With a myriad of places to visit in Delhi, these destination attracts a lot of travellers from far and wide. From historical landmarks to swarmed shopping centres, from Mughal patio nurseries to Delhi University grounds, the capital city has numerous identities making it an attractive tourist destination in India. Almost all of us are confused to pick one out of best tourist places in Delhi to visit, as this vibrant city is known for providing tourist’s exactly what they are looking for. There is always a history buff in all of us which is dying to come out at one point or another. Let the glimpse of history touch your soul, the political aura make you powerful and the winds of north tingle your spine.
The numerous places to see in Delhi will not only captivate you but will also leave you astounded with its vibrant culture. The city of New Delhi is a striking mix of conventions, social decent variety, political significance and also engineering brightness. It connects its chronicled grandness with the present current time. It is a prevalent vacationer spot and furthermore houses different theatres and focuses on performing expressions. Delhi's engineering splendour can be followed as back as fourth century AD when the Iron Pillar was worked in the Mehrauli region, which hasn't hinted at any rusting yet.
Delhi's enchantment lies in the Chandni Chowk zone close to the Jama Masjid with the old bazaars clamouring and twittering with a huge number of guests wrangling with merchants to purchase things at the least expensive rate conceivable. Delhi's nourishment is similarly imperative to portray why individuals continue returning to this brilliant city. Street food, shopping malls, thrifty shopping places, religious places, theatre; you name it and Delhi has it.
Historical Places to Visit in Delhi:
- Red Fort
- India Gate
- Qutub Minar
- Jantar Mantar
Places to Visit in Delhi with Family:
- Bahai (Lotus) Temple
- Nehru Planetarium
- Lodi Gardens
- Garden of Five Senses
- Akshardham Temple
Shopping Places in Delhi:
- Connaught Place
- Chandni Chowk
- Hauz Khas
- Lajpat Market
- Sarojini Nagar Market
Thrillophilia Recommended Places in Delhi
01 India Gate
India Gate
India Gate is an important site to visit when on your trip to Delhi. India Gate has its original name as All India War Memorial that was built in order to commemorate the 82000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives during the First World War happened from 1914 to 1921 as well as in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The war memorial is situated at Rajpath where you can reach by getting down at Barakhamba Road Metro station in Delhi.
India Gate is located on the eastern edge of the ceremonial axis of Delhi and it was formerly called Kingsway. The names of around 13300 servicemen including some soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom are displayed on the gate. The architecture of India Gate is world famous as the triumphal arch that looks like the Arch of Constantine and also compared to the Arc de Triomphe and the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
The designer of the memorial was Sir Edwin Lutyens. After the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, there was a simple structure including a black marble plinth with a reversed rifle which was capped by a war helmet and bounded by four eternal flames built under the Memorial Archway. This one was the Amar Jawan Jyoti or the Flame of the Immortal Soldier.
The construction of India Gate was started in 1921 and completed in 1931. The architectural dimensions of the structure say that it is 42 meters tall and 9.1 meters wide. It was constructed using yellow and red sandstone along with granite. In 2014, the Government announced the plans to construct a National War Memorial around the canopy as well as a National War Museum at the park nearby.
India Gate Parade or the Republic Day Parade is the most ceremonious and prestigious event happen in front of India Gate every year. On January 26th, each year, India commemorates the day it became a republic with an esteemed presence of many national as well as dignified guests from other countries.
India Gate entry time:
Anyone can visit India Gate anytime as it is open on all days 24 hours.
India Gate Entry fee:
There is no entry fee to visit the structure.
India Gate location:
Rajpath Marg, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110001.
Insider Tips:
-The climate during the months from October to March will be favourable for sightseeing tours in Delhi. You can enjoy visiting India Gate with your family and friends peacefully during that time.
-It will be fun if you bring cooked or packaged food with you, and have a picnic. You can also go for boating at the Boating Club adjacent to India Gate grounds.
-The nearest metro station to India Gate is Central Secretariat (Yellow Line). The metro station has more than one exit gate so that you can seek the help of customer service about the closest gate to India Gate.
-Take an auto rickshaw or the shuttle rickshaw/rickshaw service to India Gate from the metro station. Bus service can also be availed depending on your boarding point.
-In case you are there in January, you can attend the Republic Day parade on 26th January.
Click here for some of the best places to visit near Delhi
Delhi City Sightseeing Tour in a Private Car
Delhi City Sightseeing Tour in a Private Car
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h8 HourslNew Delhi
02 Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas
Image Credit : delhifood.com
Hauz Khas is a beautiful neighbourhood of South Delhi and is one of the major tourist places in Delhi. The pulse of Hauz Khas is known to be the historically important Hauz Khaz Complex. It exhibits both rural and urban atmosphere and also known as mehak ka chota quila. The location is surrounded by Green Park to the west and Gulmohar Park towards the north. It had witnessed different diplomatic missions like the Albania, Iraq, Guines, Burundi, Macedonia Missions and more.
Its name started achieving appreciation from the outer world due to the presence of an ancient water reservoir by the same name. It is now part of the huge Hauz Khas complex. Hauz means water tank in Urdu and Khas is referred to royal and thus it is considered to be the royal tank in the village. Hauz Khas’s water tank was built firstly by Allauddin Khilji in order to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri Fort and later in the 1960s, it was developed by the famous builders in India, DLF.
Later Hauz Khaz was modified to be an enclave of different blocks like A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, P, Q, R, X, Y, Z. E block comprises the main market in the area and it is lying in the middle of the colony. There are other major markets located in the premises but Mayfair Gardens is an important attraction which is an independent small private colony. Hauz Khas village pubs, village clubs, restaurants, cafes etc are some of the points of interest for many visitors as they can meet the locals and have an unscheduled conversation.
Hauz Khas possesses the yellow line of the Delhi Metro railway and this is the easiest way to connect to Delhi’s other parts.
Hauz Khas entry timing:
The Hauz Khas Village complex will be open on all days from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm but the restaurants in the complex will be open till 11:00 pm. Another famous structure that is Hauz Khas fort will be open on all days from 10:30 am to 07:00 pm.
Hauz Khas entry fee:
There is no entry fee is applicable.
Hauz Khas location:
Hauz Khas, South Delhi, Delhi 110016, India.
Insider Tips:
-Hauz Khas fort is a major attraction here and try not to avoid it.
-Hauz khas social is café-cum-restaurant-cum-co-working space.
-The nightlife here is beautiful, experience it by visiting the different shops and restaurants.
Click here to check out some places to visit near Delhi within 100 km
Top Things To Do in Delhi
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6 Days 5 Nights Sightseeing Tour
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03 Red Fort
Red Fort
A brilliant architectural beauty is a historical fort in Delhi, Red Fort which was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty for more than 200 years. The Mughal families lived there until 1857. A golden feather in the crown of Delhi is the fort and it houses several museums in it. Though it was the house of the Mughal emperors, it was also the political and cultural center of the Mughal state and this was the place where a lot of significant events happened.
But what made the fort famous was the midnight speech made by Jawahar Lal Nehru before India was going to wake up to independence from British rule and afterward, it was becoming the politically significant spot in Indian history. It hosts the Independence Day celebrations each year from then onward. Red Fort history has a lot to share with the world and it came into the concept form in 1639 after the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted his capital to the newly constructed city in Delhi and laid the foundation stone to build up the fort.
Red Fort architecture is an amusing one with a huge walled citadel that shines in red sandstone and the construction of the fort took almost one decade to complete and it came into the limelight in 1648. For the next 200 years, it was maintained as the seat of the Mughal Empire. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, the fort lies along the famous river Yamuna. Some of the facts regarding the fort say the complex consist of Shah Jahan’s palace as well as the Salimgarh fort which came into existence in 1546 AD.
The fort is managed by the Archeological Survey of India and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Red Fort Light and Sound Show:
A spectacular show regarding the history of Red Fort and the capital Delhi is shown at the fort for one hour every evening. The show will be in Hindi and English with a half an hour gap in between the two shows.
Light and Sound show at the fort starts at 06:00 pm. To watch the Light and Sound Show, adults should pay Rs.80 and children should pay Rs.30.
Red Fort visiting timing:
The Fort will be closed on Mondays but will be open on all other days from 09:30 am to 04:30 pm.
Red Fort Entry Fee:
Entry fee for Indian citizens is Rs.10 while the same for foreigners is Rs.150.
Red Fort location:
Netaji Subhash Marg, Lal Qila, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006.
Insider Tips:
-The nearest metro station to the Red Fort is Chawri Bazaar.
-It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
-Tickets for international visitors will cover museum entrance fees also.
-As the parking lot is near Jama Masjid, located on the opposite side of the Red Fort, car parking is an issue. You need to take a long walk from the parking to reach the gate of the fort. Also, the traffic snarl on the connecting roads makes it difficult for the visitors to cross the roads. It is advisable to travel by taxi.
-To avoid queues to get the Light and Sound show ticket, you can book it online at theashokgroup.com.
-October to March is the suitable time to visit Red Fort.
04 Kingdom of Dreams
India’s first live entertainment, theatre and leisure spot is Kingdom of Dream in NCR Delhi located near the Leisure Valley Park. As a master destination for all types of entertainment and art based innovations, the Kingdom of Dreams was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Haryana and it was open to the public on 18th September 2010. The opening day witnessed the special preview of the Bollywood musical, Zangoora portraying the famous stars like Hussain Kuwajerwala, Gauhar Khan, and Kashmira Irani.
The spot is spreading across over 6 acres of land and was built at a cost of more than Rs.2 billion. Kingdom of Dreams is under Great Indian Nautanki Company which is a joint venture between Apra Group and Wizcraft. It consists of two theatres named Nautanki Mahal and the Showshaa Theatre along with a cultural and cuisine area called Culture Gully. The famous Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was declared as the global ambassador of Kingdom of Dream in 2010.Al, o it was in the news when the Commonwealth Games 2010 official theme song by A R Rahman was launched in the complex.
One of the portions of the complex, the Nautanki Mahal is a huge auditorium with 864 seats and is designed like a posh palace. Indian and international theatres are performed here. Culture Gully is the space where arts, crafts, and food etc are arranged beautifully. It is a fully air-conditioned boulevard that extends up to 10000 square feet with themed restaurants and live kitchens in its possession. Showshaa theatre is a 350 seater amphitheater with a soaring tent. Several theatrical performances are conducted here.
