Exploring Old Delhi on foot. and other New Delhi, India Things to Do Tips

Delhi, old and new, is a great city to explore on foot. The old city, around Chandni Chowk, teems with life all day. One gets a glimpse of the past here- although many of the fine old havelis that once stood here ar now hidden by shops, stalls and markets. Here and there one can still see a fine curved archway or a balcony with delicate carved filigree.Close by stands The Jama Masjid and Red Fort. Although there are numerous organized walking tours, I recommend doing this in your own time. The organized tours are quite hurried. I prefer the flexibility of being able to stop or go on at leisure.There are small guide books available at kiosks around the old city. TAKE NOTE OF THE CHAOTIC TANGLE OF OVERHEAD WIRES IN OLD DELHI
Friday is a very busy day around the Mosque- so choose a mid-week day.

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Directions: Close to and opposite the Red Fort.

This peaceful green oasis in the middle of Delhi is a must see.The lawns and gardens are well kept, and despite the many people who use this garden and park, it was very clean each time we walked there.
It is popular with joggers, and many people do yoga in the mornings. A great place for a picnic, the trees give much needed shade from the sun. Like Central Park in New York, this is a "People Space-" and families congregate underneath the trees with a picnic basket. Students catch up on reading. Most people just stroll around enjoying the scenery
The bird life is prolific.
These Gardens were created in 1936, where a village had formerly stood. They were named Lodhi Gardens after a ruler Sikander Lodi, whose tomb stands in the gardens.
Another interesting tomb within the gardens is that of Mohamed Shah- it is the oldest structure within the grounds.

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Directions: siuated between Kahn Market Area and Prithviraj Rd - about 10 minutes by Autorickshaw from Connought Place.

Seeing this simple. black marble platform - standing on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on 31st January 1948- was the high point of my visit to Delhi. The eternal flame burns, and flowers are placed on it by visitors who come to pay homage to the memory of this unique and unforgettable man.
Even after so many years, the feeling of reverence persists. ( I am not sure Gandhi would have liked this- he had a great sense of fun and loved people). But everyone, including us, was speaking in hushed tones.
On the memorial stands the epitaph "He Ram" wchich means O God in Hindi. They were the last words spoken by Gandhi.
Leading to the memorial is a stone path, with lawns on either side.A museum is also located on the grounds.
Shoes must be left at the gate.

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Directions: South of the Red Fort, on the banks of the Yamuna River

This ancient complex houses the famous Qtub Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world.Decorated with carvings from the Koran, it stands 73m high, and has five stories. The lower two were erected by Qutb-ud-din,ruler after the defeat of the last Hingu Kindgom in Delhi.Various successors after him added the upper stories, and the fifth story was added in 1368. It was, however, destroyed by an earthquake in 1803. An English patron replaced it and the cupola..
The Minaret is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture.It may be climbed, to give a view of Delhi, but was closed the day we visited.
In the complex also stands the ruins of the very first mosque to be built in Delhi (Quwwat-ul-Islam) It was constructed in 1190's , from marble pieces that had been taken from Jain Temples that were destroyed to make way for the mosque complex. All that remains today are the ruins of the mosque, and some pillars from the Jain temples.
The famous IRON PILLAR is also a remnant from the Jain temple- it remains a mystery to many experts, who have not yet understood why it has never rusted, despite standing open to the elements for centuries. Metallurgists have tried for many years to find an answer.

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Address: Gurgaon Rd- Mehrauli
Directions: Outskirts of Old Delhi

These two magnificent halls stand inside the grounds of the Red Fort.

The Diwan-i-Am is the Hall of Public Audience, from where the emperor would hear disputes from his subjects. It has an alcove in the wall, where he would sit- this was once studded with beautiful & precious stones. These were looted following the uprising of 1857.

The Diwan-i-Khas is the Hall of Private Audience-There is an alcove in the back wall where the emporer sat in state, on a richly carved inlaid marble platform. The throne (or Qursi) was removed by Nadir Shah in the 18th century.The walls of the recess show magnificent mosaic art work done by French Artist Austin de Bordenux.
Below the throne is a marble dias- the Wazir used to present applications to the Emporer from this dias, while proclaiming foreign news.
There are water channels running through here to what was the Royal Baths and Ladies Quarters. This Hall is constructed from white marble, and is decorated with delicate floral mosaics.

