WHAT
NOT TO MISS IN DELHI
Dilli
Haat:
Locations: Dilli Haat, INA- Aurbindo Marg, Nearest Metro
Station: INA
Dilli Haat, Pitam Pura (Near TV Tower), Nearest Metro Station:
Pitampura
Dilli Haat is a combination food plaza and craft bazaar &
is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and ethnic & sumptuous
cuisine. Dilli Haat displays the richness of Indian culture on a permanent basis.
Dilli Haat has stalls representing each State of India and from a variety
of cultural traditions of India. There are 62 stalls selling handicrafts are allotted
on a rotational basis to craftsmen who come from all corners of the vast &
varied land of India. This ensures that visitors get to buy authentic wares at
prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs. It provides the
ambience of a traditional Rural Haat/market, but one suited for more contemporary
needs. Here one sees a synthesis of crafts, food and cultural activity.
Coming
up: Two more Dilli Haat's in Delhi: One in Janakpuri, West Delhi & Another
in Geeta Colony, East Delhi.
Timings: Remains open all the 7 days of the
week.
Guru
Tegh Bahadur Memorial
A spectacular architectural marvel as a tribute
to Guru Tegh Bahadur.
It has arched monolithic on a landscaped garden with
Guru’s preaching inscribed on stone. Spectacle light effects make it the
treat to the eye. The main attraction here is central pylon in steel fabrication
with swiftly changing lights, which is visible even from a distance.
The tenets
from Guru Granth Sahib on the main building are inscribed in different languages
such as English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. It is a must watch place in Delhi.
Visit
to Akshardham Temple & to watch the Spiritual Light & Sound Show is must
Akshardham
Temple is a magnificent creation of Human Hands, made by a charitable trust. It
reflects the essence and magnitude of India's ancient architecture, traditions
and timeless spirituality. The main shrine of the New Delhi Akshardhaam temple
houses the statue of Lord Swaminarayan. The sprawling Akshardham Temple complex
spread over 30 acres on the banks of the Yamuna. The complex has two huge exhibition
halls; one will take visitors on a visual journey through India's cultural heritage,
while the other depicts Indian moral values through a Light & Sound show.
There are a few entry formalities for the temple. Only small female purses or
male wallets are allowed. Cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited.
Akshardham has a vegetarian restaurant. You can also enjoy boat ride there.
Timings:
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple remains closed on every Monday. The temple is open
from 9 Am to 9 Pm.
Sound
& Light Show at Red Fort
One Hour Sound & Light Show [which
re-creates events in India's history connected with the fort] held every evening
at Red Fort, Near Delhi Gate at Old Delhi.
Timings: Red Fort remains closed
on every Monday.
Visit
to National Art Gallery of Modern Art- for those who are art lovers
The
gallery has a collection of more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures and graphic
& houses an excellent collection of works by both Indian and colonial artists
dating from 1850. The Gallery is the premier institution of its kind in India.
It is run and administered as a subordinate office to the Department of Culture,
Government of India.
Timings: The Gallery remains closed on every Monday.
Daily opens from 10 AM to 5 Pm.
Visit
to Lalit Kala Academy/ National Academy of Arts
It was established
in New Delhi in the year 1954 & the spacious gallery is spread over three
floors. The gallery holds the prestigious Triennale India in which 30 to 40 countries
participate, and a national exhibition of photography and art is held. The Akademi
has regional centers called Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendras at Lucknow, Kolkata,
Chennai, Garhi in New Delhi and Bhubaneswar with workshop facilities in painting,
sculpture, print-making and ceramics.
Timings: The Academy remains closed
on every Saturday & Sunday. Daily opens from 10 AM to 6 Pm.
National
Rail Museum
Timings: Remains closed on every Monday. Daily opens
from 9.30 AM to 5.30 Pm.
Nehru
Planetarium
Timings: Remains closed on every Monday. Daily opens
from 9.30 AM to 5.30 Pm.
Adventure
Island, Rohini
This Amusement Park is sprawled over 62 acres in
the North West Delhi. Located in Rohini which is very close to the Rithala Metro
Station. The park contains about 26 rides & attractions like Cyclone, Flip
Out, Twister, Sidewinder, Splash Dunk, Bumper Cars etc. All the rides here are
imported from the suppliers who supply to international amusement parks like Disneyworld,
Universal and Six Flags.
