Red Fort or ‘Lal Quila'

The Red Fort or ‘Lal Quilla' as the fort is popularly known as, situated in Delhi depicts the Mughal architectural brilliance. The 17 th century historical events come alive in the evenings at the fort with the sound and lights of the Son-Et-Lumiere . The Red Fort can be entered from both the Lahore and the Delhi gates. The Lahore gate being the principal gate connects the Red Fort and the Chatta Chawk Bazaar beaming with life.

The Red Fort in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. The red fort, created by Shah Jahan is the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi boundary. The Lal Quilla has witnessed the extravagant life styles of the royal families. In the later years the Red Fort suffered invasion in the hands of Nadir Shah and also the British government. Musicians of the royal court used to entertain the emperor and his guests at the Lal Quilla and many a promising youth had been crowned as an emperor or announced as a prince inside this fort.

The red fort or the Lal Quilla has two gates opening into the city of Delhi. The Lahore gate is the primary entrance of the fort and it faces the city of Lahore which is now a part of Pakistan. The walls of the Red Fort are about 2 kilometers in length while the height varies from 18 meters.to 33 meters.

Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid, another favorite tourist attraction is situated opposite the Red Fort in the capital city- Delhi. Built by Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid exhibits another Mughal architectural splendor. The mosque is known to be one of the largest and oldest in India. The Jama Masjid is open to tourists on all days except the prayer intervals. At the mosque the tourists are requested to open their shoes and cover their feet and arms before entering Jama Masjid. It is done as an act of reverence for the Muslim faith. The Id-ul-Fitr and the Id-ul-Zoha are the two very special events attract tourists and devotees from all over the world.

The Jama Masjid is one of the oldest and largest mosques in India flaunting the Mughal architectural finesse. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1658 to be employed as the emperor's primal worship site. Situated in old Delhi the Jama Masjid imposes the Mughal architectural artifice and introduces the tourists to a distinct expression of the Mughal era' and creates another spot of tourist attraction. The chief architect of the mosque was Ustad Khalil. Jama Masjid is familiarly known as - Masjid-i-Jahan Numa which quintessentially means ‘the mosque that commands a view of the world'. ‘ Jama' means Friday – the holy day for the Muslims and hence the name ‘ Jama Masjid' was coined.

Jama Masjid stands on a raised platform and opens out to the city through the three double storied gates on the north, east and south which leads the tourists into the courtyard of the mosque. The eastern gate which is the largest was used by the royal family. Tourists are permitted to enter the mosque arena through the northern and the southern gates. The mosque is about 80 meters long and 27 meters wide and 130 feet in height. The Jama Masjid faces the west.

The roof of Jama Masjid is designed in white and black stripes of marble and the top is covered in gold. 25000 people can be accommodated in the 100 square meters courtyard.

The prayer hall is decorated with arched marble structures inscribed with detailed history of the mosque. The floor structure of Jama Masjid is similar to that of Moti Masjid in Agra. The northeast part of the mosque is considered to be very holy because of the elaboration of the Quran in deerskin and the relics of Muhammad – the prophet. The southern minaret offers a view of the entire expanse of old Delhi marking the locations of some of the very popular tourist attractions.

Tourists can avail the local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws that ply in the city and can also avail the metro. The nearest metro station is the Kashmiri gate.

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