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DILLI HAAT
 A
delightful amalgam of crafts, foods and cultures. Dilli Haat is
the first ever permanent fair for crafts, regional foods and
cultural activities in India spread over a six acre and situated
in the heart of the city.
Dilli Haat is an upgraded variance of 'traditional-haat'. The
craftsmen from all over India and the cultural activities provide
a panoramic view of the richness traditions and culture as well as
regional cuisine.
APPU GHAR
A
Mini-Disneyland
Appu Ghar in New Delhi is a crowd puller for the residents of the
capital as well as those of neighbouring towns. Children will have
a time of their life over here, while the enjoying the various
rides.
The Swinging Sensations
Appu Ghar has the usual fare of exciting games like Roller
Coaster, the Big Splash, Dodgem Cars,
 the
Eerie Tunnel, Giant Wheel, Columbus Jhoola - a ship high up in the
sky, the Speeding Cup, a Cable Car, a Saucer that works on
centrifugal force and lots more.
Ice Games
Appu Ghar has now introduced Ice Games at OYSTERS, where four
acres of the Water Park have been blanketed with ice for winter
sports. These include sledding, skiing, ice boating, where one can
row through a river full of icebergs and bowling on ice.
Amusements for the grown ups are also available over here such as
Rain Dance, Ice Dance all to the tune of fast music and according
to the seasons in Delhi. This water park is the best place to cool
down the sultry summer heat.
The entry to the park is from Gate No. 4 at Pragati Maidan and
remains open on all days of the week. One can visit the park on
Mondays to Saturdays from 1.30 to 9.30pm and on Sundays from Noon
to 9.30pm.
CHANDNI CHOWK
It was the eyes and ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts and
is today
 one
of the country's best known wholesale markets for textiles,
electronic goods and watches. The entire area was designed by
Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter and was then
inhabited by the well-to-do families of that time. There is
however a word of caution and that is that there are several
elements who are believed to be selling duplicate goods and the
tourist needs to be careful about this
BIRLA MANDIR
 It
is another landmark close to Connaught Place and was built by
industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an
important prayer site and contains idols of several deities.
Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also
a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.
LOTUS TEMPLE
 Is
a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is
visible from several spots in south Delhi. Located in Kalkaji in
the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given
the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is
open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and
obtaining peace and tranquility.
RED FORT
Another marvel
of architecture is the Red Fort and it could perhaps be singled
out as yet another monument, which should not escape the tourist's
eyes. Known as lal qila (lal means red and qila means fort). It is
laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon.
It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in
circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. The Mughal King Shah
Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was
completed in 1648, nine years after the king shifted to this city.
The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori
Gate, which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market.
Shah Jahan, incidentally was also the king who built the Taj Mahal
of Agra. The fort has the Diwan-e-am, where the king would grant
audience to the public to listen to their problems. The other
feature is the Diwan-e-Khas (khas means special) where the king
would grant audience to important people.
Besides this, is the Rang Mahal, the water-cooled apartment for
the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where
several traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal
rates. Another attraction is the Light and Sound Show held in the
evenings.
BANGLA SAHEB
Near Connaught
Place in New Delhi, a vast and magnificent building that once
belonged to Raja Jai Singh of Amber now stands stately Gurdwara
Bangla Sahib, in memory of Guru Har Krishan ji. Guru Har Rai ji
had two sons, Ram Rai was elder and the younger Har Krishan.
