Overview

This tour offers a window to India’s rich spiritual culture, beautifully documented in its many places of worship represented by the unique architectural mores of the faith. The rich and inspirational architecture of India’s sacred sites has been eminently showcased in its places of worship all across the land. Delhi offers an excellent representation of these creative outpourings.

The temple is often referred to in ancient Hindu texts on architecture (the Vastu Shastras) as the sacred mountain Meru or Kailasa, the abode of Shiva in the Himalayas. In Hindu temple architecture you have the Nagara (North) and Dravida (South) styles. The sikhara tower in Nagara temples have a sloping curve, decorative arches and are topped by an amalaka – a large fluted stone disk – and also a small pot and finial. The walls of Nagara temples feature an exterior of projections which create many recesses.

Dravida towers (known separately as vimana) are more dome-like with cornices, and they are topped by another smaller dome. The basic plan of a Hindu temple features the Ardha-Mandapa (entrance porch),) Mandapa (hall),) Antaraala (vestibule), Garbha-Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) and Pradakshina (concentric passage surrounding Garbha-Griha or circumambulation). Shikhara (a pyramid-like vertical) is mounted over Garbha-Griha

The Islamic architect’s grammar included arched cloisters and domes. The small minaret introduced by Qutubuddin Aibak in the Qutb complex in Delhi became a towering gospel for many more Indo-Islamic buildings.

Why you will love it

• The storyteller with deep perspectives and insights into spiritual melting pot of over the past several centuries of India
• Iconic places of worship: a North Indian Temple, an East Indian temple, a Sikh Gurudwara and a Roman Catholic Church

What you will experience

This experience will showcase a North Indian temple, an East Indian temple, a Sikh Gurdwara (Sikh temple), and a Roman Catholic Church. Time permitting you will be introduced to the Mughal tradition of the garden tomb.

INR 5311 per person | 4 hours | Art and Architecture