new delhi - history at every turndocshare02.docshare.tips/files/21071/210710396.pdf · qutub minar...

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Shashwat Nagpal

New Delhi - History at every turn

New Delhi, 3 Days

Table of contents:Guide Description 2

Itinerary Overview 3

Daily Itineraries 5

New Delhi Snapshot 19

http://www.nileguide.com/destination/new-delhi/trips/new-delhi-history-at-every-turn/6788546

Guide Description

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AUTHOR NOTE: Mesmerizing. Modern. Ancient. Diverse..Delhi overwhelms at first sight. Stand resolute and the city lifts itsvaried veils to reveal gems of history at every turn...Delhi has been almost continuously inhabited since sixth centuryB.C...With the rise of the Delhi Sultanate in 1200 A.D, Delhi becamethe most important city in India. The Qutub Minar, completed in1386, is the landmark structure of this period. At 72.5 meters it isthe tallest brick minaret in the world...The Mughal emperor Shahjahan decided to shift his capitalfrom Agra to Delhi in 1639. The result was a walled city calledSahjahanabad. It exists today as 'old delhi' with the Red Fort,Chandani Chowk and Jama Masjid as its architectural linchpins...When the British decided to shift their capital to Delhi, theysettled on the relatively open area to the south of the walled city.Designed to project British Imperial ambitions, this part of Delhi isknown for its imposing colonial architecture and wide, tree-linedboulevards...Visit it for its buildings, its eclectic mix of cultures from all acrossIndia, the bustle of its bazaars, the smile of its people. Delhi, inthe end, lets you find exactly what you came looking for. You justhave to stay long enough.....(Photo Credit: mpnchar/flickr)

Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

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Day 1 - New DelhiDAY NOTE: Delhi before the Mughals. Experience thearchitecture of the period leading up to Mughal Rule. Locations:CBD, South-west Delhi, South Delhi...Transport Tip: Book a full-day taxi, Radio taxis are available,they are clean, air-conditioned, and generally charge Rs. 15($ 0.34 approx) per kilometer. Ask your Hotel Travel Desk tohelp, or go online to any of these sites: www.merucabs.com,www.carzonrent.com, www.quickcabs.in, www.smartcabs.com

Park (The)Art in the halls

Jantar MantarBig sun dials

Ugrasen Ki BaoliAn ancient step well

Alai DarwazaA perfect gateway

Qutub MinarHighest stone tower

Alai MinarRemnants of Mughal architecture

Iron PillarMysterious structure

Tomb of IltutmishLacework in stone

Jamali KamaliSlave dynasty's architecture

Bijai MandalA royal palace

Lal GumbadPre-Mughal Architecture

BukharaFood from the frontier

Day 2 - New DelhiDAY NOTE: Mughal Delhi: Spend a day revisiting the pomp andgrandeur of Mughal times. Mostly in and around the walled city.Also, spice up the day with a visit to Khari Baoli.

Purana Qila (Old Fort)Reminiscent of Mughal Grandeur

Khari BaoliSpice Market

Fatehpuri MasjidOldest Piece of Mughal Architecture

Jama MasjidA mosque in sandstone and marble

Chandni ChowkShops, restaurants and tombs

Lahore Gate (The)Symbolic gate into India

Red FortLal Quila

Sound and Light ShowHistory becomes fun

Karim'sMoghlai Treats


Day 3 - New DelhiDAY NOTE: Colonial Delhi with a Mughal intermission: SeeIndia's center of power, imperial architecture at its glorious best,two Mughal memorial tombs that still mesmerize. End the the day

Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

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in serene wonder with a visit to a mammoth white lotus floating onwater.

India GateLutyen's vision

Sansad BhavanIndian parliament

Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House)Great view

Secretariat (The)Ministerial offices

Safdarjung TombMughal art

Humayun's TombBest of Mughal architecture

Bahai TempleThe Lotus Temple

Chor BizzareOne of a kind


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Day 1 - New DelhiQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Delhi before the Mughals. Experience the architecture of the period leading up to Mughal Rule. Locations: CBD, South-westDelhi, South Delhi...Transport Tip: Book a full-day taxi, Radio taxis are available, they are clean, air-conditioned, and generally charge Rs. 15 ($ 0.34approx) per kilometer. Ask your Hotel Travel Desk to help, or go online to any of these sites: www.merucabs.com, www.carzonrent.com,www.quickcabs.in, www.smartcabs.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2374 3000fax: +91 11 2734 4000http://www.theparkhotels.com/park/del%20home.html

location:15 Parliament StreetNew Delhi DL 110001

1 Park (The)

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Stay here if you are looking for great comfort andready accessibility to all parts of Delhi. Plus, they dohave very nicely done restaurants and a decent bar- Agni.

DESCRIPTION: The Park located in Central Delhi, is a memberof the elite group of Design Hotels. It has re-invented itself overthe past few years, and is now an art connoiseur of sorts.hasre-invented itself over the past few years, and is now an artconnoisseur of sorts. There are valuable handpicked piecesof Indian art gracing its walls and the decor is cutting edgecontemporary. The Park, a part of a group of boutique hotels inIndia, makes sure that it's a walking and talking advertisementfor serious high standards in hospitality. There is LUXURYwritten all over its fancy facilities and ultra modern amenities.

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Day 1 - continued...

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The hotel is located in the heart of the city and overlooks thehistoric 18th century Jantar Mantar Observatory. © wcities.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:Connaught PlaceNew Delhi DL 110001

2 Jantar Mantar

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:A fascinating place to visit. To understand how theyused to tell time back then. This is a short walk fromthe Patel Chowk Metro station on the Blue Line.

DESCRIPTION: On first glance, Jantar Mantar seems likea collection of weird buildings contorted beyond belief. Oncloser look, the genius of the construction is apparent. Builtby Maharaja Jai Singh in 1725, it is a brilliant attempt to revisethe calendar and the astronomical tables. A mammoth sundial stands in the centre of the observatory. There are manyother constructions made to track the sun beams and mooncycles. Once a precise mechanism for telling time and eclipses,now Jantar Mantar is made defunct due to the overshadowingby tall skyscapers all around. This place derives its morecontemporary charm from the hordes of protests (dharnas)and hunger strikes that are organised on a frequent basis. ©wcities.com

MY NOTE: Just walk across from your hotel after breakfast.

Photo courtesy of Richard Moross

contact:tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (TouristInformation)

location:Near Kasturba Gandhi Marg,New Delhi DL 110001

hours:Call for details

3 Ugrasen Ki Baoli

DESCRIPTION: This baoli (step well) is a small structure builtof rubble and dressed stone. Shaded by a massive neem tree,it has no roof. Step wells of this kind were once the lifelineof settlements. They not only provided water but also servedas points and centers of community activity; places wherepeople gathered to cool off and socialize. The well has fivelevels where each level has an arched area, which was usedas a resting place. The center of the well has water and thewater is linked to a well dug in a covered platform. Today, itstands quietly and ignored amidst the corporate buildings ofConnaught Place. If you look over the highest wall of the baoli,you will see a surrounding ring of imposing high rises. It's quitea view. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of INDIAFOCUS


location:Qutub Minar ComplexNew Delhi DL 110016

hours:Daily dawn to dusk

4 Alai Darwaza

DESCRIPTION: Situated in midst of the beautiful Indo-Islamicstructures of the Qutub Minar complex, stands the elegantAlai Darwaza (gate). By the time it was finished in 1311,Indian workmen had mastered the art of constructing a dome.Through the system of a series of arched brackets, the squarechamber was converted into a octagon and then a circle, andthe dome was mounted on it. This celebrated gate is built of red

Photo courtesy of Ze Eduardo...


