Monday, 10 August 2015

Visit Delhi and its surroundings

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32 Best Places to Visit in Delhi

32 Best Places to Visit in Delhi

Places to Visit in Delhi
To state that Delhi is appealing is the understatement of the century what with the array of historical sites, beautiful temples, architectural ruins and neighbouring hill stations snd cities it hosts. A vibrant cultural melting-pot, Delhi has always been the eminent seat of power and the capital of India. Catering to an assortment of needs as varied as the tourists themselves, Delhi has an intriguing number of places to visit for you to build a lifetime of memories.

Historical places in Delhi:

1. Red Fort

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Home to Mughal Emperors for nearly 200 years, the Red Fort or Lal Kila was converted to barracks for the British colonial army. The iconic landmark recognized by its red sandstone architecture has a rich set of stories dating back to India's pre-independence era. This massive time-tested fortress today is the backdrop for large scale national events such as the Republic Day and Independence Day.
Timings: 9am – 6pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entry Fee:
  • INR 10 (Indians)
  • INR 150 (foreigners)
  • Audio tour in Hindi/ English INR 60/100
Photography: Allowed (Video INR 25)

2. Jama Masjid

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India's largest mosque, Jama Masijd a sight to behold is definitely among the places to visit in Delhi. The magnum opus mosque constructed by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan stands tall at 40 ft with 4 angles, 2 minarets and can contain 25,000 devotees.
The mosque's eye catching exterior made of red sandstone strips and marble is incredible. Marvel the view from the Southern minaret as one gets to see New Delhi's landmark buildings – the Jama Masjid, Connaught Place and Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) in a direct line.
Timings: 7am – 12noon, 1.30pm to 6.30pm (Open all days except during prayer hours)
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed at INR 200
[When in Delhi don't miss out the amazing food tour]

3. India Gate

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Rising 42 mts high in one end of Rajpat stands the India Gate – a symbol of pride and bravery. This outstanding stone archway instantly ignites a feeling of patriotism and thus is a major tourist place in Delhi.
Also known by the name of All India War Memorial, this prestigious monument is a mark of respect to all those unknown soldiers who have sacrificed their lives protecting an entire nation.
Timings: Open on all days
Entry Fee: Free

4. Qutab Minar

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Qutub Minar, a soaring 73 m high tower of victory built in 1193 is one of the finest monuments in the world. An architecture reminiscent of the distinct styles from the Tughlak and Aibak dynasties that ruled Delhi stands sculptured with red sandstone in the first three storeys while the fourth and fifth are made of marble and sandstone.
Visit Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and make your wishes come true by circling your hands around a 7m high iron pillar enclosed within it.
Timings: 6am – 6pm, closed on weekends
Entry Fee: INR 10 (Indians), INR 250 (foreigners)
Photography: Free

5. Jantar Mantar

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Among most popular places to visit in Delhi is the Jantar Mantar, an ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jaisingh of Udaipur in 1794 on the main Parliament Street at Connaught Place. The instruments at Jantar Mantar are undoubtedly fascinating for their ingenuity however the high-rise buildings around have obstructed accurate observations.
Timings: All days
Entry Fee: INR 5 (Indians), INR 100 (foreigners)
Photography: Free

6. Raj Ghat

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Serving as the final resting ground for many of India’s greatest heroes, Delhi is also home to Raj Ghat. The black marble platform marking the spot where Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was cremated after his assassination in 1948 still shakes up feelings of patriotism and gratitude in every Indian’s heart.
Surrounded by a beautiful park with labeled trees planted by like Queen Elizabeth II, USA President Eisenhower, Ho Chi Minh and various others adds serenity to the memorial. Two museums dedicated to the memorials of Gandhiji, Rajiv Gandhi (Veera Bhoomi), Indira Gandhi (Shakti Sthal), Jawaharlal Nehru (Shanti Vana) and Lal Bahadur Shastri (Vijay Ghat) are also present in the vicinity.
Timings: 6 am – 7 pm (All days)
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Free

