Delhi : India - The Historical Capital for Tourists

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What to Do When You Are in Delhi?
           
India features a kind of diversity in language, communities, and geographic locations that are unseen everywhere. In the heart of this country remains dilwalo ka Dilli, the national capital and the surrounding National Capital Region(NCR). It holds a central location in north India surrounded by Uttar Pradesh and Haryana with the Yamuna River passing right through it. Delhi is not the capital of current India but has been so in the past, the most notable period being the Mughal period.

It is a picturesque place with an amazing amalgamation of everything modern as well as traditional. The Mughal style of architecture is very prevalent throughout Delhi and so is the touch of modernity and technology. There are terrific places in Delhi loaded with history or just a simple environment to enjoy a quiet, comfortable time. Whether you are looking for romantic spots or excellent photographs, you will find it all in Delhi. So, if you are planning a trip to Delhi, read on to know all that you could do in Delhi.

Reaching Delhi:

Delhi being the capital city of India is very easy to reach from all corners of the world and all corners of India. Even the remotest places in India will be connected to Delhi at least via indirect flights or bus routes. There are multiple train stations in Delhi welcoming trains from all over the country and the Kashmiri Gate or the Vasant Vihar Bus Stops has a huge density of buses connecting different parts of North India. Once you are in Delhi there are all kinds of transport options such as buses, cabs, auto-rickshaws, and even the metro that connects you to different places in Delhi.

Places to Visit in Delhi

India Gate

India Gate, situated on the Rajpath Marg is a location in India that is probably known all around the world. This monument was erected way back in 1931 as a memorial standing tall for all the martyrs in the first World War as well as the war in Afghanistan. Steeped with historical and nationalist sentiments, the India Gate is an impressively scenic sight to behold in the evenings and night. It is well illuminated from all sides giving it a grand appearance by shining even on its minutest, most intricate details. It is frequented by tourists as well as the locals and is a great place to end your evening at!

Rashtrapati Bhawan

The capital of any country holds the abode of the President or the Prime Minister, and so does Delhi. Rashtrapati Bhawan is the home of the President of India and is a center for many government activities. Due to the latter reason, Rashtrapati Bhavan is not entirely accessible to tourists but should still be one of the top monuments on Delhi's top visit. The entire estate is spread over an immense area of 200,000 sq. ft and there are 350 rooms within the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It was built during the Mughal era and shows the intrinsic Mughal architecture. The Mughal Gardens that surround the main building is a relaxing place and is painstakingly taken care of throughout the year.

Entering the Rashtrapati Bhavan requires an entry fee of about Rs. 40-50 per person. If you are traveling in a group of 30 people, then you can easily avail of a collective pass at just Rs. 1200. The garden in the Rashtrapati Bhavan including the Mughal Garden is a relaxing place, however, it is only open in the months between August and March.

Agrasen Ki Baoli

Situated on Hailey Road very close to KG Marg, Agrasena ki Baoli has become all the more famous in recent years after being shown in the movie PK. There are no entry fees required to enter the place which is open from 7.30 AM in the morning up to 6:00 PM in the evening. Agrasena ki Baoli is a beautiful stepwell that is 60 m long and has a width of 15 m. the architectural appeal of his place is stupendous and is surely one of the best places to visit in Delhi. The stepwell is also loaded with stories of being haunted and thus serves as an amazing place to go on an adventure with your friends.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is one of the five splendid and majestic astronomical observatories that were built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a terrific place to visit if you want to witness something scientifically extraordinary. Nowadays, accurate results are impossible to attain because the rays of the sun are often blocked by tall buildings all around. however, you will be doing an injustice to your trip to Delhi if you do not visit this wonderful place.

Jantar Mantar is situated in Sansad Marg in Connaught Place and is open from 9:00 AM in the morning. The place remains open to tourists and visitors up to 7:00 PM in the evening and asks for a nominal entry fee of Rs. 5 from Indian tourists. Foreigners have to pay entry fees of Rs. 100 to enter the complex!​

Red Fort

Red Fort is another significant location in Delhi that was built in the Mughal Era, back in 1638. This magnificent structure is entirely built from red sandstone and puts up a striking appearance against the busy city life of Delhi. The Red Fort welcomes tourists and locals alike in hundreds every day and should be on your list of must-visit sites in Delhi. A light and sound show is hosted nowadays which is very impressive and will get you hooked.
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The Red Fort is situated in Netaji Subhash Marg in New Delhi, a point which is very easily accessible from all sides using different modes of transportation. If you are an Indian national, you have to part with a nominal entry fee of about Rs. 10 to Rs. 20. For foreigners, the entry fee is about 100 to 200 INR and any child below the age of 15 years could enter the premises for free.

Qutub Minar

Delhi can never fail you when it comes to impressive monuments and the 73m tall Qutub Minar is a prime example of that. This stoic monument too belongs to the Mughal Era and was constructed by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak which clarifies the name of the minaret. It is crafted from bricks and features five storeys engraved with splendid carvings as well as scriptures. When you are visiting Qutub Minar you should be careful to not miss the Iron Pillar which stands nearby. Though this pillar is just 7.3m high, nearly 1/10th the size of Qutub Minar, it is impressive throughout the world. The pillar was constructed by Chandragupta II using an unknown metallic alloy composition that ensures that this pillar has not rusted one bit through the centuries it has stood tall.
Both these wonders are located in Mehrauli and the Qutub Complex is open from 7:00 AM onwards till 5:00 PM throughout the week. Indian citizens require entry fees of 10 to 20 INR while foreign nationals need to pay about 200 to 300 INR to enter the premises. Children who are 15 years old are under can enter the premises free of cost.

