New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is situated within the metropolis of Delhi and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. New Delhi is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. Being a planned city, New Delhi has numerous arterial roads, some of which have an iconic status associated with them such as Rajpath,Janpath and Akbar Road. The Delhi Metro, constructed and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), connects the city with the rest of the metropolis of Delhi. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the primary aviation hub of Delhi.
Landmarks in New Delhi
It is a home to numerous national institutions and landmarks. Some of them are:-
- Red Fort- The breathtaking Red Fort is one of New Delhi’s most remarkable landmarks and especially famous for its magnificent red sandstone architecture. Built in the mid-17th century over a period of ten years, the walls of the Red Fort stretch for some 2 km / 1.5 miles and are up to 33 metres / 108 feet high.
- India Gate – The beloved India Gate is a particularly imposing structure and is more than 40 metres / 131 feet in height, being built as a war memorial, to remember those Indians who lost their lives during the first world war.
- Gurudwara Rakab Ganj – The Gurudwara Rakab Ganj is a magnificent Sikh temple, located within New Delhi city centre and opposite the Parliament House. Famed for its elaborate white-marble facade and beautiful gardens, this temple dates back to the early part of the 18th century.
- Tughlaqabad Fort – The remains of Tughlaqabad Fort are extremely old, being constructed at the beginning of the 14th century and sited within southern New Delhi.
- Bahai Temple / Lotus Temple – Amongst New Delhi’s most striking landmarks, the Bahai Temple is often known as the Lotus Temple, due to its famous marble roof, which resembles white lotus petals. Built in the mid-1980s and dedicated to the Bahai faith, the Lotus Temple features a series of nine surrounding pools, making the temple itself appear to float. Inside, the hall of worship features excellent acoustics and contains the Holy Scriptures.
- ISKCON Temple – Sited on the southern side of New Delhi, the ISKCON Temple enjoys an elevated situation and therefore offers good views of the surrounding area. The temple itself is dedicated to the Hare Krishna faith and the cavernous interior has a capacity of around 1,500 people.
- Jama Masjid – One of India’s most famous and largest mosques, the Jama Masjid was built in the middle of the 17th century. Construction lasted just six years, although in total, more than 5,000 workers were involved in the creation of this Mughal masterpiece. The red-stone facade is especially eye-catching, as are the three white marble domes and the tall minarets, which are around 40 metres / 130 feet in height and offer a great view of central New Delhi.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House) – The home of India’s president, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is amongst New Delhi’s most notable landmarks and dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Particularly eye-catching is the building’s large dome, which stands directly above the entrance, being flanked either side by two smaller domes. The front courtyard features a series of clipped bushes and neatly trimmed hedges, while to the rear, the spreading gardens cover in excess of 100 acres / 40 hectares.
- Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) – New Delhi Parliament House lies in the city centre and is a particularly grand building, with huge pillars and a detailed sandstone facade. Known locally as the ‘Sansad Bhavan’, this complex is divided into the House of Lords (Rajya Sabha), the House of States (Lok Sabha), and also an extensive library area.