A soaring tower of early Muslim vintage, the Qutb Minar attracts many visitors from all across the world. Impressively ornate, its construction began in the 12th century and it was completed
in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a view that is breathtaking. The monument tapers from a 15-meter diameter base to just 2½ metres at the top.
The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone. The Qutb Minar is covered with intricate carvings and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran.
Work on the minar was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199, celebrating the advent of Muslim dominance in Delhi, but the construction was completed by his successors. To Qutb-ud-din, the tower marked the eastern extremity of the Islamic faith, casting the shadow of God over east and west. It was also a minaret, from which the muezzin called the devout to prayer.
Today, this impressively ornate tower has a slight tilt, but has otherwise remained remarkably well preserved over the centuries.
Also called the Lal Qila, the fort is laid out along the river Yamuna
as an irregular octagon. It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in
circumference & is built of red sandstone. The Mughal ruler Shah
Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and, after nine
years, the fort was completed in 1648. The fort has two main
entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces
Chandni Chowk, the city's most crowded but diverse market.
This is a 42-metre-high stone arc-de-triomphe or triumphal arch dedicated to the memory of the
soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the campaigns of the First World World, the North-West
Frontier operations and the 1919 Afghan War. It is inscribed with the names of the 85,000 soldiers
who died in them. A flame, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, is kept perpetually alive here in the memory of
these unknown soldiers.
Jaipur's signature building the Hawa Mahal, a multi layered palace,
was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Famous for it's Beehive
like structure, the Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone,
carefully and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs.
The palaces and forts of yesteryears which were witness to the
royal processions and splendors are now living monuments,
accepted quite naturally into the life-style of the people of the "Pink
City". Falling under the Golden Triangle, and being visited by
millions of domestic and foreign tourists, the city of Jaipur is a place
of high tourist interest. The Pink City, as commonly known, has all
sorts of amenities for domestic and foreign tourists. Hotels ranging from 5 star to low budgets
are available. The city is linked by Rail, Road, and Air and attracts high traffic in winters.
The Golden temple is located in the holy city of the Sikhs, Amritsar, once the dense forest home of Guru Nanak. Famous for its
full golden dome, it is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs. The mandir is built on a 67 ft square of marble and is a
two storeyed structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold-leaf.
The Golden Temple is surrounded by a number of other famous temples like the Durgiana Temple.
The Lotus shaped Baha'i Temple in South Delhi is the seventh and most recent
Baha'i house of worship in the World. Visited by over four million people,
annually, it is crystallization of aspirations of Baha'i followers in over 200
countries. This temple signifies the purity and the universality of the lord and the
equality of all religion. 
