As the first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent, Humayun’s Tomb set a precedent for subsequent Mughal architectural innovations. While it is renown as the burial place of Emperor Humayun, the second Mughal ruler in India, more than 150 members of the Mughal family have also been laid to rest here.
Humayun’s Tomb, Opposite Dargah Nizamuddin, Mathura Road, New Delhi, India
Humayun’s Tomb | © Vladislav Bezrukov / Flickr
In 1639, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Persian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, who also designed the Taj Mahal, to construct the Red Fort. The beauty of the Fort represents the summit of Mughal era architecture, while its walls echo the rich history of royal opulence and recurrent tragedies.
Red Fort, Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India, +91 11 2327 7705
Red Fort | © Saad Akhtar / Flickr
Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India with a capacity to hold 25,000 people. It is also the last edifice built by Shah Jahan before his ultimate downfall. When the Mughal ruler first set out to build the Jama Masjid, he had a monumental ambition. He called it the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, which translates into ‘mosque commanding view of the world’.
Jama Masjid, Meena Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India
Jama Masjid | © Rajarshi Mitra / Flickr
Over 800 years old, Qutub Minar is a colossal legacy bestowed to the city of Delhi by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, who was the founding father of the Delhi Sultanate era. The 240ft tower has five storeys that tapers towards the top. As one of the structures that originally signalled the coming of Muslim dynasties in Delhi, it occupies a seminal place in Indian history.
Qutub Minar, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2469 8431
Qutub Minar | © Steven dosRemedios / Flickr
For astronomy enthusiasts, the Jantar Mantar is an absolute must-visit. The first of the five Jantar Mantars to be built by the 18th century Rajput ruler Maharajah Sawaii Jai Singh II of Jaipur, the Delhi structure is an architectural marvel initially erected to study the movements of heavenly bodies.
Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2336 5358
Jantar Mantar | © Carlton Browne / Flickr
Inherited from the 13th century Delhi Sultanate reign, the Hauz Khas Fort Complex is one of the most tranquil areas in the city. The ruins of the Fort stand amid wide lawns and overlook a serene lake, making it an ideal place to relax. As evening begins to fall, the adjacent Hauz Khas Village, lined with Delhi’s hippest bars and restaurants, starts coming to life.
Hauz Khas Complex, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
Hauz Khas Complex | © sporadic / Flickr
Following his assassination in 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated at Raj Ghat, located on the banks of the Yamuna river. Next to a simple black marble platform built over the cremation spot is an eternal flame that burns night and day. The simplicity and peacefulness of the park inspires a certain serenity in visitors.
Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Ring Road, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2567 5609
Raj Ghat | © Humayunn Niaz Ahmed Peerzaada / Flickr
A walk along the lush 90-acre garden isn’t just rejuvenating but also serves as a quick education in the history of Delhi. That’s because Lodi Garden houses monuments such as the Bara Gumbad, Shish Gumbad and the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, built during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Lodi Garden, Lodi Road, Beside India International Centre, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2464 0079
Bada Gumbad at Lodi Garden | © PROThangaraj Kumaravel / Flickr
The Garden of Five Senses is a sprawling 20 acres of verdant estate. Other than the regular cultural events, food festivals and musical concerts that are held here, the many varieties of flowers, which are in full bloom throughout the year, are the main attractions. There are some great restaurants here to try out as well.
Garden of Five Senses, Said-ul-Ajaib, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2953 6401
Lotus pond at Garden of Five Senses | © Creativeminix / WikiCommons
One of the most recognisable structures in India, the Lotus Temple is built out of Grecian marbles shaped like unfolding lotus petals. But it’s not only the design that makes this venue so special. The Temple stands for the ethos that all religions and all humans are equal. This belief makes the Lotus Temple the perfect place for meditative introspection.
Lotus Temple, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi, India , +91 11 2647 0526
Lotus Temple | © Arian Zwegers / Flickr
The temple complex is so vast and the construction so intricate that a good half day is required to properly tour the entire place. Akshardham Temple retells over 10,000 years of Indian history and culture. The main feature of the temple is the 11ft-high statue of 18th-century yogi Swaminarayan.
Akshardham Temple, NH 24, Akshardham Setu, New Delhi, India, +91 11 4344 2344
Akshardham Temple | © Russ Bowling / Flickr
Agrasen Ki Baoli is a unique construction close to the busy commercial hub of Connaught Place. The mystery regarding the builder of this ancient water reservoir has never been unveiled and stories about the Agrasen Ki Baoli being haunted have existed for as long as it has itself.
Agrasen Ki Baoli, Hailey Road, Near Diwanchand Imaging Centre, K G Marg, New Delhi, India, +91 70424 22436
Agrasen Ki Baoli | © Himanshu Nagar / Flickr
Dilli Haat is a one-stop shop for stocking up on traditional handicrafts from all 29 Indian states of India. From embroidered Kashmiri shawls to South India’s Thanjavur paintings and tribal jewellery from Odisha, traditional craftsmanship reigns supreme here. Dilli Haat is also home to food stalls that serve delicious regional cuisine.
Dilli Haat, Kidwai Nagar West, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Dilli Haat | © Raj Gopal Singh Verma राज / Flickr
A trip to Delhi is never complete without a tour of India’s oldest market, Chandni Chowk. When it was initially built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, a long canal ran through the middle of the bazaar in order to reflect the moonlight. The market offers delicious street food, fabrics of all kinds, beautiful silver jewellery, exotic spices, traditional perfumes and much more.
Sari seller in Chandni Chowk | © Peter Rivera
The National Gallery of Modern Art is a treasure trove containing some of the finest contemporary Indian artworks. The permanent collection houses works by eminent artists including Raja Ravi Verma, Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gil, Nandalal Bose and Jamini Roy.
National Gallery of Modern Art, Jaipur House, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2338 6111
An exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art | © Tracy Hunter / Flickr