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sandstone with arched openings on all sides. It is full of scriptscarved with ancient inscriptions and has many other decorativedetails in white marble. © wcities.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:MehrauliNew Delhi DL 110030

5 Qutub Minar

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Avoid the shops selling handicrafts around the complex. Youare better off buying at the Cottage Emporium, Janpath.

DESCRIPTION: Nobody quite knows why this structure was built.Some believe it was erected as a symbol of victory of the Muslim rulein India. What is undisputable is that it is one of the finest monumentsin the country and one of the most recognised, second only to the TajMahal in Agra. Its construction was started Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the firstMuslim ruler of Delhiin 1200, but managed to finish only the base. Hissuccessor, Iltutmush added three more storeys, and later, Firoz ShahTughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. The first three storeysare made of red sandstone. The fourth and fifth floors are made of marbleand sandstone. Admission: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 250 for foreigners. ©wcities.com

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6 Alai Minar

DESCRIPTION: The gigantic rubble structure to the north ofQutub Minar is known as Alai Minar (tower). Set amidst otherbeautiful ruins of the Qutub complex, it is a testimony of theMughal stubbornness to create architectural art. This is anunfinished base of the mammoth tower begun by Alauddin Khiljisometime in the 1200s. It was intended to rival the size of theQutub Minar tower. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Swami Stream

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005


hours:10a-6p

7 Iron Pillar

DESCRIPTION: The Iron Pillar is inscribed with a Sanskritinscription that says that it was built as a pole for a temple inthe 4th century. But that's just about all that is known about thisstructure. The most fascinating thing about this pillar is that ithas remained rust-free for over 2000 years. Another insolvablemystery is that the kind of iron used to make this pillar can onlybe produced in small quantities through electrolysis - today.How it was made so many centuries ago defies explanation. ©wcities.com

Photo courtesy of 3D King


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8 Tomb of Iltutmish

DESCRIPTION: This is the tomb of Iltutmish who died in1236. He was the son-in-law and successor of emperorQutubuddin Aibak. It has an exquisite sculptural character andhas inscriptions from the Holy book of Quran on its walls, whichhave been delicately carved out like fine lace work in stone. ©wcities.com

MY NOTE: Right now is the time to grab a quick bite. You couldgo to the coffee shop of Sheraton Hotel - a 15 min. drive fromQutub, or ask your driver to take you to the nearest Cafe CoffeeDay outlet.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Chan


location:Near Qutub Minar ComplexNew Delhi DL 110030

9 Jamali Kamali

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:There is less bustle here than at the Qutub. Use thisas a short pit stop to unwind before setting off onyour itinerary again.

DESCRIPTION: The Jamali Kamali masjid (mosque) and tombis situated near the Qutub Minar complex and is set withina beautiful park. The mosque's simple lines give it an air ofsimple elegance and quiet contemplation. Through the dooron the right lies a small chamber in which Jamali and Kamaliare buried. Jamali was a saint and a poet who was a favoriteof the ruling king. The identity of Kamali is unknown. The tombchamber is closed to the public but the outside premises areworth a view. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Shashwat_Nagpal

contact:tel: +91 11 2462 9365

location:Sarvapriya ViharNew Delhi DL 110017


A Bijai Mandal

DESCRIPTION: The Arab traveler, Ibn Batuta, minister at the king's court, described the series ofgates within the Bijai Mandal at great length. Standing on top of the ruins of this palace, one canalmost sense its ruined splendor. One of the best things to do is to stand at the highest point andget a kaleidoscopic view of many parts of the capital. You will be able to see the Begumpuri Masjid,the historic and magnificent Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, and Humayun's Tomb. © wcities.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2464 7005(TouristInformation)fax: +91 11 2469 7352(Tourist Information)

location:Panchshila ParkNew Delhi 110017

B Lal Gumbad

DESCRIPTION: The Lal Gumbad is one of the many grand pieces of ancient architecture thatbeautifully adorn the city of Delhi. Lal Gumbad or the Red Mausoleum is the tomb of Shaikh Kabir-Ud-Din Auliya, who was buried here in 1397, during the pre-Mughal era. The square-shaped tombis erected of red sandstone, with a conic-shaped plastered dome on the roof. The serene lawnsof Panchshila Park, where the tomb is located, exudes a wonderful ambiance. Don't miss thisgorgeous monument, when in Delhi! © wcities.com


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contact:tel: +91 11 2611 2233fax: +91 11 2611 3333http://www.welcomgroup.com/

location:Maurya SheratonNew Delhi DL 110021

hours:12:3-p-2:45p; 7:30-11:45p

C Bukhara

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Reserve in advance, especially if you are planningon dinner.

DESCRIPTION: A stalwart in its field, Bukhara remainsunchallenged as far as cooking dry meats go. The kebabsare to die for and its dal (an Indian dish), which is cooked for24 hours over a slow fire, is legendary. Sitting on one of thedesigner wooden stumps, which match the loghouse decorof the place, you can enjoy the fascinating scenes of thekitchen. It is separated through a glass partition and the chefcan be seen throwing dough in the air and ending up with aperfect circular roomali roti (Indian bread). This restaurant isconsidered the ultimate place for Frontier food. It is expensive,but worth every penny. © wcities.com

MY NOTE: End the day on a perfect note with a repast fit forkings at this celebrated restaurant.

Photo courtesy of jennthechen82

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DAY NOTE: Mughal Delhi: Spend a day revisiting the pomp and grandeur of Mughal times. Mostly in and around the walled city. Also,spice up the day with a visit to Khari Baoli.

contact:tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (TouristInformation)fax: +91 11 2469 7352(Tourist Information)

location:Off Mathura RoadNew Delhi 110034

1 Purana Qila (Old Fort)

DESCRIPTION: Purana Qila or Old Fort, on the banks of the river Yamuna, is one of the mostgorgeous exponents of Mughal architecture. This imposing structure was built by EmperorHumayun in 1533 on the site of Indraprastha (capital of the Pandavas in Mahabharata) and wasnamed "Dina-panah". The structure was later renovated by Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri andrenamed "Shergarh" in 1545. The fort, built of red sandstone has two towering gates, "TalaqiDarwaza" on the northern side and "Humayun Darwaza" on the southern side that are intricatelycarved. The Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid and the Sher Mandal are important monuments inside the fort. OldFort truly adds to the vintage charm of Delhi! © wcities.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:Near Turkman GateNew Delhi DL 110006

hours:5a-9p

2 Khari Baoli

DESCRIPTION: Khari Baoli is the city's wholesale market thatsells exotic spices and dry agricultural products. It is a verypopular place with the tourists as the sights and smells thatawait them are unique and something they have probably neverexperienced before. This place has been in existence for overcenturies - Khari Baoli still is reminiscent of a time long gone by.© wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Carol Mitchell


