Delhi Tourism: Purana Qila in Delhi

Delhi can well be called the city of ‘monumental landmarks’ – quite literally! Out of the plenty that are sprinkled in the city, there are few that have stood the test of time and have witnessed the country’s growth over several decades, including the mighty Old Fort. Sitting in the heart of city, the Old Fort has an impressive backdrop. Directly translated from its Indian name, ‘Purana Qila’, it was founded by the Mughal King, Humayun in the middle of the 14th century.

The Structure and it’s History:

The mighty walls of the fort are about 18 meters high and run for 1.5 kilometres peripherally. It has three entrances – Bara Darwaza, Humayun’s Gate and the Talaqi Gate. The structure is primarily made of sandstone representative of the material used in other structures built under the regime of Humayun. White and coloured marble inlays have been used in places to give it deign interest. Parts of the fort reek of Mughal grandeur where architecture is concerned. This is seen in the elaborate balconies and pavilions.

Bara-Darwaza-Purana-Qula-Delhi

It is said that Humayun built the qila as a refuge for the learned men for all Islamic sects. It was also known as the city of Dinpanah or ‘Refuge of the Faithful’! It is said that eminent thinkers used the venue for discussions on theology under the patronage of the emperor.

Purana Qila and the Modern Topography of Delhi:

During the Commonwealth Games, the Old Fort was one of the few monuments that were illuminated in the evenings to make the cityscape look impressive. If one went down Mathura Road during the games, the qila was brightly lit, making a resplendent setting.

Purana-Qila-Ramparts

Given that the fort is open to public all days, do not be surprised to see this monument double up as a venue for young couples and families to spend time.

Opening Times: 

The summer timings of the Qila are 12.00 p.m to 7.00 p.m. In the winters, the timings change to 11.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m. Do check the timings before entry. The Purana Qila is open on all days

Sunset-Purana-Qila

Entry Fee: 

The fees for Indian citizens is Rs 5/- and for foreign nationals it is Rs 100/-. (These might be subject to change so please check at the counter).

What to See: 

The light and sound show at the Purana Qila is choreographed to tell the story of the empire of seven cities within Delhi and the highlights the important features of the fort. This is a great way to add context to your trip instead of just seeing the structure. The show is held daily after sunset.

Sher-Mandal

Delhi Tourism: Picnic spots in Delhi

A jazz festival in Nehru Park, a football game in the Mahatma Gandhi Park and a long walk with your dog in Lodhi gardens – the parks and gardens of Delhi have finally got their sheen back and ‘Delhi-walahs’ are enjoying them to the max! Once you have exhausted yourself with all the historical monuments, museums and galleries, what could be a better place to relax, pack your picnic baskets and dust your Frisbees and head out to any of these parks.

1. Lodhi Gardens – 

A set of weathered yet timeless monuments make a wonderful backdrop to the well manicured Lodhi gardens. A walker’s paradise, you can also spread your fare and enjoy a day with the family in a nice shady spot! Children and pets enjoy the maximum as there is plenty space to run freely. Don’t forget to clean up after the picnic! Lodhi Gardens is accessible by auto rickshaws from any part of Delhi. Use the meter fare for getting here. The closest metro station is Jor Bagh from where it is minimum fare in an auto.

Lodhi-garden

2. Nehru Park – 

If you have a soft spot for pets and love making new furry friends, you will find many like mined people with their pets here. It’s also a great venue for outdoor festivals and concerts which usually allow people to bring their dogs. Centrally located, many buses play on the route. Auto rickshaws are also available easily.

Nehru-park

3. Deer Park – 

A convenient distance from three residential hubs (Hauz Khas, Green Park and Safdarjung Enclave), the Deer Park is a huge expanse of forest like topography with walking paths made for convenience. Small grassy patches or shades can be used as picnic spots. It’s great for kids as you can often spot deer and birds in this lush expanse. Green Park station is the closes metro point from Deer Park. From there you can get an auto at minimum fare.

Deer-park

4. Garden of Five Senses – 

Close to the Mehrauli Heritage Area in Delhi, the Garden of Five Senses is built on 20 acres of land and subtly merges natural and architectural expression. It’s a botanical extravaganza with an array of plants. The park also has some more sections like the amphitheatre, solar energy park and an artists’ corner. One can spend the whole day here with plenty of activities or just relaxing in a grassy patch. Free buses ply from Qutub Minar to the Garden of Five Senses.

