Other stuff in Delhi. . .

williaam

I have a full day to mingle around Delhi before we do the touristy stuff, ie, old delhi, Mahatma Gandhi memorial, India Gate, Qutab Minar and Emperor Humayan's tomb. Since we will be seeing many tourist attractions the second day I am wondering if anyone can reccommend some other interesting, perhaps not as visited things to do. Thanks.

volga_volga

Dilli Haat, the crafts fair. you can also sample regional food. i loved to go eat at rajastani eating place there for sunday lunch

__________________
Tibetan Orphanage School in China
My other favourite place is Pakistan Travel Forum

SHIMLA

Spend half a day at New Delhi or Delhi Jn. station. Witness a microcosm of India !

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

AllanM

Another is the bicycle market just outside of Karol Bagh or the motorcycle market. You are far enough from the tourist ghetto to get a little more of the real flavor of Delhi. Be prepared to be stared at! It's also refreshingly hassle free compared to the Paharganj onslaught. The other bonus is they are both within walking distance from Paharganj.

audigraph

Volga,

Where do we find Dilli Haat? Thanks!!!

SHIMLA

Delhi Haat is a permanent crafts fair on Aurobindo Marg, south Delhi. It also has food stalls offering foodstuff from the different states of India. The fair opens at 11.00a.m.

Personally, I was disappointed by the Haat, when I visited it last month. The "golgappas" I tried at the Rajasthan food stall were awful, the water was bad and stinking!!

If you want to do something off the beaten track, just stroll along Khari Baoli, the huge spices market between New Delhi and Old Delhi, in the busy evening hours - a wonderful experience, with pedestrians, animals, hawkers and cycle rickshaws jostling each other in the limited space and the wonderful smell of spices permeating your nostrils!! Delhi at its colourful best !!

radz

You can try Ishkcon temple.

Dilli haat known landmark in South Delhi.
Its in Sri Aurobindo Marg, Opp. INA Market.

__________________
My Photo gallery

audigraph

thanks Shimla and Radz!!

Bonita

Things to do in Delhi!!..there are so many non-touristy things to do in this vibrant, bursting at the core, sometimes maddening metroplis..I have lived there on/off for many years now, so i will list a few suggestions of things to do in Delhi if you have free time and the gusto..
1. seriously wander around Chandini Chowk in the old city...not just the one hour visit to the MOSQUE and the surrounding area..walk throught he narrow lanes, wander, meander, explore..u can see the traditonal way of life in this amaxing city, still intact in the old marketplace..
2. contrast to that, walk around the hip and happening downtown/central area of delhi called Connaght place..iT IS very easy to naviagate,(do not get sidetracked into a kashmiri shop)..you can see the so-called modern life of the city..this area of connaught place is filled with shops, resturants, bars,pubs,and even coffee shops, barista, coffee day, etc..
3. see a hindi film in one of the great Delhi cinemas..there are many located throughout the city..the real fancy ones are called pvr's...
4.Delhi is a city of great markets and shopping areas...u can go to Karol bargh, khan market, GK market, defense colony market, etc, etc..see how the people live and eat and enjoy,,,,,..
5. visit the national gallery of of modern art...this museum is located across from INDIA GATE..
6. oH, DO a real INDIAN THING and have a picnic with your "special FREIND"
on the greens around iNDIAN gate..
7. vist the Bahai LOTUS tEMPLE..in south delhi...very beautiful, serene and unusual..
8.picnic again, this time, in the LODI GARDENS, another very delhi thing to do..
9. take the new metro, anywhere, for fun!
10. take rickwhaws, the longer ride, the better!
11. visit HAUZ KHAUS VILLAGE.. this is a very intersting neighborhhod market filled with boutiques, art galleries, resturants, etc..
12..vist the shirne of NIZAMUDDIN at sunset and u can sometimes hear sufis singing devotional songs..i beleive it is best on thursdays..
13..Yes, *dillihat was mentioned..that is a fun place to shop, eat, and experince the flavor, colors, and food of many regions of INDIA..
14, DINE in one of Delhi's great resturants.too numerous to mention..
15.shop and wander down janpath market, off connaught place..a fave of locals and toursits alike, and a great place to pick up a little of everything indian, clothes, books, perfume, etc..
16.end your day with a happy hour of kingfisher or sandpiper beer with the locals after work...many of the local pubs around CP and in most of the neighborhoods have happy hours 2 for 1..
17..i think i have written enough for a day in delhi, but the list goes on and on...have a good day...

__________________
Dreamingofindia@aol.com

guerik

You've written enough for a week in Delhi, Bonita
Definitely tempting me to stay there longer on my next trip!

steven_ber

I agree.

A friend took me on the new metro from somewhere to Rohini, an amazing experience.

It was a Sunday and lots of people seemed to be having a day-out just to travel on the Metro.

The section I was on was raised above the houses, it was all air-conditioned, automatic doors, fully modern.

It was nice watching some of the poorer locals who were just amazed at the whole experience.

No chai-wallah's though...

__________________
.
How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.


Train information.


RAC & Waitlists explained.

lobo

I loved your post bonita, i might even print it off and tick a few off. Have to try the dehli metro as well

williaam

Thanks Bonita, I agree that that your ideas are great! Now I just have to narrow that list down to something I can achieve in one day, hmm, decisions, decisions.

Bonita

thanx guys. Glad u liked the list. I actually enjoyed writing it, bringing up alot of memories. I am actually on summer holiday in NYC these days, and writng about Delhi and INDIA in general keeps my spirits high. It also got me seriously in the mood to return, which i will do next month. The list is not exaustive by any means, as there are plenty of more things to do if ya have more time, depending on your intersts and such, and i may add a few more ideas from time to time. Another idea, IM'ers can feel free to drop me a line/e-mail when passing through delhi, as i am a American living there from OCT-MARCH. *i am very often out of town and on the road somewhere, but if i am around, would be happy to chat, maybe connect, perhaps do something on the list, or help you out in any way. take good care..bonita.

vinayverma

Great posting Bonita,
there not much left to add...
here my 2 paisa

1. Visit some of the on-going art shows. Best places to catch them are: India Habitat Center, Lalit Kala Academy, Triveni kala sangam.
2. Watch some classical/ semi-classical performances, plays etc..best places are: SriRam center, India Habitat Center and sometimes at India International Center.
3. Get up early to go to Jama Masjid (near red fort) and around 8AM you can go to Karim's for early morning stuff. They cook it all night, in earthern pots, in a clay oven over slow burning coal. After this you may continue with the tour of Chandni Chowk.
4. if you really want to sample the best Golgappas( hollow dough ball, filled with mashed boiled potato and mint-tamrine water) and other similar things to eat(its called Chaat in india)- Near India Gate and next to UPSC on Shahjahan Road and Bengali market.
5. Oh yes, try some paranthas at paranthe walli galli at Chandni Chowk.
6. Another place to shop (mainly clothes) and observe Indian middle class is Sarojini Nagar Market.
7. On a not-so-hot day, walk from India Gate to Khan market and then onto Lodhi Gardens..you'll like it.

Note: Lalit Kala, Sri RamCenter, Kamani and triveni kala sangam, all are between ITO and CP on Bhagwan Das Road and around. Will confirm this soon.

Cheers

__________________
If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....