Delhi NCR - List Of Amazing Places To Visit!

Delhi, the national capital of India, is a city filled with history, culture and liveliness. Delhi along with its neighboring cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, etc form the National Capital Region (NCR) which is filled with many amazing places of interest. During my numerous travels here, I have visited many of these amazing places:

Sis Ganj Gurudwara
Located at Chandni Chowk of Old Delhi, this Gurudwara holds great historic significance, especially in the minds of Sikhs. This is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, the ninth Guru of Sikhs, was martyred on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when he refused to compromise with his religious freedom while advocating for the religious freedom of others as well. This Gurudwara is visited by hundreds of devotees everyday who provide selfless service while remembering Guru Tegh Bahadur ji's sacrifice.

Paranthe Wali Gali
A small walk from Chandni Chowk would bring you to a narrow street ("gali") which is famous for its "paranthas". Paranthe Wali Gali is filled with shops serving numerous hungry customers with tasty Chole Bhature, Kulfis and of course, their famous paranthe. Mind you - there are not your common place paranthe - they are deep fried and come in so many category that I have lost count - aloo, pyaaz, gobi, mix, mooli, gazar, lemon, khoya, matar, etc. The shop which I visited was supposedly operating since 1889!

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is one of the most prominent gurudwara in Delhi and is associated with Guru Har Krishan ji. Originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, this was the place where Guru Har Krishan ji resided during his stay in Delhi during 1664. During that time, there was a cholera and smallpox epidemic and Guru Har Krishan ji aided the sick and needy using the fresh water from the well in the house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on 30 March 1664. A small tank was later constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well - its water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.The holy "Sarovar" is within the Gurudwara complex.

Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral belonging to the Latin Rite and one of the oldest church buildings in New Delhi, India. This beautiful red and white church's design is based on Italian architecture. Inside, behind the marble altar in the apse is a large fresco depicting the Last Supper. Father Luke, a member of the Franciscan first order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, took the initiative to build the church. The Archbishop of Agra in 1929 Rev. Dr. E. Vanni laid the foundation stone in 1929. Christian religious services are held throughout the year.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar Delhi Observatory was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1723-24. It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. At that time, the primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets - Now this site serve as a monument in astronomy history. The four main distinct instruments here are Ram Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra and the Misra Yantra.

Nehru Planetarium
If you are interest in astronomy (like I do!), this place is a must visit. It consists of Sky Theatre, a dome shaped theatre where visitors enjoy amazing visual shows about galaxies, stars and universe everyday. The hall outside has interactive displays and presentations related to astronomy.

Qutub Minar Complex
Qutub Minar can be called the icon of Delhi. This magnificent minaret is 72.5 metres high, has five storeys, is built using red sandstone and marble. Inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, it is an important example of early Afghan architecture, which later evolved into Indo-Islamic Architecture. Its construction was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Sultan of Slave dynasty who could only finish the first storey. The next three floors were built by his successor Iltutmish. The minar was struck by lightning in 1368 AD, which knocked off its top storey - After that, it was replaced by the existing two floors by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a later Sultan of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. The inside has intricate carvings of the verses from the Quran.

Qutub Minar is located within a complex which house many other monuments as well. Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was the first mosque built in Delhi and the oldest surviving example of Ghurids architecture in Indian subcontinent. Measuring 7.21-metre high and weighing more than six tonnes, the Iron Pillar is famous for being rust-resistent even after centuries. Believed to be originally erected by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (375–414 AD) in Udayagiri around 402 AD, the pillar bears an inscription in Sanskrit in Brahmi script dating 4th century AD, which indicates that it was set up as a Vishnudhvaja (standard of god) on the hill known as Vishnupada in memory of a mighty king named Chandra (believed to Chandragupta II). The complex also houses the tomb of Iltutmish and the tomb and madrasa of Alauddin Khilji. Alai Minar is an uncompleted minar whose construction was started by Alauddin Khalji (who wanted it to be twice as big as Qutub Minar). After Khalji died, its construction was abandoned by his successors.

