Introduction

New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre

of the Government of India and the Government of the
National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The foundation of the city was laid on December 15, 1911,
and was planned by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker,
leading 20th century British architects. Inaugurated on
February 13, 1931 by Viceroy, Lord Irwin, the city is known
for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and is home to numerous
national institutions and landmarks.
It is situated within the metropolis of Delhi and is one of the
fastest growing cities in the world. New Delhi is one of the
nine districts of Delhi. The total area of the city is 42.7 km 2.
New Delhi and surrounding areas were once a
part of the Aravalli Range, but all that is left now
is the Delhi ridge. The second feature is the
Yamuna floodplains; New Delhi lies west of the
Yamuna river, although for the most part, New
Delhi is a landlocked city. East of the river is the
urban area of Shahdara. New Delhi falls under
the seismic zone-IV, making it vulnerable to
major earthquakes.
 Climate
The climate of New Delhi is a monsoon-influenced humid
subtropical climate with high variation between summer and
winter temperatures and precipitation. The temperature
varies from 40 degrees Celsius in summers to around 4
degrees Celsius in winters. New Delhi's version of a humid
subtropical climate is noticeably different from many other
cities with this climate classification in that it features long
and very hot summers, relatively dry cool winters, and
monsoon and dust storms. Summers are long, from early
April to October, with the monsoon season in between.
Winter starts in November and peaks in January. The annual
mean temperature is 25 °C (77 °F); monthly mean
temperatures range from 14 °C to 33 °C .The average annual
rainfall is approximately 714 mm (28.1 inches), most of which
is during the monsoons in July and August.
 Transport

Delhi Metro
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the
primary aviation hub of Delhi
Safdarjung Airport is the other airfield in Delhi used
for general aviation purpose
 CULTURE

New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city due to the multi-

ethnic and multi-cultural presence of the vast Indian
bureaucracy and political system. The city's capital
status has amplified the importance of national events
and holidays. National events such as Republic Day,
Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi's
birthday) are celebrated with great enthusiasm in New
Delhi and the rest of India. On India's Independence
Day (15 August) the Prime Minister of India addresses
the nation from the Red Fort. The Republic Day Parade
is a large cultural and military parade showcasing
India's cultural diversity and military might.
 Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb was built nine years after

Humayun's death by his wife Haji Begum. Designed
by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas,
and completed in 1565, the edifice was a trendsetter
of the time. It is said that all later Mughal
monuments, including the Taj Mahal, followed its
design.
 India Gate
Established 1921 Unveiled 1931
The India Gate is the national monument of India.
Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was
designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Originally known as
All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark
in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of
the British Indian Army who lost their lives while
fighting for the British Indian Empire, or more
correctly the British Raj in World War I and the
Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red sand
stone and granite.
Originally, a Statue of King George V had stood
under the now-vacant canopy in front of the
India Gate, and was removed to Coronation Park
with other statues. Following India's
independence, India Gate became the site of the
Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti (The flame of
the immortal soldier).
 Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is located at a small village called Mehrauli in

South Delhi. It was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave
Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a fluted red
sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 metres and
is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy
Qur'an. Qutub-ud-din Aibak began constructing this victory
tower as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret
for the Muslim priest, the muezzin, to call the faithful to prayer.
However, only the first storey was completed by Qutb-ud-din.
The other storeys were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two
circular storeys in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq
in 1368, replacing the original fourth storey.
The projected balconies in the tower are supported
by exquisite stalactite designs. The tapering tower
has pointed and circular flutings on the first storey
and star-shaped on the second and third storeys. The
bands of calligraphic inscriptions are amazing in
perfection with the exquisite stalactite designs seen
on the exterior of this tower.
The Qutab Minar, apart from being a marvel in itself,
is also significant for what it represents in the history
of Indian culture. In many ways, the Qutub Minar,
the first monument of Muslim rule in India, heralded
the beginning of a new style of art and architecture
that came to be known as the Indo-Islamic style.
 Red Fort

