One of the most important cities of India, Delhi is one of those places which needs to be explored for all the obvious reasons! Created, destroyed and re-created multiple times, this city has a long lasting history. Right from the era of golden bird to the Mughals to Britishers and now in the Modern Independent India, Delhi has always been significant in a way or other. Having exposed to this large number of the cultures of the different rulers, it is genuine to have the reflection of them in this beautiful city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. We all are well acquainted with the historical monuments of the Indian capital. For one like me who loves history and carries a desire to create a travelogue in a different style it was the time to take a day off and start the venture.
Having stricken by the wanderlust, I decided to be on the Delhi roads and move to the next destination in proximity on the first weekend day of this month. Just fixing my initial spot and then moving on in an unplanned manner worked as a trick for creating something memorable for life!
The day was spent at different locations in Delhi which include places like Lotus Temple, Raisina Hills, India Gate, Ugrasen ki Baoli, Jantar Mantar, Janpath, Connaught Place and Delhi-6. I walked a lot that day and used Delhi metro for commuting!
Lotus Temple
Situated in proximity to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro station, Lotus Temple is a centre of religious faith for the people of Bahai Community around the world. One of the best architectural design, this temple is open to all! A beautiful garden and an eminent temple situated in the heart of the capital, Lotus Temple is one of the marvels carved out of the marble stone piece. A hall in the centre to offer the prayers, it offers a serene and divine location for the ones looking for the spiritual experiments. After clicking a great set of the pictures and moving out, I was back in the metro!
Raisina Hills and India Gate
Going with the flow, I deboarded at the Central secretariat metro station and after a short walk from there, I was at the centre of Indian politics, Raisina Hills! It was worth a watch being there in a clean and green environment and amidst the mammoth architectural benchmarks of the north block, south block and the Rashtrapati Bhawan. One of the best things about this place is that it is in a reach of the common man. Being in India, it is one of the privileges we all have! Many countries in different places of the world do not allow the civilians to be around their secretariat. Moving on, it was now the time to measure the length of the Rajpath on feet. Walking by this road is also a beautiful site since with every step, you inch closer to the India gate and this view of the war memorial as you inch closer is priceless! For those who are not acquainted with it, India Gate is a war memorial which has the names of the martyrs written all over it. Just in the centre, the 24*7 lamp known as the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” is lit in the remembrance of the brave soldiers who laid their lives happily for the sake of the motherland.
Ugrasen ki Baoli
By now, I was a little fatigued by the walking but still managed to drag self to the historical Ugrasen ki Baoli near the famous Connaught Place of central Delhi. Used as a reservoir to store the water in ancient times, this place came to highlights after it was featured in the Aamir Khan blockbuster PK. Having no entry fee to view this place is also another reason which makes it a hot favourite for the young groups of the students and the love birds. The symmetry and the ancient touch to the same also invite the history lovers as well as the travellers/tourists and even the photography enthusiasts to capture the beauty in their respective cameras. After going down and coming back through those 103 steps (read it somewhere that it has 103 steps. Did not count it myself!) it was for me to look for the next place to mark down the list which was actually never made! But before that, hydration was necessary and thus water and the ice cream served the purpose.
Jantar Mantar
As I came onto the main road from Ugrasen Ki Baoli, I found directions to the famous Jantar Mantar and well, you guessed my next place correctly! Hardly 2 miles away, I was stressing my feet again for the sake of making it to the Jantar Mantar. Finally reaching there and paying an amount as low as 5 INR for the entry ticket at this time device, I felt like thanking ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) for maintaining it so well at a minimal entry fee. Learning about the different monuments build inside this complex, it was a pleasure to see what I once used to read about! Here, I will like my readers to know that there is a Jantar Mantar in the pink city, Jaipur too and also that it is older than the one in Delhi!
Connaught Place
Not far is situated is the Central Park and the national flag unfurled on 207 feet high pole. By this time, I was craving for the food and it was a lunch time as well, thus, CP exposed all its amazing restaurants to me. Checking into one and satisfying my food cravings again at a minimal price (trust me, there are many food junctions in the inner as well as the outer circle which serves the best of the food at cheaper rates). If you are in CP, I bet you can not simply miss the Indian national flag being unfurled in the Central Park on 207 feet tall pole. Such a moment of pride to see the romance of our national flag with the sky and air!
Delhi-6
After a great lunch in the heart of the national capital, the modern amenities transformed into the old roads of the life of Delhi, Delhi-6. A busy place in the afternoon, I was there to explore the same in the broad daylight. Coming out of the Chandni Chowk metro station, I hired a rickshaw and straight went to the Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara. Not far is the Red Fort and hence, I took very little time to be there. Having a short photo session from the outside of this marvellous fort, I went to the next place which was on my list from a long time. Guess what? Jama Masjid. Such pacific place with all so religious affair and a fine example of the Islamic architecture and culture, Jama Masjid is open for all irrespective of the caste, colour, creed and the gender. With a capacity of 2500 and a popular namaz centre for the people of the community, Jama Masjid was open to the general public long back in the 17th century. Absorbing and adoring the aroma of the place, I headed back home after an extremely memorable day.
A tip for the people who plan to do something similar, stay hydrated and do not hesitate in taking short breaks. It will help you in maintaining the energy. Have a good time travelling around! 😀