Kingdom of Dreams entry timings:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 12:30 pm to 12:00 am and on Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Kingdom of Dream entry fee:
2,999 per person (Diamond) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
3,999 per person (Diamond) on weekendsZ
2,499 per person (Platinum) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
2,999 per person (Platinum) on weekends
1,999 per person (Gold) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
2,499 per person (Gold) on weekends
1,499 per person (Silver) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
1,999 per person (Silver) on weekends
1,249 per person (Bronze) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
1,499 per person (Bronze) on weekends
600 per person (culture gully) on weekdays (Tue-Fri)
700 per person (culture gully) on weekend
Kingdom of Dream location: Auditorium Complex, Sector 29, Gurgaon, Haryana 122001, India.
Insider Tips:
-To avoid the rush, book your seat in advance and arrive at the venue on time.
-You can pick munchies, beverages (including alcoholic ones) at the theatre during the break.
-Which seats should you pick? Go for Diamond with the lazy boy seats. The chairs for all other categories could do with an upgrade – they are a tad uncomfortable, more so since the show is long. And there are no cup holders for your drinks. Beyond Diamond, you could pick any other seats and the experience will not be very different. Except perhaps the first row (where you may have to crane your neck to see the stage) and the extreme corners at the back.
-Valets will take care of your car.
-Photography is prohibited inside the theatre but not at Culture Gulli.
-For bookings and more info, visit kingdomofdreams.in.
05 Qutab Minar
Qutab Minar
A valuable, protected structure of India is Qutub Minar, Delhi which has been considered to be a highly important historical attraction existing currently in India. It is a part of the Qutub Complex which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The structure is situated in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. Qutub Minar Metro Station located at a distance of about 3km will be the easiest access to reach the amazing architectural brilliance.
Qutub Minar is made of red sandstone and marble making its height up to 73 meters and gives a tower like structure to it which is consisted of five stories and its diameter is 14.3 meters at the base and it becomes 2.7 meters at the top.
Another main feature of it is the spiral staircase of 379 steps. It has been saying that the design of the tower had its origin from the Minaret of Jam located in Western Afghanistan. Qutub Minar’s founder was the legendary Qutub al-Din Aibak who was behind the existence of the Delhi Sultanate. The construction of the structure was started in 1192 and it was completed by Aibak’s successor Iltumish in 1220. But after some decades, its top storey was destructed by a lightning and later Firoz Shah Tughlaq renovated the damaged storey and constructed one more.
Around the tower, there are several historical monuments like the Qutub Complex with Quwwat ul IslaMosqueue and the Iron Pillar of Delhi. The structure of the tower has a style that resembles the architectural style prevailed in Iran but some artistic conventions found locally were incorporated such as looped bells, garlands and lotuses that are borders were carved out. One can see different inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari at different sections of the structure.
Qutub Minar entry timings:
The visit to the structure is restricted to the day time between sunrise and sunset on all days.
Qutub Minar entry fee:
For Indian citizens: Rs. 30 and for foreign nationals: Rs.500.
For children up to 15 years, the entry is free.
Qutub Minar location:
Qutub Minar Delhi is situated in Mehrauli in South West district of New Delhi, India.
Insider Tips:
-Nearest metro station is Qutub Minar Metro Station.
-It is advisable to reach as early as possible – the opening time is 7:00 AM as the complex will be less crowded.
-Although there are shaded areas in the complex but it is always good to carry sunscreen or sunglasses especially during summer.
-There is a Decorative Light Show every evening from 6:30 to 8:00 pm as well as the Qutub Minar Festival in October/November.
Here are some of the best places to visit near Delhi within 200 km
06 Bahai (Lotus) Temple
Bahai (Lotus) Temple
The Lotus Temple is among the famous tourist places in Delhi and a major landmark of India that has been attracting tourists from all over the world because of its architecture and beauty. The construction of the temple was finished in 1986. It resembles the lotus flower but created in white colour. The Lotus Temple is open to all people, regardless of region and caste. The structure is built of 27 free-standing marble clad petals in clusters of three to form nine sides.
There are nine doors onto the central hall that can accommodate around 2500 people at a time. It has won numerous awards for its inimitable and beautiful architecture. The temple has a great connection with the Bahai Faith that promotes harmony among people through a common place for worship. Those who belong any religion or any worship method can come to the Lotus Temple as it is a Bahai House of Worship.
There are the sacred writings of Bahai Faith as well as of other religions can be read or chanted but reading non-scriptural texts and performing ritualistic ceremonies are forbidden even though there is a fixed set of the pattern for worship services. As all Bahai Houses of Worship follow certain architectural elements, the Lotus Temple also has some of them in its structure. The Bahai scripture says that there should not be any pictures, statues of images displayed inside the house of worship. The Lotus Temple is located near Nehru Palace and Kalkaji Mandir metro station. The architect of the temple was Fariborz Sahba who was an Iranian. The construction was started in 1976.
Lotus Temple entry timings:
During summer, the entry timing is from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm while in winter it is from 09:00 am to 05:30 pm on all days except Mondays.
Lotus Temple Entry fee:
The entry to the temple is free.
Lotus Temple Location:
Lotus Temple Rd, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019.
Insider Tips:
-Their surrounding area is brimming with beautiful gardens and you can spend time walking around.
-Photography is not permitted inside the temple.
-Avoid making noises inside the temple when people are meditating.
-You can either walk around on your own or with the help of a guide.
-There is an information center showing films and regular daily prayer sessions in the hall.
-Keep your shoes at the counter before entering the temple.
Check out some amazing amusement parks in Delhi here.
Top Things To Do in Delhi
07 Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk
Moonlight Square is the English name for the Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest yet busiest markets in Delhi. A major attraction in India is this vibrant market that provides A to Z items you would like to buy at the best rates. The Red Fort is a part of the square. The compilation of the marker was happened in the 17th century by the then Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and its design was done by his daughter Jahanara.
It was divided by canals to reflect moonlight and still, it is considered to the largest wholesale market in Delhi. There are records blowing light to its history that says its birth was happened during the founding of the capital city of Shahjahanabad with the existence of the Red Fort. Originally, the market contains 1560 shops, the square is 40 yards wide and 1520 yards long. There is a pool in the centre of the complex which makes the bazaar illuminate. The bazaar gave space to a number of silver merchants.
But later, the pool in the complex was replaced by a clock tower during the 1950s. The chowk runs through the heart of the walled city from the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort to Fatehpur Masjid. There are separate markets for sarees, suits, electronic items, accessories, ornaments, footwear, food items, shawls, sherwanis, decoration materials, lanterns, colourful dresses and what not. Chandni Chowk itself has a metro station near the market and it is the easiest way to reach the square.
Chandni Chowk entry timing:
The shops at Chandni Chowk would be open on all days except on Mondays from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm.
Chandni Chowk entry fee:
No entry fee is applicable to enter the square.
Chandni Chowk location:
Kaccha Bagh Area, Old Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110006.
Insider Tips:
-Must visit the Parantha Wali Gali.
-Visit the famous Natraj Chat and Dahi Bhalle.
-Papri Chaat on the opposite side of Gurudwara, or roadside kababs near Jama Masjid defines Chandni Chowk. A visit to the place without trying such delicacies would be incomplete.
08 Rashtrapati Bhawan
Rashtrapati Bhawan
The Presidential Residence, formerly known as the Viceroy’s House is the famous Rashtrapathi Bhavan in Delhi. It is the home of the President of India, officially. It is located at the western end of Rajpath. The mansion or the main building accommodates the president’s official residence, halls, guest rooms and offices. The entire 130 hectare President Estate that includes huge gardens known as the Mughal Gardens, large open spaces, a residence of office staff and bodyguards, stables etc is the major portion of it the mansion.
It is considered to be the largest residence of a head of state in the world in terms of area. The Delhi Durbar occurred in December 1911 decided to build a residence in New Delhi for the British Viceroy. In the beginning, the plan had 4000 acres of land acquired for the building after relocating Raisina and Malcha villages existed in the region. The famous British architect Edwin Landseer Lutyens was given the responsibility for the primary architecture.
The design made by Lutyens was grand and extraordinarily classical that was enhanced by different colours and details inspired by Indian architecture. Originally, the Viceroy’s House had to be built on the top of Raisina Hill along with the secretariats lower down. But it was decided to build 400 yards back and thus both the buildings had to come on top of the plateau. On this, Lutyens and Baker who was constructing the secretariat had disputes. The house consists of four floors and 340 rooms which are decorated with modified interior designs.
There were around 700 million bricks used for the construction. The design of the building was inspired by the Edwardian Baroque. It has several halls used for different functions and purposes. The main ones are the Durbar Hall and the Ashoka Hall. There is a dome in the middle that reflects both Indian and British styles.
Rashtrapathi Bhavan entry timing:
The mansion can be visited on all days from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm but the Mughal Garden and other gardens will be open from August to March on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Rashtrapathi Bhavan entry fee:
There is a registration charge of Rs.50 and it can be paid online as well as it will be non-refundable and non-transferable. Visitors individually or in a group of fewer than 30 people will be charged Rs.50 per visitor and for a group of 30, it will be 1200 per visit.
Rashtrapathi Bhavan location:
Rashtrapati Bhawan, President's Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110004.
Insider Tips:
-You can book the entry ticket to Rashtrapathi Bhavan online via "http://rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in/rbtour”.
-Cameras are not allowed inside the building.
-You need not pay the guide.
-The various circuits of the Bhavan are:
Circuit 1: Rashtrapati Bhavan Main Building and the Central Lawn will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Circuit 2: The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex [RBMC] comprising the Clock Tower, the Stables and the Garages will be open on all days except Monday.
Circuit 3: The Mughal Gardens and other Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be open from August to March on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
-Entry to Rashtrapati Bhavan for visit is through Gate No.2 (Rajpath); Gate No.37 (via Dalhousie Road-Hukmi Mai Marg); and Gate No.38 (via Church Road-Brassy Avenue) of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
-Indian Citizens should carry valid photo ID Cards. In case of foreigners, they should make their request for visit along with photocopies of their passport. On the day of visit, they are required to carry their original passport for identification.
09 Paranthe Wali Gali
Paranthe Wali Gali
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A tapered street in Chandni Chowk area, Paranthe Wali Gali is noted because of its sequential shops located one after the other known for selling paratha, a typical Indian unleavened thin bread. The food sold in Paranthe Wali Gali is strictly vegetarian, presented in old retrospective style without any addition of onion or garlic to the food.
This is because the owner of the particular series of a shop is a Brahmin and the neighbourhood includes the Jain population. The menu includes mix paratha, khoya parantha, rabri parantha, parat parantha. The parantha generally is served along with mint, mixed or sweet tamarind chutney, potato or paneer curry sautéed with rich sweet and spicy pumpkin.
Entry timings- The opening timings to Paranthe Wali Gali is between 9 AM to 11 PM.
