New Delhi hotels

Hotels in New Delhi

Based in the sprawling metropolis of Delhi, New Dheli is a British-built district encompassing tree-lined avenues, government buildings and a number of excellent museums. New Delhi hotels are the best choice for exploring this rich and varied location.

History

George V, Emperor of India in 1911, laid the foundation stone of New Delhi and the British architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, designed the city. Today it is the main seat of power for the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the Government of India.

One of the most iconic landmarks in New Delhi is the India Gate, similar in style to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The gate was constructed as a memorial to the 82,000 soldiers of the undivided British Indian Army who gave their lives during the First World War and lies at the end of the Rajpath. The National Museum in New Delhi is one of the country's largest museums and holds a staggering collection of artefacts ranging from prehistoric periods to the present day. You could easily spend a whole week exploring the various sections of the museum and this is definitely the best place to delve into Delhi's rich and fascinating history.

For a slightly more sobering look at India's struggle for independence, Gandhi Smriti is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated on the site in 1948. A Martyr's Column marks the location where Gandhi was shot during his nightly walk.

One of Delhi's most iconic sights, the Qutb Minar is a towering minar made of red sandstone and marble. Building work started in 1193 and was completed in 1368. There are 379 steps running from the base to the top. Surrounding the minar is the Qutb complex, the ancient capital of the Tughlaq dynasty.

Temples

The multi-cultural nature of New Delhi means that there is a range of different religious buildings of encounter. The Laxminarayan Temple is a striking a Hindu temple dedicated to Laxminarayan. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a Sikh house of worship, recognisable for its prominent golden dome. The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral dating from the 1930s.

Perhaps two of the most breathtaking religious sites in New Delhi are the Lotus Temple, a Bahá'í House of Worship in the shape of a gigantic lotus flower, and Akshardham, a Hindu temple complex that attracts an enormous amount of visitors each year. This vast and intricately designed complex encompasses a 141-foot high monument, the Garden of India, and a boat ride that showcases 10,000 years of Indian heritage.