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Directions: In the grounds of the Red Fort

This magnificent Mughal Tomb was constructed by order of Hamida Banu Begum for her late husband, Emperor Humayun. Building started in 1562, and it took 8 years to complete.
The graceful and ornate architecture of this tomb was said to be the inspiration for the famous Taj Mahal. Similarities are noticeable, particuarly in the graceful curved domes and perfect symmetry. A water channel leads from the entrance gate to the tomb. Beautiful Gardens surround the complex,which also contains the tomb of Ali Isa Khan and other lesser known tombs. A very serene atmosphere surrounds the area.
The very last Mughal Emporer in India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was captured at Humayuns Tomb by the British in 1857, just after the Indian Mutiny. His two sons and extended family were also taken. The Emperor was sent into exile at Burma with his wife. His two sons, were , however murdered by their captors.

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Directions: Nizamuddin East

Walking along Janpath towards Connought Place, you will pass the Tibetan Markets. This market not only sells Tibetan goods (clothes, ornaments, furniture, jewellery, textiles and more) but also has stalls that sell Tibetan food. Tibetan music fills the air.
Of all the markets I have visited in India, I liked this place best. The atmosphere is festive, the prices are the lowest (lower than in Tibet!). Its very colourful.

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Address: Janpath, Delhi
Directions: On Janpath, not far from Connought Place

The award winning architecture of this wonderful temple complies with the rules of Bahai faith, in that it has a dome and a nine sided circular shape.The style of this temple is very similar to the Sydney Opera House. In keeping with the Baha'i faith, no statues or images are allowed within the temple. The grounds surrounding the temple are well laid out, with a water feature. There are always hundreds of people waiting to enter, as the Bahai Faith is a "Universal Faith" and worshippers from all different religions are welcomed. The Temple was consecrated in 1986.It can hold up to 2,500 worshippers at any given time.

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Safdarjung's Tomb is a garden tomb in a marble mausoleum in Delhi, India. It was built in 1754 in the style of late Mughal architecture. The top story of the edifice houses the Archaeological Survey of India. The garden, in the style evolved by the Mughal Empire that is now known as a charbagh, is entered through an ornate gate. Its facade is decorated with elaborate plaster carvings.
It was built by the Nawab of Avadh for his father, Safdarjung.
Inside are two graves- that of Safdarjung and his wife.

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Directions: Location: At the intersection of Safdarjang Road and Aurobindo Marg, near the Safdarjang airport

The monument is just 20 minutes drive from Connaught Place.

We spent a wonderfully interesting afternoon at this Rail Museum. On entering, one could easily be walking into a huge Railway Shed- there are old Rail carriages and Locomotives lined up- they are all well preserved, and well marked with information.We counted over 30.
Amongst the locomotives are some of the very first ever to ply the country, dating from the mid 19th century.
The carriages were also interesting- some belonged to Royalty- and must have been very ornate and well appointed. One cannot enter these, but a peek through the windows gives a good idea of the opulence of the times.
Also on the grounds is an indoor museum, which has much information and many photographs, detailng the history of tha Railways in India.
The museum has an extensive collection of locomotives. Some of the saloons that are on display and are still in working condition are the Viceregal Dining Car, Prince of Wales Saloon, Maharaja of Mysore's Saloon and Maharaja of Baroda's Saloon. The Fairy Queen is the star attraction in the museum and is the best preserved locomotive.
There were busloads of sweet Indian children lining up (crocodile style) waiting with their teachers to enter.All so well behaved, they were waiting with excitment to have a ride on the miniature train.
This is really an good place to visit, especially for anyone interested in trains. There is a cafe on the premises.

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Phone: +91 1126161816
Address: National Rail Museum Satya Marg, Delhi
Directions: Take an auto or cab or disembark at Indraprastha Metro station

Timing 10A.M. to 6 P.M except Monday