Top 10 Delhi

130 Pages·2017·26.64 MB·English

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
TOP
DELHI
GAVIN THOMAS
JANICE PARIAT
001_Top_10_Delhi.indd 1 5/25/17 9:46 AM
Top 10 Delhi The Top 10 of
Highlights Everything
Welcome to Delhi ...........................5 Moments in History .....................42
Exploring Delhi ...............................6 Delhi Sultanate Sights .................44
Delhi Highlights ...........................10 Mughal Delhi Sights ....................46
Red Fort ........................................12 Monuments of the
Chandni Chowk ............................14 1857 Uprising............................48
Jama Masjid .................................16 Cities of Delhi,
Old and New .............................50
Humayun’s Tomb .........................18
Museums and Galleries ..............52
Around Rajpath ............................20
Places of Worship ........................54
Qutb Minar Complex ....................24
Parks and Gardens ......................56
Crafts Museum ............................28
Delhi-Inspired Books ...................58
Lodi Gardens ................................30
Off the Beaten Track ....................60
National Museum ........................32
Performing Arts Venues ..............62
Taj Mahal, Agra and
Fatehpur Sikri ...........................36 Places to Eat ................................64
Bazaars of Old Delhi ....................66
Delhi for Free ...............................68
Festivals and Events ....................70
Excursions from Delhi .................72
002-003_Top_10_Delhi.indd 2 5/25/17 9:46 AM
CONTENTS
Delhi Streetsmart
Area by Area
New Delhi .....................................76 Getting To and
Old Delhi .......................................84 Around Delhi ...........................108
South of the Centre ......................92 Practical Information .................110
South Delhi ...................................98 Places to Stay .............................114
General Index .............................120
Acknowledgments .....................126
Selected Street Index .................128
The information in this DK Eyewitness Top
10 Travel Guide is checked regularly.
Every effort has been made to ensure that
this book is as up-to-date as possible at the
time of going to press. Some details,
however, such as telephone numbers,
opening hours, prices, gallery hanging
arrangements and travel information are
liable to change. The publishers cannot
accept responsibility for any consequences
arising from the use of this book, nor for any
material on third party websites, and cannot
Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy guarantee that any website address in this
of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in book will be a suitable source of travel
the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. information. We value the views and
suggestions of our readers very highly. Please
Front cover and spine Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel
Back cover The picturesque Lotus Temple Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London
surrounded by landscaped gardens WC2R 0RL, Great Britain, or email
Title page Spices on sale at a market in Delhi [email protected]
002-003_Top_10_Delhi.indd 3 5/25/17 9:46 AM
Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
11pt grid, Top 10 Intro “UK” LAYER
004-005_Top_10_De(Slhoiu.irncdedR e p4ort v.beta) 5/25/17 2:31 PM
Date 11th March 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm
Top 10 Delhi ❮❮ 5
Welcome to
Delhi
India’s buzzing capital is a fast-growing metropolis studded
with the remains of ancient empires, where exquisite
Mughal architecture, grandiose imperial avenues, dazzling
modern temples and pretty little mosques jostle for space
amid the city’s constant bustle, vibrant colours and evocative
scents. With Eyewitness Top 10 Delhi, it’s yours to explore.
At its heart is New Delhi, the British-built imperial city: elegant and
spacious, with fine dining and excellent shopping, bisected by the
wide, majestic thoroughfare known as the Rajpath. The grandiose
17th-century Mughal city of Old Delhi, by contrast, is a warren of
teeming bazaars concealing all manner of fascinating nooks and
crannies, but its magnificent constructions – the famous Red Fort
complex and the utterly flamboyant Jama Masjid mosque among
them – are just as impressive as those of the new city.
South of the centre, the garden tombs of Humayun and Safdarjung
put into context that zenith of Mughal architecture: the Taj Mahal in
Agra, an easy excursion from Delhi, along with the long-abandoned
but architecturally rich Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Meanwhile,
Delhi’s modern, efficient and ever-expanding metro system puts
into easy reach the scattered sights of South Delhi – most notably
the 12th-century Qutb Minar, which marks the original location of
one of the traditional seven cities of Delhi – before heading out to the
satellite towns of Noida and Gurgaon (Gurugram), burgeoning IT
hubs that crackle with the dynamism of an up-and-coming new India.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend, a week or longer, our Top 10
guide is designed to bring together the best that Delhi has to offer,
from the hottest Indian cuisine to the most magnificent monuments.
The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free
to avoiding the crowds, plus six easy-to-follow itineraries, which tie
together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring
photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential
pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Delhi.