 Ram
Rai had displeased his father on account of his manifesting
miracles despite strict instructions not to do so as it was
against the Sikh faith. Guru Har Rai ji had thus ordained Guruship
to his younger son Har Krishan. Through a cunning and crafty
design, the deranged and distraught Ram Rai involved Emperor
Aurangzeb against the succession. The Emperor ordered Raja Jai
Singh to get Guru Harkrishan ji to see him in Delhi. The Raja was
a great devotee of the Sikh Guru's and he knew the true story of
the succession too. The Raja instead of presenting the Guru before
the King, made him his own guest. It so happened that at time
Delhi was inflamed with the epidemic of smallpox and people in
large gatherings had been visiting the Guru continuously. The Guru
thus could not escapee the attack of smallpox and he left for his
heavenly abode in 1664 at the tender age of just eight. It is at
this place where the Guru breathed his last and the big palace was
converted into an inspiring Gurdwara now known as Gurdwara Bangla
Sahib, which is a sacred place for pilgrimage with the Sikhs
SIS GANJ GURUDWARA
It is believed
that the night Guru Tegh Bahadur was murdered along with three of
his
 disciples
it was raining very heavily. Because of the fear of the Mughals
nobody came to pick the bodies up that night. The next day the
head of the Guru was taken to Anandpur Sahib and the body to where
Gurdwara Rakab Ganj is now situated. A century later a devotee
named Baba Baghel Singh searched and found this place and had this
place of worship constructed here.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib embraced martyrdom in Delhi on November
11th, 1675. Bhai Jaita and his associates brought his head to
Chakk Nanaki. The cremation of the head of Guru Sahib was held
here on November 17th, 1675. The trunk of that tree under which
the Guru was martyred and the well where he took his daily bath
while in prison are preserved here to this day.
KALKAJI KALI TEMPLE
3 km to the south of Humayun tomb and west of Mathura Rd, the Rock
Edict of King Ashoka was discovered in 1963. At a little distance,
there is 18th century Kalkaji Kali Temple.
JANTAR MANTAR
The fabled
Connaught Place area created and envisioned by the legendary
architect, Lutyens, boasts of an observatory of yore in the form
of Jantar Mantar.According to the rays of the Sun falling on it,
it helped the people calculate to some extent the time of the day.
Jantra(yantra-meaning instrument) and
 mantra-formula)
was built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, who later built
observatories on the same lines in Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and
Mathura. According to historical records, the Maharaja found the
then existing astronomical instruments to record totally accurate
observations and so he decided that such bigger structures should
be constructed. The instruments at Jantar mantar are fascinating
for their novel approach, though as opf today, they cannot be
relied upon to give the kind of accuracy that they gave then
because of the growth of multistoreyed structures around it which
block the avenues of measurement. At one time the lawns in the
area were used as a spot for protestors who found it convenient to
reach Parliament House from there. But recently a host of them
were removed from there and the area restored to its pristine
glory.
ISHCKON TEMPLE
 It
stands at Hari Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar Main Road, East of
Kailash.The magnificent temple has sikharas at a height of 90 feet
above the ground level. The hall of the temple is centrally
air-cooled with a capacity to accommodate about 1,500 people.
There are beautiful paintings of Russian artists on the different
past times of Radha Krishna, Sita, Ram, Laxman, hanuman and
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The temple remains open from 4.30 a.m. to 12
p.m. and then in the evening from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Special
programmes like kirtan, aarti, pravachan and prasadam, are held
every Sunday between 12 nooon to 3 p.m.
OLD
FORT
It is 4 km away from Connaught Circus to the S-East of India Gate,
the foundation of this Fort was started by Humayun in 1530 but
remained incomplete as he was defeated by Afghan hero
Sher-Shah-Suri in 1541. It is located in the pre-historical
Indraprastha (as is surveyed and proved in 1955 findings) of the
Mahabharata and completed by Sher Shah as the 6th city or Killa or
the Fort. Later it was named Shergarh.
On the 3 sides by Jamuna. From 3rd BC to pre-Mughal period, there
was fort in Indraprastha. Humayun built a new one.
Old Indraprastha became Dinpanaha. The Fort was encircled with
high walls having 3 main entrances. Entering through the Zoo
Garden or the Talaki Entrance of north, you will see the octogonal
peaks made of sand stones on Sher Manzil. After the death of
Sher-Shah-Suri in 1548, Humayun recaptured Delhi in 1555 defeating
Sher Shah' son Islam Shah. Humayun also destroyed Shergarh.
However, Sher Manjil founded by Sher Shah became Humayun's
library.
