Chapter 70: Site seeing New Delhi (Part-3)
They all went inside the premises and enjoyed seeing the stone structures, getting pictures taken etc. Within half an hour they were all back in the car.
"Now we will proceed to Birla temple then Gurdwara Bangla Sabh and after that straight to Red fort Chandani chowk etc.," the guide explained.
"Nothing much to say about Birla Mandir, but the basic information I will convey to you."
Birla Mandir
It is a common name for different Hindu temples built by the Birla family at different locations of prominent cities in India. Almost all the temples are built of white marbles as well as sandstones. Birla Mandir at Delhi was the first one built by the family in 1939. Delhi tourist attraction as well. All the temples are created very carefully as to accommodate a huge number of visitors. Proper arrangements are there for congregational worship and discourses. Though it possesses modern technologies, the architecture remembered to include the Nagar style.
The Birla Temple in Delhi is dedicated to Laxminarayan who is referred to Lord Vishnu. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi as the construction was finished in 1939 by Baldeo Das Birla and his sons. There are side temples which are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna, and Buddha. The temple extends up to 7.5 acres and flanked by many shrines, fountains, a large garden that displays many Hindu and nationalistic sculptures as well as a Geeta Bhavan for discourses.
"We have almost reached, don't forget to see the infinate images of Lord Krishna in the mirror placed there," the Tourist guide added.
"Good thing you are attired properly," the guide added.
Here, in India, at places of worship there is a decorm of proper dress code for men and women, that head should be covered and legs too."
"The temple as well as the garden surrounding are beautiful," the visitors told the tourist guide when they got back.
"Now we will proceed to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib" the guide added.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
It is a prominent Sikh Gurudwara in Delhi known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Kishan. It is a primary pilgrimage and tourist attraction in Delhi. There is a beautiful pool inside its complex which is named as Sarovar. It was named after a Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh, in 1783 who had supervised the construction of nine other Sikh shrines in Delhi at the same time.
It is located near Connaught Palace and recognizable from a distance due to its golden dome and tall flagpole. It is near the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The building was called Jaisinghpura Palace. Guru Har Kishan had living in Delhi during 1664 when smallpox and cholera epidemic had spread in the society. Guru helped the people by giving aid and fresh water from the well at his house. But he was also affected by the disease and died on March 30th, 1664. But Sikhs believed that the water from the well at Guru's house had healing powers and they had taken the water to their homes. The Gurudwara and its Sarovar are a prominent place for Sikhs now and they pay tribute to the eighth Guru on his birth anniversary. It is said that such fresh water is no where in the area. Fish are also present here in the Sarovar.
The complex included the Gurudwara, a kitchen, a pond, a school and an art gallery. The concept of langar is practised and regardless of race or religion, all people can eat in the Gurudwara kitchen. You need to cover your hair and avoid wearing shoes inside. There is a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital situated inside the complex.
'You may get down here, look inside and offer prayers as well as participate in the langar," the guide added.
The Car stopped and all went inside to see the Gurdwara as well as partake the langar offered. It was something new for all of them. They had heard of the Sikh community comming forwards in many places across the globe to help people, but this was the first time they would partake langar.
Soon they were all back looking very happy.
'Now we will proceed to Red Fort, Chandani Chowk, Jain Mandir, Shish Ganj Gurudwara, Faluda Kulfi shop and the Parantha wali Gali. Thereafter we will go to Raj Ghat."'
Red Fort
"Red Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty for more than 200 years. In 1639 the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted his capital to the newly constructed city in Delhi and laid the foundation stone to build up the fort. Red Fort construction in red sandstone took almost one decade to complete and it came into the limelight in 1648. The fort lies along the famous river Yamuna.
The Mughal families lived here until 1857. It was also the political and cultural center of the Mughal state and this was the place where a lot of significant events happened. The fort houses several museums in it. It is the best place to visit in Old Delhi as it is also known to be a symbol of India's struggle for freedom."
But what made the fort famous was the midnight speech made by Jawahar Lal Nehru before India was going to wake up to independence from British rule and afterward, it was becoming the politically significant spot in Indian history. It hosts the Independence Day celebrations each year from then onward.
The fort is managed by the Archeological Survey of India and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
There is a Light and Sound Show here which is a spectacular show regarding the history of Red Fort. The capital, Delhi, is shown at the fort for one hour every evening. The show is is in Hindi and English but we wil be not here at 6 pm to see it.
Within an hour everyone was back.
Chandani Chowk
They inquired about the buildings etc on the opposite side . The guide informend them that this area was Chandni Chowk meaning Moonlight Square in English.
It is one of the oldest yet busiest markets in Delhi. The Red Fort is a part of the square and it is one of the best places to visit in north Delhi. The compilation of the marker was done by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and its design was done by his daughter Jahanara. It was divided by canals to reflect moonlight along with a pool. Now instead of the pool there is a clock tower.
It is the largest wholesale market in Delhi. There are separate markets for sarees, suits, electronic items, accessories, ornaments, footwear, food items, shawls, sherwanis, decoration materials, lanterns, colourful dresses and what not.
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