Clockwise from top: Taj Mahal, Baha’i Lotus Temple, Qutb Minar complex, Chhath Hindu
festival, a spice market near Chandni Chowk, Rajpath, detail from the Red Fort
004-005_Top_10_Delhi.indd 5 5/25/17 2:31 PM
6 ❯❯ Top 10 Delhi
St JaSmt Jeasm’ es’
Exploring Delhi ChuCrchhurch 0 me0t mresetre1s0001000
QudQsiuad Bsaiag Bhagh
NichNoiclshoonl’sso Cne’sm Ceetmereytery 0 ya0rd ysard1s0001000
StS Jta Jmamese’ sC’ hCuhrucrhch iTnh Dereelh air, ey osuo cmoualndy esaigshiltys s tpoe snede a a cnodu tphlien gosf wtoe dekos -OTAURIWCAHKS-OTAUKRIWCAHKSashKGmaasithreGimaitrei BRreistiiBRdshreeistniidschyency
here. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or have KhaKrih Baaroi Bliaoli CChhaoCnCwhdhaknoniwdkni
tahned lfuoxuurr-yd aoyf aitnin eexrtarraie cso uwpillle h oefl pd ayyosu, tmheaskee ttwheo - FateFhapteuhrip Murai sMjidasjid RFoerdtRFoerdt
Lal MLaal nMdairn &d iGr a&u Gria Suhrai Snhkaanr Mkaar nMdaindi
most of your time in this vibrant city. JamJaa mMaa sMjidasjid
KariKma’srim’s
NewN Dewel hDielhi
statsiotantion
AUTO AUTO
ConCnoaPnulnagachPeutlagchet TRAINTRAIN -RICKSHAW -RICKSHAW
JantJaarn Mtaar nMtaarntar
Tlifheest Ryeled o Ff othrte o cffiteyr’ss fao grmlimerp rsuel einrst.o the opulent OTUA OTUA
Two Days in Delhi WAHSKCIR- WAHSKCIR- CrafCtsrafts
RaBshhRataBrvsahahpantarv ataipna ti RajpRaatjhpathRIACUKRSTHIOACA UK-WSTHOA -W MusMeuumseum
Day 1 UdyUodgy Bohga Bwhaanwan IndiIandia
MORNING statsiotantion NMautsiNMeoaunutmasieolunmaGlateGate PuraPnuarana
From Khari Baoli market (see p66), QilaQila
tdthJaoaoek mwatehdn aeai n C MRsghte aroadsovn jleFildd roon r(trisot Ce a (sesh ce eopyeewcp tlp1keh6p -e(–1rs 12iiecm7–ek)1 p.sp3ohp),sa1 biw4ne–g fr1o i5dr)ee METROMETRO GSamnGdrSaihtmniiRAIdrUCihKTtSOiiR AIH-UCAKTWSO HRICKSHAW-AAUWTO -RICKSHAWAUTO - AUTO-RICKSHAWAUTO-RICKSHAWHuTmHoamuyTmbuoanm’ysbun’s
TAaFkTeE RanN OaOuNto-rickshaw to the Crafts To QuTotb Q (M9u itknbma (M9r) iknmarS)afdSaarfjduanrgju’sng’s LodiL Godair dGeanrdsens NizaNmizuadmduinddin TF(2oa1 tAe0gp TF(k2rhoama1u tA,e0)rgp kSrhmiaku,r)ri Sikri
Museum (see pp28–9), then take a short TomTbomb
wthaelrke thoe Paudr taon Ha uQmilaa y(suene’s p T9o3m). Fbr (osmee METRFOMrEoTmRFO QroumJtbo Q rMubJitnaboa grMrbh,ina Sagtrh,a tSiotantion
pp18–19) and Nizamuddin (see pp94–5). M(9 ekhmrM(a9)u ekhlmi rAa)ruclhi Aaercohloageioclaolg Picaarkl Park
Day 2
Four Days in Delhi
MORNING
Start at Gandhi Smriti (see p79) and
from there walk or take an auto- Day 1
rickshaw to Safdarjung’s Tomb (see MORNING
p94). Later, go for a stroll around the See the Red Fort (see pp12–13), then
peaceful Lodi Gardens (see pp30–31). pop into the Lal Mandir (see p87)
AFTERNOON and Gauri Shankar Mandir (see p88)
Take an auto-rickshaw along Rajpath before walking down Chandni Chowk
(see pp20–21) from Rashtrapati to the Fatehpuri Masjid (see p15) and
Bhavan to India Gate, before Khari Baoli market (see p66).
