 Escape
the noise and mass of humanity by going Ballooning. The
Balloon Club of India on 8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, telephone
3317977 is a wonderful way to view the surrounding area.
Check it out…you won’t be disappointed. Balloons generally hold
from one to ten people and can rise to heights of over 800
feet. The other place to contact regarding this sport is
Wanderlust located opposite the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. Contact
them on 6875200 for more information.
 You
cannot visit Delhi and not go to the Chandni Chowk
The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar
known as Chandni Chowk. At the East end of the Chandni Chowk and
North of the Jama Masjid,
there is a Jain Temple with a small marble courtyard surrounded
by a colonnade. The
West end of Chandni Chowk is marked by the Fatehpuri Mosque which
was erected in 1650 by one of Shah Jahan's wives. It is the nerve
centre of old Delhi, and is really a huge marketplace. Open since
1654, it begins in front of Red Fort and is one of the largest
wholesale centres in Asia. Clusters of shops sell everything from
electronic products, watches and clocks to traditional Indian
goods and tourist trinkets. Be warned that an afternoon in Chandni
Chowk is not for the faint of heart. Come prepared to be jostled
around by all manner of shoppers, shopkeepers, panhandlers,
rickshaw-riders and the rest of the teeming mass of bodies that
crowd the area's lanes and stores. Still, it is a vibrant part of
Delhi where you can look up and sense, if only for a moment, how
life must have been in Mughal times. The homes open into the
narrow alleys, and you can spot old courtyards, stone doorways and
filigreed windows. This is Delhi at its most chaotic -- an assault
on all your senses. Plan at least half a day to stroll through
this perennially packed area.
 Meander
around the grounds of the Chattarpur Mandir This
entire complex of
temples is called Chattarpur Mandir and is located beyond the
Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, built in
South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area
with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these
temples through the year, during the navratras, devotees come from
near and far.
 Another
brilliant way to escape the hum of Delhi is to go
Gliding
as it is certainly a lot quieter than being on terra firma. For
information on this peaceful activity give the Delhi Gliding Club,
at Safdarjung Airport a call on 4436052. They have daily
flights departing anytime from 1 pm till sunset except Wednesdays.
Excellent western air disturbances make it possible to glide
as far a field as Calcutta from here, although typically flights
are less ambitious. Generally, the best seasons are September to
November and March to June.
 Pay
a visit to
Hauz Khas
Village
This historic village in south Delhi has been encompassed by urban
Delhi. It is now considered a green suburb, with an eclectic
collection of boutiques, restaurants and art studios. Village tea
stalls, stray dogs and the most expensive designer couture all
coexist in the same surreal space. It can be found next to the
Green Park, Delhi.
If you
are travelling with kids or just want to enjoy a pleasant evening
with your partner, then pay a visit to the
Musical
Fountain at Ajmal
Khan Park
This is spread over an area of five acres and provides a
refreshing getaway from the bustle
of the city. The musical fountain is in operation for two
hours every day after sunset except on Tuesday. For further
details, please call 3524834
Check
out
Old
Delhi.
It was built by the
fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal. Within
this area of enclosed streets, mosques, tombs and bazaars, are the
Red Fort and the famous mosque, Jam Masjid. The succession of
buildings, palaces, pavillions and halls of public and private
audience within, are silent witnesses of a by gone grandeur.
 Explore
the
Red Fort.
The red sandstone walls of Lal Qila, the Red Fort, extend for two
km and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33
metres on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the
massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The Red Fort
dates from the very peak of Mughal power. Enclosed in this
glorious Fort is Diwan-i-am, the hall meant for public audiences;
Diwan-i-khas, where private audiences were granted;
Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment of the royal ladies; the
Pearl Mosque, a lovely, ornate dream in white marble. The Prime
Minister of India addresses the nation
from this age old Fort, on India’s Independence day.
 Another
relaxing experience that the whole family can enjoy and is worth
every minute of your time spent here is the Sound and Light
Show at Purana Quila
The historic Purana Qila, which has stood witness to Delhi’s
rejuvenation, periods of anarchy and the rise and fall of empires,
is the venue for the spectacular sound and light show which brings
alive the history of the capital. The viewer is transported back
in time
 to
where Delhi, the great empire rose and fell; where citadels of
emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity
whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose
present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life force of
India. For details about the show contact 4629365, 4603178
Don't
miss some of the excellent
Museums and Galleries
where India's ancient history is revealed.
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