23 things to do in Delhi
With a population of over 20 million, Delhi is the second most populous city in India. Historic, vibrant, majestic and intense, a visit to the Indian capital is an intoxicating experience. It's an incredibly vibrant city filled with historic sites, Mughal architecture, cutting-edge culture, fabulous restaurants, finest shopping, and magnificent hotels - from colonial-era gems to opulent modern masterpieces. As seasoned travelers to India and dedicated indophiles, Delhi is one place we never tire of in Ampersand. Read on for our top 23 things to do in Delhi ...
1. Former center of the Mughal Empire, Old Delhi dates back to the 17th century. With its chaotic atmosphere and winding medieval alleys filled with pedicabs, tuk-tuks, colorful shops and noisy street vendors, it's definitely worth a visit.
2. Jama Masjid is the largest and most important mosque in India. Built in the 17th century by the powerful Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, it has the capacity to accommodate up to 25,000 worshipers. The original translation was "the mosque that rules the world" and it is one of the central monuments of the old city.
3. The Red Fort, protected by UNESCO, dominates the city. Also built by Shah Jahan as the main residence of the Mughal Emperor, today much of this vast military fort can be explored by visitors and it now contains an interesting museum which has notable exhibits.
4. Just south of the Red Fort is Raj Ghat, site of Mahatma Gandi's cremation in 1948. It is now a memorial site surrounded by lush green gardens and home to an "Eternal Flame".
5. Old Delhi is also home to the bustling shopping artery of Chandni Chowk, the commercial heart of the Old City which is still one of the busiest markets. It is full of wholesale bazaars, spice markets, confectionery, merchant shops, havelis, and places of worship, including Hindu and Jain temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and mosques.
6. The Popular Sunday Book Market on the sidewalks of Old Delhi is an event eagerly awaited by all bargain hunters. The mile-long market is a treat for book lovers offering everything under the sun - fiction, dictionaries, maps, novels, art, technology, all tucked away under crowded piles on the sidewalk. While getting a book of your choice might take some research, its incredibly low price is well worth it.
7. New Delhi with spacious and sweeping boulevards built by Edwin Lutyens in 1911 is full of unashamed imperial displays. Located south of Old Delhi, New Delhi was built to an impressive scale and is home to the capital's most distinguished addresses, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, formerly known as Viceroy's House, where the President of India resides.
8. A relatively unknown event in Delhi, the changing of the guard takes place every Saturday morning on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. The president's bodyguard, dressed in a ceremonial uniform, stages a horse show for a small gathering against the backdrop of the imposing palace.
9. The tree-lined avenues of Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker radiate from Connaught Place and India Gate, blending colonial and vernacular styles. Standing proud in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate is the country's national monument commemorating the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British Army in World War I, and it's a popular spot with tourists and Indians.
10. Humayun's Tomb (built in 1565) is one of the earliest examples of Mughal architecture in India and one of our favorite historical sites in Delhi. This ancient mausoleum is set in a wonderfully peaceful and intimate location among lush green gardens, bodies of water and neem trees teeming with crested birds. The tomb inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
11. The impressive Lodhi Gardens, set among expansive greens and dotted with 500 year old Mughal-era structures and tombs, are where one can easily spend most of the day exploring. the ruins, to stroll or bask in the afternoon sun with picnic. The garden is also a bird watcher's paradise, with nearly 60 different species of birds seen here.
12. Qutub Minar is another must-see site. It was built in 1192 and it is the tallest stone tower and the tallest Islamic structure in India. Built by Qutab-ud-din-Aibak and completed by his successors, this 73 meter tall tapered tower was erected to proclaim victory after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom of Delhi. With verses from the Quran engraved on its sandstone walls, the tower has five floors with projecting balconies and at the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
13. The Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple is one of the most welcoming and welcoming temples you are likely to visit. The main dining room is where many people share a meal together every day, regardless of the class or setting, and inside the temple you can enjoy Sikh drumming and singing while sitting in peace.
14. For those who wish to indulge in retail therapy, shopping in Delhi is simply unbeatable: from saree silks to contemporary fashions, crafts and jewelry, a variety of stores can be found. found in market stalls, old fashioned stores and modern malls. Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near Connaught Place, is dedicated to Indian handicrafts, or head to the upscale Khan Market for the latest Delhi style, and Dilli Haat is great for crafts and street food .
15. The street food in Delhi is legendary; tangy delicacies of chaatpapdi and golgappa with stuffed parathas, sizzling skewers and sweet and sticky jalebis. Old Delhi is the place to go!
16. The ever popular and renowned Indian accent has made Lodhi home. Indian Accent offers an inventive take on Indian cuisine, a truly worthwhile dinner, and a sophisticated way to start or end your trip to India.
17. Oberoi Delhi Rooftop Cocktails - Cirrus 9 is the stylish rooftop bar of Oberoi New Delhi, the only rooftop bar in the city, and it serves delicious traditional cocktails with a unique twist. (the Chilli & Kaffir Mojito is a firm favorite). The breathtaking views of Delhi, accompanied by the relaxing house tunes played by an in-house DJ make this the coolest bar in town. Open until the early hours, the glamorous crowd makes it a must-see on weekends.
18. Delhi's vibrant nightlife is a more recent phenomenon and a growing number of trendy bars, clubs and restaurants are opening across the city, from secret dance parties to murderous hip-hop joints. Toy Room, with sister branches in London, Dubai, and Mykonos, is where you can listen to R&B tunes or head to Kitty Su, the official venue for a wild after-party.
19. Home to an astonishing collection of statues, woodcarvings, paintings and other treasures, the wealth of Indian art on display at the National Museum will amaze you. The nearby National Gallery of Modern Art houses the work and installations of Indian avant-garde artists.
20. The Lotus Temple is an iconic architectural delight - the entire complex is made of glistening marble and shaped like a lotus flower, the universal symbol of peace, so it is the perfect place to meditate and pray.
21. If you are into the traditional soul in stirring Qawwali, then the Nizamuddin Dargha which takes place every Thursday evening will amaze you. The Sufi music singing session, which forms the background for the singers, will leave you in a trance.
22. To restore your inner peace, step into the serenity of the Sunder Nursery, a beautifully restored 90-acre park, home to Mughal monuments, bodies of water and several hundred species of floating trees of birds and trees. butterflies.
23. The Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is a complex which includes a number of different structures used for astronomical observations, commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and built by the Jaipur Maharaja, Jai Singh II. The thirteen instruments are used for different purposes to track the cycles of the sun, moon and planet as well as for other astronomical measurements.
Here are some of the wonderful things you can do while exploring Delhi. Perfect for those looking to get to know the real India, as well as those who just feel like walking around while eating some extremely tasty food and drink.
James Jayasundera is Founder and CEO of Ampersand Travel. Ampersand Travel creates bespoke and luxurious travel experiences in Asia, the British Isles and Southern Africa. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to enhance your profile, please contact us.