The most famous structure on grounds, Qutub Minar, a 72.5m minaret was the tallest "skyscraper" in the world when built (1193-1368) on the orders of Qutb-ud-din Aybak. Delicately carved, it has been astonishingly well preserved and is still an awe-inspiring sight today. It is considered to be the tower of victory, a monument signifying the might of Islam, and during the time served as watch tower for defense.
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Delhi'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.
Iron Pillar is in the center of the mosque. True to its name, this is a seven-meter iron pillar erected c. 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 1600 years.
Iron Pillar is in the center of the mosque. True to its name, this is a seven-meter iron pillar erected c. 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 1600 years.
The tomb of Iltutmish on the west side of the complex, with its extraordinarily ornate carvings.
Bahá'í Lotus Temple, Delhi
The largest mosque in India Jama Masjid, Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD. Masjid-i-Jahan Numa means "the mosque commanding a view of the world", and the name Jama Masjid is a reference to the weekly congregation observed on Friday (the yaum al-jum`a) at the mosque. The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. The mosque was the result of the efforts of over 5,000 workers, over a period of six years.
Again on Delhi's streets, towards our last stop in India...
...which was the cherry on the top: Akshardham Temple, an elaborate temple carved of red sandstone, no expense has been spared in decorating it. Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays 10,000 years of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The building was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham. There are multimedia exhibitions, like the musical fountain, a show representing the circle of life is played to an audience which is seated on the fountain's steps.
There is a strict ban on all electronic items, cameras, tobacco and pretty much everything except the clothes on your back. So no photos except the one I took from the parking; however, to have an idea how it is like there are some photos on the official website:
Akshardham Temple
Musical fountainsAkshardham Temple
