Qutub Minar and Iron Pillar of Delhi

While coming back from Varanasi to Bengaluru, we flew to Delhi and covered prominent landmarks of the national capital. The trip was jam packed as we had a day's time before we our departure to Bengaluru the next day.

Qutub Minar, Delhi

Qutub Minar : Our first stop was at Qutub Minar. 75.1 meter high monument was visible from a great distance. Even before we entered the Qutub complex, we had a glimpse of it from the bus we were travelling. It was dusk when we reached the place. Nicely paved path amidst green lawns, lead us to the UNESCO world heritage site.
The structure was majestic. Needless to say it marked the beginning of the Delhi sultanate. Sadly, one is not allowed to go inside the Minar like in Char Minar in Hyderabad. Entry was prohibited after a major stampede which killed 45 people in 1981 after a power failure.

Qutub Complex, Delhi

Qutub Complex : Interestingly, Qutub Minar was not the only attraction. We spotted several other monuments in the place, collectively called Qutub complex. One could find the ruins of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the form of arches. I was surprised to find columns which resembled columns from Hindu temples with intricate carvings. Later I came to know after reading the ASI inscription that the mosque was built by structural elements taken from the destruction of 27 Hindu and Jain temples.

Pillars of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Qutub Complex, Delhi

Iron Pillar : Another major attraction here is the 7 meter high iron pillar, which is rust resistant. A monument of the Gupta period(i.e 1600 years old), it is an Indian engineering wonder. There is a popular notion if standing with one's back to the pillar and make one's hands meet behind it, it would bring good look. This notion is depicted in the movie Cheeni Kum, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Big B hopes that this act of meeting hands standing with one's back to the pillar would save the life of his little friend, who is suffering from cancer. Sad to see that this popular notion has also lead to discoloration of the lower part of the pillar with tourists trying the act.

Iron Pillar, Qutub Complex. Delhi

Wall of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Qutub Complex, Delhi