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Bahai
Temple
The temple represents the Bahai faith
which is broad in its outlook,
scientific in the influence it exerts on
the hearts and minds of men. It
signifies the purity and the
universality of the lord and equality of
all religions. Visited by over four
million people, annually, this gleaming
lotus- like marble structure is located
on Bahapur Hills (South Delhi) and it is
the seventh and most recent Bahai houses
of worship in the world. The temple is a
must visit for every tourist who comes
to Delhi.
This structure, completed in 1986, is a
marvel of modern architecture. Set
amidst pools and gardens, the view of
the temple is very spectacular just
before dusk when the temple is flood
lit.
Anyone is free to visit the temple and
pray or meditate silently according to
their own religion. The temple is around
45 minutes from Domestic Airport.
Jama Masjid
Built by Shah Jahan in 1658, it is one
of the largest mosques in India with a
seating capacity of more than 20,000.
The mosque is situated near the Red Fort
in old Delhi. This is the area that
still retains the traditional charm of
markets in Mughal times.
The bulbous domes and tapering minarets
built with marble stand strong and
beautiful even to this day. This mosque
has three gateways, four angle towers
and two 40 m. high minarets. You can
even go to the top of minarets and have
a bird's eye view of Delhi.
Birla Mandir
Also known as the Lakshmi Narayan
Temple, it is ideally located in central
Delhi (Mandir Marg). This temple
dedicated to the goddess of wealth,
Lakshmi and Lord Narayana (Lord Vishnu)
was built in 1938 by the prominent
Indian industrialist Raja Baldev Das
Birla and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi.
The temple, built in Orissan style, has
a large number of idols representing
various gods of Indian pantheon. The
well-grafted gardens need a special
mention.
Nizam-ud-din Shrine
This is the tomb of the famous sufi
saint, Nizam-ud-din Auliya. Built on the
way from Humayun's tomb, the premise of
the shrine is a tank, which is
surrounded by many other tombs. It is
said that there was an argument between
the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint
over building this tank. The saint had
said that the city of Tughlakabad will
never prosper and so did it happen. The
tomb has been through several
renovations ever since it was built. The
present mausoleum dates back to 1562.
The complex of the shrine includes
several other tombs, including that of
the noted poet Mirza Ghalib (1786-1869),
Amir Khusru and the grave of Jahanara,
the daughter of Shah Jahan.
If you happen to be there at around
sunset on Thursdays, don't miss out the
extravagant performance of qawwali
singers that takes place after the
evening prayers.
ISKCON Temple
Built on a hilly place in 1998, the
ISKCON Temple is a complex of temples.
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this elegant
temple is one of the largest temple
complexes in India. It has a large
number of Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna cult
followers.
Chattarpur Mandir
Chattarpur Mandir is located beyond the
Qutb Minar in Mehrauli. The temple
dedicated to Goddess Durga, is built in
South Indian style.
The temple complex is spread over a
large area with beautiful lawns and
gardens. Though devotees visit these
temples throughout the year, the main
attraction comes during the Navarathri
festival, when devotees come from far
and near. During this time, there are
special bus services provided to the
devotees.
Bala Hanuman Temple
This elegant temple stands on the
south-eastern side of Ranmal Lake. The
24-hour chanting of the mantra 'Sri Ram,
Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram', which has been
going on in the temple since August 1,
1964, has earned a place in the Guinness
Book of Records.
St. James Church
Located very close to Kashmere Gate in
north Delhi, St. James Church is the
oldest church in the capital. It was
built by James Skinner and consecrated
in 1836.
It is designed in a cruciform plan with
the entrance towards the west and the
altar towards the east (the standard
norm in most churches the world over).
The dome interestingly is very similar
to the dome of Florence Cathedral in
Italy that was the first renaissance
structure built in the world.
Porches on the north, south and the west
provide the building with three
entrances. The central portion of the
church is an octagon with circular
columns supporting the dome.
Aurobindo Ashram
Again in the south of Delhi near the
Indian Institute of Technology on the
road to Meharauli it has literature on
the life of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
and has an ashram where devotees can
come to meditate. There is also some
accommodation available for devotees of
Sri Aurobindo. |
