When to Celebrate

 Annual religious holidays form an integral part of the public life of Indians. It makes sense to plan your visit to Delhi so that you can witness one of the many Indian festivals that are usually accompanied by general fun, colorful costumed performances and traditional dances. In addition, there are several secular holidays, celebrated only in the capital, during which the best Indian artists of music and dance perform in Delhi. Remember that all national holidays are "dry days", i.e. days when stores selling liquor are closed.

January:

Parade in honour of the Republic Day (Republic Day Parade) (Jan 26). Anniversary from the date of entry into force of the new independent constitution. This is one of a series of national holidays that last a whole week and begin on January 23-24 with the rehearsal of the parade in "free clothes," and end on January 29 with the "beep" on Vijay Chowk, next to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The best musicians and dancers from all states of India come to Delhi to take part in the parade. The procession begins on Rajpath Road, passes through the India Gate and goes towards the Red Fort. To take a seat at Rajpath you will need a ticket that you can buy (20-200 rupees) in the tourist office, travel agency or hotel. Martyr's Day (January 30). On this day in 1948 Mahatma Gandhi passed away. From the very morning, around Raj Ghat, an honor guard is built, and prayers and hymns are held inside to commemorate Gandhi and all those who gave their lives in the struggle for independence. Delhi Rose Festival (end of January). Roses from around the world are on display in the Safdarjang's tomb area. Shankarlal Sangeet Sammelan (end of January). Festival of Indian music and dances. More information about the venue for theater and music performances can be found in local magazines and newspapers.

February:

 First day of spring. Basant Panchami (Feb. 2). Within a month, the beautiful Mughal gardens beyond Rashtrapati Bhavan will be open to visitors. Surajkund Crafts Mela (first week of February). A huge exhibition of folk crafts. Delhi flower exhibition (Delhi Flower Show). It is held on the territory of the fortress of Purana Kila; a horticultural exhibition of flowers and their various hybrids from around the world.

April:

Anniversary of the birth of a famous musician and poet (Amir Khusrau). Prayers and kavlam gather in the Nizamuddin area and sing in memory of him. National Drama Festival. The building of Rabindra Bhavan hosts performances of classical and modern dance, music and drama.

July

International Mango Festival (International Mango Festival). A very unusual event, in which more than 500 varieties of mango "participate", usually takes place at the Talkatora Stadium. Free tastings and cultural program.

August:

Independence Day (August 15). Huge crowds gather in the Red Fort area to witness the rise of the flag. The event is accompanied by general fun and hymns. Folk festivities, dances and music will continue until the evening.

October:

 Gandhi Jayanti (Oct. 2). Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. In Raj Ghat sing songs and read prayers in memory of him. Dussera (10 Oct). One of the most gay and colorful Indian holidays, which lasts ten days in a row, on the stage are the productions of the ancient epic poem Ramayana. For the whole month in the ballet Ramlila Ballet and the Delhi Gate (Delhi Gate) there will be breath-taking performances. On the ninth night of the festival near the Red Fort, the ceremony of burning the evil demons is held according to custom.

What to Eat

In my eyes, a trip without culinary discoveries is incomplete. As northern Indian cuisine is delicious, it seemed appropriate to share with you the love of Indian cuisine.

Already, it must be known, the Indian cuisine of northern India makes you fat: dishes in sauce, fries of all kinds, without even addressing the issue of pastries!

While traveling in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, you will have the opportunity to taste (with fingers, of course!) Good dishes in sauce.

The classic Paneer-based dishes: Paneer is a fresh cheese made from buffalo milk. Rich in protein, it gives a little consistency to the cuisine often vegetarian. The Shahi Paneer is composed of paneer cubed, bathed in a creamy tomato sauce. Little or no spicy, it's a treat!

The Palak Paneer is similar sauce dish with a creamy green sauce made of spinach. Not spicy at all! You'll understand: Palak = Spinach

The Kadai Paneer looks a little Shahi Paneer, with tomato sauce a little more oily than creamy and peppers. Delicious and spicy!

The Matar Paneer also resembles the shahi paneer with peas and more. Also try Matar Mushroom (peas and mushrooms) with plain rice for example. Respectively little and non-spicy.

The classic Indian vegetarian dishes:  You cannot go to India without tasting Dal Makhani! Popular dish of North India, the Dal (lentils in Hindi) is, originally, a punjabi dish, become the emblem of Indian cuisine abroad. This is a creamy puree of boiled lentils more or less liquid and non-spicy.

Nothing better than a good Chana Masala, a dish of chickpeas in sauce, a little or no spicy. You'll understand, "Chana" means chickpeas, as well as "Chole", something like that. Nothing like a good Mix Veg, a mixture of vegetables without excess sauce. The Thalis, mainly rajasthani and gurajati, are a set of about five small dishes, with rice in the middle and some chapatis.

The classic non-vegetarian dishes: The most typical dishes that deserve to be mentioned are:

The kebabs, skewers of meat or vegetables, chopped previously marinated in spices. A delight that does not need to be accompanied by bread. In Old Delhi, for example, at Karim's, there is the reference to Mughlai (from the Mughal Empire) and North India. The Kebabs are veg and non veg , often spicy.

The butter chicken and butter chicken is a well-known Punjabi food and non-spicy white meat which is bathed in an orange butter sauce, flavored with curcumin, cumin, coriander, etc. A true delight!

The korma mutton or korma lamb is surely my favorite non-veg dish with a creamy sauce flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

Breakfast and snacks: If you venture out to an Indian breakfast, I can only recommend the pakoras and paranthas .

The pakoras are pieces of paneer or vegetables surrounded by a small frying. The veg pakoras , vegetable, therefore, remain my favorite: aloo, ghobi (cauliflower), palak and methi (salad kind?).