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contact:tel: +91 11 2464 7005(TouristInformation)fax: +91 11 2469 7352(Tourist Information)

location:Chandni ChowkNew Delhi 110006

3 Fatehpuri Masjid

DESCRIPTION: Fatehpuri Masjid is located on the western end of Chandni Chowk, old Delhi'smost famous street. At the opposite end of Fathepuri, is the Red Fort and around the masjid, isthe vibrant Chandni Chowk market. Built in 1650 by Fathepuri Begum (Shah Jahan's wife), thismosque is typical of the gorgeous red sandstone architecture of the Mughals. It has a dome with amahapadma and a kalash on its roof and is flanked by minarets on all sides. The central courtyardis laid with red stones and there are single and double-storeyed apartments on both sides of themosque. It is visited by non-Muslims as well, mostly during Id-ul-Fitr festivities. © wcities.com

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:Chandni ChowkNew Delhi DL 110006

4 Jama Masjid

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Try and visit during early morning. The gentlelight of the rising sun and the hazy blue sky formthe perfect context to take in the beauty of thissandstone mosque.

DESCRIPTION: This is the biggest mosque in India and isone of the last buildings to be made by the Mughal emperorShah Jahan. The construction of the mosque took 14 years andended in 1658. It has three entrances, and four towers. Thetop of the towers provide a priceless view of the old city. Themosque itself has been constructed in sandstone and marble.The central courtyard can hold up to 25, 000 people at any givetime, but after 5pm, only Muslims are allowed to stay inside thepremises. Word of caution: Women are not allowed to go up theminaret without a male escort. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of RussBowling

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/shopping/chandnichowk.html

location:Red FortNew Delhi DL 110006

5 Chandni Chowk

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:The best way to get around is the Rickshaw. Hop onone and tell the Rickshaw puller where you want togo. The ride is an experience in itself.

DESCRIPTION: Chandni Chowk is one of the busiest of roadsin the city; it links the Red Fort with the Fatehpuri Masjid.Chandni Chowk is a colourful bazaar, very popular with tradersand locals. It is considered as the best place to shop for fabrics,in wholesale prices. It gets so crowded that vehicles are notallowed in its bylanes. Chandni Chowk has retained its oldmagic and is a bustling shopping area, with historic alleys andhotels, mosques and temples. Some food stalls in the areaare 100 years old. It is a favourite hangout for cuisine buffs. ©wcities.com

Photo courtesy of eulogio


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contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005


6 Lahore Gate (The)

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Don't miss the Light and Show at Red Fort of whichthis gate is a part.

DESCRIPTION: Lahore Gate is one of the main entrance intothe historical Red Fort. It is named so because it faces Lahore,now a city in Pakistan. As you cross the gate, you step intoan arcade called the Chatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar). Thismarketplace once used to cater to royal needs - for silver,textiles, gold, silks etc. But today you'll find the usual items fortourists. It also had a popular mini-market called the Meenabazaar, where ladies of the court shopped on Thursdays. Andit was forbidden for any male to enter the area that day. ©wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Pablo H

contact:tel: +91 (0)11 2464 7005fax: +91 (0)11 2469 7352 /+91 (0)11 2461 0500 (TouristInformation)http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/delhiredfort.html

location:Off Mahatma Gandhi MargNew Delhi 110006

7 Red Fort

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:While you are visiting the Deewaan-e-khas (innercourt), look out of the window. In place of the busyroad you see was the river Yamuna. The emperorused to sit at his balcony and watch the ebb andflow of the water almost every evening.

DESCRIPTION: This was emperor Shah Jahan's residence, afort of unimaginable magnitude. Built in 1648 along the banks ofthe Yamuna river, it is constructed in the reddest of sandstones,and extends upto two kilometres horizontally. Before 1857,the fort was a small city in itself and was home to over 3000people. Today, it daily welcomes thousands of tourists. Onlya part of the full area is accessible to public, the rest is theterritory of the Indian army. The daily sound and light show inthe evenings is very popular with the visitors and is a must-see.Admmission: Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners. ©wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Shashlwat Nagpal

contact:tel: +91 (0)11 2328 1802 /+91 (0)11 2327 4580 (IndiaTourism)


hours:Hindi: daily Sep-Oct 7p-8p,Nov-Jan 6p-7p, Feb-Apr7p-8p, May-Aug 7.30p-8.30p.English: daily Sep-Oct

8 Sound and Light Show

DESCRIPTION: An extraordinary sound and light show is organised every evening at Red Fort.Inaugurated on October 2nd, 1996, it is perhaps the biggest of its kind in India. It recreates theevents of Indian history particularly related to the fort. Red Fort is believed to be the site of the firstcity of Delhi. The high rise walls and imposing entrances to the Quila (fort) are credited to emperorShershah Suri. Massive halogen lights reflected from the mammoth, red sandstone walls andsound effects from hidden speakers evoke such an effect that the show has been a hit with thelocal crowds as well as the tourist for years. It takes place in Hindi and English for an hour each.Tickets Rs 50 (children Rs. 20). © wcities.com


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8.30p-9.30p, Nov-Jan7.30p-8.30p, Feb-Apr8.30p-9.30p, May-Aug 9p-10p

contact:tel: +91 11 2326 9880http://www.karimhoteldelhi.com/

location:16 Gali KababianNew Delhi 110006

9 Karim's

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Recommended: mutton burra, mutton stew, tandoorichicken, badam pasanda, khamiri roti (bread), allthe biryanis, phirni(sweet dish).

DESCRIPTION: A well known name in the capital, Karim's hasbeen serving traditional Indian preparations since a long timenow. Considered one of the best, many a celebrity has beenspotted dining here. Located opposite the Jamma Masjid, thefamous place offers mouth watering kebabs and tasty muttondishes. The specials include Mutton Burra, Chicken Tikka,Chicken Noor Jehan, Chicken Jahangiri and of course, ChickenTandoori. The menu also features spicy appetizers like kebabs.© wcities.com

MY NOTE: Do try the 'Khamiri Roti', their famous fresh bread.Also, the mutton stew is great. All gravy dishes come swimmingin fat. You are supposed to drain the excess fat in an emptyquarter plate kept on the table before you start.

