10

Free Places to Visit in Delhi

Home to the President of the world’s largest democracy, Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi stands as a symbol of national strength. The nation’s most important democratic functions like the swearing-in ceremony of its elected leaders are carried out in these very grounds. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has been witness to honour giving ceremonies of the country’s bravehearts and achievers, signing of historic pacts between India and other nations, of India’s independence and republic day ceremonies, and the hosting of many world leaders.The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a true architectural masterpiece in its own right. The magnificent building spreads across 320 acres, including the splendid ‘Mughal Garden’ and the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. The design of the Rashtrapati Bhavan mainly imparts the Mughal architectural styles blended with classical and grand European signatures, credited to the British architects- Edwin Lutyen and Hebert Baker.The building is also diversified with a number of other typically Indian motifs such as ornate Elephant statues on the outer wall or the main gate of the building with the ‘Jaipur column’. All in all, it is quite a visual treat to behold!The building is open to visitors by three different segments or tour circuits. The first circuit comprises of the Main building and the Central Lawn. The second circuit houses the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex. In the same circuit, you can get a tour of the Clock Tower, the Stables, and the Garages. The third circuit has the magnificent Mughal Garden and other ancillary gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Tourists can request a trip of each of the circuits separately on the days assigned for each segment respectively for daytime visits from 9 AM to 4 PM. There is much to take in and marvel at around the complex-- the intricate craftsmanship of carved marble statues, the sprawling Mughal Gardens featuring masterful landscaping concepts, the Clock Tower, and a myriad of presidential mementos preserved inside the Museum. Upon exit, you can explore the premier surroundings of this important historical site, often called as the ‘Lutyens Delhi’.

The primary aim underlying the construction of this massive observatory was the preparation of astronomical charts. These were then used to track the local time zones by keeping an eye on the movement and transitions of the sun, the moon and the different planets that constitute our solar system. It thus follows that a highly precious observatory of the ancient past never fails to surprise the technology-influenced astronomers and researchers. The Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has a got a whopping height of around 723 feet and is comprised of different astronomical instruments totalling to a count of 13 units. Amongst these, the most precious and widely acknowledged ones are – Samrat Yantra, Misra Yantra, Ram Yantra, and Jai Prakash Yantra. The sundial, which forms the chief attraction here, is highly influenced by the ancient Egyptian Ptolemaic Structure. It strictly adheres to the sequential celestial orders of the local arrangement of the equatorial, ecliptic, and the horizontal-zenith planes. Thus, Delhi’s Jantar Mantar brings close the three different dimensions of belief, universe, and society. It conjoins the aspects of astronomical skills with cosmological concepts arising out of the court of a scholarly prince.

Also known as “A Dream Castle for One and All,” the National Science Centre in New Delhi is located opposite to the Old Bhairon Temple near Pragati Maidan in the city. Situated at a walking distance from India Gate, it is one of the largest centres of science in the entire Asian continent. Moreover, it regularly hosts many reputed personnel, such as Nobel Laureates, famous scientists as well as technocrats and astronauts, in addition to famous educators from the field of science. Established in 1992 by the Ministry of Culture in the Government of India, the National Science Centre consists of four different floors, with a majority of important galleries, including those of Technology, Heritage, Information Technology and Revolution, as well as one of Emerging Technologies. There are galleries for Human Biology, Prehistoric Life as well as Fun Science.This is a great place to attain knowledge about the various scientific processes as well as machines and instruments. The National Science Centre is a constituent part of the National Council of Science Museums. Ever since it has opened, the centre has been a pioneer for rendering services to promote science and its importance among people.From holding various educational programmes and exhibitions, to providing teacher training and holding seminars on science, the centre has been trying to inculcate the knowledge of science amongst everyone.The National Science Centre also houses a library, cafeteria, and a planetarium, along with several conference halls as well as a cyber school wherein you can attend short term courses.