backtracking slightly to the National AFTERNOON
Museum (see pp32–5). Then get the Take a rickshaw to Qudsia Bagh
metro from Udyog Bhawan station to (see p88), then check out Nicholson’s
visit the fascinating red sandstone Cemetery (see p49) and the Kashmiri
Qutb Minar complex (see pp24–7). Gate (see p49) before heading past
006-007_Top_10_Delhi_Exploring_Itinerary.indd 6 5/25/17 9:50 AM
Exploring Delhi ❮❮ 7
St JaSmt Jeasm’ es’
ChuCrchhurch 0 me0t mresetre1s0001000
QudQsiuad Bsaiag Bhagh
NichNoiclshoonl’sso Cne’sm Ceetmereytery 0 ya0rd ysard1s0001000
StS Jta Jmamese’ sC’ hCuhrucrhch -OTAURIWCAHKS-OTAUKRIWCAHKSashKGmaasithreGimaitrei BRreistiiBRdshreeistniidschyency
ChaCnhdannidni
KhaKrih Baaroi Bliaoli ChoCwhkowk
FateFhapteuhrip Murai sMjidasjid RFoerdtRFoerdt
Lal MLaal nMdairn &d iGr a&u Gria Suhrai Snhkaanr Mkaar nMdaindi
JamJaa mMaa sMjidasjid
KariKma’srim’s
NewN Dewel hDielhi
statsiotantion
AUTO AUTO The Taj Mmaahganli,fi Scheanht eJaxhamanp’sl es uobf lMimueg hmaal uasrcohleituemct,u isre a.
ConCnoaPnulnagachPeutlagchet TRAINTRAIN -RICKSHAW -RICKSHAW ToSmafbd aferjautunrge’ss
this beautifully
JantJaarn Mtaar nMtaarntar
decorated arch
WAHSKCIR-OTUA WAHSKCIR-OTUA CrafCtsrafts mjuasitn a ebnotvraen tchee.
RaBshhRataBrvsahahpantarv ataipna ti RajpRaatjhpathRIACUKRSTHIOACA UK-WSTHOA -W MusMeuumseum
UdyUodgy Bohga Bwhaanwan IndiIandia
statsiotantion NMautsiNMeoaunutmasieolunmaGlateGate PuraPnuarana
QilaQila
METROMETRO GSamnGdrSaihtmniiRAIdrUCihKTtSOiiR AIH-UCAKTWSO HRICKSHAW-AAUWTO -RICKSHAWAUTO - AUTO-RICKSHAWAUTO-RICKSHAWHuTmHoamuyTmbuoanm’ysbun’s a(Vsniesoeitt hpthe2e0r ) aC alronandfgt Ps R uMaraujpnsaeatu hQm itloa ( sI (nesdeei eap ppG29a83t–)e.9 ).
To QuTotb Q (M9u itknbma (M9r) iknmarS)afdSaarfjduanrgju’sng’s LodiL Godair dGeanrdsens NizaNmizuadmduinddin TF(2oa1 tAe0gp TF(k2rhoama1u tA,e0)rgp kSrhmiaku,r)ri Sikri Day 3
TomTbomb MORNING
METRFOMrEoTmRFO QroumJtbo Q rMubJitnaboa grMrbh,ina Sagtrh,a tSiotantion K eyTwo-day itinerary vSitsaitr tt haet tMhee hQruatubl iM Airncahra (esoeleo pgpic2a4l– 7),
M(9 ekhmrM(a9)u ekhlmi rAa)ruclhi Aaercohloageioclaolg Picaarkl Park Four-day itinerary Park (see pp26–27), then take the
metro to Safdarjung’s Tomb (see p94).
St James’ Church (see p85) and the AFTERNOON
British Residency (see p48) with a Visit Gandhi Smriti (see p79) before
cycle-rickshaw to the Jama Masjid walking around the Lodi Gardens
(see pp16–17), finishing with a mutton (see pp30–31) and going on to see
korma at Karim’s (see p65). Humayun’s Tomb (see pp18–19).
Head to Nizamuddin (see pp94–5) for
Day 2 the evening’s qawwali session.
MORNING
From Connaught Place (see p77), Day 4
head to the Jantar Mantar (see p78), MORNING
then take an auto across Rajpath Take the morning train to Agra and
(see pp20–21) to the National visit the Taj Mahal (see pp36–7).
Museum (see pp32–5). AFTERNOON
AFTERNOON Get a taxi to Fatehpur Sikri (see p39),
Get an auto-rickshaw to Rashtrapati before returning to Agra in time to
Bhavan (book ahead, see p21), then catch the evening train back to Delhi.
006-007_Top_10_Delhi_Exploring_Itinerary.indd 7 5/25/17 9:50 AM
Top 10 Delhi
Highlights
Visitors at the Taj Mahal
in Agra, Uttar Pradesh
008-009_Top_10_Delhi.indd 8 5/25/17 9:46 AM