Having been the capital of various dynasties in ancient India, the city of Delhi is one of the top tourist attractions in India. Situated in northern India on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi is the second-largest metropolitan city in India. Till date it stands as one of the finest and most traveled tourist destinations in India attracting hundreds and thousands of tourists from different countries of the world, all round the year.

Bordering the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh on East and Haryana on West, North and South, Delhi lies mostly in the Gangetic plains. Today one of the leading developing metropolitan cities in the world, the city of Delhi has borne the rich cultural and historical past in the various specimens of architecture. While you are in Delhi you will have plenty of options to visit some of the greatest tourist attractions in India.

India Gate:
Constructed in 1911 by Luytens, the 42 meter tall, free standing arch called India Gate was originally called All India War Memorial, built in reminiscence of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the martyrs are etched on the walls of the arch. In 1971, an eternal flame called the Amar Jawan Jyoti was lit here to honor the soldiers.

Purana Qila:
Situated on a little hill that earlier stood along the banks of the river Yamuna, the ruins of the fort are believed to mark the site of Indraprastha, the magnificent capital of the Pandavas. Actually the construction was carried out sometime between 1538 and 1545 AD by Sher Shah Suri. The structure has a mosque which has a two storeyed octagonal tower.

Jantar Mantar:
Located in Connaught Place, the Jantar Mantar Observatory was constructed by the Rajput King of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh in 1724. It is believed to have been made with masonry instruments for observing the movements of the stars and planets.

Humayun�s Tomb:
Modeled in the lines of Taj Mahal, the Humayun�s Tomb is a magnificent red and while structure. The tomb was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1565-66. The grandeur of this majestic monument reaches the climax as you enter through the tall two-storeyed doorway. It stands in the middle of a sprawling square garden bordered by high walls on three sides, with the river making for the forth boundary. The Chahar Bagh is split into smaller squares by paths as in a distinctive Mughal garden.

Chandni Chowk:
The Mughals� commercial instincts are evident from the construction of the Chandni Chowk which is presently India�s one of the well-known wholesale marketplaces for electronic goods, textiles, and many other items. It was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan�s beloved daughter.

Safdarjang�s Tomb:
Though far less grand in scale than the Humayun�s Tomb, it is the last fenced garden tomb in Delhi. Constructed in 1753-54 as the mausoleum of Safdarjang who was the viceroy of the Awadh under the Mughal Emperor, Mohammed Shah, it has several smaller pavilions.

Akshardham Temple:
Occupying an area of 100 acres on the banks of river Yamuna, the Akshardham Temple symbolizes the Hindu mythology and the Indian culture. This contemporary world wonder flaunts 20,000 statues, 234 embellished pillars, and several arches. Today the temple complex is home to an IMAX theatre, musical fountains and exhibition halls. Bounded by a lovely garden, the temple is built of marble and red sandstone.

Red Fort:
Constructed between 1638 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the masterpiece of Red Fort is the site from where the prime minister of India addresses the country on the Independence Day. The complex has structures like Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, the Moti Masjid, and the Shahi Burj.

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