Timings: Remains open all the 7 days of the week.
Visit to Mughal Garden
Mughal
Gardens was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as a part of the original plan laid
for the establishment of the Lutyens Delhi. It was designed to suit Lady Harding's
flavors. W.R. Mustoe is credited for planting trees, shrubs and plants. In 1929
it was transformed into an oasis. The Gardens consist of three parts - the Rectangular
Garden immediately behind the main building, the Long Garden and the Circular
Garden. It is spread over 6 hectares and tourists visit the garden mainly to see
250 varieties of Roses and 60 varieties of Bougainvillea. The bonsai collection
of the Mughal Gardens is one of the finest in India.
Timings: Opened in
February & March Months only, except during Mondays.
Kingdom
of Dreams, Gurgaon
The India's first live entertainment and leisure
destination point. It spread across 6 acres and run by Great India Nautanki Company,
a Joint venture between Wizcraft and Apra group. It is designed and conceptualized
to offer international and domestic tourists a breath-taking, magical Indian experience.
It showcases modern and traditional India and present Indian culture in an entertaining
format to all visitors. It offers you the best of India in the form of Cuisine,
Crafts, Musicals, Dramas, Carnivals, Street Dances, Mythological Shows and much
more. Kingdom of dreams includes Nautanki Mahal, Showshaa Theatre, Culture Gully,
Idea Buzz Lounge and a Theme Restaurant which offers 350 exotic food preparations
by certified chefs from across 14 states. But the main attraction and jewel of
Kingdom of dreams is Nautanki Mahal, which is built like a palace and is India's
first 850 seat auditorium.
Timings: Weekdays [Tuesday to Friday] from 1300
hrs to 1800 hrs
Weekends [Saturday to Sunday] from 1300 hrs to 2400 hrs
Delhi
Eye- One Spot Visualization of Delhi & Kalindi Kunj Amusement Park
Delhi
Eye is the India's largest Wheel housed in an amusement park in Kalindi Kunj.
As tall as a 15-storey building, the state of the art wheel promises a snapshot
of monuments located as far as Qutub Minar and Red Fort to Akshardham Temple,
Lotus Temple and Humayun's Tomb apart from a bird's-eye view of Connaught Place
all in a matter of 20 minutes. This giant wheel has 36 air-conditioned capsules
which can hold eight people each, takes the total capacity of the wheel to 288.
The Giant wheel is internationally certified and has been installed with all safety
& risk free equipments. Apart from the Giant Delhi Eye, other rides include
Parachute Tower, Ranger, Striking Cars and Frizbee.
Famous
Shopping areas of Delhi
Sarojini Nagar or SN: Located
in the South locality of Delhi. Sarojini Nagar (or SN as it is sometimes called)
is one of the most favoured places in the city to buy clothes and fabrics at unbeatable
prices. Apart from a large number of large sized showrooms for various international
and local brands, the crux of the market is formed by street side shops which
sell garments of all sizes, designs and colors. Shopping can be fun in Sarojini,
but keep certain things in mind while planning to shop here. One, during summers,
shopping becomes a challenge due to the scorching heat of the sun. Secondly, to
avoid chaos and crowd, it is better to visit the place on weekdays.
Connaught
Place: Located in Central Delhi. Market of Connaught Place is divided into
two i.e. Inner circle of Connaught Place and Outer circle of Connaught Place.
In Inner Circle you will get all the international brands, restaurants, eateries,
bars and excellent bookshops. Connaught Place is the most visited place for tourists
as well as fro resident population. Connaught place has a PVR Complex which matches
the best in the city. The two main markets of Connaught Place are Janpath and
Palika Bazar. Janpath offers all latest fashion clothes of modern trend. You will
get all variety of garments and accessories for both men and women at very reasonable
prices. Palika Bazar is a underground market; here you can get all kind of electronic
goods and clothes, perfumes, leather goods, photography equipments, etc. at reasonable
prices. It has more than 400 shops and this market offers lots of bargaining.