Entry fee – Average cost for having food at Paranthe Wali Gali would sum up to 150 INR or 2.306 USD for two people approximately.
Location - Address of Paranthe Wali Gali is 1984-1985, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.
Insider tips - You must try the recommended food from Paranthe Wali Gali. The recommended food is Mixed Veg Paranthe, Mirch Parantha, and Karela Parantha.
10 Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid
The people of Delhi consider the Masjid-I Jahan Numa close to them, hence call it fondly as the Jama Masjid of Delhi. It is one of the largest mosques in India which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. During that time, the construction of the mosque took around 1 million rupees. Imam from Bukhara inaugurated the building after its completion. The mosque is protected by three great gates and four towers. Also, there are two 40 meter high minarets created on red sandstone and white marble standing.
The courtyard boasts its space that can accommodate more than 25000 people at a time. The three domes seen on the terrace are surrounded by the two minarets as well as the floor is comprised of 899 black borders marked for worshippers. The mosque has witnessed two attacks recently, in 2006 and in 2010. There were more than 5000 workers who contributed their sweat and blood for the construction of the masjid. The original name of the mosque meant the mosque that commanding view of the world.
Though the British wanted the mosque to be destroyed, they could not succeed in the process due to rigid opposition and protests. The largest mosque in India is a mesmerizing monument which was the last one built under Shah Jahan’s power. The masjid is located at a walkable distance from Old Delhi railway station and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
The masjid that got its life because of the architectural brilliance of Ustad Khalil is now protected by Delhi Waqf Board.
Jama Masjid entry timing:
Entry to the mosque is on all days from 07:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 06:30 pm.
Jama Masjid entry fee:
You can enter the temple free of charge but for photography, you should pay Rs.200-300 and for climbing the southern minaret, you are supposed to pay Rs.100.
Jama Masjid location:
Meena Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006.
Insider Tips:
-During the morning hours, crowd will not be there and it is the best time to visit the mosque.
-You should dress modestly as it is a sacred place and women should cover their head with a shawl or similar clothes.
-You can carry a bag to keep your shoes safe to avoid getting them stolen or be at the counter and wait for long.
-Remember, there will be touts to harass you for unnecessary fees and avoid them.
-There will be a separate fee to climb up the minaret that offers you a panoramic view.
-The nearest metro station is Chawri Bazaar.
-You should remove the shoes at the top of the stairs (pay the site minder Rs 5 upon collection).
-Avoid fake guides insisting there's a charge to enter the mosque (admission is free).
-For non-Muslims, the visiting timings are 07:00-12:15, 13:45-30 minutes before sunset; from 12:15 pm to 02:00 pm, it will be closed.
-Tourists can take the photograph of the Mosque. A nominal fee of Rs. 200 is charged for photography and you can bring your own camera.
Wanna enjoy on your trip to Delhi, click here for some adventure sports in Delhi
11 Hard Rock Café
Hard Rock Café
Hard Rock Café, Delhi is the fourth restaurant in India which is opened in Delhi at DLF Place Saket. Hard Rock Café is a vibrant, leisure and happy chilling spot. Ideally situated near luxurious grand hotels, a short distance away from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, Hard Rock Café offers the best to the local visitors and travelers and is among the best tourist places in Delhi.
Entry timings – You can visit Hard Rock Café in between 12 Noon to 1 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred on ordering food along with drinks sums up to 2500 INR or 38.411 USD.
Location – The address of Hard Rock Café is M-110, 1st Floor, DLF Place Mall, Saket, New Delhi.
Insider tips – On a visit to Hard Rock Café, you must try the recommended dishes like Fish O’ Fillet, Hard Rock Nachos, and Famous Fajitas.
Here are some resorts near Delhi NCR.
12 Hauz Khas Social
Hauz Khas Social
Image Credit : http://www.dfordelhi.in
Hauz Khas Social is considered to be the best chilling tourist places in Delhi that merge the best of office and café. An ideal place, Hauz Khas Social is for the people who crave to relish and feel tranquil after a hectic workday. An all-day bar and café, Social invites you all day long to discuss work or feel relaxed from the tiresome work. This calls to be one of the best places to visit in Delhi with friends.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Hauz Khas Social is in between 11 AM to 1 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food from Social is 1300 INR or 19.972 for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Social is 9-A & 12, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi.
Insider tips – On visiting Social, it is essential for you to try Asian, Continental, American, North Indian, and Salad.
13 Sarojini Nagar Market
Sarojini Nagar Market
Image Credit : pinterest.com
Sarojini Nagar is a famous neighbourhood of South West Delhi and an atypical shopping spot where you can get hundreds of items with your pocket money itself. It is located very close to Safdarjung Airport and before it got the name Sarojini Nagar it was called Vinay Nagarand and later its name was changed to Sarojini Nagar. The colony is filled with Safdarjung Enclave, South Extension, Laxmibai Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Chanakyapuri and Netaji Nagar. This is one of the most vibrant places in Delhi to buy various items like clothes, accessories, shoes, fabrics etc.
The street side shops will sell even branded items at cheaper rates. Garments of any colour, any size, any shape would be available here but questioning your bargaining power. During the bomb blasts in 2005 in Delhi, Sarojini Market was also included but it was rebuilt afterward. Almost all the shops in the market are of different families. The Babu Market, Subzi Market, Central Market, Mandir Wali Side Market are the different sections of the Sarojini Market offering you multiple selections of items ranging from garment shops to food shops.
Every time the markets are uncontrollably crowded- visitors or locals come to purchase multiple items of your likes at an unexpectedly low price. INA is the closest metro station from Sarojini Market.
Sarojini Market entry timings:
The shops will be open on all days except on Mondays from around 10:00 am to 09:00 pm.
Sarojini Market Entry fee:
There is no entry fee applicable to enter the market.
Sarojini Market Location:
Sarojini Nagar Market, Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110023.
Insider Tips:
-Remember the basic shopping rules at Sarojini Market: never pay more than INR 250 for any basic garment; INR 100 – 150 is the usual price for tops.
-The sizes of the garments may not be correct. You can check them with other sizes and identify your size by hold it against yourself. There is an option to quick fix at the darzee also.
-Check it out properly for wear and tear on the item you purchase. Always point out the defect (whether minimal or obvious) to the shopkeeper and use it to extricate an additional discount.
-Carry a big cover to keep your purchased items conveniently because the covers given by the shopkeepers are not of good quality so that they will be torn if you carry heavy materials in them.
-The best time to visit Sarojini Nagar is on weekdays, between 12pm – 4pm to be specific.
-Point out a landmark before you enter the market so that you can come back to the point after shopping easily.
Popular Places to Visit in Delhi
14 Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
A prominent Sikh Gurudwara in India is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Kishan. It is a worship house for the Sikh religion believers but now it is a primary pilgrimage and tourist attraction in Delhi. There is a beautiful pool as well inside its complex which is named as Sarovar. It had come into existence as a small shrine by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783 who was supervising the construction of nine other Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same time.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is located near Connaught Palace on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and it is recognizable easily from a distance due to its golden dome and tall flagpole. Next, to it, there is the famous Sacred Heart Cathedral. The building was actually a bungalow belonged to Raja Jai Sing and got the name as Jaisinghpura Palace. Guru Har Kishan was living in Delhi during 1664 when there was smallpox and cholera epidemic spread in the society.
Guru helped the people by giving aid and fresh water from the well at his house. But he was also affected by the disease and died on March 30th, 1664. But Sikhs believed that the water from the well at Guru’s house had healing powers and they had taken the water to their homes. Gurudwara and its Sarovar are a prominent place for Sikhs now and they pay tribute to the eighth Guru on his birth anniversary.
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The complex included the Gurudwara, a kitchen, a pond, a school and an art gallery. The concept of langar is practised and regardless of race or religion, all people can eat in the Gurudwara kitchen. If you wish to enter the Gurudwara, you should cover your hair and avoid wearing shoes inside. There is a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital situated inside the complex. Patel Chowk, Rajeev Chowk, and Shivaji Stadium Metro station are the major metro railway stations near to the Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Bangla Saheb entry timings:
The Gurudwara is open on all days 24 hours.
Gurudwara Bangla Saheb entry fee:
No entry is needed to visit the Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Bangla Saheb location:
Ashoka Road, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi – 110001.
Insider Tips:
-Dress modestly and cover your head while participating in the rituals.
-Remove your shoes before entering the gurudwara.
-There will be special prayers and gathering on the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan.
-The nearest metro station is Patel Chowk which falls on the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro.
-Do not forget to try Langar and sprinkle some drop from the holy water tank.
Click here for some places for trekking near Delhi
15 Connaught Place
Connaught Place
The largest financial, commercial and business spots in India is the Connaught Place in Delhi which has been a witness for the emergence of many shops, markets, buildings, hotels and important buildings. It is often called CP and acts as the headquarters of many Indian firms and is also among the best tourist places in Delhi. During the time of erstwhile colonizers, the place was considered to be a place of pride and was counted as one of the top heritage structures in Delhi.
The place got its name after Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Its construction was started in 1929 and finished in 1933. Rajiv Chowk metro station was also built under it. There were some villages existed before the establishment of the Connaught Place but the families were relocated. But the demolition of several buildings like the Hanuman temple, a Jain temple in Jaisinghpura and the Jantar Mantar did not happen and they were preserved till date.
W.H. Nicholls was the chief architect to the Government of India under whom the plans for building a central business district was featured to become a central plaza based on the European Renaissance in the classical style. The Georgian architecture found in Connaught Place is inspired or modelled after the Royal Crescent in Bath. Connaught Place is a complete circle with two floors made to house commercial establishments on the ground with providing residential space on the first floor. Finally, the circle was designed with two concentric circles including the Inner Circle, Middle Circle, and the Outer Circle.
There are multiple international as well as Indian brands are operating at Connaught Place along with some hotels in the vicinity. Since a large number of tourists gather here, there are a lot of attractive items arranged.
Connaught Place entry timings:
The shops and markets at the Connaught Place will usually be open on all days from 10:00 am to 08:00 pm approximately.
Connaught Place Entry fee:
There is no entry fee to be paid to enter the place.
Connaught Place Location:
Connaught Place, Near Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, New Delhi 110001, India.
Insider Tips:
-Try Fire Paan/Chuski Paan at Odeon Pan Palace.
-Don’t miss out Wenger’s - one of the best bakeries in the market.
-Visit the Underground Market Palika Bazaar also.
-There will be some shows at the central park as well.
16 Dilli Haat
Dilli Haat
Image Credit : v1kram - Flickr
An open air food plaza and craft bazaar, a triumphant spot of people’s gatherings and their chatters is Dilli Haat in Delhi which is a venture of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. Dilli Haat is quite unlike the other markets in the area. It is permanent and open all days. The exact location of it is the commercial centres of South Delhi opposite to the INA market. The complex is situated in an area of 6 acres and it came into existence as a part of the reclamation project and then transformed into a plaza.
