Constitution day of India
Dec 05 2022 India facts Constitution dayConstitution Day in India is celebrated every year on November 26th. It is not a public holiday, but is widely celebrated throughout the country. On the occasion of the holiday, various events are held in Indian cities – marches, demonstrations, competitions, competitions and meetings.
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, two years after Indian independence. In it, India is declared a sovereign, democratic republic, guaranteeing justice, equality, and freedom to its citizens. The words “socialist” and “secular” were added to the definition of India in 1976 as a result of a constitutional amendment.
Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the largest constitution in the world, with 448 articles, 12 major annexes and 103 amendments, and consists of 117,369 words in the English version, in addition to which there is also an official Hindi translation. Every law passed by the government must be in accordance with the constitution, since it is the supreme law of the state.
The main content of the Indian constitution refers to the most important aspects of the social and state system, as well as the legal status of the individual. The authors of the Constitution of India sought to combine in it all the best constitutional achievements of other states. In particular, the Indian constitution borrowed a number of provisions of the constitutional acts of the British Constitution, as well as the constitutions of the USSR, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia.
The Indian constitution provides for an extremely simple amendment procedure, which has resulted in hundreds of different provisions being amended during its existence, making it more adaptable to the existing situation. About 80 new articles were added to the constitution and about 20 were excluded. In total, more than five hundred changes to the text were made. Amendments are either directly introduced into the text of the Constitution, changing it, or attached to it. Some amendments are close in scope to the US Constitution.
It is possible to single out such most important characteristic features of the Indian constitution as the legal consolidation of the sovereignty of India, a negative attitude towards social inequality, the proclamation of a wide range of rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, taking into account such specific features of Indian society as the consolidation of the principle of a mixed economy with a large role of the public sector, a combination of traditional Indian institutions with institutions that have emerged as a result of the global development of constitutional law, a policy of maintaining global peace and security with the paramount role of Indian interests.
B. R. Ambedkar and the Constitution of Independent India
Indians politics state B. R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) is a prominent political figure in India, a fighter for the rights of the lower castes, the so-called “untouchables”. Historians and politicians in his homeland and beyond consider him one of the fathers of the Constitution of sovereign India.
The personality and political views of Ambedkar are still poorly studied by domestic Indologists. Except for several works by E. S. Yurlova, which highlight the main stages of his political biography,1 it is perhaps impossible to find an author who was seriously involved in the development of this problem. At the same time, it is not superfluous to say that Russian libraries and depositories contain the main scientific and political works of the outstanding Indian.
The works of foreign authors in English about the life and work of Dr. Ambedkar are also available. We hope that representatives of the younger generation of Russian Indologists will not disregard a political figure of such a large scale as BR Ambedkar. A representative of one of the most numerous lower castes of Maharashtra, the Mahars, he managed to get a secondary education at home and then continue it abroad. In 1916 Ambedkar graduated from a university in the USA.
In 1921, in the United Kingdom, he received a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1922-1923. studied at the University of Bonn in Germany. In 1923, the University of London awarded him the degree of Doctor of Laws. Immediately, he successfully passed the special examinations for the right to practice law.
His name was entered in the list of lawyers in the Supreme Court of Great Britain. In the 20s. in India he worked as a lecturer in a number of colleges, as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Bombay. In his social activities, he sought to ensure that the problemuntouchability was decided as social, defended the right of the untouchables to have their own electoral curia.
He managed to create the organizational foundations of the untouchable movement in India as a democratic independent force. In the 1930s, a stormy social and political activity of Dr. Ambdkar unfolded. He repeatedly had conflict situations on the issue of eliminating “untouchability” in India as a social phenomenon with Mahatma Gandhi , who called on caste Hindus to abandon the ancient custom of untouchability.
In 1933, Gandhi even went on a hunger strike to protest the problem of creating special electoral curia for the untouchables. Then Ambedkar went to extremes. He encouraged the untouchables and other lower castes to convert to Buddhism . In 1934, 10,000 untouchables in the city of Nagpur announced publicly that they were converting to the Buddhist religion. Contradictions between Mahatma Gandhi and the leader of the untouchables had far-reaching consequences – Buddhism returned to Indiawhere he was virtually forgotten.
The height of B. R. Ambedkar’s political career was his participation in the preparation of the text of the Constitution of the Republic of India, which has been in force since January 26, 1950 until today. When the Constitutional Assembly of India was convened in 1946 and the issue of drafting the Basic Document of Sovereign India was raised, none other than Dr. Ambedkar was nominated to head the drafting committee.
Despite strained personal relations with the applicant, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru recommended him to lead the process of preparing the text of the Constitution4. A man of squeaky personal integrity, India’s foremost expert on legal and constitutional matters, he undertook the laborious task.
Dr. Ambedkar, despite having studied in the United States and having a highly positive attitude towards the American constitutional system, the laws of Germany and other Western countries, nonetheless recognized the profound complexity of defining and resolving India’s social ethnic and caste problems in the context of its Basic Law. He prepared, with the participation of J. Nehru and other prominent Indian politicians, a Draft Constitution, which world history did not know.
It was based on non-communist democratic principles. Personally, he believed that the Napoleonic Code of 1804, the lawsand the principles of the Great French bourgeois revolution of the late 18th century. can become a legal base on which even such a purely medieval society as Indian can solve many of its social and legal problems.
In addition, he categorically opposed the appeal to the principles of Anglo-Saxon case law, the traditions of which the British colonialists brought to India. As is known, in his searches, Dr. Ambedkar did not refer to the Constitution of the USSR, although here one could borrow the principles of solving the ethnic and territorial problems of a multinational, multi-confessional India.
1 rupee 1990 Dr. Ambedkar centenary
The constitution prepared by Dr. Ambedkar and his colleagues has been in force for 50 years. It declares the federal, republican, democratic state structure of India. Many of the principles of this document could be successfully used for the qualitative improvement of the constitution currently in force in the Russian Federation.
The positive content of the Indian constitution lies in the fact that none of the other current constitutions has such deep and comprehensive definitions of fundamental human rights. Dr. Ambedkar succeeded in upholding and defending the rights of the world’s great religions in India in a constitutional document, but also categorically defending the rights of religious minorities, both traditional and modernist.
The experience of B. R. Ambedkar in his constitutional work can be quite in demand on Russian soil. In 1951, due to socio-political disagreements with J. Nehru on the secularization of traditional Hindu law, he resigned from the post of Minister of Justice of India. He was not elected to the lower house of parliament in 1952. In the future, he is engaged in social and political activities, focusing on the religious and social policy of the government of the All India National Congress.
In the conditions of aggravation of inter-caste contradictions, he again turns to the spread of Buddhism in India among the untouchables. In his opinion, Buddhism and its practice do not violate the cultural and religious tradition of India. In October 1956, more than 300,000 mahars converted to Buddhism at a solemn ceremony dedicated to Buddha’s birthday. It should be noted that the Government of India, quite late, was able to fully appreciate Ambadkar’s contribution to the formation of the constitutional system of free India.
10 rupees 2015 125 years since the birth of dr. Ambedkar
Only since 1985 has his birthday been officially celebrated. We hope that the wide celebration in Russia of the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution of sovereign India will give impetus to a deeper study of the political heritage of its creators, among them BR Ambedkar.
Jaisalmer – all about city, tourist places to visit
Dec 05 2022 Attractions JaisalmerJaisalmer is a city in the middle of the Great Indian Desert in the northwestern part of India in the state of Rajasthan. In January-February, Jaisalmer celebrates desert culture with an eventful Desert Festival. The program includes camel racing, camel polo, folk music, snake charmers, turban tying competitions and the famous Mister Desert contest. Many events take place in the dunes of Sam.
Video: Jaisalmer
Basic moments
Until the end of the 19th century, Jaisalmer lay on one of Asia’s most prosperous trade routes, connecting China, Tibet and the Ganges valleys with the ports of Gujarat and Sindh. But the advent of the railways marked the beginning of the decline of its glory as a trading center, and it finally fell into disrepair in 1947, when the western border was closed after the division of India.
Jaisalmer is located on the border with Pakistan, on a yellow sandstone ridge in the west of the Thar Desert. Above the city rises a fort with a beautiful palace and several graceful temples. Most of the population are descendants of the first inhabitants of the city. The name means “Hill Fort of Jaisala”.
This is a city that has almost risen from the dead in the last half century. Now Jaisalmer may not be as influential as it used to be, but it is certainly not forgotten – in fact, it is one of the largest tourist cities in Rajasthan. A few leave here without climbing a camel in the Thar Desert. The competition among mushers to get your ass in the saddle can be fierce, with some mushers even employing unsavory tactics to impose their services.
The Jaisalmer Fort is a breathtaking sight: a massive sandcastle rising out of the sandy plain, like a mirage from a bygone era. The fort was founded in 1156 by the leader of the Rajputs, Rawal Jaisal, after they settled here. The fort is located on the Trikuta (three peaks) hill in the center of Jaisalmer. The fort itself consists of five interconnected palaces, including Raj Mahal (Royal Palace) and Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace), as well as three temples built from the 12th to the 15th century, a Hindu temple and many elegant mansions. Massive sandstone walls and 99 low, sturdy towers rise 300 meters above the city.