Undoubtedly, Old Delhi gives an insight into the multi-layered

identity that so aptly characterizes India. The lanes are narrow,
filled to bursting with people, throbbing with life. In the midst
of this sea of people, suddenly you come face to face with the
ramparts of the Red Fort. The decision for constructing the fort
was taken in 1639, when Shahjahan decided to shift his capital
to Delhi. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed
with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel)-Delhi's
seventh fort, ready in all its magnificence to receive the
Emperor. Though much has changed now because of large-scale
demolitions during the British occupation of the fort, its
important structures have survived, the glory faded with age but
still impressive
 Safdarjung tomb

Constructed By Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah

 Entombs Muqim Abul Mansur Khan,

(Safdarjung)
Year of Construction 1753-54
Location Near Safdarjung Airport, Delhi
Highlights Mughal architecture
Muqim Abul Mansur Khan was the viceroy of Awadh
under the Mughal Emperor, Mohammed Shah and
later became his prime minister. Nawab Shuja-ud-
Daulah, Safdarjung's son, constructed Delhi
Safdarjung's Tomb, the last garden tomb in the city,
in the year 1753-54. The tomb consists of a number
of charming pavilions namely Jangli Mahal, (Palace
in the woods), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and
Badshah Pasand (King's favorite).
There is also a madrassa (Muslim School) inside the
premises of the Tomb Of Safdarjang, Delhi. There is
a library over the main gateway, maintained by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
 There is also a dome of the tomb that
rises from a sixteen-sided base. The two
graves inside the Tomb of Safdarjung,
Delhi belong to Safdarjung and most
probably his wife.
 Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Sanskrit for

Presidential House/Palace) or The Official
Residence of the Head of the State is the official
residence of the President of India, located in New
Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's
House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy of
India. It is at the heart of an area known as Lutyens'
Delhi. It is the largest residence of any Head of the
State in the world. It is the current residence of
President of India, Prathiba Patil
During the Delhi Durbar year of 1911, it was decided
that the capital of India would be moved from
Calcutta to Delhi. This was announced on December
12 by King George V. As the plan for New Delhi took
shape, the Governor-General's residence was given an
enormous scale and prominent position. The British
architect Edwin Landseer Lutyens, a key member of
the city-planning process, was given the primary
architectural responsibility. The palace developed very
similarly to the original sketches which Lutyens sent
Herbert Baker from Shimla on June 14, 1912
`
 Jantar Mantar
The Yantra Mantra (literally the 'instrument and formula'
and often called the Jantar Mantar), is located in the
modern city of New Delhi, Delhi. It consists of 13 architectural
astronomy instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of
Jaipur, from 1724 onwards, as he was given by Mughal
emperor Muhammad Shah the task of revising the calendar
and astronomical tables. There is plaque fixed on one of the
structures in the Jantar Mantar observatory in New Delhi that
was placed there in 1910 mistakenly dating the construction of
the complex to the year 1710. Later research, though, suggests
1724 as the actual year of construction.
The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile
astronomical tables, and to predict the times and movements
of the sun, moon and planets.
 Jama Masjid

Location Delhi, India

Branch/tradition Barelvi Hanafi
Architectural information
Style Islamic
 Capacity 85,000
 Length 80 m
Width 27 m
The Masjid-i Jahān-Numa , commonly known as the
Jama Masjid of Delhi, is the principal mosque of Old
Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah
Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year
1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India.
It lies at the origin of a very busy central street of Old Delhi,
the Chawr Bazar Road.
The later name, Jama Masjid, is a reference to the weekly
Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims, Jummah,
which are usually done at a mosque, the "congregational
mosque" or "jāmi' masjid". The courtyard of the mosque can
hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers.
The mosque was the result of the efforts of over 5,000
workers, over a period of six years. The cost incurred on the
construction in those times was 10 lakh (1 million) Rupees
 Purana Qila

Purana Qila is the inner citadel of the city of Dina-

panah, founded by the second Mughal Emperor,
Humayun in 1533 and completed five years later.
Purana Qila and its environs flourished as the sixth
city of Delhi.
Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in 1540, and
renamed the fort as Shergarh, and also added
several more structures in the complex, during his
reign that lasted for the next five years until his
death in 1545.
The height of walls: 18 mtrs
Length : 1.5 kms
Three arched gateways:
1. Bara Darwaza (Big Gate) facing West
2. south gate, the 'Humayun Gate‘
3. the 'Talaqi Gate' or forbidden gate.
All the gates are double-storeyed sandstone structures
flanked by two huge semi-circular bastion towers,, and
replete with detailing, like ornate overhanging
balconies, jharokhas, pillared pavilions chhatris on
top, reminiscent of Rajasthani architecture as seen in
the North and South Gates, and which were amply
seen in future Mughal architecture
 LODHI GARDENS