The plaza extends a firm foundation work, many small thatched roof cottages and kiosks. Some shops here are there for permanent while some others are rotated usually for fifteen days. From fabrics to sculptures, the items you get here are prominently costly in big shops. Here you will get rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, soft fabrics and drapery, beads, brassware, metal crafts, silk clothes etc. Handlooms and handicrafts are also a dedicated collection at this market which are exhibited in the exhibition hall in the complex.
To sell the commodities, one should follow an application process and spaces are allocated according to which state the seller belongs to. Dilli Haat, thus, has hundreds of stalls allotted to sellers on a rotational basis and the payment would be from INR 100 per day for a period of 15 days. Now it is also a venue of crafts, music, dance and cultural events held by different organizations.
Dilli Haat entry timings:
It is open on all days from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Dilli Haat entry fee:
There will be a nominal entry fee to be paid.
Dilli Haat location:
Sri Aurobindo Marg, Laxmi Bai Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110023.
Insider Tips:
-Visit Dilli Haat during evening time when you can observe the diversity of Indian culture.
-The nearest metro station is INA.
To know more about some of the best tourist places near Delhi within 300 km, Click here
17 Akshardham Temple
Akshardham Temple
Among the temples in Delhi, Akshardham Temple or Swaminarayan Akshardham Complex is amazingly famous as it is known to be a spiritual and cultural campus in Delhi. This complex showcases the traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality and architecture. Tourists from all over the world come to Delhi will visit the temple to understand the spiritual facts of India. The temple was opened in 2005 by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. It is one of the most religious places to visit in Delhi.
Sitting on the banks of the Yamuna River in eastern Delhi, the complex possesses the temple at the center and the construction was according to the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra. There are an Abhishek Mandap, Sahaj Anand Water Show, a theme based garden, and three exhibitions like Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan and Sanskruthi Darshan which is a cultural boat ride. Visiting Akshardham is one of the most popular things to do in Delhi.
Among the attractions inside the complex, Akshardham Mandir is quite famous and more charming. The architectural measures prove that the temple is 141 foot high and 316 foot wide. The walls of it are explicitly carved with the images of flora, fauna, musicians, deities etc. It has an intricate architectural style of Maharishi Vastu concepts and for the construction of the temple, the pick sandstone from Rajasthan and Carrara marbles from Italy was used. It accommodates 234 adorned pillars, nine domes, 20000 murtis of sadhus, devotees, and acharyas.
Akshardham temple entry timing:
Entry: 09:30 am to 06:30 pm
Exhibition: 10:30 am to 06:00 pm and the tickets for the exhibition will be available from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Musical fountain: 07:45 pm
The temple will be closed on Mondays.
Akshardham temple entry fee:
Complex entry is completely free.
Exhibition rates are Rs. 170 for adults, Rs.125 for senior citizens, Rs.100 for children between 4 and 11 years.
Musical fountain: Rs. 80 for adults, Rs.80 for senior citizens, Rs.50 for children between 4 and 11 years.
Akshardham temple location:
NH 24, Akshardham Setu, New Delhi, 110092.
Insider Tips:
-Akshardham Metro Station is the closest metro rail on the Blue Line that connects Dwarka to Noida. From the station, you can reach the temple in five minutes by an auto rickshaw.
-The best time to visit Akshardham Temple is from February to April and from October to early December. It will be very hot during summer and rainy during monsoon.
-There is a restaurant within the complex that is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
-Get some souvenirs from a souvenir shop and it will be open from 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
-You cannot take valuable possessions inside the temple. You have to keep it with the securities outside and there will be a long queue for that. Hence it is advised to keep them in your car or with the driver. Mobile phones are also not allowed inside.
-There is a huge space for parking as well for cars, vans, minibuses, coaches, and other vehicles.
Musical Fountain - Circle of Life can be witnessed in the evening during sunset for 15 minutes.
18 Karim's
Karim's
Image Credit : http://www.dfordelhi.in
Karim’s is a historic, retrospective restaurant situated near Jama Masjid in Gali Kababian, Delhi. Introduced in the year 1913, Karim’s is a restaurant that is delineated to be synonymous with this location and is conceivably Delhi’s most popular culinary point of disembarkation. The main course of the place includes Naan & Roti, Kabab, Bharatia Pattal, Rice & Pulao and Shahi Dastar Khwan. For dessert, the place serves Kheer Benazir.
Entry timings – The Entry timings in Karim’s is bifurcated into two slots. The first slot is in between 11 AM to 4 PM and the second slot is in between 8 PM to 11.30 PM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food from Karim’s is 800 INR or 12.298 USD for two people approximately.
Location – Address of Karim’s is 16, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid, New Delhi.
Insider tips – You must try the recommended food from Karim’s. The recommended food are Chicken Jahangiri, Mutton Qorma, Nahari, Chicken Mughlai and Brain Curry.
19 Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar
Among the five major Jantar Mantar constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, the one in which Delhi has an equal reputation as of the Jaipur one. At Delhi Jantar Mantar, there are 13 architectural astronomy instruments. This observatory was designed in order to compile the astronomical tables and to predict the movement and timings of the sun, the moon and the planets. Situated on the Parliament Street, south of Connaught Circus in New Delhi, the Observatory possesses masonry built astronomical instruments.
Due to the unlimited desire of Maharaja Jai Singh II to spend time in the astronomical observations and to study the systems, the observatory was erected by himself. The name of the observatory gives us a meaning that is the instrument for calculation. The instruments preserved in the observatory were made of brick rubbles and then plastered with lime. As the time progressed, the instruments had undergone several repairs and restoration. But major alterations were far from them.
The Samrat Yantra, the Jai Prakash, Ram Yantra, and Misra Yantra are the principal instruments preserved in the observatory. A temple dedicated to Bhairava is also near the building which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The Jantar Mantar in Delhi had its construction started in 1724. It came into existence in 1724 but by 1867, the observatory had faced a considerable amount of decays. After the construction of the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Maharaja Jai Singh II had built more observatories in Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura.
Jantar Mantar entry timings:
The observatory is open on all days from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm.
Jantar Mantar entry fee:
To enter the observatory, Indian citizens should pay INR 5 and foreign nationals have to pay INR 100.
Jantar Mantar location:
Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001.
Click here for some corporate day outing places in Delhi
20 The National Rail Museum
The National Rail Museum
Image Credit : Wikimedia
A very significant museum in the history of India is the National Rail Museum in Delhi. It is situated in Chanakyapuri with a focus on the rail heritage India had been possessing. It was opened on February 1st 1977. The building is in over 10 acres of land enhanced by both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The visitors are allowed to do a toy train ride around the site on regular days. Apart from the toy train, there are a lot of amusing items on the display such as 1:8 scale trail, Diesel simulator, Steam simulator, Coach Simulator and things like these.
The concept of a transport museum was coming into the presentation in 1962. However, the first concrete shape of it came out in 1970. It was coming into the scenario under the advisory of Micharl Graham Satow who was a genuine rail enthusiast. In 1971, the foundation stone for the museum was laid by the then President of India V. V. Giri. The Rail Transport Museum as it was known in the initial days was inaugurated by Kamalapati Tripathi, the Minister of Railways during that time.
Later, the name was changed to National Rail Museum in 1995. Patiala State monorail trainways, the oldest operational steam locomotive Fairy Queen, Fire Engine, Saloon of Prince of Wales, Saloon of Maharaja of Indore and Mysore, electric locomotive 4502 etc are a few of the possessions of the museum that have the history of many centuries to be told.
The museum is located near to the Dhaula Kuan Metro Station which is about 2 kms away and you can catch an auto rickshaw to reach the museum from the station.
Rail Museum entry timings:
It is open on all days except on Mondays and National Holidays from 09:30 am to 05:30 pm.
Rail Museum Entry fee:
The entry fee is Rs.20 per person and for toy train ride the fee would be again Rs.20 per person.
Rail Museum location:
Market Rd, Block F, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021.
21 Kitty Su
Kitty Su
Image Credit : https://redspoon.in
Nestled and ducked in The Lalit, Kitty Su has transmogrified as the most luxurious and stylish clubbing places in Delhi. Classy, full of radiant and vibrant and exquisitely designed delineating the aura of happiness, Kitty Su is an impressive nightspot considered to be a great choice for people who are hardcore party drivers. It is one of the best places to visit in Delhi at night.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Kitty Su is in between 10 PM to 1.30 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering the food at Kitty Su is 5000 INR or 76.856 USD for two people including alcohol and 600 INR or 9.223 USD for ordering a pint of beer for two.
Location – The address of Kitty Su is The Lalit, Barakhamba Avenue, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi.
Insider tips - You must try your luck and dance to the fullest on the ground of Kitty Su. The place Kitty Su is highly popular for nightclubs constituting a large dance floor for party lovers.
22 Rose Cafe
Rose Cafe
Image Credit : https://www.whatsuplife.in
An all-day exquisite restaurant, Rose Café serves distinct cuisines. Hosting an elegant range of cuisines like Italian, Mediterranean, Continental, and Lebanese, the restaurant exhibits great ambiance. Constituting both contemporary and traditional cuisines, the menu delineates enough choices for non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes, making it a captivating and one of the gripping places to visit in Delhi.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Rose Café is in between 12 Noon to 9 PM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering the food at Rose Café is 1000 INR or 15.270 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Rose Café is 2, Westend Marg, Saidulajab, Delhi.
Insider tips – The recommended dishes to try at Spaghetti Anglio Olio, Mint Lemonade steeped with Kaffir Lime Leaves, Espresso Cake with flogged with Kaffir Lime Leaves and Mezze Platter.
Places to Eat in Delhi
23 Kunzum Travel Cafe
Kunzum Travel Cafe
Image Credit : kunzum.com
An extraordinary place for travelers to meet and share thoughts and stories, make new travel buddies and plans over a cup of coffee is the Kunzum Café in Delhi. This is where you can enjoy reading travel books, share travel pictures, write about your experiences if you are not really travelling for the time being. Here, you will get to see many people who are from other countries as well with whom you can share the best knowledge about the places and travelogues.
You can use the free wifi as well and post pictures on Kunzum.com. It is located in Hauz Khas Village, a prominent historical spot in Delhi where people come in large numbers to spend good time. Plenty of tourists as well as natives come here to listen to the unimaginable stories about the places people dream to reach and spend time. The café supports such camaraderie in a huge manner and that is why it is open for all those who are living with the desire of travelling the world.