During the day they appear brownish-red, but when the sun sets, the walls magically turn a golden honey hue. The fort is heavily defended by a double row of bastions and is riddled with a network of narrow streets and lanes, where shops adorned with bright embroidery, a royal palace and a huge number of organizations eager for tourist rupees are located. Despite the commercialization, it’s hard not to succumb to the charm of this desert fortress.
Beneath the bastions, the narrow streets of the old city hide splendid havelis, entirely hewn from the same golden sandstone as the fortress; hence the name Jaisalmer – “Golden City”. Surrounding the fort is a more modern city built from the same honey-coloured stone. The best views of the fort come from the rooftops of these houses, many of which have now been converted into local-style hotels.
Style of skillful sculpture of four Jain temples (Jain temples) of the 15th century. on the territory of the fort is repeated in the carved facades of merchants’ houses, built 200 years later and protected from sandstorms on the northeast side. But much more impressive than individual monuments – beautiful, but not always accessible – is the general atmosphere of the city, which gives it a special charm.
Everything here is bathed in the transparent light of the desert, which makes the stones shimmer and the shadows shine through.
The landscape outside the city is harsh but beautiful. The national desert park is interesting for its diverse landscapes, wolves, desert and Bengal foxes, desert cats, markhorned antelopes, and many birds are found here. The Akai Petrified Forest contains the fossilized remains of a forest that is 180 million years old.
To see the desert in all its splendor, head there at sunrise and sunset. Beyond Jaisalmer you will find the road ending at the village of Sam , where tourists, hawkers, guides, camel drivers and beggars flock at sunset. They all congregate here because it is the only place that can be reached by road and has the widest and most beautiful view of the dunes. Nearby Indian military installations are a reminder of the proximity of the troubled border with Pakistan.
Longer camel safaris can be arranged through the Jaisalmer travel agency. Ask your camel driver to guide him to the relatively under-touristed village of Kuldhara. This is one of 84 villages left over 160 years ago by the Paliwal Brahmin clan, who, having lived there for several centuries, suddenly, overnight, gathered and left, not wanting to pay a new unbearable tax on the land. It still looks like an abandoned village: a group of dilapidated square buildings built of sandstone.
Outside the desert, 40 km southwest of Jaisalmer, is the village of Khuri . Mostly tourists are attracted here by the desertedness of the desert and beautifully decorated adobe houses. There are places to stay to experience the authentic flavor of desert life, and you can also hire camels here.
History of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was founded back in 1156 by the head of the Rajput Bhati clan named Jaisal. Bhatis, who trace their lineage to Krishna, ruled until the country gained independence in 1947.
The city’s early centuries were tumultuous, in part because its rulers profited from plunder, but by the 16th century, Jaisalmer flourished thanks to its strategic location on the routes between India and Central Asia. Ultimately, the city developed a strong relationship with the Mughal Empire. Maharawal Sabal Singh expanded the principality of Jaisalmer in the mid-17th century by adding areas that are now divided between the administrative divisions of Bikaner and Jodhpur .
Under the British, the development of maritime trade (especially through Mumbai) and railroads meant that the importance and population of Jaisalmer declined. The division in 1947, with the closure of trade routes to Pakistan, seemed to seal the fate of the city. But the wars in 1965 and 1971 between India and Pakistan gave Jaisalmer a new strategic importance, and since 1960, the Indira Gandhi canal in the north has brought life-giving moisture to the desert.
Today, the basis of the city’s economy is tourism and a large number of military bases in the area.
Landmarks of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer fortress
The fortress was founded in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisal, and subsequent rulers fortified it, so it became the object of a number of battles between the Bhatis, the Delhi Mughals and the Jodhpur Rathores. You enter the fortress from the east side and pass through four massive gates on your way to the top.
The fourth gate leads to a large square, Dashera Chowk , where it becomes clear why the Jaisalmer Fort is considered unique: it is a populated fortress where about 3,000 people live. It is riddled with narrow, winding paths lined with houses and temples – and handicraft shops, guesthouses, restaurants and massage/beauty parlors. When walking around the fortress, watch your bags and pockets – there have been cases of theft.
Fortress palace
Indian/foreigner including audio guide and photo Rs 30/250, video Rs 50/150;
8.00-18.00 April-October, 9.00-18.00 November-March
The elegant seven-story palace of the former rulers rises above the main square of the fortress and is partially built on Hawa Pol (the fourth gate of the fortress) . The 1.5-hour audio guide is available in six languages, and it makes sense to take it, but you will need to leave a deposit of 2000 rupees or a passport / driver’s license / credit card.
The most interesting places are the Rang Mahal (bedroom of the 18th century ruler Mulray II) , decorated with mirrors and paintings , a gallery of 15th century forged sculptures donated to the rulers by the builders of the fortress temple, and a breathtaking 360-degree view from the roof. And in one of the rooms there is an intriguing collection of stamps from the former Rajput states.
Jain temples
Entrance 30 rupees, photo/video/mobile phone 70/120/30 rupees;
7.00-13.00
Within the walls of the fortress, seven beautiful Jain temples made of yellow sandstone, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, are intertwined like a labyrinth. The intricate carvings of the temple rival those of the marble Jain temples at Ranakpur and Mount Abu and are of incredible quality due to the soft, warm stone. Before entering the temples, you need to take off your shoes and all leather goods.
Chandraprabhu is the first temple you will visit. It is dedicated to the eighth Tirthankara, whose symbol is the Moon. The temple was built in 1509. Here stands a statue in an almond, whose carved columns form a series of torans. To the right of Chandraprabhu is the quiet Rikhabdev temple with beautiful sculptures in glass cabinets along the walls and pillars adorned with beautiful statues of apsaras and gods. Behind Chandraprabhu stands Parasnath (Parasnath) , where you get through a beautiful carved torana, which is crowned with the image of a Jain tirthankara.
The door to the south leads to little Shitalnath (Shitalnath)dedicated to the tenth tirthankara, whose image is made of eight precious metals. A door in the north wall leads to the charming dark Sambhavanth hall in the forecourt; there Jain priests grind sandalwood in mortars for religious use. Steps lead down to Gyan Bhandar , a fascinating little underground library founded in 1500 that houses priceless ancient illustrated manuscripts. The other two temples, Shantinath and Kunthunath , were built in 1536 and feature many sensuous carvings.
Laxmi Narayan Temple
The Hindu temple of Lakshmi Narayan, standing in the center of the fortress, is simpler than the Jain temples. It can be recognized by its brightly decorated dome. Believers offer grain, which is distributed before entering the temple. Inside the holy of holies there is an image hung with garlands, and in front of the entrance there is a convex silver architrave.
Haveli
Inside the fortress, and outside too (especially on the streets leading to the north) , Jaisalmer is full of fabulous haveli – with luxurious carved stone doors, jali (carved lattices) , balconies and turrets.
Patwa-ki-Haveli
The whale in this haveli pond is Patwa-ki-haveli, which dominates the narrow street. Its intricate stone carving looks more like golden lace. The building consists of five sections and was built between 1800 and 1860 by five Jain brothers who made their fortunes in brocade and jewelry. The building makes the strongest impression from the outside. The first of the five sections is open as a private museum, Patwa Ki Haveli (Indian/Foreigner Rs 50/120, photo/video Rs 40/70; 8.30-19.00) which reproduces life in the 19th century in great detail.
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli
entrance, including a guide 20 rupees,
photo / video 20/50 rupees;
8.00-19.00 May-September, 8.00-18.00 October-April
This 18th-century haveli has an amazing, distinctive shape. The top floor is replete with carvings and graceful arched balconies crowned with blue domes. Salim Singh was the prime minister of Jaisalmer in the 19th century and was notorious. His mistreatment of the Paliwal Brahmin community forced them to abandon their 84 villages and leave.
Nathmal-ki-Haveli
entrance 20 rupees;
8.00-19.00
This late 19th century haveli is also used as the prime minister’s residence and is still partially inhabited. It is very unusual from the outside, it is all covered with carvings, and on the 1st floor there are beautiful paintings, which were painted using 1.5 kg of gold. British postcards from the 19th century and an image of Queen Victoria hang around the doorway. The left and right wing – the work of two brothers, whose spirit of competition and gave light to this work of art – are similar, but not identical.
Center and Museum of Desert Culture
Indian/foreigner Rs 20/50,
photo/video Rs 20/50;
9.00-20.00
Located next to the Tourist Reception Center . This interesting small museum has material in English and Hindi on the history of the different principalities of Rajasthan, exhibits on traditional Rajasthani culture. They include Rajasthani music (with video) , textiles and phad paintings . Also in the evenings, half-hour puppet shows are held here (Indian / foreigner 30/50 rupees, photo / video 20/50 rupees; 6.30-19.30) with English commentary.
Thar Heritage Museum
on the right side of the Kort road;
entrance 40 rupees
This privately owned museum near Gandhi Chowk Square features an intriguing assortment of artifacts from Jaisalmer and the surrounding area. Most likely, the tour will be personally guided by the founder of the museum, local historian and folklorist L.N. Khatri. The museum’s opening hours vary, but if it’s closed, just look for Mr. Khatri at his Desert Handicrafts Emporium nearby on Court Road.