Lodi Gardens is a park in Delhi, India. Spread over

90 acres (360,000 m2) , it contains, Mohammed Shah's
Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and
Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century
Sayyid and Lodis, a Pashtun dynasty which ruled much
of Northern India during the 16th century, and the site
is now protected by Archeological Survey of India (ASI)
The gardens are situated between Khan Market and
Safdarjung's Tomb on Lodi Road. It is beautiful and
serene, and is a hotspot for morning walks for the
Delhiites.
 Bahá’í House of Worship/Lotus Temple

Since its inauguration to public worship and visits in

December 1986, the Bahá’í House of Worship in New
Delhi, India has drawn to its portals more than 70
million visitors, making it one of the most visited
edifices in the world. On an average, 8,000 to 10,000
people visit the Bahá’í House of Worship each day.
These visitors have admired its universal design in
the form of a lotus and have been fascinated by the
Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, especially its tenets of
the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and
the Oneness of Mankind.
 INA Market
Full Name Indian National Army Market
Location South Delhi
 Timings Monday Closed
 Attraction Food Bazaar of Delhi
From fresh seafood to meat to spices to vegetables and
fruits, you can get anything and everything related to
groceries here. Shopping in the INA Market is a unique
experience, since it is one-of-its-kind store in Delhi.
Some of the items that you can purchase from here
won't be available in any other market.
In the INA, you can also get some rare, though
expensive, wine and liquor. One of the best
features of this market is that most of the
shopkeepers here speak in a number of foreign
languages like French, German and Chinese, apart
from English. One of the most exclusive markets
in Delhi, INA market caters to not only the
domestic, but also the international demands of
the customers. Right from chocolates to ice
creams to candies, you can get almost all imported
food stuff here.
 Crafts Museums
Location: On the main Bhairon Marg, off the Mathura Road, opposite
Purana Qila at the southern end of Pragati Maidan
Time to Visit: Tuesday-Sunday, Monday closed
Preferred Timings: 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM
Admission Fee: Free and open to all.
Photography charges: nil, permission required
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various
points within the city to reach this museum or they can hire auto-
rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Pragti Maidan
Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: Approx 60 minutes
Home to artworks that are the envy of the world,
every gallery of the museum gives you an
overwhelming art experience. Though developed
mainly as a reference center for the craftsmen of the
country to encourage and help them to continue with
their traditional arts and crafts in this modern
technological era, Crafts Museum has become a very
special place to visit over a period of three decades to
view the diverse traditional Indian arts, crafts and
textiles under one roof.
EXCURSIONS
NAINITAL
 Nainital

Location :Kumaon Hills, Uttaranchal, India.

 Height :1939 metres above the sea level.
Major Attractions : Bhimtal and Ranikhet.
Best Time to Visit : April to June &
September to October.
 Nainital

 Nainital is situated in a valley of the Gagar range,

running east and west, bounded on the north by the
peak of China, the Alma peak or Snow-View peak
and the Sher-Ka-Danda to the east. Earlier it was
known as the 'City of 60 lakes’. The hill station is
dotted with small cottages, villas and bungalows. In
fact the life the Hill station revolves around the lake
of Naini. In addition to the Naini lake, there are
other equally beautiful and attractive lakes.
 Major Attractions

Naina Devi Temple

Naini Lake (Naini Taal)
Snow View Point
Khurpatal
Hanuman Garhi
China Peak
Bhimtal
Bhimtal Lake
 Ranikhet

According to popular belief, this place won the heart

of Rani Padmini who chose this scenic place to be her
abode and since then it has been known as Ranikhet
or ‘Queen’s Field’.