Bahai Temple

The Bahai or Lotus temple is a symbolic structure sitting in the capital of India that stands for secularism. The Bahai community is a strong believer in secularism and the Lotus temple signifies the unison of four religions in India, namely, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism. Located on the Lotus Temple Road in Bahapur, this is an intriguing place to visit and the temple has its doors open to members of all religions and beliefs. Entry to this temple is absolutely free and you can visit it any time between 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summers and 5:30 PM in winters. the temple remains closed on Mondays.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid, situated in Chandni Chowk, is one of the first monuments constructed under the reign of Shah Jahan. This structure is not only known for its impressive architectural details but also happens to be the largest mosque throughout India. The mosque can hold a gathering of as many as 250,000 people at one time and is open to all for a visit free of cost. You would, however, have to follow a strict dress code if you are entering the mosque which you may even rent from the counter set up in the mosque. If you are looking forward to capturing the mosque on video, you have to part with a fess of about 200 to 400 INR.
This mosque is a very impressive structure and is filled with marvels. There are four towers in the four corners of the mosque and you will get one of the finest views of Delhi from the Southern Tower. The mosque is located in Meena Bazaar in Chandni Chowk.

Humayun’s Tomb

Hamida Hanu Begum had commissioned the building of the tomb on behalf of Humayun in 1570. It is also a relic from the Mughal Era and features according to architectural styles. It is a beautiful monument and has recently earned the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The early influences of the Persian styles, as well as the Central Asian styles of architecture into Indian styles, could be very easily perceived over here.

Garden of Five Senses

As was mentioned beforehand, Delhi is an amazing amalgamation of everything new as well as old. While you get to immerse yourself in the rich history of India as you are walking down the streets of Delhi, you are in for a big surprise when you look at some of the modern features. the Garden of Five Senses is an altogether immersive experience with many attractive features on display. Pools loaded with water lilies, solar parks, the Khas Bagh garden- there are so many places to see in the Garden of Five Senses and you can visit the place with your friends or family and even have some special moment with your partner.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in the Hanuman Road Area of Delhi is truly a wondrous place to visit. It holds a special place in the heart of the Sikh community but it attracts tourists from all around the world. The gurudwara complex was built way back in 1783 by Baghel Singh, who was a Sikh general. The more attractive feature of this gurudwara is the elaborate complex that houses a wonderful Sarovar, a school, a hospital, a library, and even a museum. It is a very peaceful place to visit and you can definitely spend a few hours browsing through the many attractions this place has to offer. It is open at all times day and night and you can drop by free of any charge whenever you want to.

Lodhi Garden

Situated on Lodhi Road in Lodhi Estate, the Lodhi Gardens is a terrific place to visit if you are interested in history, photography, or just planning a family trip. This place holds some of the best locations in Delhi for photography and is steeped in history with tombs that date back to as long as the 15th century. There are also so many other historic monuments spread throughout the place. And you do not have to spend a buck to enter this exquisite place! The entry to the Lodhi Gardens is absolutely free though it is open only between 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

Crafts Museum

The Crafts Museum in Pragati Maidan, Bhairon Marg is a great place if you are looking for anything with a taste of the unique and extraordinary. This is a museum for vintage articles and items and is designed to mimic a themed village. You will have a grand experience walking through this place which is open from 10:00 AM up to 5:00 in the evening. The impressive Gujrati Haveli or the exemplary craftsmanship on the chariot are some of the more notable attractions of this place. The nearby Café Lota is a great place to have breakfast with your family or a loved one and you can even shop for handicraft items that are crafted by local craftsmen from this place. Entry to this place will cost you Rs. 10 to 15 if you are an Indian citizen and up to Rs. 200 for foreigners.

Shankar’s International Doll House

This amazing and vibrant Doll Museum houses 6000 different dolls that serve as a major attraction for kids. These dolls are also very significant since they have been collected from 85 different countries throughout the world and are steeped with many tales of wonder and folklore. This doll museum was envisaged by K. Shankar Pillai, a celebrated cartoon artist, and is going to be a unique experience in your list of things to do in Delhi. The place is open between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM and allows visitors against an entry fee of Rs. 15 to 20.

Where to Eat and Shop in Delhi?

Whenever you are visiting a new place, you wish to carry some memorable relics from the place. Shopping, as well as trying local delicacies is an integral part of any touring expedition and Delhi has plenty to offer under such situations. The street food in Delhi is exceptional and has no comparison whatsoever. It is cheap, easily available, and amazingly delicious. The major places for shopping for any kind of article would be Connaught Place and Delhi Haat. Being the national capital, there is not a thing that you can think of that you won't find in Delhi. Not only that, if you are fond of haggling with the hawkers, then too, Delhi is the place for you. There are many wonderful eateries in Connaught Place. You can also frequent Hauz Khas if you are looking for a pleasant evening in some exciting restaurant and café. Hauz Khas is another hub for party goers or anybody else looking forward to mixing with the crowds of Delhi and immerse in the dillwalo ka Dilli experience!

Delhi is a wondrous place and you have to visit the place to know how wonderful it is. The wonder that the national capital holds cannot just be sum up in words. If you are looking forward to going on adventurous expeditions in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and even Ladakh, Delhi is an attractive starting point for you. There are many other wonderful places in and near Delhi that you can visit to have a grand time. Whether you are planning a long trip or just a weekend gateway, Delhi is a great place to visit, stay, and start your journey from!