Gadi Sagar
This majestic 14th-century man-made reservoir southeast of the city walls was Jaisalmer’s key source of water until 1965, and it is because of its importance that it is surrounded by many small temples. This is a favorite place for waterfowl in winter, but at the same time it can dry up almost completely before the rainy season. Catfish, which are the most abundant in the lake, accumulate in front of the shore in a wriggling mass when someone throws bread crumbs into the water. Boat rental (8.00-21.00) costs from 50 rupees to 100 rupees for half an hour.
It is said that the beautiful gate ki-Pol (Tilon-ki-Pol) , which blocks the way to the reservoir, was built by a famous prostitute. When she offered to pay for the construction of the gate, the maharawal did not give permission for this, explaining that he would have to pass through them in order to go down to the pond, and this would be beneath his dignity. While he was away, the prostitute built the gate anyway, and to prevent the Maharawal from demolishing it, she decorated it with a statue of Krishna.
Arrival in Jaisalmer
Barkers line the buses bound for Jaisalmer from Jodhpur, hoping to direct tourists to those guesthouses and hotels in Jaisalmer where they will earn a commission. Upon arrival in Jaisalmer, most of the buses are surrounded by a swarm of touts, which vied with each other to attract the attention of tourists.
If the autorickshaw has a sign with the name of the place where you want to stop, the trip there should be free (just in case, ask if it’s free) . In any case, do not believe anyone who offers to take you “anywhere” for just a few rupees, and be critical of any claims that the hotel you want is “crowded”, “closed” or “not so good anymore”.
Also be very wary of offering rooms for Rs 100 or similarly absurd prices. Places offering these prices are almost certainly part of the camel safari pushback process, and their goal is to get you out of your room and on a camel ride as quickly as possible. If you do not agree to their safari, the room rate may suddenly increase, or you may be told that there are no more rooms.
Barkers are not as common on trains, but the same happens outside the station.
Where to stay
Staying in the fortress is the best choice if you want romance and a special atmosphere. There are also a lot of good hotels outside the fortress. Prices in many fluctuate depending on the season: if there is a holiday, the rooms are expensive and hard to find, but in the off-season, most places have good discounts. Discounts are great from April to August: it’s damn hot in Jaisalmer.
Sand castle
Ten years ago, the entire Jaisalmer fortress was in danger. It could have been washed away by water due to a leak in the ancient sewer system. The main problem was material progress in the form of running water for the inhabitants of the fortress – something that was not even dreamed of during the construction of the fortress. Three ancient bastions collapsed, and some parts of the fortress palace tilted anxiously.
Since then, the English organization Jaisalmer in Jeoprady (www.jaisalmer-in-jeopardy.org) and several Indian organizations, including the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH; www.intach.org) have raised funds and carried out much-needed restoration work to preserve the fortress. The main thing was the renewal of the sewer system, the renewal of the pavement of the streets and the repair work inside the palace.
Now the fortress is out of danger, but it remains a fragile structure. Thoughtless, often illegal construction work continues to threaten her. Visitors should be aware of the fragility of the fortress and conserve resources as much as possible, especially water.
What to buy
Jaisalmer is famous for its stunning embroidery, bedspreads, mirror appliqué, tapestries, oil lamps, stonework and antiques. When buying silver products, you need to be careful: it is sometimes mixed with bronze.
Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
Camel riding is the most memorable and interesting way to learn more about life in the Thar Desert. Don’t expect a sea of dunes though – Thar is basically an arid, bushy area with many villages and wind turbines; but sometimes there are dunes here and there. You will often come across fields of millet and children herding flocks of sheep or goats. The ringing of neck bells in the stillness of the desert is a welcome change from the sounds of burping camels.
Now most tours include jeep rides to show tourists less visited areas. An alternative to Jaisalmer would be to stop at Khuri , 48 km to the southwest: there are good safaris there and you will be directly in the desert by the time you start your trip.
Before you go
Competition among safari organizers is fierce. The standards are different. Most hotels and guesthouses will be happy to organize camel safaris for you. Many have good service, but there are also hacks who will give you a completely different trip than you imagined. Some hotels almost force customers to take “their” safaris. Others, for example, state that they “do not organize safaris.”
You can use the services of one of several reputable agencies in Jaisalmer. Since safari is their only activity, they are especially interested in satisfying their customers. It would be nice to chat with other tourists and ask them for the coordinates of several operators and find out their offers.
An overnight safari leaving Jaisalmer in the afternoon and returning the next morning (overnight somewhere in the dunes) is the bare minimum to understand what it is like. Most likely, you will drive one and a half to two hours a day. Of course, if desired, the trip can last from several days to several weeks. The longer the journey is, the better you will get to know the villages, oases, wildlife and people of the desert.
The most famous dunes, Sam (40 km west of Jaisalmer) and Khuri, are always crowded in the evenings and feel more like a carnival than a return to mother nature. Trips “to places where there are no tourists” and “on untraveled paths” will show you other areas – usually lying southwest of Jaisalmer, in the area between Sam and Khuri or beyond Khuri.
Usually the price fluctuates between 550 rupees and 750 rupees per person per day, and the jeep transfer is already included in this price. The price should also include three meals a day, a large supply of mineral water and a sufficient number of blankets. Still often take thin mattresses. Make sure there is one camel for each rider. You can pay for more comfortable conditions (for example, tents, better food) , but you always need to stipulate the conditions in writing.
You do not have to pay for the whole day if you return right after breakfast on the last day. A one-night desert safari that starts at noon and ends the next morning is usually billed as a day and a half.
Information
Internet access
There are several Internet cafes in the fortress, but there are few outside of it. The regular price is 40 rupees per hour.
SOCH it (Dhibba; Internet access 40 rupees per hour; 7.30-22.00)
Money
State Bank and SBBJ ATMs are near Hanuman Circle , SBBJ and ICICI Bank ATMs are on Shiv Rd , and State Bank is outside the train station.
Thomas Cook (Gandhi Chowk; 9.30-19.00 Mon-Sat, 10.00-17.00 Sun) Reliable currency exchange office, exchanges travelers checks and cash; Credit and debit cards are accepted here.
Mail
Jaisalmer Main Post Office (Hanuman Circle Rd; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Tourist information
Tourist Reception Office (Tourist Reception Office; 252406; Gadi Sagar Rd; 9.30-18.00) This is a cozy office where you can get a free map of the city and various brochures (albeit quite old) . The staff will gladly answer all questions.
Transport in Jaisalmer
Auto rickshaw
Official rates (first kilometer Rs 11, each following Rs 46, idle minute Rs 0.20) are posted at some auto rickshaw stands. It adds up to about 25 rupees from the train station to Gandhi Chowk for example, but you might have to haggle.
Bicycles
Good way to get around Jaisalmer. There are a number of rental companies, including Narayan Cycles (next to Gandhi Chowk; Rs 10/40 hour/day) .
Cars and motorcycles
You can hire a taxi or a jeep at the parking lot on Hanuman Circle Road (Hanuman Circle Rd) . The fare to Khuri, Sam Sand Dunes or Lodhruwa is 500 rupees including the return journey and an hour of waiting. A full day of sightseeing around Jaisalmer will cost around Rs 1,000.
Shiva Bikes (Dhibba; scooter/motorcycle per day 300/400 rupees) – licensed rental with good motorcycles and scooters to explore the city and nearby attractions (helmets and maps of the area are included) .
Road to Jaisalmer and back
Airplane
The airport, 5 km south of the city, is operating intermittently due to the tense situation on the border with Pakistan. At the beginning of 2011 it was closed. The latest flights were operated by Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com) to Jodhpur.
Bus
RSRTC buses leave from the station at Shiv Road on the southern edge of the city. There are buses to Jodhpur (Regular/Express Rs 125/155, 5.5 hours, 15 per day) , Bikaner (Rs 130/162, seven hours, four per day) and Jaipur (Junior Suite Rs 375, 12 hours, at 17.30 ) .
Private buses mostly depart from the courtyard near Desert Boy’s Dhani, south of the fort.
The ticket can be bought at your hotel (plus Rs 30 to the cost) or directly at the box office of bus companies, most of which are located on Hanuman Circle – including Swagat Travels, who have buses to Jodhpur (seated/sleeping Rs 150/250, 16 per day) , Bikaner Rs 150/250, three per day), Ahmedabad (Rs 350/450, 12 noon, 5.30 pm) and Udaipur (Rs 350/450, 12 noon, 3.30 pm) , and Hanuman Travels with flights to Jaipur (280/380 rupees, at 16.30) and Bhuj (400/800 rupees, 15 hours, at 14.30).
These are prices for direct flights; some agencies also sell tickets with transfers in Jodhpur, and sometimes tourists end up in Jodhpur with useless tickets further away, so check what you are paying for.
Taxi
A one way taxi should cost around Rs 1800 to Jodhpur, Rs 2500 to Bikaner and Rs 4500 to Udaipur. Parking is available on Hanuman Circle Road .
Train
The railway station (ticket office 8.00-20.00 Mon-Sat, 8.00-13.45 Sun) is located on the eastern outskirts of the city, not far from the road to Jodhpur.