Photo courtesy of Anirban Brahma



A Park (The)


DESCRIPTION: The Park located in Central Delhi, is a memberof the elite group of Design Hotels. It has re-invented itself overthe past few years, and is now an art connoiseur of sorts.hasre-invented itself over the past few years, and is now an artconnoisseur of sorts. There are valuable handpicked piecesof Indian art gracing its walls and the decor is cutting edgecontemporary. The Park, a part of a group of boutique hotels inIndia, makes sure that it's a walking and talking advertisementfor serious high standards in hospitality. There is LUXURYwritten all over its fancy facilities and ultra modern amenities.The hotel is located in the heart of the city and overlooks thehistoric 18th century Jantar Mantar Observatory. © wcities.com

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DAY NOTE: Colonial Delhi with a Mughal intermission: See India's center of power, imperial architecture at its glorious best, two Mughalmemorial tombs that still mesmerize. End the the day in serene wonder with a visit to a mammoth white lotus floating on water.

contact:tel: +91 (0)11 2464 7005fax: +91 (0)11 2469 7352 /+91 (0)11 2461 0500 (TouristInformation)http://www.tourism-of-india.com/india-gate-newdelhi.html

location:RajpathNew Delhi DL 110001

1 India Gate

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Right behind the India Gate is an empty canopy thatonce housed the statue of King George. The roadbetween India Gate and the President's House iscall Rajpath. The ceremonial Republic Day paradeis held here. The lawns are abuzz with locals everyevening out for a stroll.

DESCRIPTION: India Gate is usually the first stop in atraveler's itinerary. It is a majestic structure, which standshigh at the end of Rajpath amidst plush, green manicuredlawns and water fountains carved in sandstone. Designedand built by Lutyens, it was originally called the All India WarMemorial. This structure was built in honor and memory of thescores of Indian soldiers who died in World War I, the North-West Frontier operations, and the Afghan war in early 1900s.India Gate is truly unique as each martyred soldier's name isinscribed in its walls. Under it burns the eternal flame of 'AmarJyoti'; burning since 1971. The area is especially breathtakingin the evenings when India Gate and the sparawling lawns aredramaticly lit with floodlights. Just behind the main structure ofIndia Gate is a canopy made in sandstone. In front of it is the

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magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of the Presidentof India. This is one of the most beautiful localities in the cityand is favourite spot for picnics and outings all year round. ©wcities.com

contact:http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/

location:Sansad MargNew Delhi DL 110001

2 Sansad Bhavan

DESCRIPTION: Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) is acircular, sandstone building with mammoth pillars. It is a placewhere the ministers of the country convene everyday to discussand approve policies. Sansad Bhavan is divided into threecomplexes - the Lok Sabha (House of States), the Rajya Sabha(House of Lords), and the library. The design of this structurewas inspired by Mughal architecture - evident in the motifs onthe wall slabs. Entry is allowed into the Library only, passes areavailable at the Visitor's Reception. To obtain a visitors' pass,foreign nationals should apply though their embassies or highcommissions. © wcities.com

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contact:tel: +91 11 332 0005http://presidentofindia.nic.in/

location:RajpathNew Delhi DL 110001

hours:Tu-Su 10a-5p

3 Rashtrapati Bhavan (PresidentHouse)

DESCRIPTION: This is the official residence of the Presidentof India. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is an awe-inspiring complex,which was designed by Lutyens in the early 1900s. The palace-like building is a blend of Western and Mughal architecturalstyles; the most obvious Indian feature being the huge copperdome. It is believed to be inspired by the Buddhist stupa atSanchi. There is a huge courtyard in the front and a lushgarden towards the back. The garden is spread over a 130 acrearea and is very popular with the tourists. It is open to the publiconly in February. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of anappaiah

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:RajpathNew Delhi 110001

4 Secretariat (The)

DESCRIPTION: The buildings that form The Secretariat surround theRashtrapati Bhavan. The North Block are the offices of the Home andFinance Ministeries and the South Block is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.This is a series of beautiful buildings in red sandstone with Baroquedomes covered with lotus motifs and elephants - another example of thearchitect's, Lutyen's genius. Unfortunately, entry into the premises is notallowed. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy ofkersy83


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contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:Lodhi RoadNew Delhi DL 110003

5 Safdarjung Tomb

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Another great example of the charbagh (four-garden) layout, this is one of the last of Mughalmonuments to be erected in Delhi.

DESCRIPTION: Safdarjung Tomb was built as a mausoleumfor the Viceroy of Awadh, Safdarjung, in 1754. The mainstructure, built in red sandstone, is surrounded by many othersmaller pavillions like Jangli Mahal (Wild Palace), Moti Mahal(Palace of Pearls), and Badshah Pasand (King's Favourite).It is a beautiful piece of Mughal architecture, and the endlesslush green gardens and manicured lawns are sure to takeyour breath away. Admission: Rs. 5 for Indians, Rs. 100 forforeigners. © wcities.com

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contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005

location:NizamuddinNew Delhi DL 110013

6 Humayun's Tomb

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Don't fail to notice the charbagh (four-garden) layoutthat is a Persian influence. This is the first instanceof its use in India. It went on to become a trademarkof Mughal architecture.

DESCRIPTION: Built as a memorial for emperor Humayun byhis wife in the 16th century, this structure, resplendent in redsandstone is considered to be the next best thing after the TajMahal in Agra. The tomb is awe-inspiring, nestled by lush greenlawns on three sides and a river on the fourth. There are othertombs within the premises as well - of Humanyun Babar's andIsa Khan's. This place is not frequented just by the tourists butalso has its loyal admirers who throng here in hordes. The entryin the complex is free on Fridays. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of RobRyb

contact:tel: +91 11 2332 0005http://www.bahaindia.org/temple/index.html

location:Nehru PlaceNew Delhi DL 110017

7 Bahai Temple

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Visit early morning or in the evening,especially if it ishot. You are supposed to take off your shoes beforeyou enter the building. There is a lot of barefootwalking involved. Remember, the central hall is formeditation. No talking!

DESCRIPTION: India is a known as a country of hundreds ofreligions and communities, and the Bahai Temple is a symbolof such tolerance and respect. Built in 1997, in the shape ofa white lotus, it is surrounded by nine cyrstal blue pools ofwater and lush green lawns. The idea is to create an illusionof a white lotus floating in water. This building welcomes

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worshippers, believers and non-believers from all over thecountry and the world - it strives to create a space of calm andpositive energy. If not for the religious aspect of it, thousandstourists come everyday to view and enjoy the mammoth lotusstructure built out of marble with the red sandstone pathways.Admission is Free. © wcities.com

MY NOTE: The inside of the Temple is supposed to be a placeof meditation. Act accordingly.

contact:tel: +91 (0)11 2327 3821 / +91(0)11 2327 3825fax: +91 (0)11 2327 9966http://www.chorbizarrerestaurant.com/newsite/index_india.html

location:4/15A, Hotel BroadwayNew Delhi 110002


8 Chor Bizzare

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Go for the Kashmiri cuisine here.

DESCRIPTION: Chor Bizzare is an extraordinary restaurant.Its name means The Market of Thieves, and the wholeconcept of the restaurant is based on that. You enter through aheavily carved wooden door and walk into the most strangelydecorated restaurant. The tables are the weirdest – some aresilver-plated, glass or marbled, and some are converted fromfour-poster beds and sewing machines. There are variousfascinating curios in the three rooms of the dining area, suchas an old broken gramophone, posters of Coca Cola fromthe 1950s, a metal staircase in the middle of the restaurantleading up to nowhere, and finally, the piece de resistance, a1920s Fiat, which acts as a salad bar. Nothing makes senseand that is the uniqueness of this place. Chor Bizzare is anaward-winning restaurant and serves delicious food. You mayforget the food, but will always remember the restaurant'strademark...the bizzareness. © wcities.com

MY NOTE: A perfect way to end the trip to the city wherenothing makes sense, yet everything comes together.