Kunzum Cafe entry timings:
You can visit the café on all days of the week except on Mondays from 11:00 am to 07:30 pm.
Kunzum Cafe entry fee:
The best part of the café is that you are not forced to buy anything from here, but if you buy coffee, then you can pay anything you wish to. It makes the café so different.
Kunzum Cafe location:
T-49, GF, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi 110 016, India.
24 Khan Chacha
Khan Chacha
Khan Chacha, quarries on the story of a splendid legacy. Founded in the early 1970s by Haji Banda Hasan, who started his interest with a modest little shop in Khan Market which later on popularly became to be known as Khan Chacha amongst the youngsters.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Khan Chacha is in between 11 AM to 11 PM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food at Khan Chacha is 650 INR or 9.985 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Khan Chacha is Shop 50, 1st Floor, Middle Lane, Khan Market, New Delhi.
Insider tips – The recommended dishes to try in Khan Chacha are Chicken Tikka Roll and Mutton Seekh.
25 Tamra - Shangri-La's
Tamra - Shangri-La's
Image Credit : stylecoquettes.com
Tamra is an elegant, radiant, vibrant and most cherished fun restaurant serving different kinds of dishes. Located in the Eros Hotel at Connaught Place, Tamra mostly serves the North Indian, Pan Asian and Continental cuisines to relish and lighten up the taste buds of the visitors visiting the place.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Tamra is in between 6 AM to 12 Noon.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food from Tamra is 3,800 INR or 58.385 USD including alcohol and 400 INR or 6.146 USD for including a pint of beer for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Tamra is Shangri-La's Eros Hotel, 19, Ashoka Road, Janpath, New Delhi.
Insider tips – On a visit to Tamra, it is important for you to try their luxurious delicacies like North Indian, European, Chinese, Thai and Continental.
26 Farzi Cafe
Farzi Cafe
Image Credit : https://lbb.in
Highly focused on the gourmet dinner, Farzi Café – the contemporary Indian inexpensive restaurant, is best delineated to be an epicure experience blending in global traditional cuisine with the Indian contemporary ambiance and style. Farzi Café is a place where the restaurant guests can relish good and fine food.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Farzi Café is in between 12 Noon to 1 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food from Farzi Café is 2000 INR or 30.729 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Farzi Café is 38/39, Level 1, Block E, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Insider tips – Farzi Café is known for a contemporary presentation of dishes with an elegant and sophisticated décor.
27 Barbeque Nation
Barbeque Nation
Buffets organized in Barbeque Nation exhibits every family’s treat. The place allows you to fulfill and satiate your hunger for good, mesmerizing food until the last moment. The Barbeque Nation at Delhi is one such happening place that makes people crave till the end till they are thoroughly full.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Barbeque Nation is bifurcated into two slots. In the first slot the Entry timings in between 12 Noon to 3 PM and the second slot Entry timings is in between 6:30 PM to 11 PM
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food at Barbeque Nation is 1600 INR or 24.583 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Barbeque Nation is second Floor, Block N, Munshilal Building in Connaught Place, Delhi.
Insider tips – On your visit to Barbeque Nation, the recommended dishes which you must guzzle are Paneer Chicken Tikka Masala, Spanish Valencia Prawn, and Chicken Dum Biryani.
28 Murthal
Murthal
Murthal restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in Delhi that is open 24X7 inviting tourists and guest from within and afar the city.
Entry timings - Murthal is open 24 hours.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred for ordering food at Murthal is 400 INR or 6.146 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Murthal is 52, 250 KM Stone, G.T Road, Murthal, Haryana.
Insider tips – On your visit to Murthal the recommended dishes are Pav Bhaji, Chaap, Sweet Lassi, Amritsari Kulcha, Paneer Parantha, Chai, and Rasmalai.
Shopping Places in Delhi
29 Lajpat Market
Lajpat Market
Image Credit : NA.dir - flickr
A residential and commercial point near South Delhi district is Lajpat Nagar which was named in honour of Lala Lajpat Rai who was known to Indians as the Lion of Punjab. Lajpat Nagar Central Market has several eyes pointing to it now because of the immense collection of different items at incomparable rates. Lajpat Nagar is divided into four parts like Lajpat Nagar 1, 2, 3 and 4 which include housing colonies like Amar Colony, Dayanand Colony, Double Storey, National Park and Vikram Vihar. It is one of the best places to visit in Delhi in one day.
Central market is the most visited spot in Lajpat Nagar where people come to buy fabrics, shoes, ornaments, food items etc. The market is a vast plethora of colourful items even made by the famous brands sold at the street side shops arrayed beautifully and it is always busy with people who look for shopping on a shoe-string budget. Most of the open markets are run by veterans. They will not fall for bargaining skills beyond their comfort zone. The items in the market have already a fixed pricing and they won’t come down to a very lower price than the fixed one but if you are a familiar face, then they can consider giving you a huge discount as well.
The nearest metro station to the market is the Lajpat Nagar Station which is an elevated station lying on the metro’s violet line.
Lajpat market entry timings:
The shops in the market will be open on all days except Mondays from 09:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Lajpat market entry fee:
No entry fee is needed to enter the market.
Lajpat market location:
Central Market, New Delhi 110024, India
30 Khan Market
Khan Market
Image Credit : Wikimedia
An old market in Delhi which was established in 1951 is Khan Market, named in honour of Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan. The market was ranked as the costliest retail one in India. Also, it is the most expensive retail high street by real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield. It is a U shaped double storey market complex started with 154 shops and 74 flats. Near to the market, there is Sujan Singh Park- believed to be the first apartment complex in Delhi.
It was built in 1945. Till the 1980s, the flats in the complex on the first floors continued to be homes and the neighbourhood grocery stores and middle class shops were in the middle lane. Later, the real estate boom and the expanding families made the original occupants to move out. Thus, all the flats were sold to become shops. Recent numbers say that only a few families are staying in these flats.
Currently, Khan Market is one of the most sophisticated yet expensive commercial real estate locations in New Delhi with a wide variety of stores, modern showrooms, well-known brands, local brands and others. Jewellery items, bookstores, paints, hardware stores, electronics, fabric stores etc are some of the major shops here along with some good restaurants. Khan Market metro station is the closest metro to the market on the violet line.
Khan Market entry timings:
It is open on all days from 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight except on Sundays.
Khan Market entry fee:
There is no entry fee applicable to enter the market.
Khan Market location:
Humayun Road, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003, India.
31 Paharganj
Paharganj
Image Credit : Andrzej Wrotek - Flickr
Yet another famous neighbourhood of Central Delhi is Paharganj. It is located west of the New Delhi Railway Station. During the Mughal period, it was known as Shahganj or King’s ganj or market place. Paharganj is one of the three administrative subdivisions of the Central Delhi district. It promotes a plethora of hotels, lodges, restaurants, dhabas and a wide variety of shops. A lot of people from domestic as well as international regions come here to spend time with the locals and buy some good items at cheaper rates.
Paharganj was one of the five main markets of Delhi and the only one situated outside the walled city. It was the dominant grain market of the city in the 18th century where grains were ferried on the banks of Yamuna River after the trade between the wholesale markets and warehouses in Patparganj and Shahdara. Shahgaj, another wholesale market was located between Paharganj and Akbarabadi though Paharganj was referred to Shahganj.
The current name Paharganj came from its proximity to the Raisina Hill where the Rashtrapathi Bhavan is situated today. The New Delhi Metro station is the closest metro railway to Paharganj and it is located near to the New Delhi Railway Station as well. The place is a brilliant host of numerous shops of currency changers and currency conversions. The largest number of currency exchanging shops in the city is found in Paharganj. Thus tourists from different parts of the world arrive here to do currency exchange at a faster pace.
Paharganj entry timings:
The market is open on all days except Monday from 11:00 am to 09:00 pm.
Paharganj entry fee:
There is no entry fee applicable for entering the market.
Paharganj location:
Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi.
Insider Tips:
-Metro Gate 1, R.K. Ashram Metro Station is the closest one.
-Kachoris at Multan Moth Bhandar are popular, try having some.
-Amritsar De Chur Chur Naans‘ shop is next to Bikanerwala where you will get a thali with two naans, sabzi and raita only for Rs. 100.
-You can find a huge variety of Leather items in Paharganj. Check out the unnamed shops bang opposite Sams Cafe where you can pick up leather bags, belts, boots etc.
-My Bar is the only destination to grab the cheapest drinks in Delhi.
Places to Enjoy Nightlife in Delhi
32 The Blue Bar
The Blue Bar
Image Credit : https://taj.tajhotels.com
One of the best luxurious bar and lounge, The Blue Bar endows a charismatic and edgy experience. Owing to the ideal and dramatically beautiful color scheme of red on black, the ambient lighting sets the mood perfect for the audience.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to The Blue Bar during the weekday is in between 12.30 PM to 12.45 AM while the Entry timings on weekends are in between 5 PM to 12.45 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred on ordering food and alcohol sums to 3900 INR or 59.922 USD for two people approximately and an additional charge of 400 INR or 6.146 USD for ordering a pint of beer.
Location – The address of The Blue Bar is Taj Diplomatic Enclave, 2, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
Insider tips – The must-try dishes on a visit to The Blue Bar are Lamb Roulade and Nori.
33 Club Pangaea
Club Pangaea
Image Credit : http://www.shovangandhi.com
Club Pangaea, a luxurious dining restaurant, and bar is indubitably a class apart in all aspect. A well-stocked restaurant with tenuous ambiance featuring a distinct variety of delicacies. Known to serve the best spirits, wines, and beverages, Club Pangaea mixes delectable food with happy drinks.
Entry timings – The Entry timings to Club Pangea is in between 12 PM to 1 AM.
Entry fee – The average cost incurred on ordering food at Club Pangaea is 4000 INR or 61.458 USD for two people approximately.
Location – The address of Club Pangaea is The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, South Delhi.
Insider tips – The must try cuisines at Club Pangaea is Finger Food, American, Turkish and North Indian.
Other Places to Visit in Delhi
34 Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat
Image Credit : Humayunn Niaz Ahmed Peerzaada - Flickr
Raj Ghat in Delhi is an important landmark for India as it is a memorial to the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It used to be the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi that is Shahjahanabad situated on the banks of Yamuna River. Near to it was Raj Ghat Gate of the walled city that opens at Raj Ghat on the banks of Yamuna River and thus later, the memorial area was also started addressed as Raj Ghat. A black marble platform that symbolizes the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation happened on 31st January 1948.
