From a Mughal Fortress to Gandhi's Memorial, and On to a Modern Temple of Gold

Red Fort is a historic Mughal fort in Old Delhi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors and is one of the most important historical landmarks in India.

One of India's Oldest and Busiest Markets, Laid Out Under a Mughal Emperor -- Chandni Chowk traces its origins to the 17th century, laid out as part of Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad (today's Old Delhi) -- the same emperor who built the nearby Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. According to tradition, the market was designed around a moonlit canal running down its center, reflecting silver light at night and giving the street its name, which translates roughly to 'Moonlit Square.' Today that canal is long gone, replaced by one of the most densely packed, chaotic, and endlessly vibrant commercial streets in India, famous for street food, jewelry, spices, textiles, and wholesale trade of every kind -- a sensory plunge into Old Delhi's layered history just steps from the Mughal monuments that still anchor the neighborhood.

Jama Masjid is one of the largest and most important mosques in India, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The mosque is renowned for its vast courtyard, red sandstone architecture, and panoramic views from its minarets.

Where Mahatma Gandhi Was Laid to Rest -- Raj Ghat is a simple black marble platform marking the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in January 1948, days after his assassination brought a sudden end to the life of the man most associated with leading India's independence movement through nonviolent resistance. An eternal flame burns at the site, set within a quiet memorial park of lawns and trees that stands in deliberate contrast to the city's grander, more ornate monuments. Visiting heads of state and dignitaries routinely pay their respects here, and for many Indians, Raj Ghat remains a place of reflection rather than spectacle -- a simplicity said to match the austere principles Gandhi lived by.

Swaminarayan Akshardham is a large Hindu temple and cultural complex in Delhi. It is renowned for its intricately carved sandstone architecture, exhibition halls, gardens, and spiritual and cultural displays.