Photo courtesy of proxyindian



9 Park (The)


DESCRIPTION: The Park located in Central Delhi, is a memberof the elite group of Design Hotels. It has re-invented itself overthe past few years, and is now an art connoiseur of sorts.hasre-invented itself over the past few years, and is now an artconnoisseur of sorts. There are valuable handpicked piecesof Indian art gracing its walls and the decor is cutting edgecontemporary. The Park, a part of a group of boutique hotels inIndia, makes sure that it's a walking and talking advertisementfor serious high standards in hospitality. There is LUXURYwritten all over its fancy facilities and ultra modern amenities.

wcities


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The hotel is located in the heart of the city and overlooks thehistoric 18th century Jantar Mantar Observatory. © wcities.com

New Delhi Snapshot

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Local InfoHistorically significant, politically dominantand culturally vibrant, Delhi is not an easycity to bracket. As India’s capital it enjoysthe privileges of power. Its continuousthread of rich history is a mother lode thatthrows up riches wherever you go. Delhican be thought of as a layer of successivecites that followed one-another in the wakeof time. A simpler way to look at modernDelhi is to follow the nine-district division of1997. These districts are: Central, North,South, East, West, North-East, South-East,North-West, and South-West District. Central/New Delhi:When the Britishdecided to shift the capital from Kolkottato Delhi in 1912 they envisioned acapital city that would be a true reflectionof British imperial power. Thus wereconceived buildings to project imposinggrandeur. Today, in this part of Delhi youcan view the results of this vision. ThePresident’s House, the India Gate, theParliament House, Connaught Place area few examples. This area of Delhi ischaracterized by wide-open boulevards anda generally low skyline. North Delhi:The moment you head northof Connaught Place, the city seems toclose upon itself. The streets becomenarrower, the roads winding, the trafficchaotic. This is the part of the city whre youwill find Shahjahahnabad or the ‘Old City’.With the Chandani Chowk, Jama Masjidand the Red Fort as your focal pointsyou can launch into walks that take youthrough narrow winding lanes and throw upsurprises at almost every turn. Paharganj-the backpacker paradise and the Universityfurther north are the other significant areas. South Delhi/South-East Delhi:Full ofhigh-end stores, happening nightspots,plush residences, specialty restaurants anda bevy of 5-Star hotels this is the hip partof town. The roads are generally wide, youget a sense of green almost everywhere

you go. This part of town also boasts of theQutub Minar, Tughlaqabad Fort, the LotusTemple, the Hauz Khas ruins and the LodhiGardens.

West Delhi/North-West Delhi: Primarilyresidential, this area does have a few pointsof interest. There is a new Delhi Haat atPritampura that’s next to theNetaji SubhashPlace Metro station. This area has alsorecently seen a number of swank new mallscome up, especially in the Rajouri Gardenarea. Even the Hilton has opened recentlyin Janakpuri.

East Delhi/North-East: Primarilyresidential till recently, this area has seen aspurt of building activity recently. With theAkshardham Temple built on the banks ofthe Yamuna and the Commonwealth gamesVillage next door, East Delhi is certainly onthe tourist map. © NileGuide

HistoryDelhi has not always been the capital ofIndia but has played an important rolein Indian history. One of the fascinatingaspects of the city has been the'visibility'of its historic past. If not for the demandsof urbanization, large portions of the citycould well be earmarked as archaeologicalsites. This is because the rulers of thedynasties from the 13th and 17th centuriesestablished eight cities in different partsof Delhi. The first four were towards thesouth where the Qutub Minar stands. Thecity's history dates much further back thanthe 13th century. Excavations have provedthat the Old Fort site was inhabited 3,000years ago. And fine pottery dating back to1,000 BC, from the time of the Hindu epicof Mahabharata, called the Painted GreyWare, has been found. The excavationsalso cut through houses and the streets ofthe Sultanate of Rajput, Post-Gupta, Gupta,Saka-Kushan and Sunga periods reachingdown to the Mauraya dynasty(300 BC).The association of Emperor Ashoka(273-36BC) has come to light after the discoveryof the Minor Rock Edict in one of the city's

districts. However, the core of the first citywas created by Anangpal Tomar in the 12thcentury. He built Lal Kot, the first ever fortin Delhi. Prithviraj Chauhan, the successiveking, added massive ramparts and gates,and constructed the Quila Rai Pithora.Today, only the ramparts are visible nearQutub Minar.

The second city, called Siri, was built byAlauddin Khilji in 1303. Nothing remainsbut the embattlements. He also dug a vastreservoir, Hauz Khas, to supply water tohis people. Many historians consider theDelhi of yore as a"rival to Cairo, and evenequal to Constantinople!" The Khiljis werereplaced by the Tughlaq dynasty in 1321.Of its eleven rulers, only the first threewere interested in architecture and eachof them established a new city. Tughlaqarchitecture is more austere in comparisonto the ornate structures built by the Khiljis.Ghitasuddin Tughlaq built the fortified townof Tughlaqabad, which lies eight kilometerseast of the Qutub Minar Complex. Thoughpartially in ruins, it is still worth a visit.

Ghiyasuddin's successor, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq built Delhi's fourth city,Jahanpanah. It largely comprises a walledenclosure between Quila Rai Pithora andSiri. Nothing from this time survives, andthe Sultan is best remembered for hiseccentric schemes, the strangest one toshift the capital from Delhi to Dulatabad inthe Deccan region and back again to Delhi.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a man interested inhistory, hunting, architecture and irrigationcreated the fifth city, Firozabad, situatedin the current Firoz Shah Kotla. Its ruinsinclude the Ashoka Pillar and a mosque.Delhi's growth remained stagnant under thereign of the Sayyids and the Lodhis. Theonly notable architectural pieces by themwere tombs, the best of which can be seenat Lodhi Gardens.

The last king of the Lodhis was defeatedby Babur, the founder of the MughalDynasty. He shifted the capital fromDelhi to Agra. The first six Mughal rulerswere extraordinary men, and their rulewitnessed a powerful resurgence in Islamic

New Delhi Snapshot continued

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Architecture and culture. Babur's son,Humayun, built the sixth city of Delhi calledthe Purana Quila or Old Fort, which is offMathura Road.

In 1638, the fifth Mughal emperor, ShahJahan shifted the capital back to Delhi whilehe was building the Taj Mahal in Agra. Thefoundations were laid for the seventh city,Shah Jahanabad, on the banks of Yamunariver. It took nine years to complete. Manymonuments remain intact today Red Fort,Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk.