Two daily express trains leave for Jodhpur. 14809 Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Express (Sleeping Car/3rd Class A/C Rs 165/419) departs at 2315 and arrives in Jodhpur at 520. 14060 Jaisalmer-Deli Express departs at 16.30, arrives in Jodhpur (sleeping car / 3rd class with air conditioning / 2nd class with air conditioning Rs 165/419/566) at 21.50, then it goes to Jaipur (262/693/945 rupees, 10.5 hours from Jaisalmer) and Delhi (331/888/1215 rupees, 18.5 hours) .
Trains 14703 and 14701 depart from Jaisalmer at 10.40 and 22.45, respectively, to Bikaner (sleeping car Rs 168, 5.5 hours) .
Neighborhood of Jaisalmer
Sand Dunes Sam
Sam Sand Dunes (vehicle/camel fee 50/80) Rs, located 41 km south of Jaisalmer on a good road (maintained by the Indian Army) is one of the most popular destinations for excursions from the city. The dune strip is about 2 km long and, no doubt, very picturesque. Some camel drivers stop here, but most come here at sunset to be rushed across the sands by dressed up dancing children and intrusive camel owners offering short rides.
Many stay overnight in one of the hundreds of tents near the dunes. In general, from noon until the next morning, the place takes on a carnival atmosphere, so you should stay away from it if you want to watch the sunset in peace and solitude.
If you arrange your own camel ride on site, you will have to pay between 200 and 300 rupees for an hour sunset ride, but beware: many camel drivers require more money on the way.
Khuri
The village of Khuri, 48 km southwest of Jaisalmer, has a fairly extensive area of dunes that attract tourists to watch the sunset, and a large number of small “hotels” that offer the same conditions for an overnight stay as in Sam. There are also inexpensive guesthouses where you can stay in a calm traditional house with mud and dung walls and a thatched roof, or go on interesting camel rides to relatively remote and deserted places.
Khuri is located in the Desert National Park , which covers an area of 3162 km southwest of Jaisalmer. It was created to protect part of the Thar Desert ecosystem, including desert foxes, desert cats, Bennett’s gazelle, nilgai (large antelope)and some unusual birds, including the endangered beautiful Indian bustard.
Red Fort Or Lal Qila Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Red Fort DelhiAbout Red Fort
Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648.From the western gateway after passing through the vaulted arcade, called Chhatta-Chowk, one reaches the Naubat- or Naqqar-Khana (‘Drum-house’), where ceremonial music was played and which also served as the entrance to the Diwan-i-’Am. Its upper storey is now occupied by the Indian War Memorial Museum.Built of red sandstone,
The Red Fort or the Lal Qila more famously known amongst the locals has an irregular octagonal shape. Its rampart walls cover a perimeter of 2.41 Kms and rise to a height of 33.5 mtrs on the town side and 18 mtrs on the riverside. The Yamuna River used to flow on the eastern side of the Red Fort when it was built, filling the moat that runs outside the ramparts. The moat was thus a considerable obstacle for an enemy army. However, the moat today remains empty as the river has moved, over 1 km to the east.
It is said that about one crore rupees, an astronomical sum in those days, was spent on its construction. Half of this sum was spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red sandstone, it is octagonal in shape, with two longer sides on the east and west. In 1638 Shahjahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and laid the foundations of Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi. It is enclosed by a rubble stone wall, with bastions, gates and wickets at intervals.
The remaining palaces lie along the eastern side of the fort, with two three-storeyed main gateways located at the center of the western and southern walls. These gates are known as Lahore Gate and Delhi Gate. There are three other entrances on other sides but they are now closed and entry through them is restricted.This great fort on the banks of Jamuna, built by Shahjahan as the citadel of the seventh Delhi founded by him, then known as Shahjahanabad and now old Delhi, is a significant link between the past and the present, for it is from here that the prime minister of India addresses the people on the Independence Day, which is August 15th.
The main entrance to the Lal Quila is through the Lahori Gate. Beyond the gate, there is a roofed passage, flanked by arcaded apartments leading to the palaces, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are now used as shops. Besides these, there are three more gates on other sides, which are kept closed now. The master builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies the rest of it. Some of the main buildings within the fort are given bellow.
The Lahore Gate
The Lahore Gate of the palace is veiled by the Babar added by Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor. The gate is from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation and unfurls the National Flag on August 15, Independence Day.
Chatta Chowk
The entrance of the Gate leads through a long covered bazaar called the Chatta Chowk. From Chatta Chowk follows the Naqqar Khana(Drum Room) also called Naubat Khana or the Welcome Room, which earlier formed part of a square enclosure with apartments for the umrah (Nobles) on duty. It was at this point that everyone other than the Emperor had to dismount from their elephants and walk towards the magnificent Diwan-e-Am(hall of public audience) where the Emperor used to listen to the grievances of the common man.
Naqqar Khana
The Naqqar Khana is 49 feet high with an open arched hall at the top which served as a music gallery from where the strains of music filtered down to welcome the Emperor or to bid him a safe journey. The War Memorial Museum is housed on the first floor. The Diwan-e-Am is built of red sandstone and is set atop an impressive plinth. The southwest and northwest corners of the pavilion are articulated by small chhattris.
Diwan-i-Am Hall
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or “the Hall of Public Audiences”, where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folk. His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled, and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted, after the Mutiny of 1857.
Diwan-i-Khas Hall
The Diwan-i-Khas is “the Hall of Private Audiences”, where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble, and its center-piece used to be the “Peacock Throne”, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its former magnificence: “If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this.”
Light and Sound
The main attraction of the Red Fort is the Sound and Light Show that tells tales of its historical past and narrated in Hindi and English for foreign tourists. The fort is opened for public viewing from Sunday to Tuesday and closed on Mondays. The entry fee for Indian residents is only Rs. 10/- whereas for Foreign Nationals is US $5.00 or Rs. 250/- (entry fees are subject to change). For video filming, the charge is Rs. 25/- for each camera and one can spend the entire day from 1000 hours to 1600 hours during its preferred visitation time.A sound and light show is held every evening giving an idea of the Mughal history, both in Hindi and English. The timings for summer Hindi 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and English 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and for the winter they are in Hindi 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and English 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
General Fact about Red Fort
Location:Netaji Subhash Marg, Near Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi
Time to Visit: Open on all days except Monday, from sunrise to sunset
Preferred Timings:10 am – 4 pm
Day Closed:Open all Days
Admission Fee: INR 11 for Indian citizens / INR 100 for foreigners (including the tickets of all the 3 museums inside).
Parking: INR 10 for 4 hrs
Photography Charges:INR 25
Nearest Railway Station:Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Chandni Chowk
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi Intenational Airport
Time required for sightseeing:Approximately 2 hours
Famous As :World Heritage Site
Designed By :Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Also Known As:Qila-e-Mualla
Rashtrapati Bhawan or President House Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi President HouseAbout Rashtrapati Bhawan
Rashtrapati Bhawan was formerly known as ‘Viceroy’s House’ and was occupied by the Governor-General of India, until independence. Also known as President’s House, the building holds a prominent position in New Delhi. President House i.e Rashtrapati Bhavan (a sanskrit word) is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi. Designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, this classical building uses colors and details peculiar to Indian architecture. It was completed by 1929 and was officially inaugurated in 1931.
It was in 1950 that President started living in this ceremonial building and the ‘Viceroy’s House’ was renamed as ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan.’ It has 340 decorated rooms and a floor area of 200,000 square feet.
The Rashtrapati Bhawan comprises of the following:
The State Drawing Room
The State Ballroom
The State Library
The State Dining Room
The Private ApartmentsTo the west of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, there is a wonderful Mughal garden which is open to the public every spring.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi is the official residence of the President of India. The building was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens as the residence of the British Viceroy. Lord Irwin was the first occupant of the building.Once the viceregal palace of the British era, the Rashtrapati Bhawan is a must visit on a tour of Delhi. Located in central Delhi, situated at the crest of the Raisina Hill, the Rashtrapati Bhawan was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens.
Rashtrapati Bhawan, spread over an area of about 330 acres, is a marvellous structure and a tourist’s delight comprising 340 rooms. The official residence of the First Citizen of India– the President, it was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling and inaugurated in 1931.Rashtrapati Bhawan has 340 rooms. Famous Durbar Hall is used for conferring Padma Awards and various other ceremonies. Another room is Ashoka Hall which was originally built to be a ballroom and looks like a jewelery box with its adornments and size (32 by 20m).
It has wooden floor, leather ceiling with a Persian style painting, central dance space and three vestibules.To the west the palace overlooks an enormous Mughal garden designed by Lutyens. Here the principles of hierarchy, order, symmetry and unity are extended from the house into the landscape. A series of ornamental fountains, walls, gazebos and screens combine with scores of trees, flowers and shrubs to create a paradise so delightful that Indians called the garden ‘God’s own Heaven’.
The Irwins supervised the planting of the garden which grew in tropical profusion softening the formal pattern of lawns and waterways. Popularly known as the Mughal Garden, it is open to public every spring but be prepared for the tight security check.”In India that replaced the Raj, Lutyens’ Palace has managed to keep some of its glory. …As the home of a modern democratic President, it is certainly on the large side, but the Indians have been wise enough to maintain a Presidential establishment worthy of the setting. Scarlet-clad guards still sit on their chargers beneath the stone sentry boxes, khitmagars in white, red and gold line the corridors.”
