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I’m going to admit that I can be a little ‘inconsistent’ with the car indicator.
Well, it turns out I’m not the only one with such questionable tendencies. I arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to be met by a driver for the short 14-kilometre trip to my hotel in the city centre. It’s a hair-raising, white-knuckling, hour-long introduction to Indian driving etiquette — where indicators are entirely optional and road rules open to interpretation!
As you explore the two incarnations of India’s frenetic capital — Old and New Delhi — you can’t help but consider the metaphoric highway of life on which the almost 1.5 billion citizens of this extraordinary country travel: unspeakably tough for some; extravagantly easy for others. It’s a place of extreme contrasts, even here in the capital. It will grip your guts one moment as you gaze on abject poverty, and then treat you to unspeakable ecstasy at the sight of the next exquisite monument. It doesn’t let up — not even for a second.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Delhi on a first visit.
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Watch our video of ten top things to do in India’s Golden Triangle:
Top 10 Things to Do in INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE | Delhi, Agra & Jaipur Travel Guide
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1. Explore Chandni Chowk market
Step back in time a century or two by paying a visit to Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market. This is the heart of the medieval city and dates back to the time of the Mughal emperors. The Mughals ruled India for almost three centuries and you’ll come across them a lot during your visit. They left an indelible mark on the soul of India and a wealth of historic monuments to boot.
The narrow streets and laneways of the market are choked with hawkers, hustlers, street vendors and rickshaw drivers, along with tea sellers keeping the entire affair lubricated with steaming cups of sugary chai laced with ginger and cloves. Disabled beggars rub shoulders with wealthy merchants; harried tourists fend off lethal touts left, right, and centre. It’s confronting and invigorating at the same time. A guided walking tour is a good way to get the most from your visit.
2. Admire the Red Fort and Old Fort
From the market, you’ll no doubt catch sight of the soaring towers of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Red Fort. A ‘fort’ in India refers to a fortified palace, and this one was once the Mughals’ main residence.
Across town is the lesser-known but no less important Purana Qila — also known as the Old Fort. The site has a history dating back as far as 300BC, but the structure you see today was the work of Mughal emperor Humayun. It’s an amazing example of architecture from the period and the imposing ramparts hint at its historical significance.
3. Pay a morning visit to Jama Masjid
Delhi is packed with ornate places of worship, and culture conscious travellers will want to check them out. Start by paying an early morning visit to the ethereal Jama Masjid mosque, which can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, but closes in the middle of the day for prayers. Conservative dress is required and robes are available for hire at the gates.
4. Have tea at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Make sure you also include the delightful Lakshmi Narayan Temple on your itinerary. It’s a chocolate-brown and honeycomb-coloured Hindu place of worship, that looks good enough to eat. Visit the local teahouse next door for a delicious, rejuvenating chai. The door is just to the right of the main entrance to the temple. This is the best teahouse in Delhi according to our guide.
5. Marvel at the Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is one of the city’s most striking examples of contemporary architecture. Curiously reminiscent of the famous Sydney Opera House, this nine-sided structure is a revered site for Bahá’í worship. Set around a central dome, the temple sits within nine corresponding pools of water. In line with the principles of the Bahá’í faith, the temple is open to all nationalities and those of any religious belief.
6. Visit your choice of museum
Delhi has close to thirty museums, which cover a wide range of topics and themes. So, there will almost certainly be one that matches your interests. History buffs will want to visit the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. Housed in the former home of India’s much-loved and only female prime minister, it displays an extensive collection of personal items, books and photographs. Gandhi was assassinated by two bodyguards in her garden in 1984.
7. Eat with the stars
With its diverse population from across India, Delhi’s food scene understandably incorporates a wide range of regional culinary styles. If you’re looking for a way to tantalise your tastebuds and you don’t mind paying a bit extra to do it, book a table at Bukhara at the ITC Maurya Hotel. It’s arguably India’s most famous restaurant (it was named Best Indian Restaurant in the World by Restaurant magazine) and attracts a steady stream of pollies, actors, and sporting stars.
For something sweet to round out any meal in the capital, head for the Old Famous Jalebi Wala in Old Delhi. This small shop is always packed with locals jostling to get their fill of the deliciously sugary jalebi — a popular deep-fried delicacy.
8. Shop up a storm in New Delhi
Connaught Place in New Delhi offers several shopping options for an after-lunch stroll, including an open air clothing market and the Shankar Market for fabrics. Be aware of the ‘shoe-poo’ scam that operates here — where you suddenly find yourself with a gloop of foul-smelling goo on your shoes. A handy shoe cleaner swoops in to remedy the situation for a price.
9. See the inspiration for the Taj
Those who rule have long sought to house their mortal remains in style (a standard set by the ancient Egyptian pharaohs), and the Mughals did it with giant mausoleums. These memorials grew grander and more opulent over the centuries, as each generation tried to outdo the one before. Built in 1570, World Heritage-listed Humayun’s Tomb on the edge of New Delhi is an edifice of divine proportions and exquisite Persian-inspired design — and is said to have been the blue-print for the Taj Mahal.
Today, the peaceful grounds are a popular spot for an evening stroll. Men walk arm in arm and women dressed in colourful saris offer shy smiles as they pass by. Fountains dance and children play. It’s a welcome hiatus from the constant hubbub of life outside the mausoleum’s high stone walls.
10. Rejuvenate body, mind, and soul
India has long been known for its ancient Ayurvedic healing system, which encourages physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. So, why not treat yourself to an Ayurvedic spa experience in Delhi? Because you’re worth it.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.incredibleindia.org.
Browse our range of Delhi tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the top things to do in Delhi on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Depositphotos and Bigstock
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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