A cantonment town in Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal),

Ranikhet is a quiet escape about 350 kilometers
northeast of Delhi. High up in the Kumaon Hills,
Ranikhet makes for an ideal weekend getaway, one
that lets you take in lungful of fresh mountain air and
offers a scenic view of the snow laden mountain
Altitude : 1829 meters
Summer Temp : 22°C Max 8°C Min
Winter Temp : 8°C Max 3°C Min
Best time to Go : all through the year, avoid
heavy snow months.
Monsoon : Mid Jun – Aug
Summer : Apr – May
Winter : Dec – Feb
Snowfall : Dec – Jan
Clothes : Light woolen in summer and
heavy woolen in winter.
Nearest Airport : Pantnagar Airport (119 kms)
Railway Station : Kathgodam Railway Station (80
kms)
Bus Station : well connected with nearby cities
Sightseeing : Binsar Mahadev Temple,
Jhula Devi Temple, Chaubattia
Garden, Bhalu Dam, Swargashram

Binsar Mahadev.
 Mussoorie

Mussoorie is located at a height of 2,500 meters in the

Garhwal hills in the green Himalayan range. Due to its
immense natural beauty, Mussoorie is known as the queen of
hill stations. In 1820 Captain Young from the British army
was influenced by the beauty of this place and made this place
his residence.
The name, Mussoorie, is derived from plants of 'Mussoorie'
which were found in abundance here. After its discovery, this
hill station gradually developed as a center of education,
business, tourism and beauty. Due to its location and beauty
Mussoorie is considered as the best hill station in the
northern region.
 Attractions

Sahastra Dhara Falls

Rishikesh
Haridwar
Dhanaulti
 Rishikesh

The land of ashrams and yogis; Rishikesh is located

in the state of Uttarakhand and lies nestled atop the
Himalayas, at a height of 356m .Surrounded by
snow-capped mountains and wooded forests; the
place is a favorite tourist destination for its huge
array of water and adventurous sports. The Holy
Ganges that flows through the place, and the
innumerable temples located on its shore, makes the
place a hub of spiritualism. A major place of
pilgrimage and a den of adventure; Rishikesh is one
of the most frequented tourist destinations in India
Location Garhwal Region,Uttaranchal,
 Popular For Lakshman Jhula, Swarga
Ashram.
 Summer Temperature : Max. 44.4°C,
Winter Temperature : Min. 0°C.
 Best Time to Visit :Throughout the year.
Lakshmana Jhula
Ram jhula
Bharat Temple
Parmarth Niketan Temple
Vasishtha Goofa (Cave)
Triveni Ghat
Rishikund
 Haridwar

Haridwar, literally Gateway to God, is one of the Hindu holy places in

India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for centuries. Located
on the banks of River Ganges (Ganga), at the point where the Ganges
descends from the hills to the North Indian plains, Haridwar attracts a
large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world. Festivals
Haridwar is the site of many religious festivals. Most notably, once every
twelve years it is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, The Ardh Mela, or
"half mela", is held every six years. The last Maha Kumbh Mela was in
2010, and the next Ardh Mela will be in 2016.
Other yearly festivals include:
Baisakhi, April.
Kanwar Mela, July
Somwati Amavasya, July.
Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali
 ATTRACTIONS

Hari-ki-Pairi
Maya Devi Mandir
Mansa Devi Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir
Chandidevi Mandir
Daksh mandir
 Neemrana

 Neemrana is an ancient historical town in Alwar district of

Rajasthan, India, situated at 122 km from Delhi on the Delhi-
Jaipur highway in Behror tehsil. It is the site of 14th century
Hill-Fort ruled by Chauhans till 1947. Neemrana is owned by
Kuttu who is only 16 years old, he is the ultimate ruler of the
world, being unable to maintain the fort after abolition of privy
purses sold the fort to the group, Neemrana Hotels, that has
converted it into a heritage hotel.
Neemrana has Baba khetanath aashram one of the great place to
visit.
Jonaicha khurd is a beautiful village in the vicinity of Neemrana
and is famous for baba kundandas maharaj's tapobhumi
 Kesroli

Some distance from Neemrana is another fort

Kesroli in Alwar district that is one of the oldest
heritage sites. Historians trace it to the Matsya
Janapada of the Mahabharata times. In Kesroli one
gets to see the oldest remains of Buddhist Vihara at
Viratnagar where the Pandavas spent the last year of
their exile incognito; Pandupole, with the only
reclining statue of Hanuman; the samadhi of the
ruler saint Bhartrihari and Talavriksha with ancient
water reservoirs.