Qutb Minar
- Address:Delhi-Gurgaon Rd, Mehrauli, New Delhi
- Hours:Open daily, sunrise to sunset
- Admission:Rs 250. Filming permission: Rs 25
8:14 PM Sunday, May 27
Duststorm. Extremely hot.
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The superb buildings in this complex date from the onset of Islamic rule in India. The Qutb Minar itself is a soaring 240 foot (73 meter) high tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. At its base is Quwwat ul-Islam Masjid (Might of Islam Mosque), India's first mosque.
The tower has 5 distinct stories, each marked by a projecting balcony, and it tapers, like something out of a fairytale, from a 50 ft (15 m) diameter at the base to just 8 ft (2.5 m) at the top. The first 3 stories are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone. The stairs inside the tower coil so steeply that they're enough to make the hardiest climber dizzy and claustrophobic, and it was no surprise when a stampede during a school trip in 1979 resulted in a number of deaths. The inside of the tower has since been closed to visitors.
An inscription over the mosque's eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing 27 idolatrous (read Hindu) temples. A 23 ft (7 m) high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque and it's said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it, your wish will be unfulfilled; however, the pillar is now protected by a fence.
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This is a great tour. I recommend it if you either have little time or are planning to see Delhi for a few days or more. The tour gave my Wife and I a great outline and overall understanding of the city and it's culture.
The Guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable and approachable. We asked a few curly questions and he was honest in his responses.
The tour allowed us to make note of places where we could tour on our own later on, and equipped us with a better understanding of how to 'survive in Delhi'.
Note on dress: My wife advises other women to dress not worrying about what you look like but about covering yourself up. No exposed chests or anything below the knees. The men/boys can't stop staring.
Note on Tips: Most hospitality est' will charge a service charge, if they don't, tipping is about 5-10% depending on service provided. Like some other countries, many workers rely on tips as the source of income. We were told that many of the budget hotel/restaurants have workers who work only for tips and don't get paid a base wage.
Note on trading days: Many of the monuments/sites have days where they are closed. Check first before going to those places.
Don't expect much from the transport car. It is only a simple old bomb, but part of the experience. Traffic in Delhi is chaos, so recommend you have a bottle of water with you.
Overall, great trip and worth doing.
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Absolutely fantastic, the guides were on time and very professional and knowledgeable. I will recommend them to anyone who travels to India.
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Excellent tour. Guide was amazing and went to all the parts of the city I wanted to go and more. The information given to me was awesome. Do this trip!
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Qutb Minar is located 10 mi (16 km) from Connaught Place in southern Delhi. Catch bus 505, take an organized tour or a taxi to reach Qutb Minar.
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