Delhi/South Delhi

Qutub complex

Shirin tejani

(WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage

(WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage

(WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage

• Qutub MinarThis complex houses structures dating from the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290) and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens are kept in excellent shape, making this a popular relaxation and picnic spot. Light-and-sound show held most nights after sunset. The most famous structure on the grounds is the Minar itself. At 73m tall, it is the second tallest minar in India (after Fateh Burj in Mohali), and was the tallest "skyscraper" in the world when built (1193-1368). It is often visible from air when flying into IGI airport. It was constructed on the orders of Qutb-ud-din Aybak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, and named after him. Delicately carved and inscribed with Arabic inscriptions, its red sandstone and marble have been astonishingly well-preserved, and it is still an awe-inspiring sight today. The top of the tower has twice been rebuilt after an earthquake, and the base has been restored more recently. While entry into the tower itself is no longer permitted, for ₹ 10 per 5 min you can view the scenery via a little webcam on top.

• Quwwat-ul-Islam MosqueDelhi's first and grandest mosque, now mostly in ruins, but many parts of the complex are still standing and the sandstone decorations are still impressive. Check out the extraordinarily ornate carvings near the tomb of Iltutmish on the west side of the complex.

• Iron PillarIn the centre of the mosque. True to its name, this is a 7 m iron pillar erected in 400 AD by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, also known as "he, by the breezes of whose prowess the southern ocean is even still perfumed" according to the inscription carved on the base. Alas, Chandragupta II's perfume has long since faded, but to the amazement of metallurgists everywhere, his pillar is still going strong, after 1,600 years. The corrosion resistance results from a layer of crystalline iron hydrogen phosphate forming on the high phosphorus content iron, which protects it from the effects of the local Delhi climate. The pillar is 7.21 m high, 1.12 m of which is below ground. The base rests on a grid of iron bars soldered with lead into the upper layer of the dressed stone pavement. It is estimated to weigh more than six tonnes.

• Ala-i-MinarSultan Ala-ud-din (ruled 1296-1316) of the Khilji dynasty set out to build a tower twice as high as the Qutub Minar, but died after a mere 24.5 m was complete. The first story stands to this day.

• Ala-i-DarwazaThis square, domed building once acted as the entrance to the mosque, but is now tucked away behind the minar. Inlaid marble decorations and latticed stone screens.

• Tomb of Imam Zaminthis octagonal tomb commemorates a Turkestani iman who was based in the mosque during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.

• Smith's FollySmith's Folly, which once stood on top of the Qutab Minar, has been removed and put on the south eastern corner of the Qutub Complex

• Sanderson's Sun DialA marble sun dial

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

• Balban's Tomb

  address: Ladha Sarai, Mehrauli
  It is the tomb of Balban, a ruler of Slave dynasty. It is believed that the first arch, which later became an important part of Indian architecture was built in this masoleum only. The same goes for the dome, which has been destroyed. Beside, his tomb lies the tomb of his son Khan Shahid.

• Metcalfe House (Dilkusha)

  address: Mehrauli Archaeological Park
  It was originally the tomb of Quli Khan who was the brother of Adham Khan and in turn foster brother of Akbar. Later Sir Thomas Metcalfe (who was a negotiator between Mughal Empire and British East India Company) bought the structure remodelled it, and became one of the two Metcalfe House also known as Dilkusha. It is in ruins as it was highly vandalized during Revolt of 1857.

Monuments

• Adham Khan's Tomb

  address: Mehrauli
  This is the tomb of Adham Khan who was the son of Akbar's wet nurse Maham Anga. After Adham Khan killed Atagha Khan, a general in Akbar's army, he killed Adham Khan by dropping him from the top of Agra Fort. After this his mother was depressed for which Akbar built this tomb.