The spot is open to the sky and there is an eternal flame burn at the end. A stone path that leads to the walled enclosure is the pathway for the visitors to reach the memorial and the guests should remove their footwear before entering the walls of the Raj Ghat. Near to Raj Ghat, you can find other samadhis or cremation spots of other major persons. The place was landscaped and the construction of the memorial was done by Alick Percy Lancaster. He was the last Englishman to hold the post of Superintendent of Horticultural Operations for Government of India.
To the north of the Raj Ghat is where the memorial of Jawaharlal Nehru is situated which is known as the Shantivan. Ekta Sthal, the site where K R Narayanan was cremated is also located adjacent to Nehru’s cremation site. The area of the Raj Ghat is made beautiful by a lot of trees around planted by the dignitaries and heads of states visiting the sites.
Raj Ghat entry timing:
It is open from 05:00 am to 07:30 pm on all days.
Raj Ghat Entry fee:
The entry to the site is completely free.
Raj Ghat Location:
Gandhi Smriti, Raj Ghat, New Delhi, Delhi 110006.
Insider Tips:
-There is no entrance fee to visit Raj Ghat.
-You have to remove your shoes near the shrine of Mahatma Gandhi. Visitors can keep their shoes on the guarded shelves at the entrance.
-A commemoration ceremony is held every Friday.
-Foreign delegates of Government of India come here to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by offering flowers at the shrine.
-Nearest Metro Station to the structure is Indraprastha Metro Station.
-Visit Gandhi Memorial Museum as well. The museum displays the life of the great soul and the philosophy of the Sarvodaya Movement through a movie.
-English show is from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm except for Thursdays. On Sundays, the show is shown at 3:00 pm in Hindi and at 5:00 pm in English.
35 Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb
Maqbera e Humayun or the Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is a major historical site in India. It is the tomb of the famous Mughal emperor of India Humayun. It was commissioned by the first wife of Humayun who was the chief consort as well, Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. The design of the tomb was born in the heart of Mirak Mirza Ghiyas- a persial architect invited by Bega Begum herself. Located in Nizamuddin East in Delhi, the tomb is known as the first garden tomb found on the Indian subcontinent, placed very close to the Dina-panah citadel.
UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site in 1993 and since then its reputation began to flourish. But after that, it had to undergo several restorations. Near the tomb, there are several smaller monuments from the main entrance to the West that include one that even built prior to the main tomb. Isa Khan Niyazi’s tomb is that one who was an Afghan noble in Sher Shah Suri’s court of the Suri dynasty. Humayun’s tomb complex accommodates the main tomb of the Emperor Humayun along with the graves of Bega Begum, Hamida Begum and Dara Shikoh as well as other significant Mughal members.
An inimitable leap in Mughal architecture is displayed along with the Persian model garden that is the Charbagh garden. The construction of the toms was started in 1565, almost nine years after his death. The completion of the tomb was in 1572. The memorial built for Humayun symbolizes the unpredictable symbiosis between Humayun and his wife Bega Begum who was so grieved over the death of her husband finally decided to create such an astonishing remembrance.
The Turkic and Mughal rule in the subcontinent introduced the influence of Central Asian and Persian styles of Islamic architecture and from the 12th century onward, those styles started inspiring several monuments in and around Delhi. Humayun’s tomb is made of red sandstone and white marbles and the measurements say it is 47 meters high and 91 meters wide.
Humayun’s Tomb entry timing:
The visit to the tomb is allowed from sunrise to sunset on all days but the best time to visit is between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm.
Humayun’s Tomb entry fee:
Indian citizens and the visitors from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries have to pay Rs.10 to enter the tomb while for other foreign nationals, it is Rs.250 per person. Children up to the age of 15 need not pay an entry fee.
Humayun’s Tomb location:
Opposite Dargah Nizamuddin, Mathura Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110013.
Insider Tips:
-Visit the tomb during the early hours or late hours of a day during summer as the mid time will be very hot.
-Khan Market Metro station is the nearest metro station and it is the easiest way to reach the structure. Hire a tuk tuk to cover the last 2.5 kilometers to the tomb.
-Also checkout Isa Khan’s Tomb.
36 Agrasen ki Baoli
Agrasen ki Baoli
Image Credit : Prateek Rungta
The super hit Bollywood film PK gave a supreme turning point for an important architectural monument of India that is Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi. It is a protected monument under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. Agrasen ki Baoli is a 60 meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well on Hailey Road near Connaught Place.
There are a lot of legends and stories roaming around the natives regarding the existence of this well though there is no perfect citation proving the brain behind the construction of this well. But it is said to be built by the legendary king Agrasen and it was rebuilt in the 14th century by Agrawal community. Baoli is referred to Jassi or bauri. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, words for step well sounded like baoli, bavadi, vav etc.
India is quite famous for its water temples and step wells and this particular step well has 108 steps and a major example for the architectural brilliance of ancient Indians. There are three levels placed at the visible parts of the step well. Each level had arched niches on either side of it. Even, there are stories saying the well is haunted but it never proved to be true.
Agrasen ki Baoli Entry Timing:
It will be open all days of the week from 07:30 am to 06:00 pm.
Agrasen ki Baoli Entry Fee:
There is no entry fee needed to visit the well.
Agrasen ki Baoli Location:
Hailey Road, Near KG Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
Insider Tips:
-Nearest metro station is Barahkamba Road.
-While you come out of the narrow alley, you will be able to see the graffiti done by Harsh Raman and several others.
37 Garden of Five Senses
Garden of Five Senses
A park sprawling across 20 acres of land is the Garden of Five Senses in Delhi located in Saidul Ajaib village near the Mehrauli heritage area. It was a project done by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation at a cost of 10.5 crores. It took three years approximately to come into existence and was inaugurated in 2003. It is built on a rocky terrain with different thematic areas in the garden including a separate section on the lines of Mughal Gardens.
Along with that, there are pools of water lilies, bamboo courts, herb gardens, solar energy park etc. The garden was established with the aim of stimulating our five senses with the beauty of the Serenity and the attractions around the garden will let us experience all the senses by touching, smelling, hearing and seeing. This garden is also an important venue for cultural events as different programs have been conducted here round the year. Food festivals, the Garden tourism festival, Dandiya festivals and so on are organized and conducted here.
The garden houses Khas Bagh, flower shows, fountains, water cascades, food court, shopping centre, different sculptures etc within it to attract thousands of tourists and natives to spare time with beauty at its best. Saket metro station is the closest metro railway station located in the garden about 1 kilometer away.
The Garden of Five Senses entry timings:
During summer it will be open on all days from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm and in winter it will be open from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.
The Garden of Five Senses entry fee:
For adults: Rs.30, for children up to 12 years: Rs.10 and for senior citizens: Rs.10.
The Garden of Five Senses location:
Near Saket Metro Station, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road,Said-ul-Ajaib, M.B. Road, South of Saket, New Delhi 110044, India.
Insider Tips:
-From Saket metro station, the garden is at a walkable distance. You can hire an auto as well.
-There is a restaurant name Fio Country Kitchen and Bar in the garden and it has the best quality food available in the region.
38 Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir)
Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir)
Image Credit : Koshyk - Flickr
Birla Mandir is a common name for different Hindu temples built by the Birla family at different locations in India. Almost all the temples are built of white marbles as well as sandstones. The prominent cities across the country have given their spaces for these temples to be erected. Among them, Birla Mandir is particularly a famed one and an important Delhi tourist attraction as well. All the temples are created very carefully as to accommodate a huge number of visitors.
Birla Mandir in Delhi was built in 1939 and it was the first in a row and later many temples were built in different cities by the different branches of the family. The Delhi temple was designed to be spacious and beautiful along with the proper arrangements for congregational worship and discourses. Though it possesses modern technologies, the architecture remembered to include the Nagar style.
The Birla Temple in Delhi is dedicated to Laxminarayan who is referred to Lord Vishnu. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi as the construction was finished in 1939 by Baldeo Das Birla and his sons. There are side temples which are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna, and Buddha. The temple extends up to 7.5 acres and flanked by many shrines, fountains, a large garden that displays many Hindu and nationalistic sculptures as well as a Geeta Bhavan for discourses.
The nearest metro station to the temple is R K Ashram Marg Metro Station, about 2 km away from the temple and also the New Delhi Kalibari is located on the same road.
Birla Mandir entry timings:
You can visit the temple on all days of the week from 04:30 am to 01:30 pm and from 02:30 pm and 09:00 pm.
Birla Mandir entry fee:
No entry fee is there to enter the temple.
Birla Mandir location:
Mandir Marg, DIZ Area, Near Gole Market, New Delhi 110001, India.
39 Feroz Shah Kotla Fort
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort
Image Credit : Wikimedia
Kotla is the name people of Delhi simply call the famous historic figure the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. It was fortress built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq to obtain his version of Delhi city named Ferozabad. The fortress looked amazingly stunning- a polished sandstone Topra Ashokan pillar is standing tall in the fortress. It was one of the many pillars left by the Mauryan emperor. It was re-erected at the fort as per the orders of Firoz Shah after it was abandoned and left alone in Topra Kalan in Pong Ghati.
The obelisk has several inscriptions and the original ones is in Brahmi script along with some Pali and Sanskrit inscriptions added much later. James Prinsep in 1837 had successfully translated those inscriptions. Apart from the pillar, the fortress also accommodates the Jami Masjid, a baoli and a large garden complex. The city of Ferozabad was established by the Sultan of Delhi, Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 and it was the new capital of the Delhi Sultanate including the kotla or the fortress. As years passed, the fortress had to undergo several destructions due to the battles between emperors and now what is remaining is some ruins of the proud fortress.
Pragati Maidan metro station is the closest metro railway station to the fort so that reaching the fort never becomes a headache.
Firoz Shah Kotla entry timings:
The fort is open on all days from Tuesday to Sunday from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Firoz Shah Kotla entry fee:
For Indian citizens and SAARC members, the entry fee is Rs.15 while for foreign nationals it will cost Rs. 100. Children up to the age of 15 need not pay any fee to enter the fort.
Firoz Shah Kotla location:
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Balmiki Basti, Vikram Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110002.
40 The Tomb of Safdarjung
The Tomb of Safdarjung
Image Credit : Wikimedia
Safdarjung’s Tomb in Delhi is a famous attraction that is made of sandstone and marble mausoleum and it came into existence in 1754. The late Mughal Empire style is depicted for the statesman of Safdarjung. It extends a special ambiance with it's domed and arched red-brown and white coloured structures. Safdarjung was the prime minister of the Mughal Empire when Ahmad Shah Bahadur was on the throne in 1748.