Finally, the eighth city, New Delhi, wasconstructed by the British. The site chosenwas a wilderness of Raisina, while thecity was designed by the architect EdwinLutyens and Herbert Baker. It took 20 yearsto build and cost 15 million pounds. Allof central Delhi- Connaught Place, IndiaGate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, is a testimonialof their creativity. In 1947, it became thecapital of partitioned India, and Hindu andSikh refugees poured in from Pakistan.Many have invaded Delhi through the ages.Tameerlaine attacked it in the 14th century,Babur occupied it in the 16th centuryand the Persian emperor, Nadir Shah,sacked the city and took the KohinoorDiamond(now a part of the British royalfamily's crown jewels) and the famousPeacock Throne off to Iran. The Britishcaptured Delhi in 1803, but during theuprising of 1857, it became the center ofresistance against the British.©

Hotel InsightsFrom the most expensive 5-star to thebasic room-only accommodation, NewDelhi offers it all. Whatever be the natureof your trip, it is advisable to stay either inand around the central business district –Connaught Place(CP) or in South Delhi. Connaught Place is well connected to everypart of the city, the main metro station(RajivChowk) is bang in the center, the railwaystation is nearby, and with the metro airportline nearing completion, even the airport willbe just a 20-minute ride away.

From colonial grandeur to boutique chic.From upscale modern to wallet-friendly.CP has a range of options when it comesto hotels. You are sure to find what you

are looking for. The Imperial,The Park,LeMeridian,The Metropoliton Nikko,The Lalitare the more upscale properties.Hotel HansPlaza,Hotel Janpath and are comfortableand affordable.Hotel Alka andMarina arelocated right in the middle of the shoppingdistrict.Marina still exudes an old-worldcharm whileAlka could be a hotel fromanywhere. Choose them only if you do notwant to spend much on the room and wantto be a few steps away from the shopping.If you are on a tight budget, travel a fewminutes by rickshaw or by foot from CP tobackpacker nirvana – Paharganj. The metrostation for Paharganj is: RamakrishnaAshram.Paharganj

Tightly packed and bustling with youngtourists, the Paharganj area is the place togo to if you are not finicky about the size ofthe room, the quality of linen, or the view.Rooms start at around$10 for the mostbasic. If you decide to walk-in and book,make sure you see a couple of properties.Always insist on seeing the room they areoffering before paying up. Avoid ‘friendly’people on the street who offer to ‘help’you find a hotel. Always be extra carefulof your belongings. Some of the hotelsyou can consider in and around Paharganjare:Pallavi Palace,Metropolis Tourist HomeandChand Palace. On the road connectingCP toJama Masjid isHotel Broadway. It hasa famous restaurantChor Bizzare and somerooms with a view of the old city andJamaMasjid.B&B, Guest Houses

Mostly found in posh, South-Delhi colonies,these offer a convenient location, mostlyfor business visitors. You can check out thelist of top B&B and Guest houses in NewDelhihere.

5 Star Hotels

Apart from CP, New Delhi has 5-starproperties almost everywhere. Here isa rough area-wise listing of the top 5-star hotels. North Delhi:Oberoi Maidens.Central Delhi:Taj Mahal,Claridges,TheAshok. South Delhi:ITC Welcomgroup,TajPalace,Hyatt,Jaypee VasantContinental,Radisson,Sheraton.Gurgaon:The Trident.

Most hotels offer online bookings. It makessense to book early, especially during peaktourist season. If you are planning to visitduring the off-season, hunt for offers anddiscounts on the web. Almost all hotelchains have one offer or another going.Better still, use ouradvanced hotel search tofind exactly what you are looking for.© NileGuide

Restaurants InsightsDelhiites love to flaunt their heritage ofMaharajas and dynasties. And hence it isone of the prominent cities when it comesto the art of dining out. The city is full ofrestaurants, and almost all the upscaleones have a grand and regal air aboutthem. The most favored cuisine is Indian,i.e. Mughlai and Tandoori. Still, internationalcuisines are thriving in Delhi like neverbefore. Although a step behind Mumbai'snightlife, Delhi is fast catching up and finallybreaking the five-star monopoly. With thechoices spilled all over the extensive city,here are a few pointers.

South Delhi/Greater Kailash/SouthExtensionThis is the fashionable district and peopleaspire for an address in this area. It hasshopping centers, designer boutiques,coffee shops, malls, and some pretty goodrestaurants and clubs. Most of the city'snightclubs and bars are situated here.There are many designer resto-bars too,such as Shalom, Olive Bar and Kitchen,Buzz, Diva, Suede, and Punjabi By Nature.Be it a restaurant in the middle of the scenicdeer park(Park Baluchi), a bar amidsta rural village(The Rooftop Bistro), or anightclub next to McDonald's and a cinemahall, the dining and drinking culture is verysuccessful in adapting itself to Delhi'sdiverse mini-habitats.

Central Delhi/Connaught PlaceMost of the bars and restaurants in thehigh-rises offer a spectacular panoramicview of Delhi. Be sure to dress up and bringplastic money when dining at The Imperialor enjoying spirits at Patiala Peg. Headtowards Nirula's for its 21 varieties of ice


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creams or to the Yellow Brick Road, an all-night coffeehouse with the best pastries intown. For an after dinner drink, go to Agniat The Park or any of the five-stars' elegantlounge bars with live music.

North Delhi/Chandni ChowkGet a real flavor of Indian hospitality at thestreet-side cafes of the historic ChandniChowk where some restaurants are morethan a hundred years old. Or visit theoddest, most eccentric Chor Bazaar, arestaurant named the"Market of Thieves,"serving Indian cuisine at Hotel OberoiMaidens.

Dilli HaatThis complex houses many small shopsdisplaying extraordinary traditional Indiancrafts. But in addition, it is a powerhouseof regional cuisines. Kiosks run by differentIndian states offer their authentic food. Youcan find Assamese, Tamil, Gujarati as wellas Goan cuisine here. While you may savorPunjabi food at Punjabi By Nature, you'llsee that everyday is a carnival at Dilli Haat.©

Nightlife InsightsThe cultural capital of the country, Delhihas many key centers and foundations thatkeep the art pulse of the city high. Musicrecitals, dance programs, theater, bookreadings and art exhibitions are just a smallpart of all that's on offer.

Art ExhibitionsStep into India Habitat Centre, IndiaInternational Centre, Art Today, Lalit KalaAcademy, or Dhoomimal Art Gallery tofind the latest and the oldest in Indiancontemporary art. Photography exhibitions,art installations, mixed media, or ceramicworks, Delhi is truly a vibrant center for allart activity. If it is a bit bourgeois for yourtaste, visit the thriving artisan bazaar of DilliHaat or live in studios of artists and paintersat Garhi Studio, where you can witness liveart processes.

Music/Dance/TheaterNumerous concerts, performances andplays are organized almost everyday.

Mostly concentrated in central Delhi, thecenters, such as India Habitat Center andTriveni Kala Sangam have become patronsfor the Indian performing arts. ClassicalIndian music is so popular here that famousIndian musicians perform Morning Ragas,live in Nehru Park, under a sprawling tree inthe early hours of Sunday mornings.

