There is no grammatical or typographic error in the title. When I read it first, I was confused and confronted with someone, who not only explained me the depth of this line, but unknowingly solved a big mystery for me. It was 25th January of 2012. I was sitting in a office in Khartoum, the [...]
Delhi, the capital of Republic of India. It is said that Delhi has completed its hundred years on 12th December 2011. How true is this statement? What happened 100 years ago? 11th December, 1911 – King George V was declared the Emperor of India and on 12th December 1911, he presented himself to the [...]
Every Saturday morning, people are allowed to witness a ceremony of the most secure place in India, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India). On the heights of Raisina Hill and between the colonial pillars of North Block and South Block, the President’s Body Guards (PBG), along with a unit of Army march [...]
Murthal, a small village in Sonepat District of Haryana and less than 50 Km. away from Delhi. The residents and migrants know it for its famous temple and Naga Baba’s mazaar, and rest know it for the famous Dhabas and their Paranthas. Yesterday (2nd April, 2011), I went there to visit an Ashram, slightly off [...]
Since 2009, I have been exploring the monuments of Delhi and preparing content for this Blog. But soon I found, Delhi is much bigger than my Imagination. I started following website… www.monumentsofdelhi.com I’ll be writing more soon, but till then, check out the site. Filed under: Uncategorized
This monument is present at Mehrauli Archeological Park and this article is a part or my expedition “Didar-e-Dilli” Sultan Muizz-ud-din kaiqubad bin Nasir-ud-din bin Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1200 AD – 1287 AD) was a Slave ruler of Delhi from the period of 1266 AD to 1287 AD. His tomb lies within Mehrauli Archeological Park, next [...]
This monument is present at Mehrauli Archeological Park and this article is part or my expedition “Didar-e-Dilli” In 1536, a renowned Sufi Saint, Shaikh Hamid bin Fazlu’llah a.k.a. Shaikh Jamal-uddin Kamboh Dehlwi a.k.a. Jalal Khan a.k.a. Dervesh Jamali was buried near a mosque designed by him in 1528. The mosque, and the adjacent tomb [...]
This article is a part of My Delhi Expedition… “Didar-e-Dilli” Adjacent to Qutub Minar Complex, lies the magnificent Mehrauli Archaeological Park, that hides more than 80 historical marvels. It contains monuments dating back to Prithvi Raj Chauhan and Balban. In 1997, INTACH (Delhi Chapter) and Delhi Tourism decided to develop these neglected ruins. They [...]
This article is a part of My Delhi Expedition… “Didar-e-Dilli” As you move towards Jain Dada Badi in Mehrauli (from Andheria Mod), you will find a lonely, but different architecture Lodhi era structure, which has the features of an open wall-mosque as well as a covered mosque. Colored tiles have been used for decorating [...]
This article is a part of My (Vikram) and Gaurav’s Delhi Expedition… “Didar-e-Dilli” Situated right behind the Qutub Minar, in front of Mehrauli Bus Stand, is Adam Khan’s Tomb, popularly known as Bhool Bhulaiya (lybrinth). It is said that once an entire ‘baraat’ was lost inside this tomb. Looking at this place, the story [...]
This article is a part of My (Vikram) and Gaurav’s Delhi Expedition… “Didar-e-Dilli” Jahaz Mahal was a Sarai (inn) built between 1451 AD and 1526 AD for pilgrims visiting Delhi from Afghanistan, Ira, Iraq, Arabia, Morocco, Turkey and other Islamic Countries to the Muslim shrines like Hazrat Kaki’s Dargah and Hazrat Nizamuddin’s Dargah. It [...]
Zafar Mahal, built by Akbar Shah II and refurbished by Bahadur Shah Zafar II. It is the place of burial of Akbar Shah II (Second Last moghul emperor of India). Bahadur Shah Zafar wanted to be buried here, but was taken to Rangoon, Burma. Phoolwalon Ki Sair festival started from here in the honor of Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki (r.a.).
This article is a part of My (Vikram) and Gaurav’s Delhi Expedition… “Didar-e-Dilli” Delhi, in 14th Century was actually a set of 4 prime cities named Qila Rai Pithora, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah and Siri. Built in 1323, Satpula, or the Bridge of Seven Openings (Pul) was a magnificent piece of Tughlaq architecture, which was [...]
“www.monumentsofdelhi.com” HAZRAT KHWAJA QUTBUDDIN BAKHTIYAR KAKI, r.a., born in 1173 was an Islamic Dervish (Sufi Mystic) following Chisti Order of Sufism. He was born in Aush in Transoxiana (A region in central Asia corresponding approximately with modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and southwest Kazakhstan) and left his body on 27-11-1235 in Mehrauli, Delhi (INDIA), where he [...]
A Calm beach in Andhra Pradesh, Vishakhapatnam aka Vizag. It was a pleasure being there. So clean, so peaceful and so calm. Vizag is known for its shipyard, and you can the night view of sea is awesome, with lights of distant ships flashing as if they are playing some melody. They also have [...]
