Monuments to see in Delhi?

madhav175

Hi everyone,

I will be in Delhi for 11 days. I am planing to visit as many monuments as possible. Will be going to Agra, tht will take a day, so will be left with 10 days. I have the list of ancient monuments in the Delhi circle as listed by the Archeological Survey of India. There are 174 monuments in the list. I guess I can visit 10 monuments or a little more in the available 10 day period. Please tell me which ones to visit, giving names of each monument could be a problem, so just mention the numbers as given in the list.here is the list. http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_delhi.asp

PeakXV

Well you could be really trendsetting, unique, obscure, & probably the first ever to checkout the following set:

110, 113,114,115,116,117,118,146,14 7,173

otherwise & much better recommended - the more famous circuit of:

18,19,23,24,37,50,75,93,120,12 7 will do fine.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

R Murli Dhar

I am from Delhi, and I find that many historical monuments are not really listed which are of historical value as well: These include the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), the Parliament House, the India Gate (with inscriptions of those soldiers who died in the Afghan war), Connaught Place (famous shopping center), the Red Fort is of course mentioned, the Jama Masjid (right opposite the Red Fort) is not mentioned, the Humanyan's Tomb is mentioned, the Lodhi Gardens in Lodhi Road is NOT mentioned, a garden where people take a walk in the mornings, and the Presidential Gardens in the President's House. The locations given at the site are confusing even to me, and I have lived there for 49 years, and cycled all over the place! The Government buildings just opposite the President's House, called Raisina Hill contains many inscriptions about the Vice Roys, the Builders, et al... so many of them. The whole city is in a circular fashion, and with the Metro now in place, it's worth taking that from place to place to see at a glance so many things. It takes you from one end to another, and you can see the phenomenal growth of the city, where hidden monuments, are amazing find. Let me know if you need more info. Good wishes and best of luck.

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snonymous

I havent been to Delhi since 2004 but I can never forget how much I enjoyed the Humayuns Tomb and the Sound & Light show at the Red Fort, the Qutb Minar too.

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R Murli Dhar

ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU ! It's known as Son-e-Lumiere I think. I think the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation could be a good source. Another is Panickers Travels. But the OP has to decide. They combine Delhi trips with Agra Trips.. It's for the OP to decide. Good wishes.

madhav175

thanks everyone, i ll probably check out some places from the trendsetting list mentioned by peak XV, and even Humayun tomb sounds very interesting,

R Murli Dhar

It just occured to me: At Humayan's tomb, don't forget the visit to the so called library.. It was here it is said that Humayan slipped down the stairs, and eventually went off this world

Lugubert

The friendly and competent travel desk lady in my Delhi hotel said that three days should be enough for the most important sights of Delhi. I'm now at three weeks, and my list for next time is growing.

What are your main interests? Indian ancient history (try locating Ashoka's Rock Edict; the real one, not the copy in front of the National Museum, and/or his two pillars), the Raj (don't forget Rajghat) or contemporary folk culture and crafts (Dilli Haat) or religious varieties, like visiting Hindu mandirs, Sikh gurdwaras, the Baha'i Lotus Temple or Muslim masjids? The Toilet museum?

For a cross-section, I'd suggest Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), the Parliament House, the India Gate (with inscriptions of those soldiers who died in the Afghan war), all covered in not too many minutes IMHO, then the Red Fort, the Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid) (right opposite the Red Fort), Humayun's Tomb, the Qutb Minar area (take your time). You just have to experience the crowded shop area Chandni Chowk, and while you're at it thereabouts for as mentioned the Red Fort and the Friday Mosque, please allot some time for the Sikh Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib complex.

I find the recent large Hindu Ahshardam complex more commercial than religious, and you won't miss a thing if avoiding it.

madhav175

thanks Murali, will surely visit the library, Lugubert, my main interest is to visit ancient Indian monuments, you've mentioned some, will visit those, thanks to you as well

vkochar

The main ones I think are definetely worth a visit - Some may not be even listed in that list by ASI. these are places I would recommend any foreigner visiting Delhi.

India Gate
Qutab Minar
Lodhi Gardens
Humayun Tomb
Lotus Temple
Akshardham Temple - Excellent Modern temple - Breathtakingly beautiful !!
Red Fort
Chandni Chowk & jama Masjid ( Old Delhi Charm by Rickshaw )
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib ( near CP ) Sikh Worship Place

Connaught Place,Janpath & Palika Bazaar ( Shopping ) - All 3 located in same area so possible in a day.

Select City Walk Mall & MGF mall - Saket - For the glitzy shopping in Delhi ( try going on Wednesdays as there is a flea market there as well ! )

These would be the main places I'd suggest - All Do able in 4 - 5 days or so if planned well.

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nayan

Where exactly is this library?

AFAIK Humayun died after a fall from the stair while rushing for the evening prayers from his library. That place is in Purana quila.

Thats no where near humayuns tomb.

jyotirmoy

Some say library, some say observatory from where Humayun rushed to attend prayer and fell down.
As Nayan points out this place is in the Old Fort at the south-east corner.
Humayun's tomb is the first project that was undertaken by a lady in Mughal history, she was Humayun's wife.
Later on Jahan ara built the Chandni chowk.

delhiwala

Yes ! It's the same place, known as Sher Mandal.

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R Murli Dhar

I stand corrected ! That's right. It is in the Purana Quila.Humayan's wife built the Humayan's tomb with well laid out gardens et al. See Wikipedia. Just type Humayan in google search and look for the first link ! Apologies for my error. Over enthusiastic I guess. Good wishes.