Jantar Mantar - The Ancient Astronomical Yantra Mandir

Surrounded by Delhi's commercial, political and administrative landmarks, the Jantar Mantar is an astronomical wonder dating from ,the 18th century. This observatory was masterminded by Maharaja Jai Singh IIof jaipur(1699-1743), under orders from Mughal Muhammad Shah around 1724.

Jantar Mantar built entirely of red brick and rubble, ansd is inscribed with scale markings in order to take readings. Jai Singh, it is delieved, studied all known astronomical observations of ancient times, before the designing of the Jantar Mantar, along with similar structures at Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura.

The Jantar Mantar observatory comprises six instruments, of which the largest is the Samrat Yantra. Also called the "King Of Instruments", this gigantic sundial consists of an inclined wall parallel to the earth's axis, flanked by two semi-circular quadrant. To its left is the Shasthamasa Yantra, consisting of a large graduated arc.

Further South is the Jai Prakash Yantra, "Light of Jai", named after Jai Singh II, which contains two concave hemisphere structures used to ascertain the positions of the Sun and other heavenly bodies.

The Ram Yantra, two circular structures enclosing cylindrical pillars within, was used to study the azimuth (horizontal) and altitude (vertical) angles. The spade-shaped structure of the Misra Yantra, built by Jai Singh's son Madho Singh, is the most popular symbol of the Jantar Mantar.

It encompasses five instruments, each serving different purposes, including the Dakshinottarabhitti Yantra, Karka Rasivalaya and Agra Yantra.The Nitya Chakra at its centre, is said to indicate the meridians of four locations across the globe, through Not-key(Japan), Greenwich, Zurich and Serichew (Pacific Ocean Islands).

Location :- Parliament Street (Sansad Marg)

Entry Fees :- Indian Rs 5, Foriegners US$ 2 or Rs 100

Camera :- Still free video Rs25

Timings :- Sunrise to sunset.

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Lotus Temple - The Symbol of Peace

Delhi has been an imperial capital for the most part of the thousand years. Successive rulers bestowed on the city a variety of monuments. These nwere either the houses of gods or the houses of the kings. Every monument was shaped, often literally, by the character, choices and constraints of the ruler. each of these brought completely new features to the landscape of the Indian architecture.

Lotus Temple is one amongst the most famous places in delhi.Lotus Temple is also Konown as Baha'i Temple in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House.Lotus Temple has emerged as a top attraction for the tourists. Lotus Temple also known as the Baha'i Temple.

Baha'i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha'ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha'ullah, born in Persia in the twentieth century.

Personifying Lotus in the temple does not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the edifice but it has a message to the people of India in the form of a manifestation from the almighty. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower.

The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The team comprised of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans who worked diligently to give realization to one of the most complex edifices in the world.

The temple integrates the aesthetic values along with the technological influence within the whole structure. There are nine reflecting pools that encompass the temple from outside. Converting the geometry of the design that did not have any straight line to the actual structure needed a lot of effort and dedicated engineering.

The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall. The whole structure is made of white marble that adds to the glory of the temple. It is about 40 meters tall surrounded by nine ponds and appears as if the temple is floating like a Lotus flower in water.Bahá'í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all regardless of religion, or any other distinction, as emphasized in Bahá'í texts.

The Bahá'í laws emphasize that the spirit of the House of Worship be that it is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions.The Bahá'í laws also stipulate that only the holy scriptures of the Bahá'í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language; while readings and prayers can be set to music by choirs, no musical instruments can be played inside.

Visiting Hours :- On all days except Monday.

Location :- Kalkaji in South Delhi

Summer Timings :- 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Winter Timings :- 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Time Required :- App. 1 hours.

Uniqueness :-

This Temple has no Idols of any Deity and God. Has a Prayers Hall for Meditation for Faith of all Religions.

Don't Miss :-

Unique Prayer Sessions that Recite Teachings From All the Religions. Approximately 2 hours.

Prayer Timings :-

1000 hrs - 1015 hrs , 1200 hrs - 1215 hrs, 1500 hrs - 1515 hrs, 1700 hrs - 1715 hrs.

Special Attraction :-

There are four Prayer Sessions everyday. These Prayer Sessions are unique, as prayers from all religions are recited during these Prayer Sessions.

Prayer Session Timings: 1000 hrs - 1015 hrs (15 minutes), 1200 hrs - 1215 hrs (15 minutes), 1500 hrs - 1515 hrs (15 minutes), 1700 hrs - 1715 hrs (15 minutes).

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Common Wealth Closing Ceremony.

The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.The most controversial Commonwealth Games in history - marked by oppressive security and low spectator turnout - came to a close today without any major glitches as India celebrated the finale with an extravagant cultural show.

The event was first held in 1930 under the title of the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The event was renamed as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, the British Commonwealth Games in 1970, and gained its current title in 1978.

Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the highest achieving team for eleven games, England for seven and Canada for one. There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games. The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man (unlike at the Olympic Games, where the combined "Great Britain" team represents all four home nations and the Crown dependencies).

Many of the British overseas territories also send their own teams. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also sends its own team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two states in free association with New Zealand. It was reported that Tokelau, another dependency of New Zealand would be sending a team to the 2010 Games in New Delhi, India. In the end however they did not.

India was also successful in the sports arena, winning a record 101 medals, finishing second behind Australia with 38 golds, the last one coming in women's badminton singles by Saina Nehwal.

Australia finished with 177 medals, including 74 golds. England was third with 37 golds. Indian authorities will also heave a sigh of relief that the games passed off without any security incidents - no surprise given that tens of thousands of armed security forces had turned stadiums and streets leading to them into virtual fortresses. This resulted in many spectators staying away.