The beautiful works that make the architecture of the Parliament House so special include the layout of fountains both inside and outside the building, statues, murals and marble ‘jali’ (mesh) that adorn its windows. It houses Lok Sabha (House of the People), Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the erstwhile Library Hall (formerly the Princes Chamber). Along with this, there are well-planned garden courts, accommodation for Ministers and Chairmen, Parliamentary Committees, Party Offices, important offices of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. Secretariats and the offices of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs are also located here.
The present day Rashtrapati Bhavan was the erstwhile residence of the British Viceroy. Its architect was Edwin Landseer Lutyens. The decision to build a residence in New Delhi for the British Viceroy was taken after it was decided in the Delhi Durbar of 1911 that the capital of India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in the same year. It was constructed to affirm the permanence of British rule in India. This building gave the impression, in the words of a critique, the setting of a perpetual Durbar.
The building and its surroundings were supposed to be ‘an empire in stone’, ‘exercising imperial sway’ and containing in it, “the abode of a disinterested elite whose rule was imposed from above”.Apart from all such excellent architectural patterns, the Rashtrapati Bhawan is known for its colourful gardens. Filled with a variety of flowers, these gardens are open to public view between mid-February to mid-March. The place is a photographer’s paradise during the months of late January to March.
The first Lt. Governor General of India found the master bedroom too luxurious so he shifted to the smaller Ashoka room. Every president till date has followed his example.Rashtrapati Bhavan is grand in every sense, whether it is the ceiling with its amazing design or the beautifully carved furniture. The extensive lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhavan include the Mughal gardens, which are opened to the public in February-March every year. The gardens are famous for their prize-winning roses, herb garden, spiritual garden and collection of plants from all over India and the world.
Special or Annual Event
Republic Day Parade/ Visitors can also see the change of guard ceremony on every Saturday between 10.35 am to 11.00 am in winter and 8.30 am to 9.15 am in summer.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
India Gate, Parliament House, National Museum, Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Hanuman Mandir are the nearest tourist attractions from the Rashtrapati Bhawan or President House Delhi.
Nearby Restaurant To Eat
Hotel Le Meridien, Imperial Hotel, Hotel Inter-Continental, Parikrama Revolving restaurant, Gaylord, El Rodeo, Bercos, Zen restaurant, Delhi Darbar, Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs and Standard Restaurant. For snacks and fast foods: Bengali Market (sweets and chat), Kake da hotel (Indian food), Wenger, Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Nirula’s, Ruby Tuesday, Sona Rupa, Starbeans, Barista, Café Coffee Day and innumerable roadside foodstalls and many others are the nearby eating place to Rashtrapati Bhawan or President House Delhi.
Nearby Shopping Venues and malls
Connaught Place offers everything from jewelry, books, art, leather goods and a wide choice of Indian and international clothes stores. Central Cottage Industries Emporium has Indian handicrafts and curios. Baba Kharak Singh Marg houses the emporia of all the states of India, dedicated to each state’s unique art and craft created by traditional and skilled artisans. Janpath offers clothes, low priced gifts and souvenirs and Palika Bazaar offers a wide range of electronic items.
General Fact about President House
Location:Built on Raisina Hill, less than a mile from Connaught Place at the western end of Rajpath.
Time to Visit: Entry into President House requires official permission.
Preferred Timings:Anytime, any day but is out of bound for the visitors.
Day Closed:open all days
Admission Fee: Free but prior permission required
Photography Charges:none (prior permission required)
Nearest Railway Station:New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Central Secretariat
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing:2 hours
Famous As :Official Residence of the President of India
Designed By :Sir Edwin Lutyens
Special Attraction: Change of Guard Ceremony on every Saturday
Best Season: February-March
Highlight: Mughal Gardens
Rajghat Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi RajghatAbout Rajghat
Located just a couple of miles away from Connaught Place, Rajghat in Delhi is known by its present name as it was once a prominent ghat or stepped embankment at the edge of the Yamuna River. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January in 1948 following his assassination while walking to his customary prayer meeting at Birla House. Raj Ghat is a memorial tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi aka Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was killed by Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948 in the premises of Birla Mandir.Raj Ghat: Gandhi’s Memorial in Delhi.Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse.
The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. In keeping with the austere simplicity in life of Mahatma Gandhi, an unostentatious memorial marks the spot. On January 30, 1948, on his way to a prayer meeting, Gandhi was shot dead in Birla House, New Delhi, by Nathuram Godse. Godse was a Hindu radical with links to the extremist Hindu Mahasabha, who held Gandhi responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a payment to Pakistan. Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte
The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi.The last words that were uttered out of his mouth “Hey Ram” are inscribed in golden letters on his cenotaph. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. The premises of Raj Ghat are covered with lush green gardens with water fountains and variety of exotic plants and trees for the complete serene silence and peaceful environment to remember Mahatma Gandhi known as “Bapu “world over. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru – the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.Prayers and meetings are held every Fridayat 5 pm in his memory.A visit to Raj Ghat to pay homage is mandatory by all the State Heads as well as visiting dignitaries by laying flowers and offering prayers on his memorial.
Along with that, on the birthday (2nd October) as well as death anniversary (30th January) of Mahatma Gandhi, prayers are held here. A commemorative ceremony takes place every Friday. Prayers are held in remembrance of Mahatma on the Birth (2nd October) and Death (30th January) Anniversaries. 30th January is remembered as Martyr’s Day. Apart from ordinary people and tourists, it has become an essential point of call for all visiting dignitaries to pay their homage to the Father of the Nation.
Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. 30th January, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated is remembered as Martyr’s Day. Trees are planted on his birthday ie 2nd October and his death anniversary, 30th January. This place also homes two museums dedicated to Mahatma Gandhis preaching to the world: The Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi, in New Delhi, is situated amidst a garden with fountains and numerous striking trees. Situated near Raj Ghat, are two museums dedicated to Gandhi that house a number of possessions as well as photographs of Mahatma Gandhi.
There is also a beautiful Zinat-ul Masjid (Most Beautiful of Mosques) overlooking the Rajghat.Gandhi Memorial Museum that showcases his belongings and photographs of his life and Gandhi Smriti Museum at Tees January Marg which was once a home to him during his last days but was later converted into a museum.The cremation ground is now marked by a square platform made of black marble stone. It is a very simple and elementary structure made to commemorate the memories of a man who himself was very simple in his lifestyle and approach. 4 stone footpaths approach the consecrated platform each from the 4 gates. The structure is located amidst acres of beautiful sprawling gardens.
There are labeled trees near the platform. The museum shows the life cycle and philosophy of the Sarvodaya Movement through a movie. If you want to see the show in English the timing is from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm except Thursdays. On Sundays the show is shown at 3 pm in Hindi and at 5 pm in English.These trees were planted by visiting dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Ho Chi Minh, Yaser Arafat, Colonel Nasser, Marshal Tito, the former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitman and Paul Keating and the former US presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Regan.Raj Ghat is a destination visited dedicatedly by followers of Mahatma Gandhi who wishes to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation.
Jawahar Lal Nehru addressed the nation through radio: “Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not for me only, but for millions and millions in this country.”
Annual Event/ Special Event
A prayer service is organized on every Friday, the day he was assassinated, at 5.30 pm in the evening. Political leaders and citizens pay homage here every year on his birthday (October 2) and death anniversary (January 30).
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Vijay Ghat, Vir Bhumi, Shakti Sthal, Shanti Van, National Gandhi Museum, Zinat-ul-masjid, Feroz Shah Kotla and Khuni Darwaza are the nearest tourist attractions to rajghat delhi.
Nearby Restaurant
Hotel Inter-Continental in Connaught Place, Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj’s Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker’s canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls are there for refreshment. and many more eating places near Rajghat Delhi.
Nearby Shopping Venues
Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewelry) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewelry and handicrafts) and many shopping malls are near the Rajghat Delhi.
General Fact about Rajghat
Location:Between the main Ring Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road) and the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, just southeast of Red Fort
Time to Visit: All weeklong from Sunrise to Sunset.
Preferred Timings:April-September: 5.00 am-7.30 pm / October-March: 5.30 am-7.00 pm
Day Closed:Open on all days
Admission Fee: Free and open to all.
Photography Charges:None
Nearest Railway Station:Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Kashmiri Gate
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing:40 minutes
Famous As :Last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi
Qutub Minar Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Qutub MinarAbout Qutub Minar
The highest stone tower in Delhi India, the Qutub Minar was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the Viceroy of Mohammed Ghori in 1192. It was built to celebrate Ghori’s victory over the Rajputs. Within the complex, is the famous Iron Pillar which has stood for millennia without rusting, Quwwat-ul-Islam, the first mosque built in India, and the Alai Darwaza, the gateway to the complex erected by Alauddin Khilji.
The entry to the Minar has been closed, after the tower became infamous for the several suicides that were committed here. Qutb Minar is a successful tribute to architecture, as it captures one’s attention by its sheer mass appeal. The Minar is a five-storey building with a height of 72.5 metres. The first storey of the Qutb Minar was completed in the lifetime of Qutb-ud-din. His son-in-law and successor, Iltumush, added the next three storeys.
