Hey guys,
Hope you all are doing fine. I know I am putting up a post after quite a gap mainly because I was not well. But if you follow me on Instagram (follow me for updates if you don’t already) then you’ll be knowing that I have just returned from my trip to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with my parents and today I am going to discuss with you all the places that you can visit in Delhi. To be honest Delhi is just packed with so many historical monuments and other touristy places, that you’ll need at least a week to explore them all properly. But I had only 4 days among which one was a National Holiday and so all the tourist spots were very much crowded and we couldn’t explore much. So, here I’ll speak about the places that I was able to visit and I’ll also mention the places that I couldn’t (but they were on my list) and you should definitely try them out if you are going to Delhi.
1. Red Fort
Red Fort is probably one of the first places that everyone visits on their trip to Delhi. It is not only an architectural wonder but it also has a whole lot of historical significance attached to it. The fort is made from red sandstone and that is how it got its name. Like most places in Delhi, the Red Fort remains closed on Mondays. If you want pictures with no people in it, you’d better visit the place as early in the morning as possible because the place usually remains crowded. We sort of woke up late that morning and reached the Red Fort somewhere around 8:30 ish in the morning and it was bustling with people (more because it was a National Holiday). You should visit the place earlier for a better experience. One thing that I really loved about the place is that it is really very well-maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Red Fort also has a light and sound show which starts at 6pm. The show has separate tickets and you can avail these tickets online too. We couldn’t watch the show due to lack of time but I have heard that it is really good so if you have time, you can give it a try.
As you enter through the main gate there, you will encounter the Chhatta Chowk Bazaar adjacent to it. This is a small market but I would advise not buying anything from here because they will charge you more. The bazaar opens after 9am.
The intricate carvings on the inside of the domes are truly beautiful.
At the end of the bazaar is the Naubat Khana or the drum house.
After this, you will come across buildings like the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Mumtaz Mahal, Moti Masjid and many others. But we could enter only the Diwan-i-Aam as rest of the buildings were undergoing renovation.
2. Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is actually adjacent to the Red Fort so you can visit these places one after the other. You will get many autos and tuk-tuks outside either of the monuments which you can avail. There are three gates to enter this huge mosque and you can use either of them. The courtyard is known to accommodate 25,000 people at the same time.
To enter the courtyard, you will have to take your shoes off and also cover your shoulders if you are wearing any sleeveless tops. So, it is better that you wear proper clothing from beforehand otherwise you will have to take the same dupatta that everyone is using and the people over there will charge a fee too. And regarding your shoes, you can either keep them outside for which you will be charged a fee ranging anywhere from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per pair. Or you can also carry your own shoes in your hand or in a bag of your own.
One of the minarets of the Jama Masjid is open to people from the top of which you can get a bird’s eye view of the city but you’ll have to get a ticket for it. We didn’t have that much time so we didn’t climb the minaret. There is no fee for entering the mosque.
3. Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the minaret stands at 73 meters tall. The minaret also holds the record of being the tallest minaret in the world.
Apart from the Qutub Minar, the Qutub Archaeological Complex has several other structures of historical importance like the Iron Pillar, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Alai Minar, Rajon Ki Baoli and many more. The complex is huge and you must go there with some time in your hand if you want to visit all the structures in it.
4. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is really awe-inspiring and its foundation is based on Bahai faith. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. The entry to the temple is free and you will also be given a sack where you have to open your shoes and carry along with you. The crowd is handled in a very orderly manner and a short introduction to Bahai faith is also given before entering. Speaking inside the prayer room is strictly prohibited. We went there at about 4pm and it was heavily crowded. If you want a more peaceful experience, I suggest going there early in the morning.
5. Akshardham Temple
The Akshardham Temple is the largest temple in India and its beauty cannot be described in words. Photography is completely prohibited inside and so I cannot show you how beautiful it is. In fact, before you go inside you’ll have to take a form and then fill up all the details of your belongings and then submit your things along with the form at the baggage counter. You will be given a token for the same. You can just take your purse inside and nothing else. After that, a separate security check is also done. The entry to the temple is free but if you want to see the various shows that are held, you’ll have to get a separate ticket. The inside of the temple is just magnificent. Every dome has a different design carved inside it. The complex is very much well-maintained and they also have a lovely food court inside.
6. Agrasen Ki Baoli
You have probably seen this place in various Bollywood movies like Sultan and PK. It is a historical stepwell and is also a casual hangout place for today’s teens. The place usually remains crowded.
It has a total of 108 steps and you are actually allowed to go all the way down unlike many other stepwells in India which have been closed. The place is quite close to Connaught Place.
7. India Gate
The India Gate is the largest war memorial and it was constructed in the memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World War I fighting under the British Army. The wide expanse surrounding the India Gate makes the structure look even more imposing and huge. Straight across this place is the Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President’s House and you can visit both of these places at once. There are several autos who are taking tourists to and fro between these two places. This place is open on all days and since most of the places are closed on Monday, you can visit this place if you happen to be in Delhi on a Monday.
8. Safdarjung’s Tomb
The Safdarjung’s Tomb is known to resemble the Humayun’s Tomb very closely. The only difference is that this one is much smaller in size. The place is open till 6:30 in the evening and usually remains empty. So, if you want some great photographs with no people in them, try visiting this place.
9. Purana Qila
Purana Qila is located in Indraprastha. The ramparts of this fort are very old and this place has a vibe about it which will give you goosebumps. The fort is basically quite open since many of the ramparts have fallen down so new construction is going on to make the entry area better.
I know that many people omit Purana Qila from their list of places but if you love old places, then you should definitely not miss this one out.
You will get many antique doors and I don’t know about you but I just love old doors. Although it was very sunny and it is kind of evident from my expression as well. XD
10. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was actually the residence of Raja Jai Singh. Later on, it was converted into a gurudwara. The ambience of the place is what I loved the most and you will get a vibe of spirituality the moment you enter. I didn’t take my camera when I went there as photography is prohibited so I don’t really have pictures. The place is open in the evenings as well and you can also volunteer for doing some work here.
11. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
Yes, it is a strange concept indeed to make a museum of toilets but then why not? The museum is not visited by many people but the collection is really huge and worth giving a visit. The theme is the history of sanitary development throughout the world. The museum is maintained by Sulabh International.
So, these are the places that I was able to visit but there are many more and I really regret missing out Humayun’s Tomb because it is really a beauty. Apart from that the museums of Delhi are very famous like the National Museum and the National Rail Museum. If you are interested in art then you should visit the National Gallery of Modern Art as well.
Some other places that I missed are Jantar Mantar and Lodhi Gardens. But, I definitely want to visit these on my next trip to Delhi.
If you have any questions, leave them down in the comments below and I will answer them all. And don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest if you love it and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.
Susweta Biswas 