The Change of Guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan takes place every Saturday in a great show of military tradition. The President’s Guard also joins in the regimen albeit on horseback. The powerful 30-minute performance of man and horse in regalia, set to the music of a military brass band will transport you to a time of Kings and Queens.
Suit up and set off on a spectacular adventure over the Delhi countryside. The warm drafts carry you high from where it seems Lilliputian farmhouses dot the lush, green grasslands.
The young with the old, the lost with the found… a tea trail in Delhi is the crux of all things tea. From the banks of the Brahmaputra to the valleys in the Nilgiris, from Assam to Darjeeling, all types of tea find their way to Delhi. The quintessential roadside tea stall may be on the descent but there is no dearth of posh tea houses in the National Capital Region. So take a breather and take notes on the changing culture of the city.
Djinns (or genies, if you please) are as entwined in Indian lore as they are with Arabian Nights. The Jamali Kamali mosque in the heart of Delhi is one place that is believed to be haunted. Whether you subscribe to the allure of ghosts or are a cynic hoping to tear down the myth as nothing but urban legend, we bet you’ll have the night of your life twiddling paranormal equipment in the eerie silence.
As the name suggests, this is one of those pinch-me places. On the surface it appears as any other museum with exhibits arranged in orderly fashion but it is one of the weirdest places on Earth. There are toilets that mimic a bookcase and even a throne. However, the underlying reason for this museum is noble. Dr Sulabh started the sanitation movement in India, a truly historic undertaking built on Gandhian principles. This crusade is changing the lives of the poor one toilet at a time.
Every Thursday evening, the world stops for a moment inside Nizamuddin Dargah. A soul-stirring rendition of popular qawwalis set to lilting tunes and of simple yet poetic language, gushes forth from the proficient Qawwals who lead the troupe. You will be treated to some of the most popular songs as well as the classics. Once you drink to your soul’s content, take a trip to the nearest eatery that locals swear by, for a bite of yummy goodness.
Shajahanabad, or Old Delhi as it is more commonly known, exudes an old world charm as you snake your way through lanes too small for cars. Experiencing Old Delhi aboard a cycle rickshaw, you can almost reach out to touch the wares sold in the by lanes. The conversant rick drivers have hidden gems that they share with passengers who grace their vehicle; it’s all highly secretive, a sort of rickshaw pact if you will.
If you’ve been trying to get your hands on a copy of the New York Times Bestseller list but it always seems to be sold out, look no further than Daryaganj. It is a paradise for the bibliophile with shops lining the street for as far as the eye can see! Take your pick from fiction, non-fiction, self-help – the plethora. Wear comfy shoes and have your bargaining voice ready, the books you stock up on come at a steal.
Click for a quick taste of the region!
It’s best known for the Indian flatbread stuffed with vegetables and served with exotic subzis and chutneys all up and down the lane.
Once India’s grandest marketplace, the moonlight would reflect softly over the central pool which would then bounce off the shops and bathe the place in light. You can find anything and everything here.
Built of unimaginable riches and silver lined domes above red sandstone structures, the Red Fort is an imposing structure on the banks of the River Yamuna. History buffs are sure to feel right at home.
The President’s Residence overlooks Rajpath which is engulfed in a sea of soldiers come Republic Day. The grand parade showcases India’s Defense Capability, and Cultural & Social Heritage.
The metaphorical gateway is a war memorial with the names of Indian soldiers from WWI and the Afghan Wars inscribed on the walls. It is a testament to those who keep the country safe and free.
You can’t miss the first light and water show which brings to life a mythological story from the Kena Upanishad, staged at the Lotus Fountain.
The Mughals who ruled from Delhi brought the first Indo-Islamic structure to the country. The Qutb Minar complex has a number of attractions for the historian and the architect.
The Crown Jewel of all bazaars, Dilli Haat buzzes with activity from sunup to sundown. Arguably the best place to gorge down street food, it also has a beautiful collection of crafts.
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