Even on close encounter, the attention lingers, owing to the delicate and almost ethereal carvings. Within the complex, is the famous Iron Pillar which has stood the test of time without rusting. Quwwat-ul-Islam,was the first mosque built in India, and the Alai Darwaza, the gateway to the complex was erected by Alauddin Khilji. The minar is not that erect as it used to be because of wears and tears over the past several years.
Closely looking at the mina rives you an idea that it is somewhat tilled towards one side. The minar is very sincerely looked after by the authorities much like the same as other historic monuments in the country. Qutb Minar is a successful tribute to architecture, as it captures one’s attention, owing to the delicate and almost ethereal carvings.
Qutab Minar, the 239ft sandstone tower is an Indo-Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India. This magnificent tower of victory stands in the Qutab Complex located at Aurabindo Marg, near Mehrauli, 14 Km south of Connaught place in Delhi. Qutab Minar with a height of 72.5m (239ft), is the highest stone tower in India and has a diametre of 14.32 metres at the base and about 2.75 metres at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone and are heavily indented with different styles of fluting, alternately round and angular on the bottom floor, round on the second and angular on the third. The fourth and fifth floors are made of marble and sandstone.
Iron Pillar
Situated in the courtyard of the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the famous Iron Pillar belongs to 4th century. It is enclosed in the Qutub Minar complex of New Delhi. The Sanskrit inscription in Gupta script and the peculiar style of its ‘Amalaka’ capital confirms the date.
Qutub Minar Legends
There a number of legends related to the Qutub Minar of New Delhi. Some people believe that the monument was actually built by Prithviraj Chauhan, so that his daughter could behold the sacred river Yamuna from its top as part of her daily worship.
Qutub Minar Blues
According to the inscriptions on Qutub Minar Delhi, it was twice struck by the lightning and was damaged. The first incidence occurred in 1326, during the reign of Muhammed Tughluq.
Quwwatu’l-Islam Masjid
The mosque known as Quwwatu’l-Islam Masjid is located adjacent to Qutub Minar in Delhi. It is believed to have been built using the carved stone slabs and materials of the remains of Hindu Temples. Delicate brocade designs and Islamic inscription adorn this structure.
Tomb of Iltutmish
Built by Shamsu’d-Din Iltutmish himself in 1235, the tomb of Iltutmish lies to the northwest of the Quwwatu’l Islam Mosque of New Delhi. Though, there was a gap of only five years between the constructions of Sultan Ghauri’s tomb and this tomb.
General Fact about Qutub Minar
Location:Qutub Minar Complex, Mehrauli, 16 Kms from Connaught Place.
Named After : Qutab-ud-din Aibak
Time to Visit: Open on all days, from sunrise to sunset
Preferred Timings: Summer timing : Hindi – 7 pm to 8 pm, English – 8 pm to 9 pm , Winter timing : Hindi – 6 pm to 7 pm, English – 7 pm to 8 pm
Day Closed: Open All Days
Admission Fee: Entry tickets to the fort cost Rs 10 per person (for Indian nationals) and Rs 150 per person (for foreign nationals). Entry to the fort is free on Fridays.
Photography Charges:INR 25
Nearest Railway Station:Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Qutb Minar
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi Intenational Airport
Parking: Free Parking
Time required for sightseeing:Approximately 1 hour
Famous As :Highest brick tower in the world
Built By :Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Height :72.5 metres
Listed In : World Heritage Site
Special Events
Some of the events which takes place at the Qutub Minar everyday are :
1) The Light Show Event : Costing INR 20 for Indian Citizens / INR 250 for foreigners/ Timings: 7.00 pm- 9.30 pm
2) Views from the top of the Qutub Minar tower shown through a camera: INR 10 through the day.
Famous Places To Eat
Some of the Famous Places to eat close to Qutub Minar complex includes Thai Wok at the Ambavata Complex, Osaka at Aurobindo Marg, Red Snapper at Aurobindo Marg and a number of roadside food stalls for the adventurous street food eater.
Shopping Places
The Ambavata Shopping Complex in Mehrauli, has fashionable Indian designer stores and boutiques. Hauz Khas Village, a short distance away, has boutiques and exclusive stores of leading Indian designers and Select City Walk Mall in Saket are the famous shopping venues that comes into the mind of tourists who are visiting Qutub Minar.
Parliament House Or Sansad Bhawan Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Sansad Bhawan DelhiAbout Parliament House
Parliament House of Delhi, commonly known as the Sansad Bhawan is situated at the end point of the Sansad Marg in New Delhi. Parliament House is a circular structure designed by Herbert Baker and was opened in 1927.The seat of Indian Parliament is a marvelous piece of architecture designed by the famed architect Lutyens and constructed under the direct supervision of Sir Herbert Baker. Visitors are not allowed to loiter inside the building without special permission, for security reasons.
The huge structure of the Parliament House in Delhi has 247 pillars with broad corridor. The Parliament House of New Delhi is the Legislative Assembly of the country.Portraying the typicals ‘jalis’ (screens) of the Mughal era, the boundary walls affords blocks of carved sandstone with exquisite motifs on them. Although it’s an impressive building, its relative physical insignificance in the grand scheme of New Delhi shows how the focus of power has shifted from the viceroy’s residence, which was given pride of place during the time of the British raj when New Delhi was conceived.
Get a permit from the reception office on Raisina Road, and you can visit the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the library ofcourse. he Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha meetings are held in the domed circular central hall and the three semi-circular buildings. Sansad Bhavan of New is adorned with an open verandah with 144 columns and a 28 m central dome. Made up of blocks of sandstone, it has a diameter of approximately 174 m. Enclosing the Parliament House Estate is an attractive red sandstone wall or iron grill with iron gates.
It is necessary to take prior permission before visiting the Parliament House of Delhi. Indians need to get permission by applying at the Parliament Secretariat and foreigners through their Embassies or High Commissions. During the sessions of Parliament there is a flurry of activity in and around the structure. The Parliament House- Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament house is the supreme law making body in the country. The parliament consists of three halls- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the central hall.
Designed by Herbert Baker, the circular colonaded structure was originally known as the Circular House, when it was opened in 1927. In the immense structure, what catches the eye first are the pillars that seem to stand like sentinels. Wander around the voluminous corridor and count the number of sentinels; there are 247 of them supported on the 173 m disc that serves as a substratum.An entry pass to the library can be obtained from the Visitor’s reception on Raisina Road by providing a letter of introduction from a Member of Parliament.
The library working hours are from 1000-1800. To obtain a visitor’s pass to Sansad Bhawan, Indian nationals should apply to the Parliament Secretariat. Foreign nationals should apply through their embassies or high commissions.Then Indian Parliament has been designed as a circular structure. The House is 85 meters in radius and about 900 meters in circumference. You will certainly notice two semicircular house chambers flank the Central Hall. The Parliament building has been provided with continuous open corridor in circular format on the first floor. This is typical of Victorian Architecture but is unparallel in grandeur. These are supported by the colonnade of 144 cream-color sandstone pillars.
Special Event or The Annual Event
The best time to visit Parliament House is when it is in session. There are three sessions in a year – Summer, Monsoon and Winter.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Hanuman Mandir is the nearest tourist attractions from the Parliament House Or Sansad Bhawan Delhi.
Nearby Restaurant
Hotel Le Meridien, Imperial Hotel, Hotel Inter-Continental, Parikrama Revolving restaurant, Gaylord, El Rodeo, Bercos, Zen restaurant, Delhi Darbar, Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs and Standard Restaurant. For snacks and fast foods: Bengali Market (sweets and chat), Kake da hotel (Indian food), Wenger, Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Nirula’s, Ruby Tuesday, Sona Rupa, Starbeans, Barista, Café Coffee Day and innumerable roadside foodstalls and many more is nearby eating places from the Parliament House Or Sansad Bhawan Delhi.
Nearby Shopping Malls or Markets
Connaught Place offers everything from jewelry, books, art, leather goods and a wide choice of Indian and international clothes stores. Central Cottage Industries Emporium has Indian handicrafts and curios. Baba Kharak Singh Marg houses the emporia of all the states of India, dedicated to each state’s unique art and craft created by traditional and skilled artisans. Janpath offers clothes, low priced gifts and souvenirs and Palika Bazaar offers a wide range of electronic items.
General Fact about Parliament House
Location:Parliament Street/ Sansad Marg, New Delhi, in the very heart of Delhi near India Gate
Time to Visit: Entry into Parliament House requires official permission, whether Parliament is in session or not. Visitors can enter the public galleries of the Indian Parliament with prior permission, after receiving an official pass.
Preferred Timings:Anytime, any day but is out of bound for the visitors.
Day Closed:Open All Days
Admission Fee: Free, but prior permission required (foreigners/citizens: from their embassies or High commissions/ from the reception office on Raisina Road)
Significance: Houses Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
Highlights: Magnificent architecture
Year of Construction: 1921
Photography Charges:nil (prior permission required)
Nearest Railway Station:New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Central Secretariat
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: Approx 2 hours
Famous As :Sansad Bhawan: The place where the Indian Parliament meets and the world’s largest democracy functions.
