Delhi
India Gate
Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed
in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.
Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory
of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen's
New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located
in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms.
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Qutub Minar The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. |
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Purana Quila
The fort is said to be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha (900BC) by Humayun and Sher Shah. Covering a circuit of about a mile, the walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a mat fed by the river Yamuna. |
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Red Fort
So called because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India's history is also closely linked with this fort. It was frorth here ht the British deposed the last Mughal ruler, Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the three century long Mughal rule. It was also fromits ramparts that the first prime. Minister of India, pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule. |
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Jantar Mantar
At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art. It is, however, an observatory. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743), a keen astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court, was dissatisfied by the errors of brass and metal astronomical instruments. |
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Humayun's Tomb
The mughals brought with them a love for gardens, fountains and water. The first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, Humayun's Tomb was built by the emperor's grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD. |
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Jama Masjid Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India. Every Friday, the emperor and his retinue would travel in state from the fort to the mosque to attend the congressional prayers. |
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Safdarjung's Tomb
Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang's Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden. |
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Rajghat The mortal remains of mahatma Gandhi were cremated on this spot on the west bank of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948. |
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Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Built in 1938, the temple is an ideal introduction to some of the gods of the India pantheon. The temple contains a large number of idols and visitors can also watch priests performing ritualistic prayers. |
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Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai's main areas of interest are located on the more southerly parts of the peninsula, where the European settlers established their enclave and where the various local communities took root. The centre of Imperial Bombay is the area known as Fort, after the fortifications that protected the British settlement. Starting in the 1860s, the governors of Bombay embarked on an ambitious programme of development, a process that continued under official and private patronage well into the 20th century. As a result, Mumbai boasts a stunning array of High Victorian buildings in a fascinating range of architectural styles, which reflect the then prevailing British passion for the gothic as well as the influence of Indian and Saracenic styles. The result is a breathtaking affirmation of the wealth, panache and confidence of Imperial Bombay. There are numerous examples for the visitor to look at, but Mumbai University, Standard Chartered Bank Building and Municipal Corporation Building give a flavour of what can be expected. At the same time as the sahibs were building their modern imperial monuments in the Fort, the local communities were expanding rapidly to the north. This part of the city is every bit as characteristic of the modern city as the Fort is - some would say more so. Its narrow, twisting streets and raucous bazaars (all noise, activity and thronging with people) are a complete contrast to the spacious, tree-lined boulevards of the more southerly areas. Superimposed on these two distinctly different parts of Mumbai is the modern city: the 1930s developments along Marine Drive and on Cumbala Hill, the modern office blocks to the west of the Maidans and the tower blocks that line the southern end of Back Bay. Further north, up the peninsula, are the suburbs of Mumbai and it is here that the worst of the shanty towns and slums are located. These are, sadly, as much part of modern Mumbai as the more glamorous areas to the south. The poverty, squalor and degradation are truly shocking. Mumbai was a city built on toleration (prosperity was considered more important than religious homogeneity) and this is reflected in the number and range of places of worship that can be found in the city. The Anglican cathedral, Catholic church and Scottish kirk in Mumbai rub shoulders with countless Hindu temples, many mosques and other Parsee and Buddhist temples. Together, they form a rich and varied heritage. Most attractions are fairly central and can be reached on foot, otherwise visitors tend to take taxis, as they are relatively cheap and infinitely more convenient than public transport. |
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Bangalore
Bangalore is a booming city and considered fifth largest and the fastest growing city in Asia. Home to well over 6 million people,and a base for over 10,000 industries, Bangalore combines a quaint old world charm with the hustle and bustle of a modern metropolitan city. It is a delightful place with an amalgamation of various rich cultures, crafts, and heritage centers. This city while enjoying the reputation of being a modern, high-tech city, still offers a lot of places of historical interest for the avid sightseer to explore. A trip around the city can be very interesting and provides a varied sightseeing experience with Palaces, museums, temples, churches and gardens. It has an enviable posterity and presents much to be discovered. Despite being one of Asia's fastest growing cities, Bangalore remains one of the most elegant metros in India.A well-planned city,with tree-lined avenues,a large number of parks, gardens and lakes,Bangalore is aptly called India's garden city. Bangalore is even gaining the status of the "Floriculture Capital of India" due to the present blossoming of flower exports from the city. The beautiful parks like the Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are indeed a treat to the eyes. Take a tour of the wonderful places you can go sight seeing in Bangalore by clicking at the links to your right. |
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Chennai (Madras)
The star tourist attraction of the city is George Town, home to the most interesting landmarks all dating from the days of the British, including Fort St George and St Mary's Church. Popham's Broadway (named after late 18th-century British lawyer Stephen Popham) contains the Weslyan and Armenian churches. The 19th-century Indo-Saracenic High Court still operates today and tours are usually available to see the ornate stained glass windows. Away from the British relics are things far more Indian: the ancient Shiva temple Kapaleeshvara, in Mylapore, is an excellent example of Dravidian temple architecture, with inscriptions dating back to AD1250. Nearby is Parthasarathy Temple, devoted to Lord Krishna. For earthy good fun, T Nagar's crowded pavements are chock-full of stalls with cheap clothing, knick-knacks and jewellery, and is a top spot to buy fabrics (this is the original home of Madras cotton), which you can swiftly have made up by a tailor at delightfully cheap prices. A rejuvenating walk along Marina Beach reveals some of Chennai's finest buildings and the busy sunset promenaders, while Elliot's Beach is a little more peaceful and has a church and temple |
