New Delhi - What to see?

Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 12:12 PM
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New Delhi - What to see?

Hi there.

I'm looking for your suggestions of what to see in New Delhi. We only have 1.5 days there, so I was wondering what are the highlights to see. We will have a driver so moving about shouldn't be too much of a problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 12:26 PM
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Jami Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Humayan's Tomb, and Qutab Minar should all be doable in your timeframe.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 02:44 PM
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Jantar Mantar, Tughlaqabad, Tomb of Safdarjang, son et lumiere at Red Fort.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 02:47 PM
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Its good to have a driver but don't underestimate Delhi traffic.

Craig's list, no pun intended is fine. I would add the Lotus Temple and the home of Indira Ghandi which has been turned into a shrine to her. I have seen it twice and have been moved both times. You can see her bullet ridden sari and the shredded clothing her son wore when he was killed by a suicide bomber.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 09:22 PM
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LOL, Jacketwatch. You took the words out of my mouth about traffic. And yes to Craig's list. Your driver will know the route for all these as they are often done on the "tourist circuit." 1.5 days in Del even with driver isn't like 1.5 days in the "west." Also, Robric, is this your first stop in India?? If so, stop after a don't overdo it--you'll have to get over jet lag and in general, get accustomed to India!!!! In what area are you staying?
Are you going to Agra? The reason i ask is that with limited time, you can instead of seeing the Delhi Red Fort, see the one in Agra, built around the same time, same architects (i think--getting rusty--time for a return trip).
Also, Jacketwatch, thanks for suggestion about Indira Gandhi's home. Haven't been yet. Gives another reason to return to Delhi--s city I love-- and fight the horrible air pollution!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 09:57 PM
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Its a shrine to her lfke and the spot where she was shot a feel never to rise again is memorialized too.. CaliNurse if you get the chance do see it.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2015, 10:18 PM
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Thanks again for the recomendation, JW.
To Robric--i also love Haus Khaz Village in New Delhi. Great little interesting shops and at the end of the path, an archeological site with a lovely reservoir.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2015, 09:47 AM
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Cali I have no idea how my intended message got so messed up. As I read it it seemed like someone edited it so here's what I meant to say.
Its a shrine to her life and the spot in the garden where she was assassinated is marked too. I have seen it twice and been moved each time so yes see it if you get a chance. Whew. .



http://www.aroundthisworld.com/indir...e-delhi-india/
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Old Jun 23rd, 2015, 12:12 PM
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Actually our visit to Indira Gandhi's residence was also a very moving experience and I highly recommend a stop here, if you can fit it in. There is only so much you can do however with the traffic and it being India, after all. If you are lucky enough to have a Sunday in Delhi, traffic will be lighter. Also, I did not include the Red Fort, because I did assume that you would be visiting Agra Fort in Agra. We've also been to the Lotus Temple, but that does not represent a religion that is unique to India (there is a Bahai temple in Chicago), so I did not mention that...
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Old Jun 24th, 2015, 03:26 AM
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What I liked about the lotus temple was its beautiful design. Yes we too like in the Chicago area and have been to the Bahai temple here.
http://www.bahaihouseofworship.in/
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Old Jun 24th, 2015, 05:37 AM
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A better alternative to Lotus temple could be the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (in case you want a closer look at religious places). It is also very close to the city centre (a 5-7 minute auto-rickshaw drive from New Delhi railway station).

Have a great trip.
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Old Jun 24th, 2015, 09:33 PM
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We also had 1.5 days there and wanted to include shopping. Here is what we did:

Day 1
Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, dinner, Bollywood movie

Day 2
Anokhi Outlet, Haus Khaz Village, a few more shops, lunch, long walk, Humayan's Tomb

Sorry to have missed Indira Ghandi's house. Also found out about an art walk too late. Check out Time Out for current exhibitions.
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Old Jun 25th, 2015, 05:06 AM
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Or this.
http://akshardham.com/
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 12:04 PM
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Thank you all for your suggestions. Jacket watch Akshardham looks amazing. Too bad cameras aren't allowed.
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 12:11 PM
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Calinurse I appreciate what you said about getting accostomed to India as well as dealing with jet lag. Yes it's our first trip to India. Crossing off another bucket list item. We are staying at a very basic hotel in Delhi close to Paharganj . I understand that area of the city can be very colourful too.
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 12:25 PM
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I know. It is amazing though a little out of the way. Still quite a sight however.
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 12:36 PM
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Paharganj "colorful"? LOL--that's a euphemism!! I If you're taking a train from the big station there , it is very convenient location.
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 10:22 PM
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Beware of those cheap hotels in Paharganj! Every other individual alighting from the trains make a beeline for these hotels. Hygiene suffers and so would you, if you are not careful. I would recommend the Taj hotels low-cost Ginger Yatri Niwas, just outside the New Delhi Rail station, but on the side opposite to Paharganj. Even here ask for crisp washed bed linen and towels. The rooms/washrooms are elementary but clean. There is a reasonably ok restaurant, where you can have hot-cooked meals, eschewing meats and cold stuff!!
Old Delhi is just 10 minutes from this place and so is Connaught Place. You could add a few more destinations for sightseeing, to the ones already ably mentioned above. The Nicholsons cemetery, Skinners church (ponder over the epitaph of James Skinners below the altar) and ask the chowkidar at William Frazers building, directly behind the church, now housing a government office to allow you to read the placard inside...the house initially belonged to Shah Jehan's Uzbek chieftain and has a 'taikhana' extending all the way to the river yamuna, locked up for good!
Your walk now takes you to Chandani Chowk, where at the entry you can visit the Bird's hospital in the Digambar temple; Kinari market (Hindu wedding articles sold here); Sheesh Ganj Sikh Temple, very photogenic and listen to the holy hymns being sung here; Try some Indian sweets at the Ghantewala shop, extant from the days of the Mughals; Spice Market and as you watch the dry-fruits being sold, with smells of spices in your nostrils, you will see an iron gate on your left. The stairs up the building will take you to the top from where you can have a Bird's eye-view of Old Delhi.
Keep your hand sanitizer at hand, though!
And don't forget to buy your better-half some delightful pashminas from South Delhi Boutiques.
Happy Travels!!
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 11:41 PM
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Mr VP Singh, you are, as usual, a treasure chest of knowledge and inspiration!!! Thanks for adding to the list, including places I'd never heard of before you mentioned them above. No matter how I say "No more Delhi" (cough sneeze wheeze!) --it's irresistible! And it's full of marvelous homestays/small guest houses!!!
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 08:14 PM
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Thanks for appreciating, CaliNurse!
We value your insights as well.
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