MuseumsThere are countless fascinating museumsdedicated to preserving the history ofIndia in New Delhi. The National Gallery ofModern Art has one of the best collectionsof contemporary Indian art, while TheNational Museum has ancient as well ascontemporary works in painting, sculpture,ceramics and metals. The Crafts Museumhas one of the most interesting collectionsof folk tribal art, textiles and crafts. Thenthere is the Rail Museum, which hasengines dating back two hundred years.Tibet House, Natural History Museum, RedFort Archeological Museum, Field Museum,and Gandhi Smriti are also definitely worththe visit.

Film/MiscThe PVR multiplexes in Vasant Vihar, Saketand Naraina have introduced a new cultureof entertainment to the city. The nightlife isincomplete without a film on the eveningitinerary. Regular film festivals are alsoorganized here.

NightclubsClubbing has taken off in a big way andthe demand has spurred a number ofnightclubs. Smaller, more creative andless expensive places have become thehangouts of the city's young. Try out Steel,Djinns, Turquoise Cottage and Capitol.

ShoppingA shopper's delight, Delhi is consideredone big market. Shopping is the newpastime and department stores, shoppingarcades(Ansal Plaza) and markets(KhanMarket, South Extension, Karol Bagh)all compete to attract customers. Fortraditional textiles and fabric, visit Dilli Haat,Central Cottage Emporium, or The StateEmporia. For antiques, Sundernagar isan ideal place to shop. The Hauz Khas

Village has over 100 shops dealing indesigner clothes, carpets, artifacts, oldsilver antiques and furniture. You canfind Indian traditional textiles at KhadiGramodyog Bhavan. The undergroundmarket of Palika Bazaar in the heart ofConnaught Place sell an incredible rangeof electronics, photo equipment, music andDVDs.

SpiritualDe-stress, detox, or achieve nirvana withthe help of the abundant spiritual andmeditation centers. Attend daily yogasessions at Sivananda Yoga VedantaNataraja Centre or Osho RajyogaMeditation Center, dabble in astrology atFuture Point, or practice Reiki and Pranichealing at Center of Light.©

Things to Do InsightsDelhi is a big city. Many spend weeks here,and yet only manage to scrape the tip ofthe iceberg. Numerous travel agencies andtour operators organize day trips to thevarious monuments and attractions of theDelhi. The Delhi Tourism board also offersa wide spectrum of services to tourists.Assistance centers and tour offices areset up in various corners of the city. TheGovernment of India Tourist Office+91 11332 0005 New Delhi Railway Station,+91 11336 4004,+91 11 373 2714 Indira GandhiInternational Airport,+91 11 565 2011,+9111 565 2021 Or visit the official New DelhiTourist website. www.delhitourism.com

The city is so vast that it doesn't allowfor simply walking during the sightseeingtours. However, the small feat canbe accomplished by bunching touristattractions close to each other.Connaught PlaceConnaught Place is not only thecommercial hub of the city but a cherishedsymbol of Lutyens grand architecture. Itis a mammoth circular building, and hasinner and outer circles where numerousshops, restaurants, clubs and showroomsare located. In the middle of this circulargiant lies the lush central park. On its side


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is the underground shopping market ofPalika Bazaar. On emerging from the air-conditioned underground, walk towardsArt Today in the inner circle. It is a gallery,which showcases valuable contemporaryworks of Indian artists. Nearby is JantarMantar, the ancient observatory built in1725 to determine time and positions of theplanets.

India GateTake an auto-rickshaw or a cab fromConnaught Place and head towards IndiaGate. This structure is a tall gate made insandstone to commemorate the soldiersof the Indian army. It is surrounded by vastmanicured lawns with marble fountains,which lead to the Rashtrapati Bhavan(thePresident's Residence) on one end and theNational Gallery of Modern Art on the other.The whole area is surrounded by Lutyen'sbuildings like The Secretariat, The NationalMuseum and Shankar's Dolls Museum. Themuseums have massive collections anddeserve at least a few hours each if notmore.

Lodhi GardenThe Lodhi Garden is located in southDelhi. It is almost a botanical garden withhundred-year-old trees and rare plants,and beautiful Lodhi tombs and bridges fromthe 1500s. It is spread over many acrescomplete with manicured grass lawns,wooden benches, red mud pathways andjogging tracks. There are many tombshere and visiting all of them takes manyhours. On the left of these gardens is theimpressive Safdarjung Tomb. Located inthe midst of a sprawling complex, it is oneof the most beautiful pieces of architecturefrom the Mughal era. On the right of theLodhi Gardens is India Habitat Centre andIndia International Centre. They are thetwo foremost cultural hubs of the city. Dailymusic, dance and literary performances,plays, book readings and art exhibitions areorganized here.NizamuddinThe Nizamuddin area is full of ancientdargahs(Muslim shrines), which arenot just popular tourist destinationsbut also revered pilgrimage sites. The

most spectacular is Nizamuddin Auliya'sdargah, which lies amidst a maze of smallvillage-like lanes. On Thursdays, live Sufimusic(Nizamuddin's qawwali) is performedin front of the shrine. The awe-inspiringHumayun's Tomb is also nearby.

Qutub MinarThe Qutub Minar complex lies in thesouthern-most part of the city. And a fewkilometers away lies the border to theneighboring Haryana state. It is a sprawlingcomplex with some of Delhi's most famousmonuments, such as the Qutub Minartower, the Iron Pillar, Tomb of Iltutmish,Alai Darwaza, and Alai Minar. A little awayfrom the complex is Mehrauli. Ancientmonuments like Bhulbhulaiyan, Gandakki Baoli, Hathi Gate and Jamali Kamaliare scattered all over this village-like area.Finding them all may be a bit difficult,therefore, it is advisable to carry a verygood map or a guide.

Tughlaqabad FortOn the southern edge of Delhi lie the eerieruins of the Tughlaqabad Fort. It stretchesfor over seven kilometers and is a popularplace for picnics or day treks as the climbup to the various parts of the fort can bequite adventurous. Nearby is the AsolaWildlife Sanctuary and the 11th centurywater tank of Surajkund.

Lotus TempleIf you prefer the sanity of civilization butdon't want to miss the historical and touristsites, visit the Lotus Temple. Here you'll findthe bustling designer Hauz Khas Village,the allegedly haunted Chor Minar, and acharming sports complex of Siri Fort. TheLotus Temple announces its presencefrom miles away. An intimidating whitestructure in the shape of a lotus, it hasbeen designed as a temple symbolizingthe unity of all religious faiths. People fromall religions are invited to meditate silentlyunder the massive flower.

