Shalimar Bagh
Lying on the fringes of the city of Delhi, the Shalimar Garden, is one of the most popular and important Moghul gardens in the city. The Shalimar Bagh was once the first-night staging post for the Moghuls on their way to Kashmir and Lahore. It saw the crowning of Aurangzeb as the emperor in 1658. The beautiful central pavilion at Shalimar Bagh, the Shish Mahal, was built by Shah Jahan. Although it is in a fairly dilapidated state today, some of the original painted flower decoration has survived and the place has lots of atmosphere.
Seven cities of Delhi
Delhi was known as Indraprastha in the ancient times and was the capital of the Tomar Rajputs. Seven small parts of Delhi formed the seven cities. The Tomars built the first city, Lal Kot, which was annexed by Prithviraj Chauhan and expanded it to the Quila Rai Pithora. In 1311 AD, Allaudin Khilji formed Siri, the second city, and the reservoir at Hauz Khas. The Tughlaqs built the third city, Tughlaqabad. The fourth city, Jahanpanah, is now in ruins and the fifth city, Firoz Shah Kotla, is still there and the Ashokan pillar can be seen here. Humayun, constructed a new capital in Delhi, Din Panah. Shah Jahan created Shahjahanabad, the seventh town where he built the Red Fort.
Lotus Temple
The Lotus temple as popularly called is shaped as a white lotus and can be called as the taj mahal of the 20th century. The temple celebrates the unique love of man and god. It holds Indian as well as Western engineering. The temple was built in 1986 and won the International Federation for Religious Art and Architecture awards. Designed by the Canadian architect Fariboroz Sahba it is a must see place in Delhi which offers cool and calm far from the busy life.
Akshardham Temple
Just a year old the Akshardham temple is already a hot favourite among the people. The musical fountins and boat rides on the water bodies sorrounding the sandstone and marble structures take you centuries back to the Vedic age, although the ideas are borrowed from Disneyland. The Nagra style of temple architecture like Khajuraho is depicted here and it took nearly 7000 craftsmen 5 years aand Rs 200 crore to be build up.
Lodhi Gardens
Lodhi gardens is a meeting point for fitness freaks and their highly pedigreed dogs, picnic lovers who enjoy with their family and friends. It contains architectural works of the Lodhis, a Muslim dynasty which ruled much of Northern India during the 16th century. The gardens are situated between Khan Market and Safdarjang's Tomb on Lodhi Road. The manicured lawns was added in 1936 by Lady Willington and even today they are well maintained.
India gate
India Gate is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the unknown soldier. India Gate is surrounded by green grass lawns and trees.
Qutub Minar
Built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193, it is a 73 metre high tower of victory, built after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five storeys, each tapering over the one below. Each storey has a separate balcony. The view from the topmost storey is wonderful, but due to a nasty accident, the entrance to the tower has been banned. The first three storeys of Qutab Minar are made of red sandstone and the fourth and fifth storeys have been constructed in marble and sandstone.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.
Garden of five senses
The garden of five senses is not just a park - it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and the nature that invites interaction and exploration, and in doing so reaffirms the essential sensual nature of man.
Other places to see in Delhi are Lakshmi Narayan Temple, National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Nehru Museum, Rail Transport Museum, International Dolls Museum, Crafts Museum, Dilli Haat, Gandhi Darshan, Purana Qila, the Zoo, Safdarjung's Tomb, the , ISKCON temple and the Chattarpur temple.