Religious/ Spiritual

Jama Masjid of Delhi is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to go to the mosque every Friday for attending 'Jumme ki namaaz', the congressional prayers. The magnificent example of Mughal architecture, Jama Masjid has three massive gateways - the largest and highest being on the east. This gateway was reserved exclusively for the stately appearance of the emperor.

Built on a hilly place in 1998, the ISKCON Temple is a complex of temples. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this elegant temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India. It has a large number of Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna cult followers.

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Situated near to Humayun's tomb, is the famous shrine of the sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya, who had come to India, all the way from Bukhara. Many other tombs surround the tank inside the premises of the tomb. The devotees of the great saint believe that there was a controversy between the rulers of Tughlaqabad and the saint over building this tank and the saint had already prophesized that the city of Tughlaqabad will never flourish. Time proved his prophesies to be true.

One of the oldest Hanuman temples in the country, it was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the year 1724. This small but elegant temple located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Connaught Place was built in 1724. It is very popular among the devotees of Lord Hanuman. The 24-hour chanting of the mantra ‘Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram’, since August 1, 1964, has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Sri Hanuman, the good companion of Sri Rama is being worshiped here in his temple in Delhi.

Gurudwara Nanak Piao enshrines the place where the first Sikh Guru Sri Nanak Dev camped during his visit to Delhi in June 1505. It was said that people of Delhi flocked to meet him in large numbers to pay homage to him and made precious offerings but the Guru distributed all the offerings, thus collected, among the poor and needy. It was called 'piao' as Guru himself served water here to the thirsty who came here from far-way places. The well from which he served water is still well maintained and fully protected.

Gurdwara Sis Ganj is a famous Sikh pilgrimage, which was built on the land where the Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, was martyred in 1675 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurungzeb. It is said that suddenly after this unfortunate event, the skies were overcast by the clouds and seeing their chances, Guru's disciple Bhai Jaita, a Rengreta Sikh, took away his head and escaped to Anandpur Sahib in Punjab while Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara and his son, Bhai Naghaiya, took the Guru's body and cremated it in their home in the Raisina village, where the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj stands today.

On November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur's head was cut off in public in Chandani Chowk, on the orders of Aurungzeb. It is said that such a dust storm ensued just after the event that nothing could be seen and everything was in dark. It was then, when Guru's disciple Bhai Jaita, a Rengreta Sikh, saw his chance and took away the head of the great martyr and escaped to Anandpur Sahib in Punjab where it was cremated with proper ceremony.

Gurdwara Majnu-ka-Tila is positioned on a hillock on the right bank of river Yamuna in Delhi. It is said that in the times of Sultan Sikander Shah Lodhi, a Muslim hermit used to live a secluded life here and helped people cross the river in his boat free-of-charge. His wish to see the glimpse of God was so great that he was always lost in his own thoughts. Thus, the people nicknamed him as 'Majnu', the well-renowned Persian lover who became symbolic of intense love and passion. He attained enlightenment with the blessings of Guru Nanak. His hermitage came to be known as Majnu-ka-Tila (the hilllock of Majnu).

Built in 1927-28, the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, also popularly known as Viceroy's Church, was designed by Henry Medd and represents one of his more ambitious projects. This Church displays a strong Italianate influence, with a facade of white pillars, which support a canopy placed against a dark brick background. There are circular arcaded turrets that rise above the roof on each side of the entrance porch. The interiors are fabulous with a towering curved roof, polished stone floors and broad arches laid down into smooth walls that creates a magnificent grandiose look.

Chattarpur Mandir is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, is built in South Indian style. The temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. It is customary to wash one's feet and hands and rinse the mouth with water from the tap just outside the entrance of the temple before entering it. Though devotees visit these temples throughout the year, the main attraction comes during the Navarathri festival, when devotees come from far and near.