Delhi Darshan – 10 places you must visit

Delhi is known for its unique blend of ancient and modern, with glimpses of this mix visible in the day to day life of the city.  Take a walk through Old Delhi and notice labourers hauling sacks of spices, while jewellers weigh gold on dusty scales; soak in the modernity of the city with a view of the colonial-era Parliament buildings that sprawl across central Delhi. Be it the narrow bylanes of Chandi Chowk, the hustle-bustle of Karol Bagh, the calm and serenity of Lutyen’s Delhi, the centuries old monuments spread across the city or the happening neighbourhoods of South Delhi, there is much to experience in the country’s capital.

Although Delhi demands that you spend plenty of time to explore and get to know the city thoroughly, if you have limited time to spend in the country’s capital, here’s a list of absolute ‘must-visits’!

Connaught place

This place is the heart and soul of Delhi where you can find countless stores, restaurants serving up delicious fare, and a dark underground shopping plaza known as Palika Bazar. It might be confusing for first-time visitors but locals are always helpful to point you out in the right direction. Make your way to Central Park to view the national flag fluttering in the wind, or just make yourself comfortable in the park and soak in the surroundings.   

Red Fort

It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, known by different names at different points in time, such as Qila-I-Mubarak (The Fortunate Citadel), Qila-I-Shahjahanabad (Fort of Shahjahanabad) or Qila-I-Mualla (The Exalted Fort). It still remains one of the most iconic representations of anti-colonial resistance and serves as the site of India’s Independence Day celebrations. This fort has massive red sandstone walls, which stand 75 feet (23 metres) high, enclosed by a complex of palaces and entertainment halls, projecting balconies, baths and indoor canals, and geometrical gardens, as well as an ornate mosque. A visit to the Red Fort is a must as this is one of the best walks through Mughal history one can experience.

Chandni Chowk

Located near Red Fort, Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Asia. It was built during the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan, and designed by his daughter Jahanara. The market was once divided by canals to reflect moonlight, a feature which is responsible for its name ‘Chandni’. This place is also a perfect combination of different religious buildings. Delhi’s most famous mosque ‘Jama Masjid’ is located nearby. You can also catch a glimpse of Havelis which were built during the Mughal era. In addition to the locality’s architecture and connections to the past, Chandni Chowk is also known for it delectable variety of street food. Don’t miss out on the chance to sample some of the best street food, whether its a range of paranthas at Paranthe Wali Gali, kebabs at Karim’s, Daulat ki chaat at Khemchand Adesh Kumar’s, the twirly delights at Old Famous Jalebi Wala or just good old street chaat available in almost every lane of Chandni Chowk.

India Gate

Amongst the numerous recognizable landmarks, India Gate stands out with pride, all of 42-metres tall and located in the very heart of Lutyen’s Delhi. It was built in 1931 to honour Indian soldiers as a war memorial. India Gate is also called the All-India Memorial. Surrounded by government buildings, including the Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the North and South Blocks, India Gate is located on Rajpath. Try and catch the ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony that takes place every Saturday.

Old Fort (Purana Qila)

It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi, standing in the midst of wild green foliage.  Built during the 16th century near the eastern edge of the city, Purana Qila serves as a window into the true and the mythical histories of India’s capital city.  So many stories are still buried in this place that you will be enchanted by the end of your visit. Winters see a number of music and dance performances that take place in the backdrop of the Qila. try and make it to one of the memorable evenings.

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb, also known as Asia’s first garden tomb, has served as inspiration for many a monument, but its greatest gift has been that of the Taj Mahal, who’s construction was inspired by the architecture of Humayun’s Tomb. Built as a mausoleum by Hamida Bano Begum for her late husband Humayun, the tomb is a stunning example of Mughal architecture. There are other structures located within the complex where you can easily spend a full day.

Lotus Temple

It is one of the best architectural marvels of our county in modern times. Known for its beautiful flower-like architecture and marvellous ambience that make it a popular tourist attraction for people of all faiths, the Lotus Temple is an architectural marvel. This white marble structure is also known as the Taj Mahal of the 20th century.

Qutub Minar

Located in the outskirts of Delhi, the Qutub Minar is the highest brick minaret in the world, at 72.5 meters in height. A unique example of construction, the tower was built over the course of different dynasties and has quite a history to its credit. The Qutub complex houses many structures of historical relevance and interest and is one of the finest examples of monument preservation.

Dilli Haat

If you’d like to sample food and shopping from different parts of the country, head to Dilli Haat! Experience a slice of the different states of the country in one place, enjoy dances and musical performances and mouth-watering delicacies from all over India, all in one place. The best time to visit Dilli Haat is in the winter.

National Museum

It is one of the largest museums in India where you can get a closer look at artifacts from the prehistoric era to modern times. This museum has around 200,000 works of art, both of Indian and foreign origin, covering over 5,000 years.

So what are you waiting for? Put on your travelling shoes and head to the country’s capital to experience the best of both worlds; a slice of the past, fun of the present, blended in with great food, great shopping and great people as well!

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