7. Mutiny Memorial

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Commemorating the loss of Indian lives in the First Battle of Independence in 1857 against the British East India Company, the Mutiny Memorial or Ajitgarh is built in the high Victorian Gothic style.
A towering structure with a blackened, brick spire capped with a crucifix conveying a strong impression of being haunted, this significant monument is the only reminder of the demise of the mighty Mughal Empire.
Timings: All days, 10am – 5pm
Entry Fee: INR 10 (Indians), INR 250 (foreigners)
Photography: Free

8. Humayun's Tomb

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Humayun’s Tomb is amongst the first significant Mughal architectural sites in India. This magnificent tomb garden has beautiful garden squares with pathways, water channels, and is also a resting ground for Mughal rulers. It was from here that the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Jafar was captured by the British in 1857.
Timings: All days, 6am – 6pm
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Still photographs free, INR 25 for video filming.

9. Tomb Of Mirza Ghalib

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Mirza Ghalib, a famous poet who wrote in Urdu, Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, is renowned for his distinct style of poetry or shayari. His tomb in Delhi is recovering as a landmark to rediscover the romance in poetry. It is situated outside the courtyard of the Hazrat Nizamuddin's Tomb along with many other tombs of famed personalities in the vicinity.
Timings: All days, 6am – 6pm
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Free

10. Bijay Mandal

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One of the places to visit in Delhi is the recently popularized monument Bijay Manda, which was the erstwhile mahal of the eccentric ruler Mohammad Bin Tughlaq. Once part of a thousand-pillar palace with its octagonal pavilion offers a spectacular view of the city of Delhi.
Unfortunately it remains in a poor state of ruins that deciphering its roots is a challenge for archaeologists even to this day!
Timings: All days, 9am – 5pm
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Free

11. Rashtrapati Bhawan

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A symbol of power wherein lies the office of India’s decision makers, Parliament House or Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of the major tourist attractions in Delhi. Conceived in the Imperial Style, the Parliament House consists of an open verandah with 144 columns.
The domed circular central hall with oak paneled walls and the three semi circular buildings are used for the Rajya Shabha and Lok Shabha meetings.
Timings: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, closed on Sunday & Monday
Entry Fee: Free but restricted to authorized persons only
Photography: Free

Temples to visit in Delhi:

12. Bahai (Lotus) Temple

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The ever-popular lotus-shaped Bahai Temple in Delhi is the last of the seven major Bahai temples around the world. A mesmerizing structure made of pure white marble, standing against a lush green landscape, the lotus depicts a symbol common to all religions.
Hence the doors of the temple remain wide open for adherents of any faith to pray and meditate. Around the blooming petals lie nine pools of water, which illuminate in natural light.
Timings: Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 7pm, closed on Monday
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Permission required

13. Akshardham Temple

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Heralded by the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi is an epitome of Indian culture. Akshardham is nothing short of an unforgettable experience taking every visitor close to the breathtaking beauty and grandeur of India’s ancient art, architecture, and eternal spiritual teachings.
Various exhibitions on display take visitors through multiple journeys such as the Hall of Values, giant screen film on Discover India, and Cultural Boat Ride. Other attractions include the Circle of Life Musical Fountain (after sunset), Gardens of India, and Lotus Garden.
Timings: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30am – 6:30pm, closed on Monday
Entry Fee:
Complex Entry: Free | No Ticket
Exhibition: Ticket (available 10am – 5pm)
  • Adults: INR 170
  • Senior Citizen: INR 125
  • Child (4-11 yrs): INR 100
  • Child (below 4yrs): Free
Musical Fountain: Ticket
  • Adults: INR 30
  • Senior Citizen: INR 30
  • Child (4-11 yrs): INR 20
  • Child (Below 4 yrs): Free
Photography: Not allowed. Mobile phones not allowed

14. Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir)

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Built in 1939 and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, Birla Mandir is in reverence to Lord Narayana and Goddess Laxmi. One of the major attractions in Delhi and frequented places, Birla Mandir is a true testimony of India’s unity in diversity philosophy. The temple is open to visitors of very faith.
Timings: 4:30am – 1:30pm, 2:30pm – 9pm (best time to visit during morning and evening aarti)
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Not allowed. Mobile phones not allowed

15. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

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Situated in the heart of Connaught Place, the present Gurdwara was once a bunglow of Mirza Raja Jai Singh – hence giving its name Bangla Sahib. A sacred place with its deep-rooted history dating back to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the Gurdwara is known to have saved the residents of Delhi from a severe epidemic.
Even today, this impressive Gurdwara attracts devotees from afar to take a dip in the holy water here to heal them from suffering.
Timings: All days of the week, 12am – 12am
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Not allowed

Places to visit with kids & family:

16. National Rail Museum

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A prestigious train yard with some of the finest treasures of the world that include the Fairy Queen (the best preserved steam locomotive), Prince of Wales Saloon (1875) and Maharaja of Mysore Saloon (1899) is the National Rail Museum, one of the star tourist places in Delhi.
Entertaining people of every age, the museum’s ride in the joy train and monorail are other attractions here. Also the indoor gallery hosts innumerable rail memorabilia collected over the years.
Timings: 9:30am – 5:30pm, Tuesday – Sunday, Monday closed
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Not allowed

17. The National Zoological Park

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The National Zoological Park in New Delhi has recreated an ambience of the natural habitat to give its inhabitants a resemblance of their homes. Not only are endangered species conserved and protected here, but also helps them to breed in captivity.
A remarkable feature of the zoo is that the authorities educate and sensitize over 1.6mn visitors about the link between humans and animals thus enlightening the value of conservation.
Timings: 9 am-4.30 pm (April-October), 9 am- 4 pm (November – March)
Entry Fee:
  • Indian Adults- INR 10
  • Children (5-12 years) – INR 5
  • Foreigners- INR 50
Photography: Free, Video Camera – INR 500 per day (professional)

18. Old Fort (Purana Quila)

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Purana Qila is one of the oldest forts in India. An admirable quality of this monument is that those not fascinated by history can also enjoy the place because of its sprawling spaces and well-maintained landscape. Standing stoic amidst lush greenery, the Purana Qila spreading over 2km is supposed to have been built on the site of ancient city of Indraprastha.
Surrounded by a moat through which once the Yamuna meandered, has made way for a man-made lake offering boat rides. Inside the premise are other interesting monuments like the Sher Mandal (an observatory), Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, and Baoli (a 22m well). The fort is also famous because Humanyun, the Mughal Emperor died falling from the second floor, while he was hurrying for evening prayers.
Timings: Open all days
Entry Fee: INR20 (adult), INR10 (child)
Photography: Permission required

19. Dilli Haat

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Dilli Haat is one of the most popular places to visit in Delhi with an ambience of a typical rustic Indian village market but fitting to more contemporary needs. This permanent food and craft bazaar in the heart of Delhi is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. Visitors can enjoy myriad flavours of Indian cuisines while shopping for ethnic weaves and such.
Timings: Open all days, 10:30am – 10pm
Entry Fee: INR 20 (adult), INR 10 (child)
Photography: Allowed

20. Garden of Five Senses

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This garden goes beyond being just a park for leisurely strolls spread over 20 acres in the heartland of Delhi city. The garden is adorned by metal cut birds, stone cut elephants, peppered seating arrangements, food courts, and distinctly styled garden spaces such as Khas Bagh and Neel Bagh, a pool of water lilies.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this exquisite garden is its beautiful composition of flowering beds, water bodies, and art arrangements, which makes it a place worth relaxing in.
Timings: Open all days. April – September: 9am – 7pm, October – March: 9am – 6pm
Entry Fee:
  • INR 20 (adult)
  • INR 10 (child upto 12yrs)
  • INR 10 (senior citizen)
  • Free for handicapped
Photography: Varied charges

