5 Places You Have To Visit In Delhi

Delhi, the sprawling capital of India is an odd mix of the Old Delhi, dating back 400 years, and the immense and meticulously planned new city: it’s well worth exploring both. Here is a list of the top places to visit in Delhi, and happily, most of them are free.

1. Chandni Chowk Market

The chaotic main street of Old Delhi is widely known as the soul of the city. It is chaotic, crowded, and crammed with street food stalls, electronic stores, hotels and shrines. Don’t miss out on the Cloth Market, selling arrays of home-fabrics and delicate sarees. Chandni Chowk is also home to a diverse range of mosques, mandirs, temples and churches, such as the monumental Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

2. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Raj Ghat

No visit to Delhi is complete without paying your respects to the father, or Bapu, of modern India. The memorial itself, off the bank of Yamuna river, is simple yet moving. You leave your shoes at a counter (for a small tip) and walk barefoot across the park where a black marble platform and an eternal flame mark the spot where Gandhi was cremated a day after his assassination in 1948.

3. The Red Fort

Delhi’s signature monument stands as an imposing reminder of Mughal-era India, when the ancient emperors ruled from this enormous 250 acre fortress. It costs 250 rupees for foreigners, but is an essential stepping stone to discovering the real India. In the evening sound and light shows tell the tale of Mughal history, and there is a museum of “blood paintings” showcasing the stories of young 20th century Indian martyrs.

4. The Lotus Temple

The most beautiful and recognisable of Delhi’s many landmarks, this Baha’i temple is constructed from 27 marble flower petals and welcomes worshippers of all faiths. This is best visited at night, when the nine pools of water in the surrounding gardens are spectacularly lit up. This incredible building sees more tourists a year than both the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. Also, it’s free.

5. Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Ground

If you want a flavour of the real, contemporary India, you must visit the heartland of the nation’s favourite sport. No, it’s not football. The historic stadium, beloved for its cauldron-like atmosphere, is the national team’s most successful field, with tickets starting at 300 rupees. Expect excitement.

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By Sarah Morland

Images courtesy of Rod Waddington, Travel and Taste and Shivang Dubey