Delhi Tourism: Info for Delhi's Top Tourist Attractions
Red Fort
Qutub MInar
India Gate
Akshardham Temple
The Bahai's Lotus Temple
Humayun's Tomb
ISKCON Temple
Rashtrapti Bhavan (President House)
Birla Mandir
Old Fort (Purana Quila)
Jantar Mantar
Raj Ghat/Vijay Ghat etc.
Jama Masjid
Red Fort 
This fortress build by the Emperor Shahjahan in 1648 is one of Delhi’s most magnificent monuments. The exquisite places inside include Diwan-i-Aam (hall where the public audiences or meeting were held), Diwan-i Khas (or private meeting place for the royals), Rang Mahal (water cooled palace for the royal ladies) and Pearl Mosque. A Sound and Light show that recreates the Red fort's history is held every evening inside the Red Fort. There are shows in English and Hindi, and tickets are available from the Fort. The English sessions are held at 7.30pm from November through January; at 8.30pm from February to April and September-October, and at 9pm from May to August. Advance tickets for the show, which is highly recommended, are available from Ashok Travel and Tours at Ashok and Janpath Hotels. Red Fort is also the site atop from him the Prime Minister of India addresses the large gathering assembled outside on India’s Independence Day (August 15th). [top]
Qutub Minar
This minaret, which was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, and stands at an impressive height of 238 feet high, is one of the major landmarks of Delhi. Although the origin of Qutub Minar is shrouded in controversy, it represent one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in India. The Qutub Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to 9 feet at the apex and it is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and four elaborately decorated balconies. At its base lies the quwwat-ul-Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque, which is one of the first mosque in India and even in its ruins is quite magnificent. Another piece of wonderment in the complex is a 5th century iron pillar, which was erected as a flagstaff in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta KingChandragupta II(375-413). This pillar despite being made up of 98 per cent
wrought iron has remained free of rust and decomposition for more than 1600 years. According to the local lure, if you can get your fingers to touch while standing with your back against the pillar and arms around it, your wish will be granted. The Qutub Minar is open to the public till 10 pm and it is illuminated at night.
This majestic arch, which is 42 metre high, was built as a memorial in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the First World War. Beneath this arch burns an eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) to honour the memory of the unknown soldiers. From India Gate, one gets a splendid view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (i.e. President’s House), which is straight down the road. [top]
Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple
The sprawling pink sandstone complex, which is spread over 100 acres, has become an important landmark and tourist attraction in India. This grand complex, which was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005, brilliantly showcases the grandeur and essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. In addition to the main Akshardham temple, which is an architectural masterpiece comparable in grandeur to Taj Mahal or any of the other India’s tourist attractions, the temple offers a variety of activities to the visitors. The most exciting of these include a 12-minute fascinating boat-ride experience sailing through the caves of Ajanta-Ellora and showcasing 10,000 years of India's glorious heritage; A 15 min intriguing and colorful musical fountain show in a Vedic yagna kund setting and music; A film depicting on a giant screen pilgrimage of an 11-year-old child-yogi. The temple is closed on Mondays and it is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (April to September) and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (October to March). The musical fountain show begins at 7:00 pm in April to September and 6:45 pm from October to March. [Click here for further details)
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Bahai Lotus Temple 
The Lotus Temple or Bahai Temple is situated on top of the Kalkaji hill in south Delhi. This Lotus-shaped marvel in marble is an architectural landmark of the modern DELHI and it reminds of the famed Sydney Opera House in Australia. It has also often been called the Taj mahal of the 21st century. This temple built by the followers of the Bahai faith is designed to make people conscious of the beauty of life and the unity of God, mankind and all religions. Inside of the temple is very simple and there are no deities and it radiates an atmosphere of sublimity, peace, and calm. Over four million people visit the temple annually and the followers of all faiths are encouraged to participate in multi-faith prayers. The temple is open from 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m in summer (1 April - 30 September) and from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Winter (1 October - 31 March). There is no admission charge and the parking is free. [top]
Old Fort or Purana Quila
This walled fort, which is now in ruin, was constructed by the emperors Sher Shah Suri and Humayun between 1538 to 1545 A. D. It is believed to be at the same site, where Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas in 1000 B.C. was located. The fort has three entrances and the only entrance open to the public is the Bara Darwaza. Inside the fort there is a mosque with a two-storeyed octagonal tower. The Mughal King Humayun is believed to have died by falling accidentally from this tower. [top]
Humayun’s Tomb
This 16th century tomb was built in the center of a well - planned garden by Haji Begum, the wife of the Mughal emperor Humanyun. This tomb, which is up of white marble and red sand stone, is architecturally indicated to be forerunner of the famed Taj Mahal in Agra. The tomb is a square tower surrounded by a magnificent marble dome and its dome stands 140 feet high from the base.
ISKCON Temple
This magnificent temple located East of Kailash in South Delhi is dedicated to Lord Krishna and was built by the followers of Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna cult (i.e. International Society For Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON) in 1998. In addition to its exquisite architecture, the most exiting aspect of this temple is a hi-end technology show, 'Dharma' via robotic manifestations” where three robots camouflaged as Krishna, Arjuna and Srila Prabhupada (the founder of ISKCON) portray and present some of the main teachings of Gita. The temple also has an exhibition which present life-like figures of Hindu mythology to depict Indian religious history in an interactive manner. The temple is open to the public from 4.30am to 12.00 noon in the morning and from 4.00pm to 9.00pm in the evening. [top]
Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President’s House
This building completed in 1929 is the official residence of the President of India. During British time, it was the residence of the Viceroy of India and it provides a magnificent view of the Rajpath and the North and South Blocks Government offices, Located over an area of 330 acres, this palace has 340 rooms. Inside it contains an elegant garden called the MUGHAL GARDENS, which is open to public once around February or March. [top]
Birla Mandir or Lakshminarayan Temple 
This Hindu temple built in 1938 is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity and good fortune). It is an important prayer site where Mahatama Gandhi used to pray regularly and where he was assassinated. The temple is open to people of all faith. However, in accordance with all Hindu places of worships, one is required to remove one’s shoes to walk inside the temple’s courtyard. [top]
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory with masonry instruments. It was built in 1724 by Jai Singh, the mathematician and astronomer king. The largest structure inside it, which is shaped like a right-angled triangle, is the Samrat Yantra and it is a huge sun-dial; The other masonry structures inside are intended to show the movements of the sun, moon etc. [top]
Raj Ghat/Vijay Ghat etc.
Located on the banks of the Yamuna river, these Ghats (creamation sites) are the memorial gardens to commemorate some of the National leaders. Raj Ghat is for Mahatma Gandhi, Shanti Vana for Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijay Ghat for Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shakti Stahl for Indira Gandhi and Vir Bhumi for Rajiv Gandhi. The Gandhi museum, which is located near Raj Ghat, houses many of the belongings and photographs depicting the life story of Mahatma Gandhi. [top]
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid, which stands across form the Red Fort, is the largest mosque in India. It was built during Shahjahan’s period in1658 and its large courtyards can hold thousands for religious services. [top]