Delhi – India’s capital city – is home to some of the most historic places and monuments in the country. It is full to the brim with museums showcasing old time art, archaeological items, manuscripts, arms and armour and much, much more.
From the Mughal era to the present times, Delhi has evolved as a city and so has its residents. A Delhiite will always remain one at heart regardless of wherever in the world they may go – while their love for travel is renowned, their heart remains in Delhi and its sights and sounds is magic to the eyes and music to the ears. If there’s nowhere else to go, Delhiites are always game for some Dilli Darshan.
However, the past 9 months have been tough on everyone. With restrictions due to the pandemic in place, it is quite easy to go stir crazy. Iconic spots in Delhi which witness people in massive numbers on a daily basis, now remain empty with a gloom in the air.
But don’t let this deter you from visiting your favourite spots! It’s never too late to see the iconic places in your own city. If you can’t go there physically, technology is at your service – virtual tours are your saviour.
We have curated a list of 5 most iconic places in Delhi, which you can visit any time, any day without worrying about crowds – and from the comfort of your home. Check it out…
Remember all the picnics you’ve had with your family at this great spot? While you may not get to have a picnic here, you can roam around 42-metre high archway while you feast on a great spread at home. Explore India Gate's massive surrounding lawns which are floodlit every night with coloured lights that make it look all the more gorgeous.
The gorgeous Mughal Gardens are a part of the famous Rashtrapati Bhawan – the residence of the President. The Presidential Palace was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens – the same person who designed the India Gate – in the 1900s and these gardens are the life and soul of the place. Spread across 13 acres, Mughal Gardens are home to a wide variety of flowers which are styled in fascinating ways. There are Musical, Spiritual and Bonsai gardens and these remain open to the public from February to March, but you can take in this beauty via a virtual tour. Take a nice virtual stroll and enjoy the gorgeous view!
One of the most iconic places in Delhi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutub Minar – built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in the 13th century – stands 72.5 metres tall, making it the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. The site has witnessed a ton of Delhi's tumultuous history and various rulers from Firoz Shah Tughlaq to Sikander Lodi have repaired the minaret and left their mark. Qutub Minar’s architecture also includes the Alai Darwaza, the Iron Pillar, and the Tomb of Imam Zamin. The night lights make the Qutub Minar all the more spectacular.
Children have a lot of energy and it’s a struggle to keep them confined at home. A virtual tour of the National Science Centre could provide them with a great time. Not only would it be a new sight, but it would also be educational. It offers practical, real-life explanations for several scientific principles, and keeps everyone immersed. The National Science Centre’s online tour will take you all around the place, from its atrium and ticket counters to all the engaging halls and exhibits inside.
From pre-historic artifacts to modern art, Delhi’s National Museum offers a great cultural trip down India’s memory lane. The Museum houses the likes of the Maurya collection, Gupta collection and Buddhist collection to Central Asian antiquities, pre-Columbian arts, miniature paintings and 7th century manuscripts and the list goes on. There is a lot to see and take in at the National Museum and a virtual tour is available!
So, there you go, the coming weekend is perfect to chill with the family and do some virtual Dilli Darshan. These are some of the best spots for virtual travel in Delhi, where you can go for a closer look at some of the city’s biggest tourist attractions, at least till the time the pandemic situation betters. Enjoy!
The author of this article is a professional having years of experience in the field of Digital Marketing and currently associated with Proxgy. The author is an expert in writing on virtual travel, online video shopping and Digital marketing topics.