Garden-Five-Senses

5. Shalimar Garden – 

Given the history of Delhi was closely woven with the Mughals, we see the percolation of this perspective in the gardens as well. The Shalimar Garden is located in Central Delhi and serves as a historical place, as Aurangzeb was crowned the emperor of Delhi here. The Shalimar garden lies in the northern part of the city which is connected by metro and buses at ISBT. From there it is a short ride. If you are visiting the Delhi University area, the gardens can be visited in a man driven rickshaw as well.

Shalimar-garden

Things to do in Delhi

We want our visitors to get an authentic view of India, where the sights, smells, tastes and traditions of our diverse and incredible country are lived rather than observed.

So here we’ve put together our top twelve insider tips for getting the most out of the nation’s capital, Delhi.

The crucial – the places every Delhi visitor must experience

1 See the world’s tallest brick minaret

Symbolic and imposing, Qutub Minar is one of the first and finest examples of Indo-Islam architecture around. Don’t settle for viewing it across the city – get up close and marvel at the detail.

Qutub-Minar

2 Go inside an emperor’s tomb

Humayun lived the high life and fought a few wars, but it was reading that killed him. The 14th century royal died after falling down the steps of his library. The majestic resting place built for him is now a World Heritage Site and is highly recommended by visitors.

Humayun-tomb

3 Stroll around a spice market

Your senses will be spun in Khari Baoli, Delhi’s huge and frantic spice market. Try not to sneeze when your nose sucks up the powders of every known spice on earth.

Khari-Baoli-Spice-Market-Delhi

4 Picnic at India Gate

As well as being the largest war memorial in India, commemorating members of the British Indian Army who fought in WW1, Lutyen’s India Gate is Delhi’s top spot for a packed lunch, attracting thousands of people every weekend to relax on its surrounding lawns.

5 Be enlightened at the Lotus Temple

Architecture doesn’t come with more wow factor than this. It’s a little known fact the lotus-shaped Bahá’í House of Worship attracts more visitors than either the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal. An awesome expressionist design that seems perfectly suited to the Bahá’í philosophy of spiritual unity.

The hip – things to do Delhi if you want to go native with the Delhiites

6 Get an intellectual fix

Overlooking the famous Lodhi Gardens (the 90 acre city park that’s definitely worth a wander) is Delhi’s favourite cultural hotspot, the India International Centre. The Rockefeller Foundation funds this large venue, which offers everything from theatre, dance and film to music and seminars.

India-International-Center-Delhi

7 Hang out in Chandni Chowk

With its burgeoning population, most of Delhi is a bustling and frenetic place. If the city maelstrom has a centrepoint, then it is surely Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s oldest street and legendary trading post. Stretching from the Red Fort to the Fatehpuri Masjid mosque, if you only eat one paranthe and ride one rickshaw, make sure you do it here.

Chandni-Chowk-Delhi

8 Coffee in Khan Market

The middle-classes of Delhi like to spend their rupees in the cool cafes and international chain stores of Khan Market, near Lodhi Gardens. Italian joint Big Chill, with its rich chocolate desserts, is a favourite with the city’s celebrities. It also has 14,000 fans on Facebook!

9 Watch a film in the Regal

Delhi has lived in the shadow of Mumbai when it comes to film, but cinema is still Delhi’s favourite pastime. And lately the city is becoming more fashionable in Bollywood, as a generation of Delhi-born directors and actors achieve success; Ashkay Kumar, star of 2009’s Bollywood-meets-kung-fu spectacular ‘Chandni Chowk to China’, is one such star. There are plenty of shiny multiplexes to choose from, but if you want something unrefined, see what’s showing at the faded Regal Theatre in Connaught Place, where Noel Coward once trod the boards.

Regal-cinema-Connaught-Place-New_Delhi

And the quirky…

10 Learn more than you need to know about toilets

You may never get a chance to visit another lavatory museum, so while you’re in Delhi, take the opportunity to investigate Sulabh International Toilet Museum. Here you’ll find a golden toilet, a toilet designed for elephants, and an array of pictures, stories and artefacts that will fill you with washroom wisdom.

11 Explore the Delhi metro

If you need to escape from the heat and hubbub, go underground for a while. Delhi’s clean and cool metro system is a world away from the streets above and is usually a stress-free way to get around. Even monkeys have been known to ride it.

Delhi-Metro-Station

12 See the Red Fort at night

Locals say that to visit Delhi and not see the Red Fort is like not visiting Delhi at all. But save a trip here until evening time, when the capital’s number one attraction stages a daily sound and light show. With the fort walls bathed in colour and with a vocal narration of Delhi’s history, it’s a dreamlike experience full of special effects that create a strong and haunting sense of bygone days.

Red-Fort-Delhi