Old DelhiOn the other extreme of the city isShah Jahanabad or Old Delhi. Rich inmonuments of ancient dynasties, spend aday at the historic Red Fort(Lal Quila) or

try delicious Indian fare at Chandni Chowk.Jama Masjid, the pinnacle of Mughalmosque architecture, lies close by andthere are many interesting ancient Baolisstrewn across the busy lanes.©

Travel TipsGetting There:

By Air:Indira Gandhi International Airport(+91 11565 2011) is located in the Southwesternregion of the city. The airport has a bureauxde change, tourist information counters,snack bars, duty-free stores, a restaurant,24-hour taxi counters and car rental booths.It is safer to book a taxi at the prepaidcounter at the airport, as most taxi driversin Delhi do not adhere to the standardmeter. The approximate flying time fromDelhi to Toronto is 18 hours, to New Yorkis 16 hours, and to Sydney, 17 hours. Thefollowing airlines have counters at theairport:

Air Canada(+91 11 565 2850/ http://www.aircanada.ca)

Air France(+91 11 565 2294/ http://www.airfrance.com)

Air Mauritius(+91 11 565 2050/ http://www.airmauritius.com)

Delta Airlines(+91 11 565 2093/ http://www.delta.com)

Gulf Air(+91 11 565 2065/ http://www.gulfairco.com)

KLM(+91 11 565 2922/ http://www.klm.com)

Korean Air(+91 11 565 3304/ http://www.koreanair.com)

Kuwait Airways(+91 11 565 2295/ http://www.kuwait-airways.com)

Lufthansa(+91 11 548 2283/ http://www.lufthansa.com)

Malaysian Airlines(+91 11 565 2395/ http://www.malaysiaairlines.com)

Swiss Air(+91 11 565 2531/ http://www.swiss.com)


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The Domestic Airport(+91 11 329 5126) atPalam, is about 5 kilometers away from theInternational terminal. This is an importanthub for International travelers who wish totravel within the country. The main domesticairlines that operate through this airport areIndian Airlines(http://indian-airlines.nic.in),Jet Airways(http://www.jetairways.com),Sahara Airlines(http://www.airsahara.net),Kingfisher Airlines(www.flykingfisher.com)and Go Air Airlines(http://www.goair.in).They offer flights to more than 40 citiesacross India. The airport has a prepaidtaxi counter, tourist information counter,business center and car rental booths.

By Train:

New Delhi is the main hub for IndianRailways(+91 11 334 8787). UnlikeMumbai, Delhi does not have its own localtrain system, but its extensive nationalnetwork connects it to all the major andsmall towns across the country. It hastwo major stations, one in Old Delhi,located about 7 kilometres from ConnaughtPlace, and another in New Delhi, Eastof Pahar Ganj. The stations have amplewaiting areas and food stalls. However,travelers should be careful with theirluggage as chances of theft are high. Ticketreservations can be made at the IRCAbuilding on Chelmsford Road, Pahar Ganj.There is a separate counter for touristsat the International Tourist Bureau(+9111 334 6804), New Delhi station. You canalso make online bookings, or get furtherinformation from the official website of theIdian Railways, www.indianrailways.com.

By Road:

Five National Highways pass through NewDelhi. The Grand Trunk Road(NationalHighway 1) is used most frequently as itleads to the North of the country, towardsAmritsar and Agra; National Highway 2goes towards Calcutta in the East, andNational Highway 8 passes through Jaipurin the West. Driving licenses require aminimum age of 18 years, and foreignerswith international licenses can drive in thecity without additional documents. Mostcities and towns are located close to Delhi,and are well connected by road. The driving

time from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur is underthree hours, to Amritsar is under five hours,and the to the hill stations of HimachalPradesh is under eight hours.

Bus Services:

Local buses are very congested, andare often not the preferred mode oftransportation for the middle-class. Taxisand rickshaws are usually favored.However, the inter-state bus servicesare quite comfortable. They offer airconditioned, deluxe and ordinary busesto all major destinations around Delhi.The Interstate Bus Terminus(ISBT) islocated at Kashmir Gate, North of OldDelhi Railway Station. The followingstate operators provide bus servicesin and around the city: Delhi TransportCorporation(+91 11 386 8836), HaryanaRoadways(+91 11 296 1262), HimachalPradesh Roadways(+91 11 251 6725),Punjab Roadways(+91 11 296 7842),Rajasthan Roadways(+91 11 252 2246)and Uttar Pradesh Roadways(+91 11 2518709).

Getting Around:

Public Transport

New Delhi now boasts of its first metronetwork. The metro will be partlyunderground and partly elevated; and willextend up to 62 kilometers and more in thefuture.

By Bus:

The public buses in Delhi areuncomfortable and over-crowded. The DelhiTransport Corporation(+91 11 331 7445)has a centralized network of buses thathave 300 routes across the city. A generalAll-Route Pass can be availed from any ofthe terminals at Red Fort, Delhi Gate andShahdara Terminal.

By Taxi:

The most convenient way to move aroundis by taxi. Following a Government anti-pollution policy, all taxis now operate onCNG(Compressed Natural Gas) engines.Some taxis have electronic meters, butmost taxis operate on a prior bargained

rate. It is best to negotiate a price beforestepping into one.

By Rickshaw:

Rickshaws too, form an integral part of thecity's transportation. Widely-used, they alsofollow the same principle as the taxis. It isbetter to negotiate a rate before boardingthis transport though. Four- and six-seatermotorcycle rickshaws run on fixed routes atfixed prices, mostly between the Red Fortand Palika Bazaar at Connaught Place.

Car Hire:

Driving on Delhi roads can be quite achallenging task, as motorists often do notheed to traffic laws. The best option is tohire a car with a local driver to take youaround town.

Some of the major car hire services are:Europcar Inter-Rent(+91 11 688 3498)Hertz(+91 11 687 7188), Eco Rent ACar(+91 11 462 3261)Jai Jawala Tourist(+91 11 26252924).©

Fun FactsGreen Facts:1. Delhi is one of the'greenest' cities in theworld with a green cover of almost 20%.2. The entire public transport of the cityruns on environment friendly CompressedNatural Gas.Interesting Facts:3. Qutub Minar in Delhi is the world's tallestbrick minaret.4. The walled city of Delhi originally hadfourteen gates. Five are still standing. Here's the provenance behind their names.Ajmeri Gate: Facing Ajmer in Rajasthan;Lahori Gate: Facing Lahore in Pakistan.Kashmiri Gate: Pointing North to Kashmir.Delhi Gate: Road to earlier cities of DelhiTurkman Gate: Named after pious saintHazrat Shah Turkam.5. In between the rubble of the fifth cityof delhi – Freoze shah Kotlastands the 3century B.C. Ashokan Pillar. Emperor FerozShah Tughlaq brought this 27 tonne pillar


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to Delhi from Topar in Ambala, where thegreat Emperor Ashoka erected it.Weird Fact:6. Delhi has an International Toilet museum.Spicy Fact:7. Khari Baoli is the Asia's largestwholesale spice market. A must visit forthe once-in-a-lifetime overdose of a spicecocktail high.

Random Facts:8. Traffic in Delhi is like traffic in London. Drivers sit on the right side of the car.9. Three-wheeled contraptions called Autosare a great way to see the city over shortdistances. And test your faith in God.10. Delhi has not always been the capitalof India. Under the British, Kolkotta hadthe honor for a long time till Delhi wasreinstated in 1912.

11. Delhi has a rail museum with steam-age behemoths.Fun fact:12. Every Delhite is ever ready to help youout with directions. They will direct youeven when they do not know what you aretalking about. So check, crosscheck. Andcheck again.

© NileGuide

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