The paranthas are pancakes stuffed bread made from flour different from that of Chapatis / Rotis . The best paranthas , to my taste, are Aloo, Methi, Chili, Mint (Mint) and Laccha  Paranthas .

History of Delhi

Over the long history, several cities have emerged on the site of modern Delhi. Usually there are about seven to ten. The current Delhi (New Delhi) is built on the ruins of these cities.

The history of Delhi has several millennia. Mentions Delhi - the first city was called Indraprastha (Indraprastha, metro Indraprastha) - found in the ancient sacred writings of Indians. According to them, Delhi has existed for about 5,000 years (according to other sources - 3,500 years) and was founded during the wars between the dynasties of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, described in the epic "Mahabharata". However, the first archaeological evidence of the existence of the city in this place dates back to the reign of the Mauryan dynasty (3rd century BC). Indraprastha was supposedly located on the site of Purana Qila fortress.

1.For the first city of Delhi, it is considered to be Fort Lal Kot (Lal Kot), built by the emperor from the Tomar dynasty named Anangpal in 736. The ruins of Lal Kota can be seen in Mehrauli in South Delhi. In 1180, Lal Kot was conquered by the Ajmer maharaja from the Chohan dynasty Prithivi Raj and renamed Qila Rai Pithora. Lal Kota ruins can be seen on the territory of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park (Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Qutub Minar metro).

In 1192, the Muslim conqueror Mohammed Ghori, who kills the last Hindu emperor Delhi, invades the territory of modern India. From 1206 Delhi becomes the capital of the Delhi Sultanate. Kutabuddin Aybak from the Mamluk dynasty (slaves of Turkic origin) is appointed Sultan. Qutabuddin was built by the Qutab Minar, the world's largest brick minaret of 72 meters high, which is still preserved in the region of Mehrauli.

2. The second city of Siri was located near the fortress of Siri Fort (Siri Fort). The fortress was built by Sultan Alauddin from the Khalji dynasty ca. 1303 years to protect against the Mughal. The ruins of the fortress can be seen between Aurobindo Marg and Khelgaon Marg streets in South Delhi.

3. The third city is considered Tuglakabad (Tughlaqabad, Tughlaqabad metro station). It was built during the reign of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tuhlak (1321-1325). The ruins of Fort Tuhlakabad can be seen in South Delhi. The city was abandoned 6 years after construction, in 1327, when Tuglak moved its capital to South India for a short time.

4. Jhahanpana (Jhahanpanah) was the fourth city on the site of modern Delhi. It was built in 1327 and combined Siri Fort with Quila Rai Pithor. The city was founded by Sultan Muhammad bin Tuglak to protect against the growing threat from the Mughals - here he moved his capital back from South India (before that, the capital was in Tuglakabad). There is little left of the city. The most significant remains are the Begampur Mosque (Begumpur Mosque,map ) in the Malviya-Nagar region and the Bijay Mandal palace, located nearby and described by the famous traveler Ibn Batuta.

5. The fifth city was called Firozabad (Firozabad) - its ruins can be seen on the territory of the archaeological complex Firoz Shah Kotla (Feroz Shah Kotla). The city was built during the reign of Firoz Shah Tuglak (1351–1388).

In 1386, the Delhi Sultanate bursting at the seams under the pressure of the Mughal dynasty, which came from Central Asia. Timur Tamerlane destroys Delhi to the ground. The last Sultan, who belonged to the Afghan Lodi dynasty, was overthrown in 1526 by the Mogul emperor Babur. The Mughal dynasty is finally being established in India.

6. The son of Babur, the Emperor Humayun, began to build the fortress city of Dinpan (Dinpanah) in 1533. Now this fortress is known as Purana Qila (Purana Qila, Old Fortress, map ). In 1540, Humayun defeated Sher Shah and renamed the fortress Shergarh. In 1544, Humayun took revenge and again reigned in Delhi.

The son of Humayun, Emperor Akbar, moved the capital to Agra, which again led to the demise of Delhi. For a short time, the Hindu king, Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, reigned in Delhi, who defeated Akbar's army several times.

7. The son of Akbar, the Emperor Shah Jahan (reigned from 1628 to 1658) returned to Delhi and built the seventh city – Shahjahanabad (Shahjahanabad). Currently, this is the Old Delhi area, which includes the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid mosque and other attractions. In 1739, the city was destroyed as a result of the invasion of the Persian emperor Nadir Shah. The Mughal power comes to an end. In 1784, they were replaced by the Hindu clan of Marathas, who subjugated the rulers of Delhi and made them their vassals.

8. In 1803, The East India Company replaced Maratha, taking power into India. India becomes a colony of England. In 1931, the British transferred the capital of colonial India from Calcutta to Delhi. In the 20-30 years. The 20th century is the active construction of New Delhi - the area of ​​government buildings and residential areas with wide avenues and streets, which was designed by British architect Edwin Lutyen. This city is considered the eighth reincarnation of Delhi.

9. In 1947, India was liberated from British rule, and the flag of independent India was hung over Red Fort.

In 1998, Delhi acquired the status of the Capital Territory (Capital Territory), which is not part of the Indian states and reports directly to the metropolitan government.

How to reach Delhi

In Delhi two airports, one local, another international. Intercity public buses from different parts of the country arrive at the Inter-state Bus Terminal in Old Delhi, while buses of private companies usually stop near the central part of the city in the area by the New Delhi railway station. The final train stations are located in Old and New Delhi, from which you can easily get to Connaught Place, the commercial center of the city, a rickshaw or a taxi.

