DELHI

Overview
Overview
Delhi - the city of many lives! Where the ancient rubs shoulders with the contemporary, art
hobnobs with technology and culture romances couture! The home of the Indian political
system, the city exerts an unparalleled influence on the rest of India. Among the world’s
largest, wealthiest and culturally rich cities, the city is a curious cornucopia of contradic-
tions waiting to be discovered!

A Day in Delhi
Delhi is an immeasurably vast landscape of travel plans, places to explore and things to do.
So much so, that the very definition of Delhi is bound to change with every person. We
decided to give travelers a picture of what to do in Delhi in a single day. Here’s our take:

The Wee Hours

Lodhi Garden: Delhi works at a frenetic pace, which can often sweep you off your
• feet. To take a lungful of relaxing air in before the engines get cranking, head to
Lodhi Garden as early as possible. You’d see a delightful mix of elderly, fitness enthu-
siasts, lovebirds, poets and wanderers flocking to the green environs of the massive
park. Enjoy gorgeous views of the Lodhi-era tombs, wander around the trails or
simply sit and observe, the visit will ease away all weariness.

Breakfast at Andhra Bhavan: Andhra Bhavan’s canteen is legendary amongst the

• city’s foodies for its unbelievably cheap, incredibly delicious South Indian fare. Head
here after a relaxing walk at the Lodhi Garden for a filling healthy breakfast. It opens
at 7.30.

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Morning
• The Changing of Guard ceremony: First started in 2007, the ceremony now takes
place at the forecourt of the Presidential Residence for better public access since
2012, including marches by the President’s Bodyguard and the 8th J&K Light
Infantry, followed by the new guard taking over duties and concludes with a majestic
equestrian display by the President’s Bodyguard. The timings for the 30 minute-long
ceremony change according to the season, though, so you better check before visit-
ing.

• Red Fort (Lal Quila): Imposing and iconic, Delhi’s Red Fort has been essential to the
city’s fabric for centuries now. A good place to head to after an enlightening cere-
mony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, to get a glimpse of our culture, to gain a perspec-
tive of the building that has been instrumental to shaping India’s history.

Afternoon
• Lunch at Chandni Chowk: Chandni Chowk, famed for its shopping and its food, is a
walking distance away from the Red Fort. Give your tiring feet some rest and have a
hearty lunch at one of the many famous food joints here.

• Spice Market, Khari Baoli: To the west of Chandni Chowk, with the Fatehpuri Masjid
at one end, lies Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. A far cry from its original 17th
century avatar, the market is now a dazzling menagerie of the choicest trade secrets
from Indian kitchens-spices, nuts, exotic herbs, and quite a lot more. With a cacoph-
ony of sights, sounds and smells, the market is a microcosm of the ‘essence’ of Old
Delhi, fitting for a spice market.

Evening
• Qawwaali at Nizamuddin: Twice every evening except for Thursdays, an ancient
corner of Nizamuddin comes alive to the sounds of soul-stirring Sufi devotional
music. Troupes of Qawwali (Sufi devotional music) singers have been electrifying
the air of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s dargah (mausoleum) for years and, in some
cases, generations. Head here for a memorable spiritual journey, and follow it up
with a snack from one of the great food joints nearby.

• Feast on Mughlai fare in the vicinity: Nizamuddin is an underrated trove of

mind-blowing Mughlai fare, from non-vegetarian favorites like kebabs and rolls to
typical North Indian street food. A great way to top off an overwhelming Qawwali
session.

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After Hours
Champa Gali: The urban village of Saidulajab in Saket hides a surreal little lane,
almost reminiscent of a Parisian cobbled street. This lane, christened Champa gali by
the locals, that formerly housed cow sheds and furniture workshops has now trans-
formed into a hotbed of art, culture and creativity. The place offers everything from
heavenly shakes, coffee and tea, to a design studio, and pop-up gigs and artistic
meetups.

Grub
Grub
1. Heera Lal’s Kulle Chat: Heera Lal Chat Corner’s Kulle Chat is unlike any other chat
you’ve ever tried, and most probably better too. Made of hollowed-out fruits, pota-
toes and cucumbers filled with chickpeas, pomegranate, lime juice and other chat
ingredients, one bite is enough to convert you into a fan. Get to the Chawri Bazar
metro station and walk east towards Jama Masjid to get to this unassuming estab-
lishment serving little pieces of bliss.

2. Tihar Food Court & Haat: The notorious Tihar jail is one of the places you’d least
expect to go for a great meal. But the food court here, warmly staffed by the
inmates, offers some delightful Indian and Chinese fare heavy on your palate and
easy on the pocket. Follow it up with some retail therapy at the nearby Tihar souve-
nir shop, selling products made by the inmates.

