Private Tour of Temples and Spiritual Sites of Delhi

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning for a tour of some of the religious sites of Delhi.

The tour will commence with a visit to the Lakshmi Narayan temple, also known as Birla Mandir. It is the first in a series of temples built in India by the industrialist and philanthropist Birla family. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (The Goddess of Wealth) and Lord Narayan (the Preserver). The red and gold colored temple has several gardens and fountains and is crowded with devotees during the festivals of Janmashtami and Diwali.

Next, visit the majestic Gurdwara Bangla Sahib situated in the heart of New Delhi. It was originally a bungalow that belonged to Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. It was converted into a gurdwara in honor of Guru Harkrishan, the eighth Guru of the Sikhs, who used the bungalow during his stay in Delhi. During that time there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic in the city and Guru Harkrishan tended to the sick from the precincts of this house. Later he himself succumbed to the disease. The Gurdwara has a holy pool, which is revered by Sikhs for having medicinal properties. The Gurdwara is made of white marble and has a gold plated dome which is visible from a distance.

Next, travel back in time as you drive to Old Delhi to visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, it was completed at a princely sum of one million rupees in 1656. It is made of red sandstone and has 3 gates and 4 towers. 

From the Jama Masjid, drive next to St. James’ Church. It is an Anglican Church that was built in 1836 by Colonel James Skinner. It served as a church for the British Viceroys for over 100 years. It was a focal point in the Mutiny of 1857 against the British. Viewed as a symbol of the British establishment in Delhi, it was targeted by the rebel Indian troops. The Reverend Jennings, chaplain of the church was captured and killed in the Red Fort.  

Take a break for lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant.

After lunch, travel to Akshardham temple, the largest temple complex in the world. It was built in 5 years with the untiring efforts of 11,000 artisans. It showcases the architectural styles of India and the eternal legacy of its rich and varied culture. It has a main temple dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and 3 large exhibition halls that display the essence of 10,000 years of heritage. There is a fountain show at sunset that depicts the three stages of birth, life and death.

The last stop on the tour is the magnificent Lotus temple. It is one of the 7 Baha’i temples in the world. Built in white marble, the temple is shaped like a lotus. It has 9 pools that shimmer in natural light. The temple offers moments of peace and meditation right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.

At the end of the tour you will be dropped off at your hotel.