The low turnout was also the result of mismanagement in the ticketing authority, whose head was fired midway through the competition. Technical glitches prevented people from buying tickets online and those who showed up at the stadium were told that tickets had been sold out.

Local media have also reported alleged corruption, with millions of dollars being pocketed by officials and cronies from the money allocated for the construction of facilities. Estimates for the budget of the games range from $3bn to $6bn, making it the most expensive games ever.

There was a theme song, which invited people to the next 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. Moreover, the David Dixon Award was presented to Samresh Jung for the Fairest and the Best Indian Team Shooter.

Besides, there was a wonderful display of fireworks and lightning at the end of the 2-week Australian Commonwealth Games. Even the flags of the Commonwealth nations were paraded during the closing ceremony.

Finally, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward concluded the Ceremony.The Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony included a breathtaking presentation of 1700 lanterns displaying the message 'Seek Peace'. It also included the parade of the Commonwealth countries along with children exhibiting the giant portrait of the Queen, which was indeed a Golden Jubilee Gift.

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Dargah of Hazrat Nizamiddin Auliya- The Spiritual Path

Just next to the police in Nizamuddin west is a lane that graduates into Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, formerly known as ghiyaspur, making its way around numerous local shops to the dargah of the sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Ayliya.

Nizamuddin was born as Muhammad but at the age of 25, he came to delhi and settled at Ghiyaspur. He was perhaps one of the most politically well-connected spiritual leaders in early medieval india, being on extremely good terms with the Emperors Allauddin Khalji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq, both of whom ascended the throne of Delhi in an atmosphere of intense intrigue after the murder of their predecessors.

Nizamuddin also shared a deeply intimate friendship with the poet Amir Khusrao, who is buried in the same complex, as is Jahanara Begum, Daughter of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. The Dargah was originally built in the mid-14th century, and qulte succesfully diverted labour from the services of the EmperorGhiyasuddin Tughlaq, who was constructing Tughlaqabad at the time.

The Jamaat Khana Mosque next to the Dargah dwarfsit in sizebut not the stature. The Mosque is the first monument to have been erected in the complex. The Location of Dargah is Nizamuddin (west), timings af dargah are summer 4.30am to 10 pm and in winters are 6am to 10 pm. timings of Qawwallisare summer 9am-noon, 5.30 -10pm and that of in winter is 4-8pm

Main festival is Basant Panchmi, when marigolds are offered to Nizamuddin, istead of traditional rose. The noticeable thing is Women are allowed into the dargah, but not inside Hazrat Nizamuddin and Amir Khusrau's tombs.

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Parsi Anjuman Complex- Spiritual Path

Although Delhi's Parsi Community is rather miniscule, the Parsi community has had a long association with northern India,dating back at least to the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who invited Dastur Meherjirana of navsario to his capital at Fatehpur Sikri to deliberate on religious matters.

The Delhi Parsi Anjuman was founded in 1925, and the present complex, which were built in the 1950s and 1960s, houses the Kaikhursu Palonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher, or the Fire Temple, as well as a community hall and living quarters for visiting Parsi.

The Dar-e-Mahar is a simple building with doric columns at the entrance and representations of flaming torches. Non-Parsis are not allowed inside. Parsi Anjuman Complex is situated at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, near new Delhi Gate.

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Birla Mandir and Kali Bari Mandir- Spiritual Path

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir popularly known as the Birla Mandir. The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was funded by the well known industrialist Mr. B D Birla and designed by Siris Chatterjee. Built in 1938, it was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi.

The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, and Narayan, the Preserver, It also houses idols of Shiva and Durga. An important feature is the symbolic structure at the entrance that welcomes people of all faiths and classes.

Birla Mandir is located on Mandir Marg, Opening timings of Birla mandir are 4.15am to 9.00pm aarti Timings are 6.00a.m. daily and 6.45p.m. daily Main Festival in Birla Mandir is Janmashtami. Just next to Birla Mandir there situated a Kali Bari Mandir, but dwarfed completely by it.

It is the Kali Bari Mandir, which has a special place in the hearts of the Delhi's Bengali Hindu Community. The temple has a beautiful image of Kali, The war like avatar of goddess Durga. The temple has a huge peepal tree growing from within it, which pierces through its roof.The tree is considered sacred by many, who tie red threads around its trunk when asking for the goddess' blessings.

Opening Timings for Kali Bari Temple are 5.15am-1.00pm and 5.15pm- 9.30pm, Aarti timings are 8.00am daily and 7.30pm daily, Main Festivals of Kali Bari Mandir are Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja and Ramnavmi.

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Bangla Sahib- Spiritual Way

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the place where Guru Har Kishan, the eighth guru of the Sikh faith. lived when he visited Delhi in 1664. He was invited to Delhi as a guest of Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur and lived in his 'Bangla' or 'Palace', which was built on the model of the palace of Jai Singh in Jaipur.

Before his announcement as Guru of the Sikh community at the tender age oh six, there was a dispute wherein his elderbrother Ram Rai claimed the guruship, but was denied it when the matter came up for arbitration to the Mughal Emporar Aurangzeb, as Ram Rai was the son of a handmaid.

It is said this said to have cured at while Guru Har Kishan was in Delhi there was an outbreak of smallpox, of which he have cured many people by distributing sactified water. However he himself died of smallpox at a young age, having taken upon himself the burden of all the diseases of the city.

The Baba Bangla Sahib Museum of Sikh History is located within the complex. Bangla Sahib Is located at the intersection of Ashoka and Baba Kharak Singh Roads, nera Gole Dak Khana, Kirtan Timings are 2.30am - 9.30 pm. Here the main festivals are all Guru Purabs.

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