By Air: International Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport, also known as Terminal 2, is 23 kilometers southwest of the city center (formerly Palam Airport). The foreign exchange office located in the airport building is open around the clock.

The local airport is located 8 kilometers from the international airport and has two terminals: 1A and 1B.

By Road: Cabs and Taxis are the most convenient mode of transport, especially if you arrive late at night. You can make an order in the official box office of a taxi with a prepayment located next to the terminal building. However at night (from 23:00 to 5:00) an additional fee of 25% is charged.

By Train: There are two railway stations in Delhi.

At the New Delhi railway station there are two exits: Ajmeri Gate exit - north and Paharganj exit - south. Opposite the station near the exit Paharganj next to the road you will find a kiosk ordering an auto-rickshaw (with advance payment of travel).

From Delhi railway station, located in Old Delhi, near the Red Fort, you can reach any city hotel by taxi or by car rickshaw.

By Public Transport: Delhi and NCR is well connected with public bus and Metro as well, in which Metro would be the good option to safe, cheap and fast travel.

Monuments of Delhi

India Gate (India Gate) is a stone arch constructed as a memorial in memory of Indian servicemen who died in the First World War. At the foot of the arch burns eternal fire. More than 90000 names are cut out on the arch itself. The gates of India stand on the foundation of the red Bharatpur stone, and on their top is a hollow bowl, in which there was to be a fuel oil supporting the flames on the top of the arch on the anniversary of the end of the war, but this was never done. At night, the arch is illuminated by floodlights, and the nearby fountains are illuminated by colored lights.

Tomb of Humayun (Humayun's Tomb) - large complex mausoleum. The tomb was built of white marble and red sandstone and was the prototype of Taj Mahal Agra. The building is an excellent copy of the Mughal architecture. The tomb was built by Haji Begum, the eldest widow of Humayun in the middle of the 16th century. The tomb is surrounded by a garden in which are located the tombs of the barber Humayun and Isa Khan, the architect of Taj Mahal.

Qutab Minar(Qutub Minar) - this ornamented tower attracts many tourists who want to climb it and view the city from its heights. The tower rises to a height of 230 feet, has 5 levels and is decorated with intricate ornamentation. The construction was started in the XII century and finished in the XIII century. The first three floors are made of red sandstone, in the design of the fourth and fifth floors are combined sandstone and white marble. The ornament reflects the history of Qutab Minar and contains extracts from the Koran.

The complex surrounding Qutub Minar includes the mosque Kuvat-ul-Islam Masjid, located at the foot of the tower, the tomb of Altamish, Alaudin Khalji and Imam Zamin, an iron column of 200 years old named Alai Minar. The complex survived a lightning strike, several earthquakes, but, in spite of wear and tear, the building was well preserved.

Purana Qila: Purana Quila is a fortress built in the 16th century to protect the sixth capital of Delhi, the city of Dinapanah, founded by the Mughal emperor Humayun A magnificent example of military architecture in the capital of India.

The old fortress of Delhi (Purana Quila) is located in the heart of the city, not far from the Gate of India and the Delhi Zoo . The nearest metro station is Pragati Maidan.

For Indians, the place where the mighty impregnable fortress stands is of particular importance: according to legend, it was here that the capital of the Kings of the Pandavas was located, which is narrated in Mahabharata

Architectural ensemble of the Old Fortress :-

The fortress of red sandstone is well preserved. Three gates lead to it, framed by semicircular towers, decorated with marble and ceramic tiles: The large gate is the only one open today, the southern gate is Brama Humayun and the Forbidden Gate. The decoration of the gate is also used stone carving, which is a hallmark of the Mughal architectural style. The height of the wall reaches 18 meters, and their thickness in some places is 15 meters, the total perimeter is more than one and a half kilometers.

Within the walls, only two buildings survived: the magnificent mosque Qila-i-Kukhna Masjid (at the western entrance) and the Sher-Mandal tower, which served as a library. Next to the south gate there is a small museum in which the statue of the Maurie epoch is exhibited (free entrance, 08: 00-18: 30).

Other attractions in the vicinity of Purana Kila:-

A walk through the territory of the old fortress will take you just over an hour. This tour can be combined with a visit to the Delhi Zoo , which stands just 100 meters from Purana Qila. And on the pond, which lies at the walls of the fort, you can ride on a boat. Also, together with the old fortress in one day you can see the mausoleum of Humayun and the mausoleum of Nizamuddin.

Tughlaqabad Fort: In 1321, Giiyas-ud-din Tuglak, the founder of the Tuglakov Dynasty, decided to build his own fort, called the Fort Tuhlakabad. However, in 1327 the city was abandoned. The architecture of India is extremely interesting in this place, because the buildings of the fort are very ancient and many of them are fairly well preserved.

The length of the Fort Tuhlakabad is almost 6.5 kilometers. Of particular interest are the surrounding walls. They have a height of 10 to 15 meters and are filled with stones. They were located defensive fortifications. To date, 13 gates have been preserved in the walls, allowing to enter the territory of the city, but initially there were 52 of them.

On the territory of the fort you can also visit the well-preserved mausoleum of Giiyas-ud-din Tuglak, connected to the city by an overpass.

You can get to Fort Tuglakabad by bus leaving the city center.

Observatory Jantar Mantar(Jantar Mantar) is one of five astronomical observatories built by the Maharajas of Jaya Singh I in 1725. It is dominated by a huge sundial known as the "king of dials." In the observatory you can observe the movement of the sun, the moon and the planets. Here are exhibited ancient tools that used to track the path of celestial bodies and predict eclipses.