3. New Friends Colony: New Friends Colony offers a tremendous variety of cuisine,
which makes it such a great draw for people who have a wide palate. Right from fab-
ulous shawarma and authentic Italian & Tex-Mex fare, to modern Chinese and some
of the best South Indian cuisine in the city, the variety here is staggering. We bet the
foodie in you won’t mind one bit.

4. CR Park: Aficionados fondly call it mini-Kolkata. And for good reason. You get a
deluge of great Bengali vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare here. But that’s not all.
Chittaranjan Park also has enough great sweet shops and confectionaries to satisfy
your sweet tooth for a significant length of time. Enjoy everything from great fish
dishes, rolls and puchkas, to cakes, traditional Bengalis sweets and a great deal
more.

5. Jama Masjid: A beacon of spirituality, Jama Masjid is also a pilgrimage for devout
foodies, especially non-vegetarians! From legendary eateries like Karim’s and Al
Jawahar to little-known dhabas and sweet shops that serenade your senses, it has
something to tempt everyone’s taste-buds.

6. Andhra Pradesh Bhavan Canteen: The famed canteen of the Andhra Pradesh
Bhavan, now shared with the Telangana Bhavan, serves lip-smacking Andhra cuisine
in its unlimited thalis priced incredibly cheap. And the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
served on Sundays is to die for, if the queues for it don’t kill you first.

Stay
Stay
1. The Oberoi, New Delhi: The Oberoi group has been the gold standard in quality in
Indian hospitality, and their much loved property in the prime location of Khan
Market, New Delhi isn’t an exception. Perfect for travelers looking for an upscale stay
complete with all amenities.

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 2. The Lalit, Delhi: Located centrally in Connaught Place, the Lalit Delhi was the first
of this renowned Indian chain. Be inundated with exceptional service and ample
amenities, if you don’t mind paying a premium.

3. Budget hotels in Paharganj: Easily the most-preferred place to stay in Delhi,

Paharganj offers an enormous range of accommodations, most priced very reason-
ably. Select from budget hotels, hotels, and bed & breakfast establishments and
you’ll be close to the New Delhi Railway Station.

4. Pride Plaza Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi: Enormous in scale, with a tastefully
modern décor, the Pride Plaza hotel’s much-desired approach of affordable luxury is
only helped by the fact that it’s literally at a stone’s throw from the airport.

5. New Delhi YMCA Tourist Hostel: The YMCA Tourist hostel’s austere countenance
disguises a surprising array of facilities, making perfect sense for the pragmatic trav-
eler. Pleasantly priced and its location equally enviable, near Connaught Place, you’d
be hard-pressed to find reasons not to pick this over other options.

Weekend
WeekendGetaways
Getaways
1. Alwar: Alwar, just about a 4 hour drive from Delhi, can feel like a journey back in
time. One of the oldest Rajasthani kingdoms, the city’s ties deep ties with history
and mythology are evident in its hilltop forts and city palaces, the old markets and
the ancient temples, the dams and the lakes. As if that’s not enough, there are quite
a few other attractions nearby, like the widely popular Sariska Tiger Reserve, Astro-
port, India’s second darkest place and the only stargazing retreat, and the stony
ruins of Bhangarh, considered the most haunted place in the country.

2. Pushkar: Pushkar exists in contradictions. It is an older-than-history town steeped

in mythology; a potpourri of temples and babas and pilgrims that has also emerged
as the epicenter of alternative culture- a hotbed of backpackers and good food. So,
there is psychedelic graffiti besides a temple, cafes overlooking the Pushkar Lake,
hot air balloons and cattle festivals. A place of conflicts that only make it better.

3. Mathura: The birthplace of the revered Hindu god Krishna, Mathura is a riot of
colors and spirituality that can make believers of the hardest of cynics. The air is
always alive with the tolling of bells and singing of songs, with devotees breaking
into a dance. The feeling of this place, with the many temples and the fervor, can
often leave you in a state of trance. To take it up a notch, gorge on the lip-smacking
street food in Mathura, which feels divine too.

GeneralInformation
General Information
Languages- English, Hindi
Weather- May- July: Hot, dry summers
August-October: Pleasant rainy season
November-January: Cold, often foggy winters with a minimum of around 5 degree Celsius.
February- April: Pleasant springs, may need a thin second layer during early mornings/late
nights.
Public Transport- The Delhi Metro train service is the easiest and most convenient mode of
getting around. But there are also low floor buses to get to places the Metro doesn’t reach.

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