Want to go sightseeing in New Delhi but don’t know where to visit? Here are some of my favorite sites in this awesome city, a list I compiled back when I lived in India!
Humayun’s Tomb
If you’re planning a short trip to India and don’t have time to visit the Taj Mahal, fear not! Humayun’s Tomb is conveniently located in New Delhi and was the original inspiration for the Taj Mahal. It’s magnificent domes are made of the same marble as the Taj but the sides are stunningly decorated with contrasting red sandstone and white marble panels. To top it off, Humayun’s Tomb is far less crowded than it’s sister tomb!
The tomb was commission for the Mughal emperor Humayun in 1558 by his first wife, Empress Bega Begum. The structure also holds several of his descendents’ tombs and is surrounded by lush Persian gardens.
Sikh Temple: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
Perhaps the most unique place I visited in Delhi was the city’s largest and most famous Sikh temple, called Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Neon orange bandanas are conveniently supplied as head coverings, although I opted to wear my own headscarf. Then we removed our shoes and washed our feet in a large, shallow fountain before entering the temple.
First we visited to the temple’s kitchen, where they serve hundreds or thousands of free meals a day, to the poor and rich alike. We were invited to sit down and make chapati with the kitchen volunteers. It was kind of like making tortillas, except they were made of wheat and we used a rolling pin. The woman next to me spoke no English, but she was eager to help teach me the proper technique!
When we finally entered the Sikh temple, I was absolutely stunned by its beauty! There were intricate patterns and gold leaf detailing everywhere, and even several crystal chandeliers! Everyone touched the doorstep as we entered and exited the temple, and some also touched their forehead, cheeks, and/or chest. There was a window into a room with the sacred scripture where people would put their hands together or prostrate on the floor. There were also three men playing instruments and chanting, somewhat akin to Qur’anic recitations in a Mosque.
Although no photography was allowed in the temple, I got this shot of some marigold flowers just outside the entrance, which also decorated the inside of the temple. In India, marigolds are commonly used in many religious practices, and guests are often welcomed with garlands of marigold flowers.
Delhi’s Red Fort
One of the top destinations for sightseeing in New Delhi is the Red Fort, a magnificent fort made of red sandstone. The fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 and, along with the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb, it is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India.
We toured the royal gardens, the open-air hall where the emperor held audience with his subjects, and even his very fancy bathroom! Many of the structures inside the fort were made of delicately carved marble and inlaid with precious stones.
Qutb Minar
The tallest brick minaret in the world, called Qutb Minar, can be seen at the Quwwatul mosque in New Delhi. The minaret was covered in the delicate engravings of Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns. The attention to detail was absolutely stunning!
The mosque was built by the Mughals using pieces of Hindu and Jain temples that had been destroyed nearby. Because the depiction of figures in holy spaces is considered to be idolatrous in Islam, all faces were scratched off the recycled stone bricks before being used in any Mughal structures.
India Gate
Another top place to visit when sightseeing in New Delhi is the India Gate, which memorializes 80,000 Indians who died fighting in wars around the world. I’d seen pictures of this iconic gate before, but it is even bigger and more impressive in person! Guards are stationed under the arch to keep watch over a memorial flame that has burned constantly since the gate’s completion in 1931.
Want to know more about my travels in India? Check out my related post on sightseeing in Jaipur or click here to read my next post about attending a traditional Indian wedding in Delhi. Or, you can browse all of my travel trips and adventures in India and Asia!
Happy Travels!
XOXO Ann