21. Lodi Gardens

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Lodi Gardens is a 90 acre green space in the home of Delhi’s oldest dynasty, the Lodhi. This green carpet flows seamlessly through several monuments like the Bada Gumbad, Bada Gumbad Mosque, Sheesh Gumbad, Sikandar Tomb and Mohammed Shah Tomb that are brilliant reminiscents of an era gone by. One of the nicest spots on campus here is the lake, which is an ideal spot for you to end your visit.
Timings: Open all days, 6am – 7pm
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed

22. Gandhi Smriti

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A visit to the iconic Gandhi Smriti brings every visitor face-to-face with the exact spot where Gandhiji was assassinated on January 30, 1948. Home of industrialist BD Birla, this museum is one of the tourist places to visit in Delhi. Hosting a huge collection of photographs, sculptures, paintings, the place also has Gandhiji’s room where he stayed till he died in exactly the manner he left it in. The museum also runs a multimedia show on the life of Gandhi each day at 1pm.
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Monday closed
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed

23. Connaught Place

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Perhaps one of the most favourite places to visit in Delhi, Connaught Place is a magnet for several shoppers with diverse needs. Built by the British, this circular market was the first of its kind and also the largest when it came into being. The dedicated market space has plenty to offer from branded to local goods on display. Not to mention the multitude of eating joints attending to your every gastronomic need.
Timings: Open all days
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed

24. Chandni Chowk

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The most contrasting scene in comparison to the streets of well-planned New Delhi is this main street of Old Delhi. Chandni Chowk is an amalgamation of between cars, cycle rickshaws, shoppers, stray animals, food stalls, hawkers, and pretty much anything else that completes a chaotic picture. It is this very trait of Chandni Chowk that makes it appealing.
As one of the oldest and busiest markets in India, its narrow winding lanes are full of inexpensive jewellery, fabric, and electronics. It is also an excellent venue to sample Delhi’s exemplary street food.
Timings: Open all days
Entry Fee: Free
Photography: Allowed

Places to visit near Delhi:

25. Manesar

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Manesar in Gurgaon district was once a sleepy town with barely thousand households. Presently riding high as one of the places to visit near Delhi, Manesar offers a quick and ideal hideout away from the chaotic Delhi life.
Distance from City: 46Kms
Best time to visit: September – May
Attractions:
Damdama Lake is a serene waterside encapsulating serenity and tranquility. Sohna Lake, getting its name from the gold dust found near the lake’s stream, is a catchy trait for visitors. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary offers a rich ambience of diverse flora and avian fauna that attracts many resident bird species like the common spoonbill, painted stork, spotted owlet, mynah, weaver birds etc.
Activities:
Nature trails, bird-watching, boating, sight seeing.

26. Kuchesar

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Kuchesar is one of the tourist places near Delhi because of its simplicity and rich heritage. Once a princely state under the colonial empire, Kuchesar is famous for its mud fort constructed by Jats in 1782, which is now transformed into a luxury hotel.
Distance from City: 83 Kms
Best time to visit: November – February
Attractions:
Mud Fort is a pleasant place to spend leisurely time exploring cultural heritage apart from indulging in sports and other activities. Brij Ghat is an excellent picnic spot with an exotic locale to enjoy a peaceful time on the banks of the Ganges. 
Activities:
Excursion, Historic sight seeing

27. Garhmukteshwar

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Garhmukteshwar, a holy city located on the Ganges holds high reverence as a Hindu pilgrimage and is one of the most historic places to visit near Delhi. Treated as mini Banaras, Garhmukteshwar draws attention to the epic Mahabharata and Bhagwad Gita with a reference to being Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas.
Distance from City: 94 Kms
Best time to visit: October – March
Attractions:
A land peppered with some of the most pious of Hindu shrines, Garhmukteshwar has the ancient Ganga Temple housing idols of River Ganges and Lord Brahma in white stone. Meerabai ki Reti is a sandy stretch believed to be a place where Meerabai stayed and prayed regularly. Other places to visit are Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple and Nahush Koop.
Activities:
Religious sight seeing