Designed By :Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker
Special Event / Annual Event: The best time to visit Parliament House is when it is in session. There are three sessions in a year – Summer, Monsoon and Winter.
Old Fort Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Old Fort DelhiAbout Old Fort
Old Fort was built in the 16th-century by the Lion King, Sher Shah Suri. In 1539-40. The Old Fort, also known as the Purana Qil’ah or Purana Killa in Hindi and Urdu, is one of the most famous monuments in Delhi.Old Fort of Delhi is a fascinating building that survived the ravages of time. The Old Fort or the Purana Qila is also known as the ‘Qila-i-kuhna masjid’ built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541. Old Fort at Delhi is a perfect example of Lodi style of architecture in Delhi. Excavations in the Old Fort area have revealed pieces of painted greyware dated around 1000 BC, said to be related to Mahabharata.
Relics and remains of later period found here confirm the belief that Purana Quila was built on the site of Indraprastha, the capital of Pandavas. These artifacts range from the Mauryan to early Mughal period, such as Northern Black polished ware, punch-marked coins, human and animal terracotta figurines and inscribed terracotta seals. Sher Shah built a mosque in 1541, with traits of Lodhi to Mughal architecture style.The architecture of the Old Fort of Delhi is a fine blend of the Hindu elements together with the Muslim style of arches and domes. In short the style of architecture of the Old Fort can be considered as a secular architectural style.
Purana Quila or Old fort, was built by the great Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, in the 16th century A.D. It is situated in Delhi. Delhi and Agra, bringing the Mughal Empire in India to a near end. Shah Suri constructed this enormous fort to defend his most prized possession, Delhi, from the Mughals. Sher-Mandal, a double-storey octagonal tower of red sandstone and marble, surmounted by an octagonal chhatri and decorated with glazed tiles and painted plasterwork was also built by him. The structure houses a mosque, which has a double-storeyed octagonal tower. Recent excavations at the fort site have yielded painted grey ware pottery, which dates back to 1000 B.C.
The latter was said to be used as a library by Humayun. It was from here that Humayun fell down and died. Besides these, there is a Sound and Light Show at Old Fort, presenting the 5000 years of history of Delhi. Other attractions near the Old Fort are a lake with paddle-boating facility and the Zoological Park situated just adjacent to it.The walls of the fort are 18 meters high at some points and there are groups of holes arranged in patterns on the walls, which were apparently meant to be nesting spaces for birds.
The fort has an ancient folklore attached to it. It portrays the account of bigotry of two great empires, the Afghans and the Mughals. The fort has four giant gateways, one of which leads to the River Yamuna. A serene lake inside the huge premises of the fort is what you need to relax after a busy day. Though the fort did not see any major battle event, its very existence kept the Mughals away from invading Delhi until 1545 when Sher Shah Suri died.
With the help of Persians, Humayun was able to re-capture Delhi and Agra.Today, the Old Fort houses the Delhi Zoo, Delhi’s largest zoological park, and a boat club. The historic structure of the Purana Qila has stood witness to the restoration of the city of Delhi, the periods of anarchy, and the rise and fall of empires.The property around the fort also houses a library and an observatory. The Old Fort gives us a glimpse into the lives of the people during the times the Mughals and the Afghans were in power.
The Old Fort had three entrances leading up to it out of which two were shut down earlier. As of today only the main gate, the Bada Darwaja, is open to the public. The Old Fort in Delhi is a clear example of the tasteful architectural skill of the masons in the Mughal times. Evidence procured by archaeologists has proved that the Old Fort is situated on the location where the ancient city of Indraprashtha used to stand. During excavation on this site, pieces of artwork like pottery dating back to 1000 BC were found. The local people of Delhi also call the Old Fort as the Purana Quila. It is one of Delhi’s oldest and finest monuments.
What’s So Special at The Old Fort
Sound and Light Show
The Sound and Light show at the Old Fort is an added attraction which you should not miss. During this one hour show, the rise and fall of Delhi from Indraprastha to Mughal era becomes live in Sound and Light. Voice of this Sound and Light show has been given by Bollywood personalities like Jaya Bachchan, Om Puri and others.
Show Timings
English Version : September to October & February to April – 20.30 p.m to 21.30 p.m.
November to January – 19.30 p.m. to 21.30 p.m.
May to August – 21.00 p.m to 22.00 p.m.
Hindi Version : September to October & February to April – 19.00 p.m to 20.00 p.m.
November to January – 18.00 p.m. to 19.00 p.m.
May to August – 19.30 p.m to 20.30 p.m.
It is one of the city’s most famous tourist spots and is open to the public for visiting. The Old Fort has a calm mystical interior that is soothing to visitors as it provides refuge from the noise and bustle on the streets outside.
General Fact about Old Fort
Location:On the eastern side of India Gate and north of Humayun’s tomb on Mathura Road
Also Known As : Purana Qila.
Built In : 16th Century.
Time to Visit: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset
Preferred Timings:early morning or evening
Day Closed: Open All Days
Admission Fee: INR 5 for citizen/ INR 100 for foreigners
Photography Charges:INR 25
Nearest Railway Station:New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Connaught Place
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing:2½ hours
Completed By : Afgan Ruler Sher Shah Suri
Famous For : Lodhi Style of Architecture
Major Attractions : Sher Mandal, Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid
Lotus Temple Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Lotus TempleAbout Lotus Temple
Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Baha’i Temple in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Located 12km southeast of Connaught Place, has emerged as a top attraction for the tourists. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance.
There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u’llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century. One of the most beautiful temples in India, the 40 m high Lotus Temple is also known as Bahai Temple, and is built in the shape of a half-opened Lotus flower. Situated near Bahapur village, it is the seventh Baha’i House of Worship in the world.
Completed in 1986, this pure white marble temple is also known as Taj of Modern India. Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom.The lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also a symbol of purity and tenderness.
Its significance is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu’s navel when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries. In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in his hand. Buddhists glorify him in their prayers, “Om Mani Padme Hum”, “Yea, 0 Jewel in the Lotus!” Lord Buddha says you have to be like a lotus which, although living in dirty water, still remains beautiful and undefiled by its surroundings.
The faith emphasizes on prayer, described as, ‘Conversation with God’ and meditation, described as ‘Key for opening the doors of mysteries’. The temple represents the broad views and scientific ideas of Baha`i faith and signifies the purity and the universality of the Lord. A perfect silence is maintained in the main hall of prayer, to allow the devotees to meditate and pray peacefully. So, we realise that the lotus is associated with worship, and has been a part of the life and thoughts of Indians through the ages.
It will seem to them as though they have been worshipping in this Temple in their dreams for years.. It is said that about four million people visit the temple daily. The temple looks all the more divine in the night, when the colored lights impart it a colorful look. One can visit the temple from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. The most appraising aspect of this particular architectural masterpiece is the integration of the effervescent Indian history along with the modern engineering and architecture.
The temple has to its accreditation being recognized all over the world as one of the most visited edifices in the world with almost 50 million people having visited the temple since its inception in 1986. Now their vision has become a reality and. God willing, some day they will all enter and worship in it. The Lotus Temple is the Bahai temple in Delhi, India. It is called the Lotus temple because of its lotus-like shape. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Delhi. It has a beautiful garden outside where tourists can relax. It was inaugurated in 1986. It is the main Bahai temple of the Indian subcontinent.
It is one of the most heavily visited sites in the whole world with 4 million visitors every year. It welcomes visitors irrespective of which religion they belong to. A real beauty indeed. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. History of the Bahá’í Faith in India: The history of the Bahá’í Faith in India started with the inception of the Faith in Iran when the Báb (literally, the Gate) inaugurated a new era in the history of the human race. The Báb Himself had appointed one of the Indian believers as the ‘Letter of Living’ in 1844-45, the first year of His Ministry. Since then, India is spiritually connected with the Bahá’i Faith.
In the Bahai’s Holy Writings there are prayers for all occasions and can be offered individually or collectively. A great importance is given to prayers as is revealed in all the scriptures. The Bahai’s Writings specify that the mere act of praying is not sufficient, instead the inspiration drawn from one’s prayers must be translated into action and that promotes the well being of humanity. As foretold by the Báb, the Promised One of all ages and peoples, Bahá’u’lláh (literally the Glory of God) revealed Himself in 1863.
He, Himself, dispatched one of the distinguished Bahá’í teachers, Jamal Effendi, to teach the Cause of God in the years 1874-75. Jamal Effendi (left) traveled to many States and was successful in attracting many learned people and few Navaabs (ruler of the states) including the Navaab of Rampur State (now in U.P.) to the Faith. One young man who accepted was Syed Mustafa Roumi who later became distinguished in his manifold services and was appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God. Some of them accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Universal Manifestation of God whose advent has been prophesied in all the Holy Scriptures.
The other teachers who came to India during Bahá’u’lláh’s Ministry included Mishkin Qalam, the distinguished Bahá’í Calligrapher. A series of teachers from the East and the West continued visiting India and traveling throughout the country during the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (literally, the Servant of Bahá), the much-loved Master of the Bahá’í Faith. Prominent among them were Mirza Mahram and Mirza Mahmud Zarqani. The Lotus Temple is open to all regardless of religion, or any other distinction, as emphasized inBahá’í texts.
