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Delhi Darshan (Delhi Sights Seeing)
PLACES COVERED: RAJ GHAT, RED FORT, JAMA MASJID, CONNAUGHT PLACE, JANTRA MANTRA, LAXNIMARAYAN TEMPLE, INDIA GATE, PRESIDENT HOUSE, QUTAB MINAR, LOTUS TEMPLE, HUMANYUN’S TOMB AND AKSHARDAHM TEMPLE
Places of Interest
Raj Ghat: The simple square platform of black marble marks the place where the father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was cremated.
Red Fort: Built by Shahjahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra. The construction lasted from 1639 to 1648. (Monday Closed)
Jama Masjid : Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and stands across the road from the Red Fort, built in 1656 by Shahjahan. About 20,000 people can pray here at a time.
Connaught Place: (officially Rajeev Chowk) is one of the largest financial, commercial and business centers in Delhi. It is often abbreviated as CP and houses the headquarters of several Indian firms. Its surroundings occupy a place of pride amongst the heritage structures of the city. It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyens' Delhi featuring a Central Business District. Named after the Duke of Connaught, the construction work was started in 1929 and completed in 1933.
JANTRA MANTRA:The Yantra Matra is the 'instrument and formula' and often called the Jantar Mantar. It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, from 1724 onwards, and is one of five built by him, as he was given by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah the task of revising the calendar and astronomical tables.
Lakshmi Naryan Temple : Popularly Known as Birla Mandir, it is a large Hindu temple built in Orissan style, in 1938, by the renowned Birla family. People of all faith can worship at this temple.
India Gate : Further eat from the Secretarial Building lies the All India War Memorial Arch, now known as the India Gate. The 42 metre high free standing, arch was designed by Lutyens and built in 1931. India Gate was raised in the memory of 90,000 Indians soldiers killed during the World War-1. On the arch itself are inscribed the names of the 13,516 British an Indian officers, who died in the North-West Frontier and the third Afghan war . Nowadays, it has also become a memorial to the unknown soldier and is popular evening spot.
President House : Situated on an elevated area, the President house earlier the Viceroy`s House is today the official residence of the President of India. Built in imperial style , the mansion comprises 340 rooms and 12 separate courtyards. It contains a circular Durbar Hall with a throne, a state dining room 30.5 m. long , a huge bathrooms, three state drawing rooms and numerous state suites and great bedrooms, besides private quarters for the President and his family.
Qutub Minar : Qutub Minar is an excellent example of Afghan architecture, . The minar is a 72.5 mts. High victory tower , the construction of which began in the final year of twelth century by Qutubu`d Din-Aibak and was later completed by his successors.
Lotous Temple( Bahai`s House of Worship) Situated atop the Kalkaji Hill. It is also known as The Lotous Temple due to its distinctive lotous shaped design in marble . it was built in 1987 by the followers of Bahai faith. The temple signifies the purity and
equality of all religions . (Monday Closed)
Humayun`s Tomb: Built by Humayun`s widow, Queen Haji Begum in the 16th centurary, it is supposed to be prototype of the Taj Mahal at Agra.
Akshardham Temple: is a Hindu temple complex in Delhi. The complex displays centuries of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The building was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham.
The temple attracts approximately 70 percent of all tourists who visit Delhi. The Temple was officially opened on 6 November 2005. It sits on the banks of the Yamuna adjacent to the proposed 2010 Commonwealth Games village. The monument at the center of the complex of built off of the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra. The complex features a large central monument crafted entirely of stone, exhibitions on incidents from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the history of India, an IMAX feature, a musical fountain, and large landscaped gardens.
ATTRACTION AT TEMPLE
MUSICAL FOUNTAIN
The musical fountain show representing the circle of life is played to an audience which is seated on the same steps. The fountain is named after the founder of the Hindu organization, Shastriji Maharaj. The fountain measures 300 feet (91 m) by 300 feet (91 m) with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. In its center lies an 8-petaled lotus shaped yagna kund designed according to the Jayaakhya Samhita of the Panchratra shastra.
THE BOAT RIDE
Named Sanskruti Vihar, this ride takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in approximately 12 minutes. Visitors sit in specially designed peacock shaped boats that make their way around an artificial river, passing through a model of Takshashila, the world's first university, chemistry laboratories, ancient hospitals, and bazaars, finally ending with a message expressing hope for the future of India.
THE GARDEN OF INDIA
The Garden is also known as the Bharat Upavan, this garden has lush manicured lawns, trees, and shrubs. The garden is lined with bronze sculptures of contributors to India's culture and history. These sculptures include children, women, national figures, freedom fighters, and warriors of India. Of these figures, the more notable figures include the national figures such as Mahatma Gandhi. . | 
