Delhi - MUST SEE

Rashtrapati Bhavan
Standing at the crest of magnificent Raisina Hill, Rashtrapati Bhavan - the official residence of President of India - was built as the viceroy's residence during the British rule. The first occupant of this palatial building with 340 rooms was Lord Irwin. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it has a large court and a garden which is open to the public in February for a few days when the flowers are in full bloom. Every Saturday morning(from 10.30 am to 11.10 am in winter and from 8.30 am to 9.15 am in summer), the President's bodyguard changes guard in what is seen as Delhi's answer to London's Changing of the Guard Ceremony. This can be seen from outside the gate.

India Gate
Originally called the All India War Memorial, India Gate was built to commemorate the Indian and British soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars. The names of the martyrs are inscribed on the walls of this 4-meter high structure. An eternal frame, "Amar Jawan Jyoti" was lit in 1971 to honour the martyrs. With lush green lawns, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful areas of New Delhi.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar consits of a collection of architectural astronomy instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the time and movements of the sun, moon and planets. Some of these purposes would nowadays be classified as astrology. Today, the observatory lies obsolete in the center of a pleasant park, surrounded by high rises.

Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir also known as Laxminarayan Temple is the country's first temple that had caste restrictions. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1938 on the condition that people from all walks of life will be allowed to offer prayers here. Built by the well-known industrialist, RD Birla, the temple is dedicated to Laxmi(the goddess of wealth) and Narayana(the preserver). It is a temple with many shrines, fountains and a large garden.

Too many places in Delhi to tell about so I would cover only 4 places in each post. So look out for more in my next post.