Religious Places in Delhi

Delhi has witnessed several dynasties, many political outcomes and an equal number of religious influences. These influences rule the religious aspect of the city. This is natural because whenever people settle, they do need a place to pray. Every locality has religious structures like Temples, Churches, Mosques and Gurudwaras. A few of them are hundreds of years old.

Some prominent religious attractions in Delhi are the Chattarpur Mandir, Akshardham Mandir, Nizammuddin Dargah, Jama Masjid, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Hanuman Mandir. Most of these places are linked to Indian history in some way.

The Chattarpur Mandir is one the most famous Durga temples in Delhi. During Navratras millions of devotees come to worship Ma Durga here. Nizammuddin Dargah should be visited by those looking for some Sufiana experience around the great dervish. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is more of a historical place turned into a place for reverence. Many people would be surprised to know that it has an art gallery, a library and a museum also.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, though originally built for the British population living here, today welcomes people from all faith for its glorious and beautiful Christmas. The ancient Hanuman Mandir, it is believed, has self- manifested idol of Hanuman. Everyone is welcome here regardless of faith, caste and creed. A tour to these religious places in Delhi would satisfy your sense of devotion.

Akshardham Temple in Delhi
Strict adherence to vaastu shastra made in Rajasthani pink sandstone. A Carrara marble platform with the presiding deity's panchdhatu (five-metal) statue 11 ft high. More than 20,000 sculptures of animals, floral motifs, arches and exquisitely carved pillars.

Bangla Sahib Gurdwara
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most revered places of worship in Delhi. Its gold-plated dome and white facade tower above Bangla Sahib Road effortlessly. On holidays this place is packed with people of all castes, creed and religion.

Birla Mandir Delhi
Birla Mandir in Delhi, also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple, was built by industrialist G. D. Birla and inaugurated in 1938 by Mahatma Gandhi. This is one of the first temples allowing entry to people of any faith, religion or cast for worship.

Chhattarpur Mandir
Built completely in white marble, the Chhattarpur Mandir in Delhi has an aura of holiness and purity around it. Continuous prayer and discourses are held so that everybody can participate as and when they want.

Church of Redemption in Delhi
Cathedral Church of Redemption in Delhi, a part of the Church of North India (CNI), has a membership of over 600 communicant members from over 550 families. This extremely simple church was built on a design based by Henry Medd, a British born architect. It took around eight years to build the church, completed in the year 1933.

Hanuman Mandir in Delhi
Bal Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place region of Delhi is also known as Prachin Hanuman Mandir. It is one of the few temples which survived the rapid onslaught from the invading armies. Hanuman Mandir is said to be made by Maharaja Jai Singh along with Jantar Mantar in 1724.

ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON temple in Delhi, a magnificent shrine devoted to Lord Krishna, is a calm and soulful place of worship. Made by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1998, it is also known as the Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple.

Jama Masjid in Delhi
The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi is a principal mosque in India. It was made by Shah Jahan around the same time he commissioned Red Fort and was completed around 1656 AD. Jama Masjid is the largest and best known mosque in India.

Kalkaji Temple in Delhi
Kalkaji Temple, also known as Kalkaji Mandir, is dedicated to Devi Kalka, one of the various embodiments of Goddess Durga. This temple prides itself on an existence of about 3000 years.

Lotus Temple in Delhi
The Bahai House of Worship in Delhi is commonly called The Lotus Temple due to its architectural resemblance to a lotus. Designed by Fariborz Sahba, a Canadian architect of Iranian origin, it took ten years to complete.

Nizamuddin Dargah
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is one of the most highly respected Sufi saints in India and is his dargah is visited by many Sufiana enthusiasts from all over the world. Hazrat Nizamuddin died in 1325 and the original tomb does not exist anymore.

Sacred Heart Cathedral of Delhi
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is one of the best known and visited churches in India. The likes of Sir Edwin Lutyens, Father Luke and Henry Medd have been associated with The Church of Redemption.

Saint James Church in Delhi
Built in 1836, Saint James Church is the oldest surviving church in the city. It was built in a western classical design with a Greek cross plan. It was strategically located near Delhi's once best European shopping area.

Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Delhi
Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Delhi is built in the honor of Guru Tegh Bahadur, one of the most revered gurus of Sikhism. The Gurudwara was built a century after he was martyred by Sardar Bhagel Singh, a Sikh commander, when the Sikhs became more powerful.