Fort at Agra, with a view of the majestic resting place he had constructed for his wife; when he died in 1666, he was buried next to her.

THE TAJ MAHAL OVER THE YEARS
Under Aurangzeb’s long rule (1658-1707), the Mughal empire reached the height of its strength. However, his militant Muslim policies, including the destruction of many Hindu temples and shrines, undermined the enduring strength of the empire and led to its demise by the mid-18th century. Even as Mughal power crumbled, the Taj Mahal suffered from neglect and disrepair in the two centuries after Shah Jahan’s death. Near the turn of the 19th century, Lord Curzon, then British viceroy of India, ordered a major restoration of the mausoleum complex as part of a colonial effort to preserve India’s artistic and cultural heritage.

Today, some 3 million people a year (or around 45,000 a day during peak tourist season) visit the Taj Mahal. Air pollution from nearby factories and automobiles poses a continual threat to the mausoleum’s gleaming white marble façade, and in 1998, India’s Supreme Court ordered a number of anti-pollution measures to protect the building from deterioration. Some factories were closed, while vehicular traffic was banned from the immediate vicinity of the complex.

Friday, 29 July 2016

Things to Know: 10 Interesting Facts About Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital and the one of the largest city of the Rajasthan state of India. It is the beautiful and magnetic city of India that attracts a number of tourists every year.It is the city that has the population of almost 6.66 million and is the 10th most populated city of India. It is the major tourism destination in India with the numerous cultural and traditional places.

Consider the following facts about Jaipur that you might not know.

1. The Pink City

Jaipur is called the Pink City because of the fact that the major structures and buildings of Jaipur are made from the specific pink color stones that embellishes the whole city with the signature pink color.

2. Hawa Mahal

The Palace of winds or Hawa Mahal is also located in the city of Jaipur. The Palace was built by the Maharaja Swai Parpat Singh. The design of this Mahal is like the crown of the god Krishna. The palace is made unique with the 5 stories like honeycomb maize with its 953 windows.

3. Jal Mahal

Another miraculous palace of the Jaipur is the Jal Mahal that is situated in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. The Jal Mahal was renovated in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh.

4. Cultures

Jaipur is the true representative of the traditions and culture of Indians. It is cultural lively city that has the combination of the true blend of traditional and modern colors.

5. Ghewar

The one of the popular sweet dish from Jaipur is the Ghewar. The sweet is associated with the Teej festival. It is a disc shaped sweet which is made with the traditional Jaipur ingredients. It is very popular sweet even outside the Jaipur.

6. The courteous Hosts

The people of Jaipur are the courteous hosts that meet and greet their guests with their majestic courtesy. They have been proved to be the best host even since the times of royal kings. They are famous for their true affection and compassion.

7. Folk Music

The Rajasthani music is yet still traditional and is rich in the flavor of Sufism. These folk music suits the needs and the moods of every person at every time.

8. The Elephant Festival

The festival of elephants is the colorful festival that is celebrated in the Jaipur. It is celebrated in the Chaugan stadium in the season of Holi. Festival includes the royal processions, elephant polo matches and races. And also the traditional folk musics and dance performances are the part of this festival.

9. Traditional Turbans

The people of Jaipur are recognized by the traditional turbans that are cotton candy colored. These turbans represent the impression of Rajasthan with the camels and deserts.

10. Ghagra & Choli

The women of the Rajasthan and especially from the tribes of the Jaipur wear the traditional vibrant colored Ghagra and Choli that are the long skirts with the short blouses. These Ghagra and Choli represent the rich typical tradition of Rajasthan.

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Thursday, 28 July 2016

New Delhi Facts

New Delhi Facts

Interesting Facts about New Delhi

Green Facts:

1. Delhi is one of the 'greenest' cities in the world with a green cover of almost 20%.

2. The entire public transport of the city runs on environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas.

Interesting Facts:

3. Qutub Minar in Delhi is the world's tallest brick minaret.

4. The walled city of Delhi originally had fourteen gates. Five are still standing. Here's the provenance behind their names. Ajmeri Gate: Facing Ajmer in Rajasthan; Lahori Gate: Facing Lahore in Pakistan. Kashmiri Gate: Pointing North to Kashmir. Delhi Gate: Road to earlier cities of Delhi Turkman Gate: Named after pious saint Hazrat Shah Turkam.

5. In between the rubble of the fifth city of delhi – Freoze shah Kotla stands the 3 century B.C. Ashokan Pillar. Emperor Feroz Shah Tughlaq brought this 27 tonne pillar to Delhi from Topar in Ambala, where the great Emperor Ashoka erected it.

Weird Fact:

6. Delhi has an International Toilet museum.

Spicy Fact:

7. Khari Baoli is the Asia's largest wholesale spice market. A must visit for the once-in-a-lifetime overdose of a spice cocktail high.

