8 Must See Architectural Sites in Delhi

Delhi, the capital of our country, is probably one of the places with the most historical monuments. It has many tombs, forts and other architectural marvels spread across the city which give it a beautiful charm. From red brick buildings to stone buildings and from pillars to ghats, Delhi is a wonderful place to explore India's rich history. We bring you some such monuments that you must visit on your next trip to the capital.

Amazing Architectural Buildings in Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb

It was the first garden-tomb of its kind in India which reflects the Mughal style of architecture. The tomb was built in the memory of Humayun in 1569 by his widow Banu Begum. Showcasing a true Mughal architecture with its garden squares, water canals along the paths and a double domed mausoleum situated in the center of the Charbagh, it is also known as the 'Mini Taj'. Very few people know that the Taj Mahal was modelled after Humayun's Tomb, and it is the design of Humayun's Tomb that inspired the layout and architecture of the iconic 'Taj'.

Humayun’s Tomb

Akshardham Temple

Acclaimed as the second largest Hindu temple in the world after Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, Akshardham Temple in Delhi is a recent addition to the architectural gems of India. The temple was inaugurated on 6 November 2005, and it took 5 years and the efforts of 11000 artisans for its large-scale construction. Akshardham Temple in Delhi is a part of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or BAPS.

Made of pink stone and white marble, the Akshardham temple structure has intricately carved pillars and domes decorated with stone sculptures and sculptures depicting scenes from Indian mythology. The grand beauty and grandeur of Akshardham Temple will leave you spellbound.

Akshardham Temple

Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahá'í Temple, was built in 1986 to bring together different religious beliefs on a single platform. The architecture of the temple depicts the shape of a half-open lotus flower. The structure is made of pure white marble and has 3 sets of 9 lotus petals. Within these petals is a meditation hall where followers of any religion can visit and offer prayers.

Around the petals, you will see 9 pools of water which look spectacular during the night when coloured lights fall on the water. The architecture and design of the Lotus Temple is worthy of admiring the architectural prowess of the Iranian Canadian architect, Fariburj Sahba, who lauded its design.

Akshardham Temple

Shri Ram Centre

Dubbed as one of the most famous theatres in Delhi for the performing arts and one of the iconic structures; The seemingly unconventional Shri Ram Center, built in the same year as the Akbar Hotel, are both historic projects of AR. Shivnath Prasad.

The structure's unconventional, off-the-beat geometry conveys the brutal nature with its bold massing. Its exposure is the beauty of it!

Shri Ram Centre

Akbar Hotel

If Delhi is the political and administrative capital of India, the 'Chanakyapuri neighbourhood', where this sprawling Akbar Hotel is located, is Delhi's diplomatic enclave where you can find most of the foreign embassies and even the prime minister's residence.

Heavy mass, with bold design form and straight lines set the template for the brutalist movement's no-nonsense attitude. The Akbar Hotel is a classic Brutalist building prototype.

Akbar Hotel

Hall of Nations, Pragati Maidan

Sometimes death tells you the importance of life.

If this is true for us humans, it does the same amazing architectural buildings in Gurgaon you must know!

on April 24, 2017; Delhi as well as India's architectural community reacted in shock and rebellion to the news that the "Hall of Nations" had been demolished. Possibly the world's first—and largest—span space-frame structure built using reinforced concrete. The demolition faced widespread condemnation and rebellion by architects and historians alike. However, this led to a rebirth of love for Brutalist architecture. And as they say, "sometimes, something happens for some reason".

Hall of Nations, Pragati Maidan

NCDC Building

Some identify it with brutality, others remember it when crossing the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, and 'Delhi's famous auto walas' know it as the pajama building, because it shows the shape of the building. Two zig-zag concrete wings reach the top, with a central aisle that links the wings and the service core together.

“The building carries itself visually and structurally”, says designer Kuldeep Singh.

NCDC Building

Chanakya Cinema Hall

The iconic cinema house that used to be the heartthrob of almost every youth of Delhi in the 1980s and 90s is no more!

The cinema hall proudly displayed its structural components on its skin, with the exterior following the shape of the auditorium inside. Today, 'Chanakya Mall' stands on the soil of a land filled with ruins of the iconic cinema hall.

heart breaking right: Can't help it, the world isn't a fair place anymore!

Chanakya Cinema Hall

If you want to build & remodel your dream house or office? Check out our refined list of architects in Noida and Delhi! Don't forget to share this article with your family and friends.

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