Iron pillar: Among the most popular attractions in Delhi, enter the famous ancient monument, known today under the name of the Iron Pillar in Delhi, the Delhi Pillar, columns of Maharsuli. It is also often called the Koutuba column because of the location on the territory of the architectural complex of the Qutub Minar on the outskirts of the city. The front surface of the column was engraved in Sanskrit, which makes it possible to conclude that the column was erected in honor of the victory of King Chandragupta II, who lived in the 4th-5th century, over the inhabitants of Central Asia.

The iron pillar in Delhi is unique in that in due time, i.e. more than 1,600 years ago, it was made of pure iron, but over the years it has not corroded at all. Many agree that this pillar was created not by people, but by representatives of alien civilizations who once visited the planet.

Rajpath  - also known as "the way of the kings" is a boulevard in New Delhi. It starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan, passes through Vijay Chowk and the Gateway of India to the National Stadium. On both sides of the boulevard trees and flowers are planted. Every year on January 26, on the day of the Republic, a parade takes place here, which thousands of people are going to see. At the western end of Rajpata is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the palace of the president. Before India gained independence, it was the residence of the royal regent. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in New Delhi, combining the architectural styles of Europe and the Mughal style. To the west of the palace are the Mongolian gardens, open to visitors only on certain days from mid-February to early March.

Red Fort (Red Fort) - construction was started in 1638 by shah Jihan and was completed in 1648. Here from 1639 to 1857 there was a residence of the Mughal rulers. The height of the walls of red sandstone varies from 18 to 33 meters. The fort itself is made in the form of a cross and is surrounded by a moat.

The main entrance to the fort is the gate of Lahore. Named in this way, because they go to the side in which the Pakistani city of Lahore is located. Passing to the territory of the Fort through the Gate of Lahore, visitors enter the covered market of Chatta Chowk. This is one of the first covered markets, opened in the XVII century, there were sold silk, jewelry, semiprecious stones silverware and art objects. Now they sell mostly souvenirs.

Nubat Khan is located on the territory of the fort, there were musicians playing for the emperor every day, now there are large musical instruments such as cymbals, timpani and oboes. Here are the halls for private and public audiences: Divan-i-Am, Divan-i-Khas.

Museums in Delhi

International Museum of the toilet (International Toilet Museum) - represents the evolution of toilets and their diverse design. The most ancient items relating to the toilet, exhibited in the museum, date back to 2500 BC. Facts, exhibits and photographs tell in chronological order history, production technology, toilet etiquette and sanitary conditions.

The Memorial Museum of Indira Gandhi (Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum) - housed in the former residence of Indira Gandhi. The exhibition includes photographs of Indira since her childhood and before assuming the post of prime minister, her personal belongings, a sari in which she was dressed on the day of the murder, personal correspondence. The museum building is surrounded by a flowering garden.

Indira Gandhi ruled India for almost 20 years, until her personal bodyguard Sikh killed her in 1984 while walking in the garden. The path that it went on that day is now considered part of the memorial. And the place where Indira Gandhi fell fell marked in the garden with transparent glass.

Several rooms of the museum are dedicated to the life of her son Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed in 1991. The library and the living room are preserved as it left them, the public is not allowed here, but you can look at the interior through the windows in the garden.

Memorial Museum of Nehru and the Planetarium (Nehru Memorial Museum and Planetarium) - the building once served as the seat of the first Indian Prime Minister and was called Tin Murty Bhavan. Photos and clippings from newspapers tell the story of the movement for independence. The exposition tells about Nehru's life and work, especially the exhibits related to the struggle for independence. In the bedroom and living room a large collection of photos is collected. The planetarium is located in the basement of the museum, here you will be told about the Indian space program.

Craft Museum (Crafts Museum) - The museum contains many items handmade from all over India. However, tourists are attracted by artisans, who come here to demonstrate their skills. Among the exhibits of the museum you can see textiles, ceramics, wooden products. There are models of villages with traditional clay huts and a model of a wooden hut in full size from Gujarat, decorated with carvings, drawings and embroidery.

National Museum (National Museum) - reflect the course of the history of India and its most important events, beginning with the Maurya Empire. The museum exhibits archaeological finds made in Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Lotale, Kalibangan. The museum exposition includes terracotta figurines, ceramics, decorations, seals, copper and bronze tools, sculptures, musical instruments, tribal masks swords and fragments of frescoes. One of the best is the exposition devoted to Central Asia, silk banners, sculptures, items collected by Sir Aurele Stein between 1900 and 1916, elements of the way of life of the countries through which the Silk Road stretched between Europe and Asia was exhibited.

International Puppet Museum. Shankara: Hand-made lovers will certainly not be indifferent to the huge collection of dolls assembled by Shankar Pillai, a famous journalist and master of caricature, from around the globe. You can get acquainted with it in the International Puppet Museum. Shankara.

The history of the museum begins from the moment when Shankar Pillai received a doll from the Hungarian ambassador in a national Hungarian costume as a gift from the Hungarian ambassador. After this point, Shankar began to bring dolls from around the world, and soon his collection already numbered more than 500 copies. The museum was opened in 1965 and currently has about 6,500 exhibits.

Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00.

Gandhi Smirti Museum: The Gandhi Smirti Museum was opened in 1973. It is located in the house where a politician once lived, and where his life ended in 1948. In the memorial complexes dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, collected his photographs, philosophical writings, and personal belongings - all this tells about the difficult but very interesting life of the spiritual leader of the Indian people of his time.

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00. Closed on Monday.

National Gallery of Modern Art: Contemporary Indian art can be found at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Here are presented various works, the earliest of which are dated to the 30s of the last century, in particular, one can get acquainted with the works of the Nobel Prize winner in the field of literature Rabindranath Tagore. All the exhibits presented here are very extraordinary, all of them are characterized by expression and the spirit of unlimited freedom. In addition, the museum is located in an old palace, striking the grandeur of its architecture. And on the adjacent territory there is an extensive sculpture exhibition.