HUMAYUN'S TOMB
 Humayun's
tomb is a grand affair, built by his widow who brought 300
craftsmen from Persia for this job. This magnificent tomb in red
sandstone, crowned by a glorious double-dome in marble stands on a
terrace, Char Bagh-the authentic Islamic lay out for a paradise on
earth. Four canals divide the garden into four sections. In the
central domed chamber is Humayun's grave lying in isolated
grandeur. Some less fortunate later Mughal princes are also buried
here. In 1857, Bahadur shah II sought refuge in the tomb but was
captured, tried and exiled.
RAJGHAT
4 km away from
Janpath to the N-East of Feroz Shah near Delhi Gate at Ring Rd on
the bank of Jamuna situated Rajghat. Jawaharlal Nehru Rd also ends
opp. Rajghat. On 31st Jan. 1948, Mahatma Gandhi's last rites was
performed here. The memorial stone of Gandhi is square in shape
made of black stone. His last ward- 'Hey Ram' is inscribed on it.
Ordinary people, VIPs, foreign tourists all come here at Rajghat
to pay their homage to him. On every Friday (the day of his death)
a prayer is being held. Except Monday, a regular feature of
projecting Gandhi philosophy in picture, sculpture and photos from
10-00 to 17-00 is being performed at Rajghat. Besides, there is
Gandhi Memorial Museum projecting his life and the philosophy of
Sarvodaya Movement in film from 9-30 to 17-30 except Thursday and
on Sunday at 16-00 in Hindi and 17-00 in English.
Another Gandhi memorial is Gandhi Balidansthal or assassinated
spot at Tis January Marg of the city. On 30 Jan. 1948 on his way
to prayer at Biral Bhawan , he was assassinated by bullets. Hence,
this memorial.
DOLLS MUSEUM
 Sankar's
International Dolls Museum was founded in 1954. More than 6000
Variety representing almost 85 countries of the world are on
display in the museum. Dolls of Japan deserves special mention.
However, 1/3 of total dolls is Indian - Indian cultural and the
cultural life style has been projected in the fashions of dolls.
The ticket is Re 1. Except Monday open every day from 10-00 to
17-00. Besides, there is B C Roy Children's Library and children's
play corner. The doll museum is situated at Nehru House close to
Income Tax Office at Bahadur Sah Jaffar Marg near Delhi Gate.
NATIONAL
MUSEUM
 The
National Museum is some of India's most prestigious institutions.
The Indus Valley displays many antiquities excavated from
Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images and pots,
jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculptures.
The most outstanding object here is teh lyrical bronze Dancing
Girl
There are a number of rare manuscripts and miniature
paintings,textiles,coins and tribal art, but the museum's most
significant gallery is the one of Central Asian exhibits.
Address : National Museum Janpath, New delhi
NATIONAL RAIL
MUSEUM
 National
Rail Museum - National Rail Museum is located In Chanakya
Puri. It is unique in its collection of rail engines and
locomotives. India was among the countries which had railway lines
since 19th century. The locomotives in the museums are displayed
in open. But they also have a small in house museum which gives
the details of the progress and development in the history of
railway in India.
RAJGHAT
4 km away from
Janpath to the N-East of Feroz Shah near Delhi Gate at Ring Rd on
the bank of Jamuna situated Rajghat. Jawaharlal Nehru Rd also ends
opp. Rajghat. On 31st Jan. 1948, Mahatma Gandhi's last rites was
performed here. The memorial stone of Gandhi is square in shape
made of black stone. His last ward- 'Hey Ram' is inscribed on it.
Ordinary people, VIPs, foreign tourists all come here at Rajghat
to pay their homage to him. On every Friday (the day of his death)
a prayer is being held. Except Monday, a regular feature of
projecting Gandhi philosophy in picture, sculpture and photos from
10-00 to 17-00 is being performed at Rajghat. Besides, there is
Gandhi Memorial Museum projecting his life and the philosophy of
Sarvodaya Movement in film from 9-30 to 17-30 except Thursday and
on Sunday at 16-00 in Hindi and 17-00 in English.