28. Neemrana

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Neemrana is an ancient historical town in neighbouring Rajasthan on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. The 16th century hill fort here is built by the powerful Chauhans, which is perched on a plateau, surrounded by a horseshoe formation of the Aravalli Mountains.
Distance from City: 122 Kms
Best time to visit: September – March
Attractions:
Sariska National Park is one of the best known tiger reserves in India. Located 40 km from Neemrana, the park is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, sambhar, hyena, crocodile and variety of bird species too. The heritage lake palace hotel rests on Siliserh Lake where one can enjoy the calmness around the waterside. Other places to visit include Bala Qila and Vinay Vilas Mahal.
Activities:
Sight seeing, nature trails, jungle safari, bird-watching, flying fox

29. Mathura

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Legendary hometown of the much-adored Lord Krishna, Mathura is another one of the historic places to visit near Delhi. This charming place is filled with delightful stories, pious temples dotted on the banks of Yamuna that altogether makes for a memorable experience. What’s interesting is that Mathura was once a Budhhist town with 20 monastries housing 3,000 monks.
Distance from City: 160 Kms
Best time to visit: October – March
Attractions:
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is the prime reason for everyone flocking to Mathura. This temple also shares a common wall with the Babri Masjid. The beautifully structured Dwarkadheesh Temple located on the eastern banks of Yamuna is yet another temple in reverence to Lord Krishna. Jama Masjid, Kans Qila, Vishram Ghat, Gita Mandir, Rang Bhoomi, and Government Museum are other places to visit in Mathura.
Activities: Sight seeing

30. Bharatpur 

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Bharatpur is yet another ancient city neighbouring Delhi in Rajasthan. With a historical lineage dating to the 5th century, today Bharatpur is known world over for its Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Distance from City: 197 Kms
Best time to visit: August - November
Attractions:
A land of forts and palaces Bharatpur holds fine treasures like Bharatpur Palace, which is a fine fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. The Government Museum here displays a fine collection of antiques, exquisite sculptures, and inscriptions. Lohagarh Fort or Iron Fort was originally designed to last the test of time. Rightly so, standing stoic even today, this fort is worth visiting for its sans glamorous look and appeal unlike other forts in the region.
Activities:
Sight seeing, jungle safari, bird-watching

31. Haridwar

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A journey to Haridwar is nothing short of a life-altering experience. The venue for the world’s largest religious gathering Kumbh Mela, Haridwar is the birthplace of the holy River Ganges. Laced in faith, eternal peace, tranquility, and spirituality of the highest kind, Haridwar literally behaves as a doorway to heaven.
Distance from City: 208 Kms
Attractions:
The most enchanting time to visit Hari ki Pauri, a divine spot in Haridwar where the sacred nectar is believed to have fallen and also the heart of the Maha Kumbh Mela, is at dusk. Chandi Devi Temple situated atop Neel Parvat is a holy shrine connected by cable car or can be reached by a 3km trek via Chandi Ghat.
Manasa Devi Temple perched on top of Bilwa Parwat gives a bird’s eye view of Haridwar. Other shrines include Maya Devi Temple, Sapta Rishi Ashram, Daksha Mahadev Temple etc.
Activities:
Religious trails, sight-seeing
[Check out Golden Triangle with Haridwar]

32. Agra

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It is the allure of the Taj Mahal drawing tourists to Agra that makes it one of the most popular places to visit near Delhi. A city with a glorious past, residing on the banks of River Yamuna, it offers much more than just the Taj.
Distance from City: 209 Kms
Best time to visit: October – March
Attractions:
The Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is a monument that is the ultimate requiem of love. This white marble beauty with a perfect unique architecture is built in such a manner that it appears exactly the same from all four sides. With the Yamuna meandering in silence, the beauty of Taj is to be believed with one’s very own eyes.
The Agra Fort commissioned by Akbar is a hidden treasure. Behind the tough exterior of the fort lies a lovely residence and official space of the Mughal Emperors.
Activities: Sight-seeing
[Check out our amazing tours of Agra]
From the remarkable history to contemporary and modern vibes, Delhi is captivating in every slice. A treasure trove filled with valuable gems, it raptures travellers forever with a fabulous experience. 
By Abhishek Last updated Jul 01,2015
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