Safdarjung’s original name was Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan and he was the viceroy of Muhammad Shah, an independent ruler and the richest and most powerful there. When Ahmed Shah ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire in Delhi, Safdarjang was made the Vizier. But when the empire was on the verge of decline, as Vizier, Safdarjung had taken all the powers and started ruling over the city while the king was playing the role of a puppet. Later, the emperor’s family had Safdarjung out of their kingdom and Delhi.
In 1754 he died and after that, his son Nawab Shujaud Daula pleaded to the emperor to permit him to raise a tomb for his father in Delhi and thus erected the Tomb of Safdarjung designed by an Abyssinian architect. Near to the tomb, almost to the south is the historic site of the battle that happened between Timur of Mangol and Mohammed Tughlaq in 1386. The tomb was the last monumental tomb Garden of the Mughals and it was built like an enclosed garden tomb in resemblance with the style of Humayun’s tomb. The main features of the tomb are the Char Bagh plan with the mausoleum at the center, a nine-fold floor plan, a five-part façade and a large podium along with a hidden stairway. Jor Bagh Metro station is located very near to the tomb.
Safdarjung’s tomb entry timings:
It is open on all days from sunrise to sunset.
Safdarjung’s tomb entry fee:
For Indians: Rs.15 and for foreigners: Rs.200.
For still camera, no fee is applicable but for video shooting, you need to pay Rs.25.
Safdarjung’s tomb location:
Airforce Golf Course, Delhi Race Club, New Delhi, Delhi 110021.
41 ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple
Image Credit : http://www.iskcon.org
The Iskcon Temple is a spectacular shrine located in Delhi constituted to be the best tourist places in Delhi. Situated at the Sant Nagar in East Kailash, Iskcon Temple dwarfs the southern skyline zone of Delhi. Originally initiated by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, ISKCON is an association belonging to Hare Rama Hare Krishna fad.
Entry timings - You can visit the temple throughout the week in between 4.30 am to 9 pm. However, the major altar is closed in between 1 pm to 4 pm.
Entry fee – There are no Entry fees for visiting ISKON Temple.
Location – The address of ISKON Temple is Hare Krishna Hill, Main road, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, Delhi 110065.
Insider tips – A colossally huge temple that out cases a majestic appearance. Visit the temple and endeavor the beauty of the temple in and out.
42 Purana Qila
Purana Qila
Image Credit : mediaindia.eu
Old Fort is the English meaning of Purana Qila, one of the oldest and important forts in Delhi. Purana Qila in Delhi existing in the current form was built by Sher Shah Suri who is believed to be the founder of the Sur Empire. He has erected the citadel of Purana Qila along with a spacious city area around it. It was said that even during the death of 1545, the fort was incomplete and perhaps it was completed by Islam Shah, the son of Sher Shah.
The Archaeological Survey of India had done some excavations at the area and have unearthed Painted Grey Ware dating back to 1000 BCE. This fort was considered to be the inner citadel of the city of Din Panah during Humayun’s rule. He had renovated it in 1533. After Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun, he named the fort Shergarh and added more structures to the complex. The fort and its surroundings were enhanced to be known as the sixth city of Delhi. But during the partition of India, the fort and the neighbouring Humayun’s tomb were acting as the site for refugees.
The camp was functional till 1948. The ramparts of the fort were used as the backdrops for many plays later in 1970s. Tughlaq, Andha Yug and Sultan Razia were those plays. Afterward, it has been the regular centre for theatre productions, cultural events, concerts etc. There is a daily sound and light show after sunset at the fort regarding the history of the seven cities of Delhi. Pragati Maidan is the nearest metro station to the fort.
Purana Qila entry timings:
You can visit the fort on all days from 07:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Purana Qila entry fee:
For Indians: Rs.20 and for foreigners: Rs.200.
For still camera, no fee is applicable but for video shooting, you need to pay Rs.25.
Purana Qila location:
Mathura Rd, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi 110003.
Insider Tips:
-Do not miss Humayun's Library - an octagonal building called Sher Mandal built by Sher Shah.
-You can avail boating or shikara rides in the lake near the fort.
-Since the monument is in ruins today, you have to be careful while exploring. Do not damage any portion.
-Talaqi Darwaza or the Forbidden Gate is also a major attraction.
43 Pragati Maidan
Pragati Maidan
Image Credit : NA.dir - flickr
The Pragati Maidan situated on the Mathura road is an exhibition cum complex center with a total area of around one hundred and fifty acres. Well equipped with paved lawns, roads, outlets and gardens, Pragati Maidan is known as progress ground and is highly renowned fostering it with the title of being one of the best tourist places in Delhi. Housing around sixteen vast and voluminous halls in total, Pragati Maidan is considered to be the largest exhibition centers in Delhi.
Entry timings – The visiting time to Pragati Maidan depends on the event which is taking place and the visit duration is in between two to three hours.
Entry fee – The package for per person entry begins at 9914 INR or 152. 324 USD.
Location – The address of Pragati Maidan is Mathura Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110002.
Insider tips - The place is popular for photo seekers and wanderers providing them a wonderful experience of the Maidan in entirety Experience Seekers.
44 Nizamuddin Dargah
Nizamuddin Dargah
Image Credit : rajkumar1220 - Flickr
Hazrat Nizamudin Dargah or simply called Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi is a famous tourist destination in India. It is a mausoleum of one of the famous Sufi saints, Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Auliya who lived from 1238 to 1325. It is situated in the Hazrat Nizamuddin West area of Delhi and visited by thousands of Islam believers every week but since it was declared to be an attraction, many other people also visit the Dargah.
The complex is comprised of the tombs of poet Hazrat Amir Khusro and the Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum and also, the tomb of Inayat Khan is located in the corner. Near the dargah, the neighbourhood was divided into two parts along Mathura Road; one is Nizamuddin West where the complex is located and a lively market dominated by Muslim vendors and the other one is Nizamuddin East.
There are other important monuments in the area like Humayun’s Tomb, Chausath Khamba, Mirza Ghalib’s tomb etc. The Dargah is a socially committed society of people which provides assistance for arranging marriages and extending helping hands to those who are needy of basic stuff, utensils, furniture, clothes etc. The community helps students, media person and professors to do their projects related to Sufism.
Also, they provide food at Khanqah for those who need it in seclusions and Am’ls. Jangpura Metro Station is the nearest metro railway station to the Dargah which is about 1 kilometer away. Qawwali performance happening here every night is a charming attraction but the performance on Thursdays are considered special.
Nizamuddin Dargah entry timings:
The entry to the Durgah is from 05:00 am to 10:30 pm.
Nizamuddin Dargah entry fee:
There is no entry fee.
Nizamuddin Dargah location:
Old Nizamuddin Bazaar, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi, Delhi 110013, India.
Insider Tips:
-There will be weekly qawwalis on Thursday, reach early as possible to avoid missing the qawwali from the start.
-Take care of your belongings as Thursdays will be uncontrollably crowded.
-Do not wear footwear inside and you can keep them at the shoe counter at the entrance and get a token for your shoes.
-Parking will be difficult near the Dargah. Hence try to park at some distance and walk to the temple.
-Cover your head before entering the Dargah.
-Women are not allowed to enter the main shrine.
-Relish some lazeez (delicious) kebabs in the market nearby.
45 Jamali Kamli Mosque and Tomb
Jamali Kamli Mosque and Tomb
Image Credit : Varun Shiv Kapur
A famous mosque which is archaeologically significant for India is Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb related to it. It is located in the archaeological village complex in Mehrauli in Delhi. The two monuments situated in contact with each other are the mosque and the tomb of two persons, Jamali and Kamali. The Urdu name Jamali originated from Jamal which means beauty. The name was an alias given to Shaikh Fazlullah and he was also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh or Jalal Khan. He was a great Sufi saint lived during the pre-Mughal period ruled by Lodi. While on the other side, Kamali was not famous as Jamali but he associated with Jamali.
Nonetheless, his antecedents have not been established. Perhaps, both their names were tagged as Jamali Kamali for the mosque and the tomb since they were buried close to each other. Both the mosque and the tomb were constructed during 1528 to 1529 but Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535. The mosque as well as the tomb are located in an enclosed garden which has a southern entry. The structure is appealing with the properly arranged red sand stone along with marble embellishments by which it looks extra ordinary.
It was believed to be a forerunner in the design of Mughal mosque architecture. It is comprised of a large prayer hall, a courtyard at the front, five arches in which the central arch only possesses a dome and much more. The arches have spandrels which are decorated with medallions and ornamentation. The central arch is astonishingly magnified by the presence of fluted pilasters. The rear end of the mosque is beautified with oriel windows. In the tomb chamber, there are two marble graves, one of Jamali and the other one is of Kamali.
There are a lot of easy modes to reach the mosque though Qutub Minar metro station is the nearest metro station to the tomb.
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb entry timings:
It is open on all days of the week from sunrise to sunset.
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb Entry fee:
The entry to the mosque and the tomb is completely free to all.
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb location:
Archeological Village Complex, Mehrauli, Delhi.
46 Mehrauli Archaeological Park
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
Image Credit : Delhi Heritage Walks1 - Flickr
Mehrauli Archeological Park is a predominant archaeological space spreading across 200 acres in Mehrauli in Delhi. It is located close to Qutub Minar and the Qutb complex. More than 100 historically important monuments are coexisting within this park. For more than 1000 years, the park has been witnessing occupation and includes the ruins of Lal Kot built by Tomar Rajputs as well. This is the only existing spot with continuous years of occupation.
The architectural relics of the subsequent periods like Khalji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Lodhi dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire and the last the British Raj etc are also found inside the extant fort of Delhi. The tomb of Balban which shows a true arch and the true dome is lying inside the park along with Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb of Maulana Jamali Kamali, Quli Khan’s Tomb, Gandhak ki Baoli, a madhi Masjid, a stepwell etc are scattered around the park as the pieces of remnants of something yet they form a cluster of charm and attraction with their firm structure and architectural strengths.
The remnants or the structures present in the park are dated back to the 10th century as well. The nearest metro station is ‘Qutub Minar’ on the yellow line to the fort. To the south of the village, you will find the remnants of the Mughal Palace, the Zafar Mahal, located once in the middle of the large jungle and next one to it is the Sufi shrine, the Dargah of Qutb Sahib. Also, a small burial ground with an empty space can be spotted which was intended for the last king of Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park entry timings:
The park will be open on all days from sunrise to sunset.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park Entry Fee:
There is no entry applicable.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park location:
Opposite Qutub Minar Metro Station, Anuvrat Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030, India.
Insider Tips:
-Wear a strong pair of walking shoes.
-Remember to bring water as well as sunglasses or sunscreen.
-Avoid wearing short pants to prevent some insects from attacking your legs.