Another Gandhi memorial is Gandhi Balidansthal or assassinated
spot at Tis January Marg of the city. On 30 Jan. 1948 on his way
to prayer at Biral Bhawan , he was assassinated by bullets. Hence,
this memorial.
DOLLS MUSEUM
Sankar's
International Dolls Museum was founded in 1954. More than 6000
Variety representing almost 85 countries of the world are on
display in the museum. Dolls of Japan deserves special mention.
However, 1/3 of total dolls is Indian - Indian cultural and the
cultural life style has been projected in the fashions of dolls.
The ticket is Re 1. Except Monday open every day from 10-00 to
17-00. Besides, there is B C Roy Children's Library and children's
play corner. The doll museum is situated at Nehru House close to
Income Tax Office at Bahadur Sah Jaffar Marg near Delhi Gate.
SAFDARJUNG'S TOMB
 Representing
the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang's
Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden.
Built in 1753 by Nawab Shauja-ud-Daula to house the remains of his
father, who was a minister in the Mughal court, the tomb is
referred to as the "last flicker in the lamp of Mughal
architecture." It shows how the grace and simplicity of he Mughals
had been overtaken by decadence. The tomb also has a mosque.
JAMA MASJID
Work on the Jama
Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers
toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India.
Every Friday, the emperor and his retinue would travel in state
from the fort to the mosque to attend the congressional prayers.
A fine example of Mughal architecture, the Jama Masjid has three
gateways. The largest and highest on the east was reserve
exclusively for the emperor. The main courtyard of the emperor.
The main courtyard of the mosque is 408 square feet and paved with
red stone. In the centre is a large marble tank in which the
devout wash before attending prayers.
The main mosque is crowned by three onion shaped domes made of
white marble and inlaid with stripes of black slate. On the north
and south of the complex are two 130 feet high minarets which
offer a spectacular bird's eye-view of the city. Jama Masjid is
not only architecturally beautiful, but also a place of great
religious significance as it houses a hair from the beard of the
Prophet and also a chapter of the Holy Quran written by him.
RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN
 Formely
the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen's New
Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound
sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340
rooms.
At one time, 2,000 people were required to look after the building
and serve the Viceroy's household. The lodge also has impressive
garden called the Mughal Garden, which is open to public twice in
a year, usually in February and March.
QUTUB MINAR
13 km to the south of Connaught Circus at Lalkote of 8th century
Tomor Rajputs, the 72.5 m high Victory Pillar stands as a victory
stand of a Muslim King Kutub-ud-din-Aibak in India. At Kila Roy
Pithora, on the dilapidated fort of the last Hindu king Prithwiraj,
this victory stand was made like throne in Gajni. In 1199
Kutub-ud-Din started its construction and it was completed in 1236
by Iltutmish, the son-in-law of Kutub. However, there is a 2nd
opinion. Some say, the construction came to an end around 1357-68
during the reign of Feroz Sah Tughlak.
However, the Kutub which was built in Afghan style underwent
repairing and remaking for more than occasions. Revolving steps of
flights are 367 in number in slightly leaned Kutub. It has some
spl features- at its root the radius is being 14.40 m which
gradually reduced at its top to 2.44 m. In Kupee language it has
been inscribed on Kutub that- The Tower was erected to cast the
shadow of God over both East and West. Aayaat from Quran is also
inscribed. At the foot of the Minar a Mosque was built in 1197.
The 5 storeyed Qutub Minar is a remarkable instance of sculpture
in India. The 1st floor made of sand stone by Kutub, the 2nd & 3rd
floors made of sand stone by Iltutmis and the 4th and 5th in both
sand stone and marble by Feroz Shah Tughlok in 1368.
However, the earthquake of 1803 destroyed it , in 1829 British
Major Robert Smith re-built the tomb. Later the tomb was brought
down from the Minar and reset it in the garden beside. In 1981,
some students died of stampade while on their way up the steps of
flights. Since then, ascending 5th floor is forbidden and not more
than a group of 4 at a time is permitted to ascent only upto 1st
floor of Kutub. Recently, Kutub is enshrined with huge lighting.