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00. Closed on Monday.

National Museum of Railway Transport: The National Museum of Railway Transport is no less interesting than the National Museum of Delhi. In the halls of this museum, you can not only see photos and models of trains from different eras, but also see one of the first locomotives in the original, which was constructed in the mid-18th century and is still on the move. Or to visit the car, where the English prince once made his voyages. There is also a smaller copy of the train intended for the youngest passengers.

In addition, the museum has a lot of interesting exhibits telling about the history of the railway, for example, an entry in the book of complaints from a passenger who could not take the train because of a strict dress code, wearing only a loincloth, or the skull of an elephant driven down.

Work time: April - September: 9:30 - 19:30, October - March: 9:30 - 17:30.

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum: India’s independence process was difficult and lengthy. One of the main actors who helped make this dream cherished for many Indian residents a reality was a man named Jawaharlal Nehru. He later became the first prime minister of an already independent state. The people of India remember and love this public and political figure, therefore, after his death in 1964, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum and Library was founded with the aim of preserving the history of the national freedom movement.

The museum is an autonomous organization established on the basis of the Ministry of Culture of India in the territory of Teen Murti House - the residence of the first prime minister. This building was built in 1929 for the commander-in-chief of the British Army, and now it is the center for the study of the modern history of India. The western wing of the Teen Murti House is reserved for the library, and the east wing is occupied by the museum.

The library of the memorial holds a lot of documents, books, manuscripts and letters, which, notably, since 2011 can be viewed online. Also there are books and manuscripts of Jawaharlal Nehru himself, and their translations into various foreign languages.

In the museum you can see photographs, personal belongings of Jawaharlal Nehru, gifts that were given to him by the heads of different states. Also part of the museum is the Planetarium located at the Teen Murti House.

After the creation of the memorial museum, such a huge number of exhibits gathered that it became necessary to build an additional building to store them. Therefore, by 1989, another building was erected next to it, in which the Center for Contemporary Studies was located.

Every year on April 1, the day of the creation of the museum, the Day of the Annual Lecture is organized, which is dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru.

Indian Air Force Museum, Palam: The Indian Air Force Museum is located on the territory of the Palam Air Force Base in the suburbs of Delhi. This is one of the major military museums in India, dedicated to the history of national military aviation, from the participation of Indian pilots in the First World War as part of the British Royal Air Corps, to our days, including the fighting in Kargil.

The museum consists of a historical gallery, the exposition of which is devoted to the history of the Indian Air Force and consists of photographs, personal belongings of Indian pilots, their uniforms, etc. The building is adjacent to the hangar, which houses the main full-scale artifacts from among the aircraft that were in service with the Indian Air Force, anti-aircraft weapons, missiles and other things. There are also two open areas. On one of them are placed the most bulky aircraft of the military transport aircraft. On the other - there is an anti-aircraft missile system, a pair of helicopters, as well as military trophies captured during the Indo-Pakistan conflicts.

Visiting the Museum is free and free, you only need to enroll in the guest book. Weekends of the Museum - Monday and Tuesday.

Metro Museum: I want to tell you a little about the Delhi metro. You can admire the city from a height of several meters. You almost always traveled the city by metro, because it was close to all the places. This is a only museum for metro in the world.

National Science Center: The National Science Center is quite a new entertainment for children in Delhi. It was opened as part of a state program whose task it is to carry scientific knowledge to the masses. Well, India is still moving in this process, as you see :) The National Science Center is a modern building with a variety of rooms inside. Here are just a part of the presented expositions - the history of evolution, human anatomy, the role of water in life on the planet, prehistoric times and others.

There are also various creative workshops in the museum, lectures and shows are held, films are shown, etc. etc. That is, the government has clearly tried to meet all modern standards in the development of a developing and cognitive environment for the child population. If you go here with a child, then it is worth spending at least 2-3 hours here.

National Children's Museum: The National Children's Museum is a project with different entertainment for children. There is a mini-zoo and an aquarium, there is a room of crooked mirrors and much more not less interesting. The museum also contains a large collection of dolls, toys, Indian jewelery, art objects, and even money from different states.

But the main feature is that there are many workshops in the museum in which the child will be taught how to make paper, draw, and dance, play various Indian instruments. In general, a very interesting option in Delhi for going there with children.

Tibet House (Tibet House) - there is a collection of ceremonial accessories of the Dalai Lama. During the Chinese aggression, they were brought there by the Dalai Lama himself during his escape from the country.

As a cultural center of Tibetan and Buddhist teachings, the Tibet House tries to preserve its unique heritage. The exhibition presents wooden sculptures, drawings, carpets, ritual objects. Some of them were brought from Tibetan monasteries, others from villages scattered throughout India.

There is a library and a museum in which there are various ancient art objects from Tibet: more than 200 statues from bronze, copper, brass and sandalwood, numerous religious artifacts, etc.

Parks in Delhi

Observatory Jantar Mantar(Jantar Mantar) is one of five astronomical observatories built by the Maharajas of Jaya Singh I in 1725. It is dominated by a huge sundial known as the "king of dials." In the observatory you can observe the movement of the sun, the moon and the planets. Here are exhibited ancient tools that used to track the path of celestial bodies and predict eclipses.

LODI GARDENS: The Lodhi gardens are an exquisite green lung in the area of ​​South Delhi. Studded by the graves of the rulers of the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, they are embellished with palms, bridges, flowers everywhere. It is today one of the favorite places of the inhabitants of Delhi to escape the chaos of the city, jogging or yoga in the shade of the big trees or even a picnic when the good weather arrives. For those wishing, there is also an excellent restaurant nearby, Lodi Restaurant, with international cuisine and a romantic setting for a candle-lit dinner.