National Zoological Park
If you have interest in wildlife (like I do!), National Zoological Park is the place for you. Spread over a large area, this park houses many different species like Elephants, Rhinocerous, Lions, Hippopotamas, Wolves, Leopards, White Tiger, Crocodile, Antelopes, etc. It also houses many species of birds and reptiles in special areas. Well maintained paths, benches, washrooms and ice cream stalls are present in the part for public convenience.

Purana Qila
Purana Qila is one of the oldest forts in Delhi, India. The site has much archaeological significance as it is believed to have been continuously inhabited for 2,500 years. Remains dating from the pre-Mauryan period have been found at the site. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted many excavations and surveys here - its findings and artefacts are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum, Purana Qila. This includes Painted Grey Ware, dating 1000 BC, and various objects and pottery signifying continuous habitation from Mauryan to Shunga, Kushana, Gupta, Rajput, Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods. Some believe that this is the site of Indraprastha, the capital of the kingdoms of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. Purana Qila also houses Qila-i-Kuna Mosque and Sher Mandal.

Humayun's Tomb
Built near Yamuna river, the magnificent Humayun's Tomb was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It was built on the orders of Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum. She was so grieved over her husband's death that she dedicated her life to a sole purpose of construction of a memorial to him than would be the most magnificent mausoleum in the Empire - She even paid the entire cost of 1.5 million rupees herself. Built using red sandstone and marble, Humayun's Tomb is placed in centre of a 30-acre Char Bagh (Four Gardens), a Persian-style garden with quadrilateral layout. The entire layout was built as if to give the impression of Jannat, the Islamic concept of paradise. Some believe that it was a precursor or inspiration for Taj Mahal in Agra.

City Forest Ghaziabad
It is not that in NCR, only Delhi has interesting places to visit. Spread over a large area, City Forest in Ghaziabad is a good place for walks and family picnic. Lush green trees all around are interspaced with well-maintained paths. You can tour the whole area by taking a stroll, or you can opt for bicycle riding or gypsy ride as well. Fun activities like Horse riding and children's adventure park is present - There is even an artificial lake where you can go for boating. You can also check out geese and rabbits. Food stalls and area maps at key points are provided for public convenience.

Noida Sector 18 Malls
If you love to shop, Noida Sector 18 is the place for you. Near the Sector 18 metro station lies some of the biggest malls and complexes of India like Great India Place and DLF Mall of India. The enormity of these malls as well as the sheer number and variety of shops, brand outlets, eateries, etc there really amazed me. If you like some fun and excitement too, then World Of Wonders amusement park is also right around the corner.


Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Away from the hustle-and-bustle of Noida, at Okhla Barrage of Yamuna river lies Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Avid bird watchers can enjoy observing many different species of water birds here while nature enthusiasts (like me) can enjoy the mesmerising view of Okhla Barrage from here.

Lotus Temple
Notable for its lotus like shape, the Lotus Temple is a Baháʼí House of Worship. This temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification. The building is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides, with nine doors opening onto a central hall with a height of slightly over 34.27 metre and a capacity of 2,500 people. Inside the hall, people can pray together in their own personal ways.

India Gate And National War Memorial
Like Qutub Minar, India Gate can also be called the icon of Delhi. Visited by hundreds of people everyday, India Gate is a war memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in between 1914–1921 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the third Anglo-Afghan War. 13,300 servicemen's names, including some soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom, are inscribed on the gate. The gate evokes the architectural style of the triumphal arch such as the Arch of Constantine, in Rome. Since 1971, India Gate houses at its centre Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the Immortal Soldier), which serves as India's tomb of the unknown soldier.

At the other side of India Gate lies the recently constructed National War Memorial.  This monument is built by the Government of India to honour the Indian Armed Forces.The names of armed forces personnel killed during the armed conflicts of 1947–48, 1961 (Goa), 1962 (China), 1965, 1971, 1987 (Siachen), 1987-88 (Sri Lanka), 1999 (Kargil), and other operations such as Operation Rakshak, are inscribed on the memorial walls. The Memorial has four concentric circles and a central obelisk, at the bottom of which burns an 'eternal flame' representing the immortal soldier (amar jawan).

I highly recommend that you visit atleast some of these amazing places when you visit Delhi NCR. I will keep updating this list as I visit other places too!

 

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