Site seeing New Delhi (Part-5)

"We are now passing the Pragrati Maidan where countries from all over the world exhibit their products, the guide told them as they passed a gate of Pragrati Maidan.

"The International Trade Fare is held every year from November 14th to around 28th November and countries from all over the world set up their pavilions."

"Many people visit this place for seeing latest developments around the world as well as purchase things."

"There are business hours during the first few days when Business persons make deals for manufacturing and further negotiation of their wares."

"But this place require a full day visit and so do the Science Museum and the Purana Quila, the Guide said.

"Science Museum is a museum that encourages you to touch things and inculcates a sense of enquiry especially in children. I especially like the system of mirrors where you can exhibit your head on a tray. It gives an impression that your cut head is placed on a tray."

"The Purana Quila is an old fort, almost in ruins and was built by Sher Sha Suri, an ancient king. There is a zoo attached to it. But all these places require a full day visit to each place so it is better to visit them on your return journey and that too if you have time to spare.

"Lodhi Garden, Sanjay Gandhi Park, Nehru Park as well as Talkotara park are other such place where you can take long walks but visits here cannot be covered in one day, so we will ensure ample days to visit these places on our return journey."

"Now we are proceeding to South Delhi via South Avenue, Shanti Path (which houses most of the embassies), passing the Nehru planaterium within the Jawaharlal Nehru complex (Trimurti Bhavan) now being turned into a museum for all artifacts etc of all previous prime ministers. We we will also pass the statues being led by the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. This place is called Trimurti." Please see as we pass by. On the way back from Rajasthan please ensure to stay in New Delhi for 3-4 days to see all these places that cannot be covered in the few days at your disposal." the Guide advised.

"We will head for the Lotus Temple or the Bhai Temple as well as the oldest Kailash temple nearby. "

"After that we can visit Haus Khas or the Lajpat Nagar market, or the up market of South Extension/Defence Colony. Such markets are there in Rohini as well as Rajouri Garden and Patel Nagar but if we want to buy good and affordable stuff then Sarojini Nagar Market is the best.

"No I don't want to buy anything," Tania retorted.

"Ok, Don't buy, But we need to complete the site seeing today so that tomorrow you have time to visit Nadi Astrologers in Delhi," Dada ji retorted. He had understood that Tania was getting fed up of the entire sight seeing visit. There was too much to be seen and they were skipping many important areas to be taken up on the return journey.

"Every one we are near Haus Khas," the guide said.

Hauz Khas is a beautiful area of South Delhi and is a major tourist attractions of Delhi. Rural and Urban atmosphere exists side by side. There are a number of diplomatic missions here like the Albania, Iraq, Guines, Burundi, Macedonia Missions and more.

An ancient water reservoir by the same name exists here. The name 'Hauz' means water tank in Urdu and Khas is referred to royal and thus it is considered to be the royal tank in the village. Hauz Khas's water tank was built by Allauddin Khilji in order to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri Fort and later in the 1960s, it was developed by DLF.

Hauz Khas is also one of the most popular places for spending quality time. The village pubs, village clubs, restaurants, cafes etc are some of the points of interest for many visitors as they can meet the locals and have an unscheduled conversation. There is also the Haus Khas fort nearby. We are just passing through the area, not visiting any place as such.

After a short while the Tourist guide started speaking again.

Our next destination is the Qutub Minar, considered to be a highly important historical attraction. It is a part of the Qutub Complex which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is also one of the famous places to visit in north Delhi. The structure is situated in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. It is made of red sandstone and marble making its height up to 73 meters and gives a tower like structure to it which is consisted of five stories and its diameter is 14.3 meters at the base and it becomes 2.7 meters at the top. There is a spiral staircase of 379 steps.

Qutub Minar's founder was the legendary Qutub al-Din Aibak who was behind the existence of the Delhi Sultanate. The construction of the structure was started in 1192 and it was completed by Aibak's successor Iltumish in 1220. But after some decades, its top storey was destroyed by lightning and later Firoz Shah Tughlaq renovated the damaged storey and constructed one more.

Around the tower, there are several historical monuments like the Qutub Complex with Quwwat ul Isla Mosqueue and the Iron Pillar of Delhi. Most of the stones have Hindu figures which indicates temples being destroyed and stones used in various buildings here.

"Ok, now we are approaching the Lotus Temple, the guide exclaimed! my favourite place."

"Please go inside and enjoy the greenery of the lawns as well as the coolness of the building."

"It is a famous tourist places in Delhi and a major landmark of India that has been attracting tourists from all over the world because of its architecture and beauty. It resembles the lotus flower but created in white colour and was completed in 1986. It is open to all people, regardless of region and caste. The structure is built of 27 free-standing marble clad petals in clusters of three to form nine sides. The central hall with 9 enterance dooors can accommodate around 2500 people at a time. The temple has a great connection with the Bahai Faith that promotes harmony among people through a common place for worship. Those who belong to any religion or any worship method can come to the Lotus Temple as it is a Bahai House of Worship."

"The Lotus Temple is located near Nehru Palace and Kalkaji Mandir metro station. The architect of the temple was Fariborz Sahba who was an Iranian. The construction was started in 1976." The Kalka ji Mandir is near by and you can visit that too."