The Garden of Five Senses: The Garden of the Five Senses is a unique park of Delhi, set up among the rocks by the efforts of Indian professional botanists. On the territory of 80 thousand square meters there are a lot of carefully selected plants and decor items. The purpose of the park’s creators was to awaken all the senses of visitors to this unique corner of India. People tend not to pay attention to the many sensory signals that give them their own body, according to the creators of the park. A beautiful nature, the rustle of leaves, the wind on the skin and the taste of exotic gardens can work wonders with the perception of himself and the world.

The main attractions of the Five Senses Park are the Khas Bagh garden, inspired by the legendary Mughal palace gardens. The garden is filled with an amazing collection of exotic plants and flowers from around the world, and is also decorated with numerous sculptures, both from traditional materials and from "living". The main garden of Khas Bagh is adjoined by the Garden of Colors, the Neel Bagh water garden, the Spice Courtyard and the Solar Energy Park.

Indian masters say that after visiting their park, you will be in harmony with yourself for many more months.

This Delhi Park is located not far from yet another significant landmark of the capital - the architectural complex of Qutub Minar and you can easily reach it from Saket Station.

Pilgrimages in Delhi

Lotus Temple (Lotus Temple) - so named for their unusual design resembling a lotus flower. This temple is one of the newest Bahá'í temples. The temple building was created from white concrete and white Greek marble. The temple towers above the green park, in which there are 9 pools. Inside there are no idols, no religious images, and generally some symbols associated with religion. Every day there are services. At other times this is a quiet place of worship.

GURUDWARA BHANGLA SAHIB: one of the favorite places both by locals and tourists, this is a wonderful temple of Sikh faith, built in 1784. At the entrance you will have to leave the shoes to the concierge, free of charge and cover the garment with a cloth handkerchief. See how, every day, tens of thousands of meals are prepared for pilgrims. If you want, you can help with the preparation of the chapatis, or cook the dhal in the huge pots or stop yourself and receive the blessed food.

ISKCON Temple: Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, known as the ISKCON temple (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), consecrated to the visnuistic faith, is considered one of the most visited temples in all of Delhi.

The temple would have seven specific functions to fulfill, among the most important of which is to educate people to God Krishna, to spread spiritual awareness in society and to promote world peace.

At the temple, open every day of the year, Arathi rituals are held daily, including devotional songs and offerings to deities.

NIZAMUDDIN DARGAH: nestled between the Lodi Gardens and the Yamuna, the Nizamuddin district is best known for the Humayun Tomb and the Sufi Shaik Nizam ud din Chisti. Visible every day, barefoot and covered, it is particularly fascinating on Thursday thanks to the performance of the singers Qawwali, a kind of devotional singing of the Sufi philosophy.

SAFDARJUNG TOMB: Not far from Lodi Gardens, there is this tomb built during the decline of the Mogul empire, for a Grand Vizir, Nawab of Avadh, Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, known as Safdarjung. From the main gate, the mausoleum is placed at the center and the imposing door creates a magnificent effect of the complex, surrounded by tall palm trees. Built according to the tradition of the charbagh, the four-square gardens in as many squares, it is certainly a worthy place to visit if you stay in Delhi at least two days.

Birla Mandir

It is unlikely that you anywhere else in another corner of the globe will see such a motley, bright, "frivolous" temple like the Birla Mandir. Meanwhile, it is a functioning temple, which is one of the main pilgrimage centers in the capital of India. The temple is open to representatives of all major religions prevalent in the country: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism.

The Delhi Temple, which is located near the Gole Market, is about two kilometers west of the Rajeev-Chowk area. The nearest metro station is RK Ashram Marg, from which the temple is about two kilometers away.

The temple was opened in 1939 by Mahatma Gandhi, who proclaimed free access to the shrine for all, regardless of religion and caste. For those who profess other religions, the gates of the temple are also open.

The Lakshmi-Narayana Temple is unofficially called the Birla Mandir in memory of the Birl family of industrialists, with funds from which the grand temple complex was built from 1933 to 1939.

The multi-tiered temple ensemble was erected from white and pink marble, decorated with gold leaf. The towers, galleries, arches of the temple are richly decorated with carvings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. The best masters of their time were engaged in stone carving. Inside the Birla Mandir is painted with frescoes. The central sanctuary is dedicated to the widely revered goddess of abundance and happiness Lakshmi. It features a statue of a goddess. The complex also includes shrines dedicated to the gods: the multi-armed Shiva, Buddha, Haniman, Ganesha, the goddess Durga. The temple adjoins the palace "Gita Bhavan"

This Delhi temple is surrounded by a green garden with cascading waterfalls, fountains and artificial caves.

You should spend at least an hour on visiting the temple - during this time you will be able to walk around the sanctuary of the temple complex, carefully examine the exterior and interior of the Birla Mandir and stroll through the shady garden. Please note - in the temple photography is strictly prohibited.

Mosque Jama Masjid Mosque (Mosque Jama Masjid) - is one of the largest mosques in India and one of the final buildings of Shah Jihan. The construction of the mosque began in 1644 and was completed in 1658. The mosque is distinguished by three arched entrances, four corner towers and two forty-meter minarets. The building was built of white marble and red sandstone, lined with vertical stripes. Visitors can climb the southern minaret to explore the old city from its height. In the center of the inner courtyard of the mosque is a swimming pool for washing hands, face and feet.

