On 17th Morning around 10 A.M. after reaching New Delhi, we moved to Red Fort. It was a cool morning and viewing Red Fort from Chandini Chowk main road was a first time experience for many of us. This is the place from which our beloved Prime Minister hoist National Flag on every August 15th. With the help of a local guide, we entered into the fort complex. Though some of the parts in the fort was demolished, yet it has some Mughal Architects remaining intact to tell its past glory to the visitors, specially Rang Mahal, Diwan-E-Aam and Diwan-E-Khas. Nadir Shah had looted Red Fort in 1747 and sold most of the artifacts to Europeans. Red Fort Archeological Museum is now located inside Mumtaz Mahal.
Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra & Raj Ghat
Out little stop over at Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra which was very recently inaugurated by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s effort to cleanliness. It is in close vicinity to Raj Ghat, the resting place of the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi. Every year millions of people from across India pay visit to the Raj Ghat to pay their homage to Mahatma Gandhi-the epitome of Ahimsa. We along with our teachers moved to Raj Ghat. The adagio of Gandhiji’s favourite Bhajan, Vaishnava Jan to Tene Kahiye re…made the campus more lively. His contribution to the freedom struggle and his universal teachings of Non-Violence is still inspires us.
Akshardham Temple
Displaying a plethora of traditional and modern Hindu Culture, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple was our destination on 17th November evening. An ocean of crowds throng to this beautiful temple everyday to learn about the rich cultural heritage of India and to witness a beautiful water show which displays anecdotes from Upanishads glorifying the greatness of the almighty. The circumbulation path around the temple display the messages of Sahajanand Swamiji popularly known as Swaminarayan Maharaj. The idea of establishing such grand temple in Delhi was the brainchild of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual successor of Sahajanand Swamiji.
Once entered into the temple premises, devotees are guided to thematic gardens, galleries, Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan and Sanskruti Darshan that represents various themes based on the life of Swaminarayan ji, his childhood, his contribution to the world and his legacy.
Worth mentioning here is Sanskruti Darshan, which take visitors through a boat and sails through 1000 years of ancient history. This 12 minute boat ride represents India’s important contribution to the world.
There breathtaking view of beautiful gold plated idol of Swaminarayan Maharaj in the sanctum sanctorum surrounded by beautifully carved pillars with intricate designs mesmerizes the beholders. Also it encompasses deities of prominent Avatars of Hinduism such as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna with beautiful decorations.
Truly speaking, visiting Delhi is incomplete without paying a visit to Swami Narayan Akshardham Temple as it supplements and enhances a visitors notion of India.
Qutub Minar
On 18th December morning, we visited Qutub Minar Complex. Built around 12th century, Qutub Minar is a synthesis of Indo-Islamic architecture. It stand as a reminder of the arrival of Islam to India. It is commonly said that Qutub Minar is named after Qutbuddin Aibak. But historical accounts say that it is named after Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, a sufi saint of that time. It is the tallest minarate built entirely with bricks.
LOTUS TEMPLE
The Bahai Temple of Prayer, known as LOTUS TEMPLE was our next destination. We reached Temple around 4:00 P.M. Due to the huge rush in the compound, no one was allowed into the main prayer hall, but we were allowed to have a closer view of the temple. India has been the land of universal tolerance which has accepted every path to divinity as valid. Hence people of all faiths feel India as their own home.
INDIA GATE
On 19th December early morning we set our journey to most iconic place of New Delhi, that is INDIA GATE. Built by British after the First World War to honour the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the service, it encompasses the names of those brave soldiers on its wall.
Very recently the statue of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was installed in the Canopy that lies just in front of the India Gate.
NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL
Visiting NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL was a long cherished dream of many of us as it is built to honour our brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect their motherland. The kiths and kins of those soldiers visit this memorial to pay a floral tributes.
On the last day of our visit, we had a very good shopping experience in Karol Bagh, New Delhi. Dotted with all kinds of shops, selling all varieties of goods we could not but gathered as much as we can. After all this is a life time experience as school days would never come back and school days memories never die down.
After shopping, we reached Delhi Railway Station and our return journey to Warangal started in Grand Trunk express at 4:10 p.m. and reached safely to Warangal at 7:00 p.m. on 20th December.
We all are sincerely thankful to our Greenwood Management, our beloved Director Sri Dr. G. Bharadwaja Naidu Garu for having given us the consent to organize this educational tour. We also express our gratitude to our Director Sri. Dr. G. Bharadwaja Naidu, Chief Administrative Officer Sri. A. Prabhu Kumar, Academic Principal Sri. V.V.V. Naveen Kumar, Administrative Principal Sri. T. Pavan Kumar, Academic Coordinator Sri. Srikanth for having personally accompanied the educational tour and giving guidance and taking care all the way.We extend greatful thanks to all the Teaching Staff Mr. J. Ramesh, Mr. G. Satish , Mr. M. Ranga Rao, Mr.R. Venkateshwarlu, Mr. Sateeshan Achari, Mr. Ranjit Behara, Mrs. Vijayasree, Mrs. Premlatha, Mr. A. Ramakrishna, Mr. Pradeep Reddy, Non teaching staff Mrs. Swarnalatha, Ms. Ramadevi(ANM) and Mr. Mahesh, who accompanied the Educational tour and took good care of all the students.
Lastly we would like to say…. We travel because we become uncomfortable being too comfortable within the boundaries of limited learning.