Random Facts:

8. Traffic in Delhi is like traffic in London. Drivers sit on the right side of the car.

9. Three-wheeled contraptions called Autos are a great way to see the city over short distances. And test your faith in God.

10. Delhi has not always been the capital of India. Under the British, Kolkotta had the honor for a long time till Delhi was reinstated in 1912.

11. Delhi has a rail museum with steam-age behemoths.

Fun fact:

12. Every Delhite is ever ready to help you out with directions. They will direct you even when they do not know what you are talking about. So check, crosscheck. And check again.

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Wednesday, 27 July 2016

Jagdish Temple, Udaipur

Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur in Rajasthan. A big tourist attraction, the temple was originally called the temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish-ji. It is a major monument in Udaipur. The Jagdish Temple is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in 1651. It attaches a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-storey saandhara (with a covered ambulatory) sanctum. The mandapa has another storey tucked within its pyramidal samavarna (bellroof) while the hollow clustered spire over the sanctum contains two more, nonfunctional stories.

Lanes taking off from many of the sheharpanah (city wall) converge on the Jagdish Temple. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651. It is an example of Māru-Gurjara Architecture.

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Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is an open-air food plaza and craft bazaar located in Delhi, run by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC). Unlike the traditional weekly market, the village Haat, Dilli Haat is permanent. It is located in the commercial centres of South Delhi, opposite INA market. The 6 acres of land on which this complex is situated was salvaged as part of a reclamation project and transformed into a plaza. Extensive foundation work, small thatched roof cottages and kiosks give the plaza a village atmosphere. Some shops are permanent but other sellers are rotated, usually for fifteen days. Products offered may include rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, sophisticated fabric and drapery, gems, beads, brassware, metal crafts, and silk and wool fabrics. A number of shows promoting handicrafts and handlooms are held at the exhibition hall in the complex. To sell wares, there is an application process and spaces are allocated according to which state the seller is from. In all, Dilli Haat, INA Market has 62 stalls allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen a payment of INR 100 per day for a maximum period of 15 Days.

History
Dilli Haat was established jointly by Delhi Tourism (DTDC), Government of Delhi and NDMC, D.C. (Handicrafts) & D.C. (handlooms), Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and opened in March 1994. Around 2003, this market became fully wheelchair-accessible, including an accessible bathroom. Delhi's second Dilli Haat, the Dilli Haat, Pitampura, also was developed by DTTDC in Pitampura, close to Pitampura TV Tower and spread over 7.2 hectares, was opened in April 2008. More Dilli Haats are set to be created in other parts of Delhi with the third expected to open in Janakpuri in August 2013.

Over the years, Dilli Haat became a venue of crafts, music, dance and cultural festivals, for example India's first comic convention, Comic Con India was organized at Dilli Haat, INA, in February 2011.

Accessibility
Dilli Haat, INA Market is accessed through INA underground station of Delhi Metro, which opened in 2010;[12] while Dilli Haat, Pitampura is serviced by Netaji Subhash Place Metro Station. It is situated on Ring Road Near AIIMS. From NDLS Rly station you can reach by Delhi Metro. From Delhi Airport You can Reach by bus crossing AIIMS. Dilli Haat is now opened in Janak Puri too which is in West Delhi. The best way to reach there is by taking metro till Janak Puri East station and from there you can either take metro shuttles or an auto rickshaw to Dilli Haat.

Entrance
Dilli Haat INA is open to public, 10.30 am to 10.00 pm., seven days a week, at a nominal entrance fee, Rs. 20 for Adults, Rs.10 for Children, Rs. 50 for foreigners.

Craftsmen
The craftsmen who are registered with D.C.Handicrafts are the ones who are eligible to find a place at the Dilli Haat. The stalls selling handicrafts are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen who come from all corners of India at nominal payment for a period of 15 Days. This ensures that visitors get to buy authentic wares at prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs.

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2 Most Haunted Places in Agra

2 Most Haunted Places in Agra

1. St. John’s College

St. John’s College is one of the oldest colleges in India. This amazing college was established in 1850 in Agra to promote education in Agra and nearby cities. The first principal was Rev. Thomas Valpy French from 1850 to 1859.
According to TripAdvisor discussion topic, St. John’s College is one of the haunted places in Agra. According to the said topic on TripAdvisor, many students have committed suicide for one reason to another. A few people have seen shadows doing whistling and walking on the railing of the college after 2:00 am. However, there is no official confirmation of the said incidents.

2. Agra Fort

According to a few online websites and the said TripAdvisor discussion topic, the Agra Fort is considered as one of the most haunted places in Agra. Many people have been killed in this fort since its construction. May be, it is one of the reasons for this place to be considered as one of the haunted places in Agra.

Most cemeteries, and crematorium are popular places in each city which are considered as the most haunted places. Most of people avoid visiting these types of places. So, if you have fear of ghosts and its tales, then you should stay away from the above mentioned places in Agra.

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