Visitors will have to take off their shoes and make sure they are dressed appropriately before entering the mosque. Not Muslims are not allowed to enter the territory during prayers. But the spectacle of 25,000 worshipers will not be erased from your memory for a long time.

Best Time to Visit

Most of the year in Delhi, the weather is bad. In spring and summer it is very hot, with the advent of monsoons rains beat a little smog, but from the heat they save only in the mornings, at night the terrible stuffiness and humidity. In May, the desert winds blow, lu , this is a very difficult time. In seasons with occasional rains and winds (March-April and October-November), the sky clears up from burning, but few days fall. In winter, its cold in Delhi, at night the temperature drops to 5 degrees Celsius, there are also frosts, while the city is hanging fog and smog, and aircraft flights are cancelled.

The time from October to March is ideal for all kinds of sightseeing activities in the Delhi area.

Where to Buy

Delhi is a great place to shop! High competition keeps prices low, and the choice of places for shopping is simply huge. In Delhi there are several large shopping complexes - markets, as well as countless small bazaars, shops and shops, where you can buy almost everything that can come to mind, and of course exotic souvenirs .

Shop opening times in Delhi

Most stores in India operate at 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, with the exception of large shopping and entertainment centers in large cities, which often continue to operate until midnight. On weekends, Indian shops can close 2 hours earlier.

Traditional Indian markets in the villages operate from dawn to dusk (08: 00-18: 00). Large city markets operate from 09:00 until late evening.

What and where to buy in Delhi

Shopping in Delhi will please, first of all, those who want to buy bright souvenirs, crafts, unusual clothes and exotic products. Although in Delhi there are large shops and shopping centers selling products of popular brands, most of them take away such goods as:

Indian silk

Jewellery made of gold, silver and precious stones

Indian clothes

Dishes and decor items (paintings, figurines) in traditional style

Incense

Spice

Ayurveda Cosmetics and Health Products

Shopping in Delhi has a pronounced regional focus - different parts of the city specialize in the production and sale of a certain type of product. It is in the place of production that you can buy these products at the lowest prices and with the greatest guarantee of quality.

 Main Bazaar - the area in Pahar ganja, located opposite the New Delhi railway station - the most popular shopping place. Just crossing the busy street from the station you will immediately get to the fruit and Vegetable Street, where you can also buy freshly squeezed juice.

On the Main Bazaar, you can buy inexpensive Indian clothes, as well as clothes that are specially made for travelers, such as t-shirts with embroidery, gauze, silk and cotton skirts. Incense, spices, jewellery ornaments also occupy no small part of the shopping arcades. Here also sell musical instruments and household goods - shops near the entrance from the station. Closer to the opposite side of the street are selling Tibetan shawls, very warm and light, if gathered in the Himalayas - I highly recommend buying - 100% synthetics .

There are many shoes shops on the Main Market, but you will not find good shoes and sandals here, but practical chappals (Vietnamese) ot low price and all-different leather shoes of crazy styles and with folded socks and embroidered with gold.

At the main bazaar, besides a dozen Ayurvedic and simply pharmacies, where besides Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines you can buy Ayurvedic cosmetics, oils, masks and so on. If you have not found what you are looking for on the main street, walk along the alleys, the range may be richer. Almost all the necessary purchases can be done in the area of ​​the Main Bazaar, which is very convenient. The Nehru bazaar adjoins the Main Bazaar , branching from the central part of the MB (to the right when heading towards the station), here you can buy fruits , sweets, various kinds of tea, and after going deep into the holidays, you will see how the Indians decorate their houses, the Gods, and also a large selection of incense and paint.

Connaught or Konnaut Place: Connaught place is the center of business activity where the offices of large companies are located, but on the first floors there are many shops selling from cheap Indian consumer goods to really high-quality things, for example, leather belts, bags, personal clothes from cotton, the truth and prices are appropriate, as well as jewelry stores and workshops, where you can make a cheap custom-made beets. Konnaut is located 20 minutes on foot or 40 rupees on a rickshaw from Main Bazaar and the station.

Palika bazaar:  Palika bazaar a huge underground market between the Connaught Place and the Connaught Circus on the part of Parlemont Street, covered with lawns on top of which locals lazily lie. At the Palika bazaar, several entrances lead from different ends, framed by tents with food and peddlers. Palika bazaar is essentially an ordinary Indian bazaar, it sells mostly Indian clothes, European clothes, and also many cheap watches and equipment that I'm buying here, I think, it's not worth it. However, in the daytime it gives odds to other bazaars, since it's not hot here. Here you can buy really interesting things, for example, beautiful and quality cotton salvar kamiz, bargain unlike shops you can and need, so really buy an excellent expensive Punjabi cheaper than elsewhere. At the Palika bazaar, I also ran into the sales of factory salvar kamiz and women's clothing.

Khadi Market:  Khadi market is a two-story European type store on Konnaut. On the second floor, high-quality clothes are sold, on the first floor are non-expensive natural oils and essences, food products, natural cosmetics and body care products. Here is a wonderful choice of ayurvedic products - there are powders (churna) on sale, and if you know the names, you will be able to find them in Khadi with a high degree of probability.

Chandani Chowk - Chandani Chowk - the shopping streets of the old part of Delhi, are located opposite the Red Fort, near Jam Masjid and Old Delhi station. A large market complex differs from others in that the streets are specialized - they sell silver on one, on another with gold, on the following wood products. On the approaches to Chandani Chowk sell fruit, cheap Indian and Chinese goods, but there are some decent stores.

South Extension - one of the best market complexes in Delhi, is located on Ring Road. A huge selection of quality clothes and shoes. Prices are slightly higher than in other markets.

Khan Market - a good market complex (not far from the center) with quality clothing and footwear. Ansal Plaza is the most popular youth shopping center. Prices are quite high.