47 Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Image Credit : DelhiPedia
The former residence of one of India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, set in off white colour now is Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum located on a massive area beautified with well-maintained lawns and lined by shady trees, plants, gardens, bushes, and flowers. The museum is dedicated to the memory of late Mrs. Indira Gandhi after she was assassinated within this mansion on 31st October 1984. The rooms are properly furnished and a few personal belongings of Mrs. Gandhi can be seen here through the large picture windows.
Also, the museum displays rather a beautiful collection of rare photographs covering the nationalist movement and also some important pictures of the Nehru-Gandhi families. Another important possession inside the museum is the blood-stained sari Indira Gandhi wore on the day she was assassinated. The place where her body was lying has been marked and covered with a glass frame and that is a memorial site in her honour. The museum is a beautiful kaleidoscope of historical events woven so remarkably and presented to the visitors with life beating inside them still.
It is located on Safdarjung Road and the nearest metro station to the museum is the INA Metro Station on the yellow line. The museum is a must visit to know the life of the controversial Prime Minister as she was known to many. The pictures of her childhood and the years she had grown up through are presented and preserved well inside.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum entry timings:
The museum is open all days except on Mondays from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Indira Gandhi Memorial entry fee:
There is no entry to be paid to enter the museum.
Indira Gandhi Memorial location:
Safdarjung Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110011, India.
48 National Gallery of Modern Art
National Gallery of Modern Art
Image Credit : Wikimedia
A premier art gallery run by the Ministry of Culture is the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi. The major museum is at Jaipur House in Delhi and it was established on March 29, 1954. It has some subsequent branches at Mumbai and Bangalore. The gallery displays a large collection of more than 14000 works done by various artists from different parts of the world. The artists include Thomas Daniell, Rabindranath Tagore, RajaRavi Varma, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Abanindranath Tagore etc. There are sculptures, paintings and much more preserved in the gallery for years.
Some works here date back to 1857 also. The gallery possesses an area of 12000 square meters for exhibition and thus the Delhi branch becomes one of the world’s largest modern art museums. It is located at the end of Rajpath near the India Gate. It was formerly the residential palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur and hence it got the name Jaipur House. The building has a butterfly shape with a central dome. The construction happened in 1936 and the brain behind it was Sir Arthur Blomfield.
The idea of the gallery was spreading around in 1949 but its official inauguration was done by the Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in 1954. Hermann Goetz who was a famous art historian from Germany was its first curator. As years passed, the gallery went through some new facilities such as Art restoration services, an Art Reference Library as well as a documentation centre. A new addition or a wing to the gallery came in 2009. Now there is a new auditorium, a preview theatre, conservation laboratory, library and an academic section.
The nearest metro station to the gallery is Central Secretariat metro station.
National Gallery of Modern Art entry timings:
It is open on all days except on Sundays and National Holidays from 11:00 am to 06:30 pm.
National Gallery of Modern Art Entry fee:
For Indians: Rs.20 and for foreign nationals: Rs.500. For children up to 18 years, entry is free.
National Gallery of Modern Art location:
Jaipur House, Sher Shah Road, Near Delhi High Court, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003.
49 The National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park or commonly known as Delhi Zoo is an extensive zoo that spreads across 176 acres near the Old Fort in Delhi, India. In the middle of a vibrant city lies a 16th century citadel, a green island and a great collection of rare flora and fauna. Around 1350 animals are protected inside the zoo, of different species and families. Walking through the beautiful zoo is a relishing activity for a day out in Delhi one can do or you can explore it with the help of a battery operated vehicle that can be arranged on rent at the zoo. Also, the visitors are not allowed to bring their own food inside the premises except water but you will get food at the canteen situated in the zoo.
The zoo was in news is 2012 as one man fell into the white tiger’s zoo and got killed by one white tiger. Then the safety and security measures of the zoo were under questions. After New Delhi came into existence, the zoo also came into existence and it was inaugurated in November 1959. Though initially Major Aubrey Weinman of the Ceylon Zoological Garden was asked to do the plans for the zoo but he could not do it and later Carl Hagenbeck of the Zoological Garden of Hamburg was approached by the Indian Government and thus he helped the Government with the preliminary plan of the zoo.
The construction was started in 1956 and the northern part of the zoo was completed by 1959. The official name as the National Zoological Park was given to the zoo in 1982 with the aim to make it a model for other zoos in the country to develop.
National Zoological Park entry timings:
From March to October mid- 09:00 am to 04:30 pm
From October mid to March mid- 09:30 am to 04:00 pm
National Zoological Park entry fee:
Adults: Rs.40, child between 3 and 5 feet: Rs.20, senior citizens: Rs.20.
For foreign nationals- adults: Rs.200 and for children: Rs.100.
National Zoological Park location:
Mathura Road, Sundar Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110003.
50 Lodhi Gardens
Lodhi Gardens
A beautiful park acts as a favourite ornament on the body of the city of Delhi is Lodhi Garden that holds back several architectural works of 15th century. During the Lodhi reign was the construction of the garden took place and it is located in between Khan Market and Safdarjung tomb. The park possesses Mohammed Sha’s Tomb, Sikandar Lodi’s, Shisha Gumbad’s and Bara Gumbad’s tombs within it. It is considered to be a special place of preservation since it protects the last imprints of Sayyid rulers.
The architectural works of the park were done by Sayyidis and Lodhis. There is an old waterway connecting the Yamuna River to the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi. The echoes of the 15th century prevail in the park and thus it acts as the epitome of an astounding architecture. Before becoming Lodhi Garden, the park had another name as Lady Willington Park and after the independence, it was declared to be known as Lodhi Garden. Since the park demonstrates the ancient architectural styles aplenty, it was a talk of the town for long.
There are some amusing sites to be watched in and around the park apart from the historical tombs. It is a centre space for morning and evening joggers as well as exercise lovers. The lush greenery around the park is promised to keep the atmosphere pleasant always. Lodi, the Garden Restaurant has enough prominence among the natives and the tourists as it is located close to the park and there you get fresh, authentic delicacies of Europe. To reach the park easily, you can depend on JLN metro station which is the nearest one to the park.
Lodhi Garden entry timings:
It will be open from 06:00 am to 07:30 pm on all days.
Lodhi Garden entry fee:
You have to pay no entry fee to enter the park.
Lodhi Garden location:
Main Lodi Road, Beside India International Centre, New Delhi, Delhi – 110003.
Insider Tips:
-To reach Lodhi Gardens easily, take the Metro to Jor Bagh station. From there, walk north on Sri Aurobindo Marg and turn east on to Lodhi Road; the gardens will appear on the left. If you hire a taxi or cab, you will be dropped at the entrance of the garden but the cost will be quite higher when compared to the train fare.
-It will be crowded on weekends. If you look forward to have a peaceful time, then choose a weekday.
51 Kuchesar
Kuchesar
Image Credit : mudfortkuchesar.com
A village in Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh is Kuchesar which is very closely located to Delhi, around 100 kilometers away. Earlier it was the seat of Zamindari. The mud fort in Kuchesar is famous. The Jat rulers of Kuchesar were behind the construction of the mud-fort in the mid- 18th century. The fort tells the chequered history of the Jats who vied with many other religions as well as with French adventurers and the British East India Company in order to fill the gap built by the decline of the Mughal Empire.
A part of the fort became a heritage hotel in 1998 after the restoration by Neemrana Hotels. Kuchesar’s ruling family belonged to the Dalal clan of the Jat caste. Currently, there are different sects originated from the basic caste and they settled down in the region. Also, currently there are two heritage hotels which are part of the fort. One if Mud Fort Kuchesar and Rao Raj Vilas. In Kuchesar, the main attraction every visitor will love to visit is the mud fort. But now it is a heritage resort where you can enjoy a luxurious stay and relish the historically important walls of the fort.
The fort now has 16 well maintained and properly arranged rooms along with an impeccable service, brand new amenities and warm hospitality. Also, you would find enough chances to indulge in multiple exhilarating activities like nature walk, bullock cart rides, village walks, horse riding, swimming and much more. It is a great location to even go camping near Delhi.
It is one the best places near Delhi to visit. Brij Ghat located about 25 kilometers away from Kuchesar is an unbeatable location where you can spend ample time amidst the green nature and witness the beauty of the river Ganges.
Distance from Delhi to Kuchesar:
The exact distance from Delhi to Kuchesar is 98.6 kilometers and if you take a drive along NH 9, you will reach Kuchesar in 2 hours and 30 minutes approximately. Thus Kuchesar becomes the favourite destination for the tourists arriving in Delhi.
Best time to visit:
November – February
Attractions:
Mud Fort is a pleasant place to spend leisurely time exploring cultural heritage apart from indulging in sports and other activities. Brij Ghat is an excellent picnic spot near Delhi with an exotic locale to enjoy a peaceful time on the banks of the Ganges.
52 Tughlaqabad Fort
Tughlaqabad Fort
Image Credit : wikimedia
A herald lying in the history of India is the ruined fort which is fondly called as Tughlaqabad Fort in Dehi. It stretches across more than 6 km and it was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of Tughlaq dynasty. He established the historic city of Delhi which was abandoned in 1327. The fort was a gigantic structure made of stone with hard walls about 10-15 meters high and those walls were crowned by battlement parapets and bastions. The fort city of Tughlaqabad had 52 gates and now only 13 are remaining.
There is a famous legend behind Tughlaqabad that says Tughlaq wanted every worker in the area to build the fort but one of the labourers, Nizamuddiya Auliya did not cope with the idea and out of anger he cursed the fort saying may the fort remain unoccupied or else may herdsmen live here. People believe that the fort could not excel and prosper and remained abandoned till date because of that curse. Tughlaqabad is divided into three parts such as the wider city area that has houses built along a rectangular grid between its gates, the citadel with a tower at a point known as Bijai Mandal which is the highest one and the remains of different halls and an underground passage.
Tughlaqabad entry timings:
It will be open on all days from 08:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Tughlaqabad entry fee:
For Indians: Rs. 5 and for foreigners: Rs.100. Children up to 15 years of age can enter free.
Tughlaqabad location:
Tughlaqabad Fort, Tughlakabad, New Delhi, Delhi 110044.
Insider Tips:
-It will take around 3 hours to completely watch the fort.
-The terrain is uneven, thorny and generally not recommended for senior citizens and people who have difficulty in walking.
-Be equipped with proper walking gear while visiting this historical site.
-During summer, it will be very hot in Delhi and try visiting the fort during the months from October to April.
-There is a spacious parking lot at the entrance of the fort.
-The surroundings are covered with dense thorny forests and it may give you a challenging walk. It is better to take a guide with you.
-The Light and Sound Show will be in Hindi and English. Timing: 5 pm to 9 pm.
Source- www.thrillophilia.com