A very nice place near Candolim, Goa (India). I went there on 7th November, 2008. It was a sunny day and sea view was clear from the fort. In Portuguese, Aguada means "Watering Place". This was a lighthouse, a Watering Place and a garrison during the Portuguese rule. It was built in 1612. It has [...]
We were planning to go to Taj Mahal (Agra) but had to stay late at office. Everyone was sad because such a nice and long awaited program was ruined. Suddenly in morning, one of my dad’s friends told us that there is a nice place just 12 Kms. off Alwar towards Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. I [...]
The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu in Telugu language (‘Borra’ means something that has bored into the ground and ‘guhalu’ means caves; Borra also means brain), are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley (with hill ranges elevation varying from 800 m (2,624.7 ft) to 1,300 [...]
I have seen many forts including the Forts of Delhi, Kangra, Agra, Hyderabad and Siliserh (Alwar). But this one in Gwalior almost took my breath. In my entire life, only two forts have made me hold my breath and praise silently. These are Forts of Gwalior and Golconda (Hyderabad). I went to Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh [...]
McLeodganj, named after David McLeod, teh governor general of Punjab (British-India), is house of the exiled Tibetan Government and is blessed by the presence of H.H. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama (See my post on Dalai Lama’s Residence). This place is also sometimes called Little Lhasa. This place is so peaceful and energizing, that [...]
I went to this nice peaceful place near Murthal in Sonepat, Haryana. This is a nice “Ashram” slightly inside the National Highway 1 (GT Road). The greenery and peacefulness of this place simply cast its spell on me. Here are some pictures of same…
It was my pleasure, that I got a chance to visit His Holiness Dalai Lama’s temple at McLeodganj. I have been to Dharamshal and McLeodganj many times. But I went to temple only twice. I hope to see His Holiness some day as well. When I went there in 2007 with my friend Vinay, we [...]
Ekasham Shailkritya Mandir Samooh, or the Rock Cut Temples of Masroor, Kangra are one of the most magnificent temples I ever visited. It is an outstanding example of monolithic temples in Himalyan region. The entire complex comprises of more than 15 temple shikhars and a large water pond. The beauty of this place is that [...]
Moving from Mussourrie towards Kempty Fall, half way down you will find a road diverting to Lake Myst. Far on that road, go about 2 Km on this narrow rough path, and you will see a nice lonely building surrounded by high hills on 3 sides. If you check this nice place on Google earth, [...]
I went there in 2007. When you start from McLeodganj towards dharamkot, you will find a pleasant scenic view. Soon you will reach Dharamkot, which is a really nice place to be. You cross dharamkot and reach at a height of 2130 mts. and find yourself in a ridge covered with high trees and hills. [...]
I love this place… I am talking about the holy place, where Khalsa commune was born in 1699. 10th spiritual master of sikhs turned entire sikh community to Khalsa, which was a warrior commune. Today, there stands the mighty takht, called Gurudwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Anadpur City is called the White City. It is a [...]
Ah, finally I got a chance to write about this mesmerizing place. It is far from the road, but still attracts several tourists. However, most tourists stop at the beginning of journey and find themselves happy with the downstream in foots of fall. Very few try to climb to rocks and reach the heart of [...]
Beside Palampur, the Tea Gardens of Dharamshala are very famous in Himachal Region. I have made several trips to McLeodganj, the residence of H.H. Dalai Lama. Consider this post to be first part of description of Dharamshala and McLeodganj. When you head for McLeodganj from Dharamshala through the long route (not from the shortcut that [...]
I have been to Qutub Minar many times. But the trip of October 2006 was different. This time, I went with a idea in mind to find some historical evidence. I was told that Prithvi Raj Chauhan built several Temples, and muslim rulers destroyed them to build the Qutub Minar. “I FOUND THIS TO BE [...]
10th February 2007, I celebrated by 24th birthday at a very nice place, that has been ruled by rulers like Mohd. Ghazni, Mohd.Tughlaq, Firoz Shah, Jahangir, Katoch Kings, Raja Sansar Chand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and finally Queen Victoria. I am talking about the Fort of Trigarta (now known as Kangra). Trigarta (Kangra) was one of [...]
Sir Sobha Singh is a renowned artist in sikh community. His paintings of sikh gurus are most famous. He was born on 29th November, 1901 at Sri Hargobindpur, Gurdaspur in the family of a Ramgharia Soldier named S. Deva Singh. He himself server british army in baghdad and mesopotamia (now iraq). After independence, he came [...]
Since 610 AD, Delhi has been a very important place for rulers. She served as the
capital city for most of her rulers. Known by many names, Delhi hides enormous archeological
and heritage treasures under her soil.
In 2009, I started exploring these treasures. So far, I have been travelling off
the beaten path and every trip had a new surprise. Check out for yourself...