LOTUS TEMPLE , NEW DELHI , INDIA !

Beautifully designed, the Baha'i House of Worship (also known as the Lotus Temple) is built in the shape of a lotus. Its petals constructed in concrete and faced with white marble have an extraordinary lightness. Nine pools of water around the structure add to the illusion of a lotus floating in water. It belongs to the Baha'i Sect and is dedicated to the oneness of all religions. People of all faith can come and pray in the sprawling prayer hall. The temple remains open everyday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

NATIONAL MUSUEUM, NEW DELHI , INDIA .

This prestigious institution houses artifacts from the time of the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC) to the present times. Bronzes from South The National Gallery of Modern Art India, an impressive collection of stone sculpture, miniature paintings, textiles, coins and tribal art form part of its extensive collection. Of special interest is the superb Central Asian Gallery that exhibits the silk banners, sculpture and wall paintings that form part of Sir Aurel Stein's collection - brought to India in the early part of the 20th century. Open from 10 am to 5 pm and Monday remains closed.

QUTUB MINAR , NEW DELHI , INDIA .

Dominating the ruins of the earliest existing settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark- the Qutab Minar. The imposing victory tower 73 metre high was built by Qutbuddin Aibak (1192-98) the founder of the Slave Dynasty. The tapering, fluted structure has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved projections or balconies.

Elaborately carved pillars-which come from Hindu temples of the earlier setdement of Qila Rai Pithora embellish the courtyard of a nearby mosque. At the centre of the courtyard is the amazing Iron Pillar-the dhvaja stambha (flag pole) of a Vishnu Temple (4th-5th century AD). Cast in a process that is lost to the present world, the 7.2 metre pillar has not rusted through the centuries. Other interesting structures in die vicinity include die base of another unfinished tower - the Alai Minar

OLD FORT , NEW DELHI

The old fort with its massive walls and imposing gateways overlooks the modern city of New Delhi. It is located on what is possibly the site of the ancient settlement of Indraprastha - the city founded by the Pandavas during the epic times of the Mahabharata.

It was the second Mughal emperor Humayun who embarked in 1538 on the construction of the fort and the city he named Din Panah. Sher Shah Suri who took control of the empire shortly afterwards completed the fort and built many of its fine structures including the octagonal sandstone tower and the Sher Manzil. An interesting hour long light and music programme takes the visitor through the history of the fort.