Unveiling Delhi's Timeless Treasures: Exploring Ancient Tourist Attractions
Every year on 27th September, World tourism day is celebrated all over the world to give tribute to the tourism industry, encourage people to travel, and honor those working in this sector who provide the utmost care and comfort to all the travelers and make their journeys easier.
Now and again, we all tend to seek some kind of an adventurous escape from our plain and ordinary lives. Traveling is one way to do so, it enriches your soul and mind, allows you to be totally off-balance, to meet all kinds of people, to witness and live the glimpses of past, and to learn lessons found only at the end of busy days and long flights. This is the kind of a mix-up the human spirit needs to avoid falling into a routine.
Now when we are on the topic of Traveling how can we not talk about the heartbeat of India, Delhi, one of the most culturally rich city attracting all the wanderers. Whether you like quite places surrounded by sublime nature where you can sit quietly, sipping your coffee and reading your favourite book or the hustle and bustle of the city crowd, Delhi’s got it all. The majestic monuments, enlighting museums and libraries, lively lanes of Bazaars filled with the aroma of mouth watering street food, interesting people and it’s significantly rich history makes Delhi the perfect place for you to explore.
THREE UNDERRATED AND UNEXPLORED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF DELHI
1) Purana Qila - Built by the Mughal emperor Humanyun as a part of his new city of Dinpanah(refuge of the faithful) in the 16th century Purana Qila is one of the most prominent and oldest structure of its time. It is believed by many historians that the capital city of Pandavas i.e. the Indraprastha was situated exactly at the same site as the fort. this fort has three enormous gateways like the Bara Darwaza towards west (west gate is also the main gate), Humayun’s Gate facing south towards Humanyun’s tomb and the Talaqi gate which is often referred as the forbidden gate. Other notable and well preserved structures of Purana Qila Delhi are the Sher Mandal and the Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541. Near this fort is also a garden, a lake surrounded by rows of trees and flowering plants, in which paddle-boating facilities are available. All of these things add to the serenity of this place.
2) Tughlaqabad Fort: A symbol of erstwhile Tughlaq Dynasty, the Tughlaqabad fort is an architectural marvel. It showcases the strength and power of this long forgotten Dynasty. This fort was a great wall of defense with its formidable structure. The construction of the fort speaks volumes about the grim history of this dynasty. In evenings, the fort sparkles like a jewel, bathed in the brightness of focused lights. The primary motive was to build a safe place from the Mongol invaders and attacks. There are many folklores behind the abandonment of the Fort and the two majorly believed stories belong to Sufi saints. As per the first one renowned Sufi saint Nizamuddin Aulia cursed Ghyasuddin’s Fort by saying “ye rahey ujjar, ya Bassey gujjar” which means either the fort should stay barren or gets visited by nomads who don’t stay at a place for long. Another story claims that a Sufi saint predicted: “hanuz Dili dur aste” for the then ruler of the Fort which meant that Delhi is very far and later the news of the murder of the ruler on his way back to Delhi from Bengal came. Today the Fort is preserved and maintained by ASI . The Fort does not seem to have any visitors as the tag of haunted keeps the tourists and locals away from this place. Many believe the curse of the Sufi saint still works and that’s why no one wants to visit the Fort but people who visit this Fort have nothing but words of praise and curiosity for this indomitable fort standing tall with pride. The architecture of the fort is such that it will leave you awe struck. It iss divided into two sections, one section comprises the citadel and the other has the palatial residences. The entire construction is done on granite and covers 6 kilometer of land. The Fort also features an artificial man made lake that is visited and admired by tourists for its beauty. Actually at present the lake has been transformed into the mehrauli-badarpur road. The tomb of Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq is on the entryway and has been built upon the red sandstone . Alongside this one can also explore the lush green lawns. Built up in the centre of the fort complex, the construction of the tomb is such that the voice gets amplified here. Being a less crowded destination, it is a suitable place for peaceful picnics and a day outing. Also if you’re a big fan of mesmerizing sunsets, this fort will be in your favourites.
2) Mirza Ghalib ki haveli: Are you a literature bluff? Or have even heard about the famous Mirza Beg Asadullah Khan known as Mirza Ghalib? Then you will love this place, the residence of the 19th century Urdu poet, Mirza Ghalib himself which is now a heritage site located in the Gali Qasim Jan, Ballimaran, Old Delhi. It is a quite, well maintained place and is home to several relics from the life and times of the poet. Boasting of incredible Mughal architecture, the highlight of the Haveli is a sculpture of Mirza Ghalib that was installed in 2010. Many of Ghalib’s writing instruments and his original work in his very own handwriting have been preserved in the haveli. It is even believed that the great he wrote his most prolific work Adhuri Khwahishon ki Dua at this very haveli.
Ghalib wonderfully encapsulated the spirit of Delhi in his words,
Ik roz apni rooh se poocha, ke dilli kya hai
To yun jawab me keh gayi,
Ye duniya maano jism hai aur dilli uski jaan.
(I asked my soul: What is Delhi?
She replied: The world is the body and Delhi its life!)
Spend some time in Delhi, and you’ll never be the same. It becomes a reference point to other big cities of the world. Few other places engage, enrage, and stimulate the senses simultaneously as Delhi can, and if you’re up for it, you’ll be a more educated, experienced, and tested traveler as a result.