Yashvant Palace:  Yashvant or simply "Yashka" is the most popular market complex in Delhi (not far from the Russian Embassy). A huge selection of inexpensive (and expensive) jewelry products (Lyudmila Putin bought there jewelry), leather goods and medicines. The most pleasant is that all the traders speak foreign languages.

Sarojini Market (Sarogzhini Market) - recommended for backpackers, not far from "Yashka". Huge selection of clothes for hiking, prices are quite "backpacker".

What to Do

Para motor flight:  Ah yes! Flying like a bird just an hour from Delhi is possible. The Flyboy club offers an "air safari", a Paramotor flight experience that will appeal to the most adventurous of you. Enjoy the spectacular view of the New Delhi skyline and the adrenaline rush. Tested and approved!

Rock climbing:  For lovers of outdoor activities, climbing is a very original way to discover New Delhi. There are many climbing sites in nature or ripe climbing in many gyms in the city. I personally advise you to visit the Aravali Biodiversity Park in Gurgaon. It is by far the best place for climbing around Delhi. You can also see wild monkeys and even call back if you wish. I recommend going early in the morning to avoid the extremely hot sun. You will love!

Discover the city by Bicycle: Personally I find that there is no better way to discover a city than by walking or cycling. I like getting lost in the streets, discovering hidden corners while exercising. For New Delhi, I recommend cycling with an organized group. The city is very chaotic and it is better to be guided by professionals who will know which routes to take to avoid any danger.

I highly recommend the agency "Delhibycycle". They offer several options for walks in the city and you can choose the one that best suits your desires. This way, you can enjoy your ride on the bike with peace of mind without really worrying about the route or the routes to take.

Practice extreme sports: If you like to push your limits and feel the adrenaline rising, 'Village Adventure Camp' is the perfect place for you. A few miles from New Delhi, this camp offers several packages offering activities such as rope riding or obstacle courses that are fun for adults as well as for children. A day at "Village Adventure Camp" is a good way to enjoy good times with family, friends or alone.

A day at the "Kingdom of Dreams”: We all know Disney Land! Well, imagine a Disney Land Indian version. The Kingdom of Dreams or Kingdom of Dreams is a thematic park that immerses visitors in the colors and folklore of India in a very unusual way. Remember to spend a full day to enjoy it.

Attend the Changing of the Guard Ceremony: This ceremony takes place every Saturday at "Rashtrapati Bhavan" in New Delhi. It consists of replacing the old guards by the new guards of the regiment which ensures the safety of the President. The equestrian walk is very diverse. If you wish to attend the ceremony, you will have to go to Rashtrapati on Saturdays at 8 o'clock in summer or 10 o'clock in winter.

Visit the Bird Hospital: Not far from the Red Fort is a very unusual hospital that treats only birds. The Jain Hospital is located in the Digambar Complex near the Jain Temple. The hospital cares for the birds saved by locals. Visitors are allowed to observe the treatment process, participate in swimming and feeding birds from 8am to 8pm. An unusual activity not to be missed if you are in New Delhi!

Go say hello to bats at the bottom of the baholi Agrasen: After a quick tour to Connaught Place (Delhi's wealthy shopping district), we walked to Baholi Agrasen. This baholi (well) is impressive for its architecture while steps (103 in all!) Down to fifteen meters under the ground. It's almost like decorating straight out of Tomb Raider! If the place is populated by hundreds of pigeons, in the center, a strident noise and continuous plumbs the tranquillity of the place: hundreds of bats have taken advantage of the darkness in the main arch to install their nest.

Treat yourself to a bowl of culture at Dilli: Dilli Haat is one of those places where you could stay for hours, countless food stalls representing all the cultures in India serving authentic and appetizing specialties. There are also traditional jewelry stands, small decorated and artisan furniture and ethnic clothing.

Relaxation in the village of Hauz khas: Surrounded by a beautiful park called Deer Park, Hauz Khas Village is a very lively place. Cafes galore, atmospheric bars and restaurants with culinary specialties on the menu. In other words there is something for everyone. If I have to name a few (so my favorites), there is - Café Amour; Opera is a French bakery, Fork you a very nice bar, the Pink Room, Garage Inc. and Out of the Box. A lot of these places face the lake village, ideal for a moment of relaxation.

Volunteer at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Kitchen: Atmospheric Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, an important Sikh temple near Connaught Place, is not only a great place to relax for a while. It has a large kitchen where langar is prepared (free food for anyone who wants it). It is mainly made up of volunteers and you can come in and have a look around or even lend a hand. Around 10,000 meals are served every day, which requires a lot of cooking!

Listen to Qawwalis at Nizamuddin Dargah: Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the resting place of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya, attracts Sufi devotees from all over the world. On Thursday evening, his courtyard erupts with the soulful sound of live qawwalis (Sufi devotional songs) accompanied by traditional Indian instruments, which make the audience in a trance. One of the families that perform qawwalis has been singing there for hundreds of years.

Enjoy Ferris wheel Delhi Eye: The Delhi Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in all of India. It makes a full circle in 20 minutes. From it you can see all of Delhi, and with a night view.

The Ferris wheel is located on the Delhi Rides Amusement Park. There, you and your child may also like other swings or carousels, and there is even water fun in it. True, according to some reviews, the water is not very clean.

Zoological Park

The National Zoological Park is one of the best zoos in Asia. The park was opened in 1959 and is now home to 2500 animals and birds. Here is represented the wild nature of all continents: Africa, America, Australia and Asia. In the park you can see chimps, hippos, arachnids, zebras, macaques, hyenas, deer, jaguars. The underground center of reptiles will give you the opportunity to observe various snakes.