Red Fort Delhi

Palace on Wheels Journey – Day 01, Wed : Place – New Delhi (Safdarjung Railway Station)

The heart of India beats in Delhi, the national capital. Delhi has witnessed more ups and downs in history than any other city in the world. Delhi today has vivacious and kaleidoscopic character which has stemmed from its organic growth over millennia. Find yourself lost in the delightful medieval ambience, historic monuments, labyrinthine streets, bazaars and much more. If you fancy the idea of reliving the medieval in the modern day setting, Old Delhi is the right place for you. With its ancient and medieval monuments such as Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s tomb, myriad Temples, and countless relics of the past, you can well have a bite of your history in Delhi.

What would you call a city that was richly dipped in history, culture and heritage and was yet a modern city boasting of contemporary lifestyles and culture? Perhaps Delhi! Yes, Delhi is the city where the old and the new live and breathe together and narrate tales of antiquity and of today. Delhi is the largest metropolitan city in the country and with people from all walks and regions of the world calling it home. Capital of India; Delhi is the cultural, commercial and political hub of the nation as well.

History

Delhi came into being around the 50 century BC when a Mauryan King by the name Dilu founded it. Ever since, it has been continually inhabited. Several valiant rulers have ruled over it and several historical faces have been born and brought up here. Historical remains that are still standing tall in the heart of the city suggest that the city was home to several dynasties and even today visitors arriving here from the different parts of the world visit these monumental remains to pay homage to the medieval cultural heritage

Climate

Being located in the northern part of the country, Delhi experiences a humid sub-tropical climate that is characterized by extreme hot and cold weathers. The summer season begins from April and extends till mid October with temperatures ranging between 25 and 45 degree Celsius. The winter months are between November and March and the temperatures during this time remain around 8 to25 degree Celsius.

Attractions
As has been mentioned already, Delhi is home to several monuments and architectural wonders that speak volumes of the age and times of its construction and also of the rulers who patronized their constructions. These wonders are excellent places to visit to take a sneak preview of the history and heritage of the city.

Tour highlights in Delhi :

Red Fort – Built by the Mughal king Shah Jahan, Red Fort stands tall in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi. This was built around the mid 16th century when the Mughal capital was being shifted here from Agra. Red Fort is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Qutub Minar – Built by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak of the slave dynasty around the 12th century AD, Qutub Minar is the largest free standing brick tower in the world. Its historical significance and impeccable designing has earned it a position in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

Humayun’s Tomb – Housing the grave of the Mughal emperor Humayun, Humayun’s Tomb displays spectacular architectural fusion with Indian, Mughal and Islamic architectural designs generously being used. The highlights of the Humayun’s Tomb are the Char Bagh or the manicured gardens that were one of the firsts in the country. The concept of gardens within monuments was never applied prior to this. Humayun’s Tomb is also a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO.

India Gate – Built in the memory of the 90000 soldiers who laid down their lives fighting for the British, India Gate is a mesmerizing structure located in the New Delhi area.
Assemble at Safdarjung Railway Station by 1600hrs for a traditional welcome and to get set for a luxurious Palace on Wheels journey across “the Land of Maharajas” Rajasthan. The train departs at 1830hrs.