Delhi
Delhi is a city of contrasts that stretches deep into India. It combines unique exoticism, the atmosphere of the city, mysterious for our man, with dusty streets and outright poverty of the local population.
The first settlements on the site of the capital of India, according to legend, date back to 3000 BC. e. Archaeological excavations have shown that they were located in the place where the British colonists eventually built the New Delhi area. The dawn of the city begins in the 16th century.
Delhi, in fact, consists of two cities: Old Delhi and new, modern, built in the 30s of the XX century – New Delhi. The variegated colors of the old smoothly transform into the luxury of the new city. Delhi is certainly less hectic than other major cities in India.
Due to its cultural heritage, Delhi tours are now very popular and the city is one of the biggest tourism centers in the world. The city has collected an unimaginable number of architectural monuments from different eras, palaces, forts and mosques in several of the most popular areas among tourists.
It will be interesting to see such sights of Delhi as the “Presidential Palace” (Rashtrapati Bhavan) – a combination of Indian and British architectural styles, which was intended for the Viceroy of the country.
“Royal Road Rajpath” – an avenue in the center of the new city. It houses the “Gateway to India”, built in honor of the soldiers of British India. The names of soldiers who died during the First World War are written on the walls of the memorial.
Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple in the world, covered with carvings. On its territory there is a musical fountain, gardens, restaurants, a cinema and various exhibitions are held.
Lakshminarayan Temple is a Hindu temple and a garden with fountains located on its territory. A big festival is held around the temple every year.
Mumbai
Locals prefer the old name of the city – Bombay. The city acquired its current name in 1995. The largest city in India is the first city in terms of population in India and throughout South Asia. The largest port of western India – Mumbai – occupies the islands of Solsett and Bombay, as well as the adjacent coast. The islands have been inhabited since the Stone Age.
Today Bombay – the largest commercial and industrial center – is a very bright and lively city. Mumbai is home to the well-known Bollywood, which produces as many films a year as they do not shoot in any other city on Earth.
Mumbai grew up around the old British fort and was actively built up during the reign of the British Crown.
The list of “main attractions of Mumbai”, of course, is headed by the well-known pearl of all India – the Taj Mahal Palace. Now the most luxurious seven-story hotel is located right on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
The basalt 26-meter triumphal arch “Gateway to India” or “Gateway from India”, as they began to be called after the last British troops left the country’s territory through them.
Chharpati Shivaji Station (until 1996 “Victoria Station” – in honor of the Queen of England) – a mixture of Gothic and Victorian architectural styles with notes of ethnic culture. The station still serves short and long distance trains. Since 1994, it has been a cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Calcutta
Since 2001, inside India, the city has been called Kolkata. Calcutta is located at the mouth of the Ganges River. It is the second largest city and the fourth largest city in the country. Calcutta was the capital of British India during the reign of the British Crown. Thanks to this, the city became a major center of education, science, art and politics. However, the problem of the city is the poverty of the local population. The city hosts one of the most famous and largest book fairs in the world.
Among the luxurious gardens in the middle of Calcutta is the royal Victoria Memorial. This snow-white quadrangular building was built in honor of Queen Victoria of Britain in 1921. The memorial is 56 meters high. The Victoria Memorial is currently a functioning museum.
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most fascinating architectural sights of Kolkata. It is built in neo-gothic style. The height of its tower is over 61 meters. The magnificent white cathedral was built in 1847 and is still part of the Anglican Church.
Fort William was built at the very beginning of British rule in India in 1696. In front of the fort is the largest public park in Calcutta.