INDIA GATE
 Straight
down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan along a magnificent view and
totally unhampered drive is India Gate, which is primarily a
memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Designed by Lutyens, the 42 metre
high structure is a war memorial in honor of the soldiers who died
during the Second World War. The imposing structure from where
stretch massive lush green lawns has an eternal flame (amar jawan
jyoti) to honor the memory of the unknown soldiers. A popular
picnic spot, one can see hoarders of people moving about the area
and on the lawns on summer evenings.
PRAGATI MAIDAN
On the left of this Zoo, there is Pragati Maidan. Founded in 1982
on the eve of Asian Games. Various Trade Fairs are being organised
throughout the year. States have found their permanent stalls here
with their products and merchandises. There are different museums
set up here on different items of Indology. Visit Nehru Pavilion,
Defense Pavilion, Indira Pavilion, Son of India Pavilion, Village
Complex comprising of 7 acres of land, Energy is Life, Craft
Museum with the collections of 20000 specimens of weaving products
metal products - Daru and wooden products- earthen moulds and
images and artifice along with other sculptural and cultural
specimens for your entertainment from 10-00 to 17-00. On holidays
it remains open till 20-00. At No 5 gate of Pragati, aiming at
entertainment for the children, Appu Ghar Amusement Park, 3318681
has been founded, open from 12-00 to 20-00. Open from 12-00 to
20-00. Govt of India's Tourist Dept have founded Open Air Theatre
here at Killa. Opp to it is Supreme Court.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN
ART
Located in the Jaipur House near India Gate. The building was the
palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It has around 4,000 paintings of
modern artists and also included are graphics and sculptures.
 The
gallery arranges special exhibitions for those who wish to exhibit
their works. Rabindranath, Abanindranath, Nanadalal Bose, Jamini
Roy, Amrita Shergil and other's creative works are on display.
This gallery has a huge collection of art and literature and
journal on art and culture and painting of old and modern
schooling. At Chanakyapuri behind Bhutan House, except Monday and
national holidays, in the months of April to September daily
between 9-30 to 19-00 and Oct-March Open from 10-00 to 17-00. The
gallery also houses a library which can be used by museum, which
is open from 1000 hours to 1700 hours, is closed on all holidays
and observes Monday as its weekly off.
CONNAUGHT PLACE
One of Delhi's most popular shopping centres built as early as
1931 there is nothing that one cannot buy here and it also has
several eating houses.
 The
state emporia buildings are also located in this area so are the
head offices of major banks, airlines and other such things of
importance to the tourist. The complex popularly referred to as CP
is an important meeting points for all sections of people and is
something which no tourist should miss if for nothing else then
for its architecture and the humdrum of everyday life.
JANPATH
Janpath is one of the busiest roads in New Delhi. Tourism Dept
Office of Govt of India is at 88 Janpath. You may seek their
assistance Monday to Friday from 9-00 to 18-00 and on Saturday
from 9-00 to 13-00. Sunday closed. Janpath meets Rajpath going
further south. To the east of Rajpath is India Gate and to the
west is Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan. To the further
south there is the posh area of New Delhi - Defence Colony, Lodhi
Colony, Greater Kailash, Basanta Bihar etc.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is towards further S-West from
Rajpath via Dalhousie Rd/Sardar Patel Marg/Parade Rd. On the way
various foreign Consulates and Embassies there is Diplomatic
Enclave Chanakyapuri. Many star hotels are also located in
Chanakyapuri.
MUGHAL GARDEN
 Situated
within the President's Estate, these gardens boast of the finest
varieties of roses in the country besides other flowers, which are
maintained with the utmost care and thought. The lawns of the
gardens are the place where the President hosts tea parties.
Besides this there are several artificial ponds where one can get
to see a variety of fish and perhaps one of the most interesting
sights are the almost romantically designed fountains illuminated
with multicoloured lights
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