• Ahinsa Sthal

  address: Mehrauli
  It is a 4.3 m statue of Jain prophet Mahavira who professed ahimsa (nonviolence)

• Bagh I Alam

  address: Bagh I Alam ka Gumbad, Chaudhary Harsukh Marg, Hauz Khas
  Bagh I Alam ka Gumbad is a tomb belonging to the Lodi era. It is a mixture of local stones, red sandstones and blue ceramic tiles. It is surrounded by lush green scenery of gardens with a variety of birds and deer flocking. The interior is full of sunlight filtered through the framework. It also houses three tombs, whose identities are unidentified.

• Balban's Tomb

  address: Ladha Sarai, Mehrauli
  It is the tomb of Balban, a ruler of Slave dynasty. It is believed that the first arch, which later became an important part of Indian architecture was built in this masoleum only. The same goes for the dome, which has been destroyed. Beside, his tomb lies the tomb of his son Khan Shahid.

• Biran ka Gumbad

  address: Green Park Extension
  Literally meaning "doomed building of brother", the masoleum has arched niches which are neatly arranged. It was built during Lodi rule.

• Chor Minar

  address: Aurobindo Marg
  It is a minaret built by Alauddin Khilji in 13th century. Here the decapitated heads of chors, or thieves, were displayed through its 225 holes.

• Hauz Shamsi

  address: Hauz Shamsi, Mehrauli
  It is a water reservoir built by Iltutmish in 1230 AD.It is believed Iltutmish had a dream in which Prophet Muhammad asked him to built a water reservoir in the place where a winged horse would leave a hoof. It is said that he found the hoof here. It is here he then built a reservoit dug. - Auliya Masjid located on southeast corner

• Jamali Kamali Tomb

  address: Mehrauli, Delhi.
  -Part f the Complex Mehrauli Archaeological Park

• Lal Gumbad

  address: Maharishi Dayanand Marg
  Lal Gumbad is the tomb of Shaikh Kabir–ud-Din-Auliya who was buried here in 1397. It is one of the earliest examples of architecture in Delhi, built during Mohammad bin Tughlaq rule. Little is known about the saint, except that he lived during Tughlaq rule. It is made up of Red Sandstone from which it gets its name.

Varun Shiv Kapur

• Rajon ki Baoli

  address: Anuvrat Marg
  It is a Step well built by Daulat Khan Lodi during the rule of Sikander Lodi in 1516. The complex also houses 12 tombs

• Sakri Gumti

  address: Green Park
  Tombs belonging to the Lodi age. Tombs dating back to 15th and 16th centuries.

• Siri Fort

  address: Siri
  Ruined fort of Alauddin Khalji

Museums

• Kiran Nadar Museum of Art

  phone: +91 11 4916 0000
  address: 145 DLF South Court Mall, Saket
  Established at the initiative of avid art collector Kiran Nadar, KNMA opened in January 2010, as the first private museum of Art, exhibiting Modern and Contemporary works from India and the subcontinent. The core corpus of KNMA highlights works by F.N. Souza, M.F. Hussain, S.H. Raza, V.S. Gaitonde, Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, A. Ramachandran, Rameshwar Broota and several others. Located in the popular tourist destination of Saket.

• Sanskriti Museums

  address: Sanskriti Kendra, Anandagram, Mehrauli–Gurgaon Road

Religious buildings

Hindu temples

• Chattarpur Mandir

  address: Dr Ambedkar Colony
  Huge & beautiful temple complex with a big surrounding campus - located near Mehrauli area of South Delhi.

• Jagannath Temple

  phone: +91 11 2696 6978
  address: Green Park
  A modern temple built by the Oriya community of Delhi dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath. The temple famous for its annual Rathyatra festival attended by thousands of devotees

• Shani Dham Temple

  address: Shree Shani Tirth Kshetra, Asola
  Contains the world's tallest natural rock statue of Shani. Idol of Lord Shani is a chief hindu deity. Shani is one of the nine Navagraha or primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology, embodied in the planet Saturn. Shani is the Lord of Saturday. The word Shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages.