The Bahá’í laws emphasize that the spirit of the House of Worship be that it is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions.The Bahá’í laws also stipulate that only the holy scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language; while readings and prayers can be set to music by choirs, no musical instruments can be played inside. Furthermore no sermons can be delivered, and there can be no ritualistic ceremonies practiced. Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá’í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.
The lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also a symbol of purity and tenderness. Its significance is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu’s navel when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries. In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in his hand.
Awards Received
Award given to the architect Mr. Sabha in the year 1987 from International Federation for Art and Architecture, USA.
Award for the structural design by the Institute of Structural Engineers in UK
The Citation Award for personifying the visual impact of the beautiful Lotus flower.
Accreditation for its outdoor illumination in the year 1988
American Concrete Institute Award for being one of the most artistically built concrete structures.
In the year 2000 it received the “Glob Art Academy Award” from Glob Art Academy in Vienna.
So, whenever you visit Delhi, do not forget to see this particular masterpiece which offers a strong message of wisdom, peace and tranquility.
Events and Festivals
There are many fesivals and events held by the temple.There are four Prayer Sessions everyday at the temple. These Prayer Sessions are unique, as prayers from all religions are recited during these Prayer Sessions. Prayer Session Timings: 1000 hrs – 1015 hrs (15 minutes), 1200 hrs – 1215 hrs (15 minutes), 1500 hrs – 1515 hrs (15 minutes), 1700 hrs – 1715 hrs (15 minutes).Many hindu festivals also celebrated by the lotus temple dehi.
Tourist Places
In Delhi many tourist attraction and also many mejor attractions are very closed from the Lotus Temple Delhi.The Important Tourist Attractions such as Kalkaji Temple, Khirki Masjid, Satpula, Nizamuddin’s Shrine and Chirag Dehlvi’s Dargah are located near to the Lotus Temple.Also many places to see and enjoy near the temple.
Best Places To Eat
There are many hotels and restaurants are located near the lotus temple.Some Of the famous places to eat which are located at close proximity to The Bahai Temple are Hotel Park Royal, Karim’s, Supper Factory and Salims in Kailash Colony Market, McDonald’s and cosmopolitan eateries in Greater Kailash-1 Market, there are many good food joints in Nehru Place including Nathu’s and Domino’s Pizza, and many good restaurants in Kalkaji Market, Greater Kailash Market and C. R. Park Market;also many fast food center very closed near the temple.
Shopping Markets
There are many shopping malls and markets located in the capital city of india.The mejor shopping vanues located near the lotus temple are Nehru Place (electronic items), Kalkaji Market & C R Park Market (Residential Markets) and Greater Kailash Market (Garments, Cosmetics, Curios) are the famous shopping venues that comes into the mind of tourists who are visiting the Lotus Temple.
General Fact about Lotus Temple
Also Known As:The Lotus Temple / Bahai House Of Worship
Location:Opposite the ancient Kalkaji Mandir, East of Nehru Place in South Delhi
Designed By : Architect Fariburz Sabha
Major Attraction : Lotus Shaped Temple Structure
Must Visit : The Information Center Providing Information on Facets of Bahai Faith in form of Photographs, Written Texts and Film.
Time to Visit: Open on all days except Monday
Preferred Timings:Summers 9:00 am to 7:00 pm,Winters 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day Closed:Open on all days except Monday
Admission Fee: Free and open to all
Photography Charges:Permitted upon request
Nearest Railway Station:Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Kalkaji Mandir
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi Intenational Airport
Time required for sightseeing:Approximately 1.5 hours
Famous As : The Lotus Temple
Significance : One of the seven Bahai Houses of Worship in the world.
Prayer Timings : 1000 hrs – 1015 hrs , 1200 hrs – 1215 hrs, 1500 hrs – 1515 hrs, 1700 hrs – 1715 hrs.
Build In :1986
Official Website: http://www.bahaindia.org
Lodhi Garden Delhi
Nov 02 2022 Attractions Delhi Kalkaji Temple Lodhi GardenAbout Lodi Garden
Established in the 15th-16th century by the Sayyids and Lodis, the vast grounds of Lodi Garden are famous among the joggers of the Delhi city of India. Carefully kept gardens and the medieval monuments lend a charm to these gardens. In 1968, J.A Stein and Garrett Eckbo re-landscaped these gardens giving them their present beautified form. The several tombs situated in the garden belong to the Lodi and Sayyid Era and include Muhammad Shah’s Tomb and Sikander Lodi’s tomb. Muhammad Shah (1434 – 44) was the third ruler of Sayyid dynasty.
In the middle of the gardens is the Bara Gumbad and Sheesh Gumbad. The Bara Gambad (Big Dome) consists of a large rubble-construct dome, a three domed masjid (mosque) and a residence surrounding a central courtyard, where the remains of a water tank can be seen. Opposite the Bara Gambad is the Sheesh Gambad, which contains the remains of some unknown family. Today Lodhi Garden is a favourite haunt of joggers, fitness enthusiasts and morning walkers. The garden is equally popular among young couples and old age people.
The tomb of Muhammad Shah is made in distinct octangular form with a verandah and three arched openings. It is located in the south-west part of the garden. There are a total of eight graves inside it, the largest being of Muhammad Shah. It is noted particularly for the perfect symmetry, the crowning lotus and dome decorations. During the British times the garden went under the moniker of Lady Willingdon Park, all that stopped with the Independence when they reverted back to being good old Lodi garden. In 1968, the gardens were spruced and relandscaped by JA Stein and Garrett Eckbo. There are several tombs in this area. You can climb to the top of some of them.
However the steps are very steep and dark so it’s strictly not recommended.Another interesting construction here is the ‘Athpula’ Bridge. It was built by Nawab Bahadur in the 16th century, during Akbar’s reign. This is bridge is called Athpula (eight bridge), as it rests on eight piers, forming seven arches. Besides these tombs, one can also visit the National Bonsai Park developed here, which has a delightful collection of miniature versions of several trees and plants. They look beautiful at sunset under soft light.
Originally known as the Lady Willingdon Park, it was renamed Lodi Garden after Indian Independence in 1947. Lodhi Garden is a fine picnic spot. You can travel to Lodhi Garden for a leisurely stroll or just to bask in the winter sun. The garden offers peaceful and tranquil environs away from the hustle bustle of the city life.
The Major Attractions Inside Lodhi Garden
Muhammad Shah’s Tomb
Bara Gumbad
Sheesh Gumbad
Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb
Athpula
National Bonsai Park
A visit to Lodhi Garden can give you the feel of 15th century. The garden contains the following: Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah (the last Sayyid dynasty ruler). Sikander Lodhi’s Tomb, built in 1517 by son Ibrahim Lodhi. Sheesh Gumbad, Bara Gumbad, Architectural works of Sayyid and Lodhis, Pathan dynasty ruins which ruled much of the Northern India during sixteenth century.
Events and Festivals
There are many mejor events are held in Lodi Garden Delhi.And also many festivals and nature releated events are celebrated in Lodi Garden Delhi.
Tourist Places Near Lodi Garden
There are many tourist spot are very closed from Lodi Garden Delhi such as India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Ugrasen-ki-Baoli, Moth-ki-Masjid, Lotus Temple, Nizamuddin’s Shrine and Chirag Dehlvi’s Dargah.
Best Places to Eat
There are many restaurants and hotels for eat like Eatopia at India Habitat Centre, India International Centre for members only, Barista and other restaurants at Khan Market. There are many good eating joints are there in Ansal Plaza shopping mall on Khel Gaon Marg as well as in South Extension Part I & II modern markets. Since the gardens are near to Connaught Place, one can also many options to choose from the popular restaurants of CP.The number of snacks food stalls are standing near the road side at Lodi Garden Delhi.
Shopping Markets
Lodi Garden Delhi is the very near from Connaught place of delhi, which is the very famous area of delhi for shopping.Nearby Shopping Venues consist of places like Connaught Place for junk jewelry, pirated books and western clothes, Baba Kharak Singh Marg for the various state emporiums selling handcrafted regional goods, Central Cottage Industries for traditional merchandise and curios and Palika Bazaar for cheap Chinese electronic items.And also some beautiful markets like Ansal Plaza, one of the best malls of Delhi on Khel Gaon Marg, South Extension Part I & II modern markets, Khan Market, Janpath and Connaught Place.
General Fact about Lodi Garden
Also Known As:Lodhi Bagh
Location:On the main Lodi Road, about a kilometer east of Safdarjang’s tomb
Major Attraction : Beautifully landscaped lawns, Birds, Muhammad Shah’s Tomb, Bara Gumbad, Sheesh Gumbad, Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb and Athpula
Must Visit : Muhammad Shah’s Tomb, Bara Gumbad, Sheesh Gumbad, Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb and Athpula
Time to Visit: Open on all days
Preferred Timings:Sunrise – to late evening. Avoid public holidays when the park is full of picnickers
Day Closed:Open on all days
Admission Fee: Free and open to all
Photography Charges:nil
Nearest Railway Station:New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station:Central Secretariat
Nearest International Airport:Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing:From 1 hour to a whole day
Famous As : Lodhi Garden
Best Time to Visit:February and March
Previously Known As:Lady Willington Park