A bustling mega metropolis of monumental proportion, Delhi is not just your average Indian city. With a good helping of most of the world’s cultures, the city is an ethnic melting pot of colour and vibrancy that is hard to find anywhere else in the nation. The former imperial headquarters of British colonizers, Delhi is a delectable cocktail of old meets new and east meets west where all of India’s intrinsic diversity is concentrated and celebrated.
Although the city is home to a plethora of illustrious museums and some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks, none dominates its landscape more than the sky piercing Qutub Minar tower. Pleasantly situated in a complex of ancient Hindu temple ruins, the 72.5 meter high tower is the tallest brick minaret in the globe. Built as far back as 1193, this red hued monument is also one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in existence.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutub complex comprises of a number of medieval buildings and ruins which surrounds the minaret. Attracting nearly 4 million tourists from across the globe the minaret even beat the Taj Mahal as one of India’s most frequented monuments. Three hundred and seventy eight steps lead visitors to the summit of the monument whose base diameter is 14.3 meters and 2.75 meters at the top most point. Exquisite examples of Indian artwork that dates back to 1193 encircle the structure. The red sandstone remnants of a second tower – the Alai Minar is also visible alongside its sky scraping predecessor. The top storey of the Alai Minar was made of gleaming white marble by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Built under the patronage of Qutbuddin Aibak, the premier islamic sovereign of Delhi, the Qutub Minar minaret aspired to be a structure similar to that of the Jam in Afghanistan. Similar to Ghurids and Ghaznavids towers, the Qutub consists of cylindrical shafts held up by Muqarnas corbels and divided by balconies. Constructed of red sandstone with quotations from the Quran, elaborate carvings cover the surface of the tower. Built on the former site of the Lal Kot, the Qutub Minar is constructed from the debris of the 27 Hindu temples.
The sacred message engraved on the tower states “Shri Vishwakarma prasade rachita” which translates to “Conceived with the grace of Vishwakarma”. Believed to have been built to call the faithful to prayer in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the view from the top of the minaret is unrivalled as it is breathtaking. Famed landmarks that can be viewed from the summit include the Humayun’s Tomb and the walls of Firoz Shah Kotla, Tughlaqabad, Jama Masjid and Purana Qila while the Hauz Khaz is also visible.
Although Delhi is home to several Gurgaon hotels, few match up to the exceptional service and luxuries of The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (NCR). A stylish luxury hotel Gurgaon is fortunate to call one of its finest, guests will hardly be disappointed with the amenities provided by this elegant rest.