Chandni Chowk: Chandni Chowk meaning moonlit square or market is
situated in Old Delhi; the congested and most densely populated market of Chandni
Chowk has survived for more than three centuries. It is one of the oldest and
busiest markets in Old Delhi. Strewn richly with historical landmarks, this shopping
area has shops, which are more than 100 years old. From authentic Indian food,
delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, to sarees with Chikan & Zari
work. There are lots of narrow lanes with many shops selling books, clothing,
shoes and leather goods, electronic and consumer goods. The antique stores behind
Jama Masjid, lining the entrance to the Red Fort, have replaced the Meena Bazaar
of the yore and offer traditional jewelry, paintings and furniture. It is also
famous as 'Chooriwali ki Haveli' or the Bangle Seller's Palace, amongst locals.
South
Ex OR South Extension: Famously known as South Ex. South Ex is one of the
posh market places in Delhi, promising international shopping experience. It is
a good place for tourists to see locals going about their daily activities. While
the market remains closed on Mondays, it is busiest on Sundays. The market is
quite famous for priced designer stuff and branded clothes. The South Extension
shopping complex hosts outlets of almost all top international brands like Nike,
Tommy Hilfiger, Adidaas, Ebony, Big Jos, Hopps are extremely popular here. It
also has a number of food joints & restaurants ranging from International
eating outlets to Indian fast food joints & roadside vendors.
Karol
Bagh: Karol Bagh is the famous shopping center of the city offering variety
of goods to shop. You will experience a complete fusion of modern air-conditioned
stores and traditional shops. Karl Bagh is known for its jewellery & the traditional
jewellery street is worth visiting at Karol Bagh. Delhi's traditional Jewellery
street is worth a visit. Here, in shops located in narrow lane, visitors will
be able to witness craftsmen at work and see designs that are still worn by traditional
Indian women. What makes the jewellery from here special is not only the quality
of the metal or stone rather the fine workmanship available only in this part
of the world. Apart from gold and silver one can also get precious gems and semi-precious
here.
Other famous market areas are Lajpat market,
Kamala Nagar, Khan Market, Nehru Place.
SOUND & LIGHT
SHOW AT PURANA QUILA
Delhi Tourism puts on a spectacular sound and light
show at the Purana Qila daily after sunset, entailing history of seven cities
of Delhi, from Indraprtha to New Delhi. Amidst the tranquility of the splendidly
panoramic and historic environs of the Purana Qila, select episodes from the annals
of Delhi's historic and legendary past are vividly brought to life. Special effects
combine with the unique ambience to make this show a hauntingly unforgettable
experience. Advanced technology has made it possible to add special effects which
combine with the unique ambiance to make this show a hauntingly unforgettable
experience.
MUSICAL FOUNTAIN AT AJMAL KHAN PARK
Spread over an
area of five acres Delhi Tourism’s musical fountain at Ajmal Khan Park provides
a refreshing getaway from the bustle of the city.
The scintillating lights
synchronized with music, and the cascading water turn this complex into a quiet,
haven particularly during the heat of the summer.
The musical fountain
operates for two hours after sunset on every day except on Tuesday.
MANGO
FESTIVAL IN THE MONTH OF JULY
Delhi Tourism holds the Mango Festival in
the month of July to celebrate the advent of the king of fruits. It has been held
since 1987. More than 550 varieties and cultivars of Mango are featured in the
festival for visitors to view and taste. Among these are alphonso, mallika, amrapali,
himsagar, malda, balia, chorasya, dhaman, dhoon, fazia, gelchia, nigarin kheria,
ruchika and shamasi. The Mango Festival is the place to discover the magic of
mangoes in all their immense variety. The festival is also an opportunity for
agro-industries and food industries processing mangoes into Jams, Pickles, fruit
Juice and Canned fruits to display their products.Activities in the festival include
cultural programmes and recreational events like a mango eating competition for
women, mango slogan writing, a demonstration of mango carving, a magic show, and
a quiz about mangoes. For the mango judging competition, there are various categories
and a minimum of seven ripe mangoes are required for competing in each.
GARDEN
TOURISM FESTIVAL AT DELHI’S GARDEN OF FIVE SENSES
Garden Tourism Festival
is organized by the Delhi Tourism department in the end of February. It stretches
on for three days. The Garden festival was introduced in the year 2004. It displays
plants, flowers, trees and specially designed water gardens with exotic lilies
and plants. The Garden Tourism Festival showcases thousands of variety of flower
like dahlias, roses, potted plants, bonsai, home plants and others. Flower enthusiasts
and horticulturists find it a great place during festival. Apart from flower display,
painting competitions for children, art camp for budding artists and thematic
cultural shows to entertain the visitors are also held here. |