• Yogmaya Temple

  address: Mehrauli
  This ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, the sister of Krishna. Built in early 19th century and is a descendant of a much older Devi shrine. Adjacent to the temple lies, a water body, known as 'Anangtal', after King Anangpal, and covered by trees from all sides

Other

• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Campus

  phone: +91 11 2670 4090
  address: JNU Ring Rd
  Not usually considered a "place of interest" for tourists, this one of a kind campus of the premier National University of India remains a hidden gem of the city. The campus is hilly and rocky and some areas look more like a jungle with peacocks. The hostels represent the geographical vastness of India as they are named after Indian Rivers. For instance Godavari and Ganga. Specific areas of the campus are named after a particular geographical region in India. For instance Uttarakhand and Dakshinapuram. Some of the non-scholarly attractions of India's best University includes 24x7, an open aired restaurant.

Parks and gardens

• Deer Parkis a fantastic park for a relaxing. There are some good restaurants near this park and has Tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq at one of its corners. Has a boating lake.

• Garden of Five Senses

  address: Mehrauli-Badarpur Road

Malls

• DLF Courtyard

  address: District Centre, Sector 6, Pushp Vihar

• Select CityWalk, MGF Metropolitan, & DLF Place Malls

  address: A-2,Press Enclave Marg, District Centre, Saket
  The mall is divided into three broad zones: Staple Traditional (family), Celebration (centre-stage) and High Voltage (youth). There are eight anchor tenants including Goodearth Verandah, Pantaloons, Crossword Bookstore, Mothercare, Arcelia, and Home Stop. The mall also has 125 stores representing over 500 major Indian and international brands of clothes and apparels. The mall has a 930 m2. multi-cuisine food court, Food Talk, on the second floor, along with several restaurants including The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Pizza Hut, Chicago Pizza and KFC. The mall also houses a PVR Cinemas multiplex, which comprises six screens. There is also a 9,300 m2 outdoor open plaza, Sanskriti, for art festivals, fairs, exhibitions, performances, and al fresco dining. The plaza is landscaped extensively in timber, water, stone and steel and has an open–air amphitheatre, along with trees and water features. - extraphone=+91 74 28 367518

Books

• Midland Bookshop

  address: South Extension and Aurbindo Place
  Very similar to bookshops in Khan Market, but at better prices.

Italian

• Olive Bar & Kitchen

  phone: +91 11 2957 4444
  address: One Style Mile, Haveli No. 6, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli
  Italian style food.

• T.L.R. Cafe & Kitchen

  phone: +91 11 4608 0544
  address: 2nd Floor, 31, Hauz Khas Village, Near Axis Bank ATM New Delhi, Delhi 110016
  Popular among tourists, expats and locals. Continental menu featuring a variety of pastas and panini sauce. Kitchen open 11:00-23:00 daily. Also Spanish, Moroccan and American styles, plus desserts and drinks.

Mid-range

• Fortune Park DJ Avenue

  phone: +91-11-39884422
  address: 417 M.G. Road, Ghitorni
  Beautiful façade and open spaces.

• jüSTa Panchsheel Park

  phone: +91 9590 777 000
  address: S-362 Panchsheel Park
  Full service hotel.

• Shantigriha Bed and Breakfast

  address: 12 A, Lane W-16, Sainik Farms
  Calm peaceful, near Asola wildlife sanctuary and Qutab Minar. Free wifi, private toilet.

• Thikana

  phone: +91 11 4604 1569
  address: A-7 Gulmohar Park
  Family-operated boutique hotel in south Delhi. Very friendly and hospitable service. Nice new rooms. Free internet. Close to GK-1, defense colony with many restaurants and bars.

• Urban Ashram

  phone: +91 11 4615 1818
  address: D-12 Hauz Khas, South Delhi
  Warm, intimate and cosy family-operated boutique bed and breakfast. Friendly and hospitable service. Nice new rooms. Free wifi. Close to GK-1, defence colony, saket with many restaurants and bars.

Splurge

• ITC Sheraton New Delhi

  phone: +91 11 4266 1122
  address: District Centre, Saket