Paharganj??

Celtic_Queen · Oct 3rd, 2003, 00:45

Hello!

I will be going to India in a few weeks for my first time and several people have recommended that I spend my first night in the Paharganj area as it has plenty of budget accomodation and it is reasonably close to the train station. I don't suppose that anyone can recommend a clean, inexpensive hotel with a hot shower? Also, many people have suggested that I stay at the YWCA... would this be a better choice? Is it possible to meet other travellers in these areas?
Thank you!

cyberhippie · Oct 3rd, 2003, 01:19

Hi celtic queen, methinks I may have answered this mail before on a different forum?? If not sorry!!
Paharganj has so many good budget choices it would be a pointless exercise to start naming them all.
But since you asked, this forum aims to please! There is a very good hotel section which list accomodation from other traveler's personal experiences.
There happens to be a listing under Delhi submitted by my good self and several other good reccomendations!!
Take a look, the hotel I plumpted for also offers a airport pick up service something to consider if you're flying in early!! (I hasten to add there are many other Hotels offering this service!)
The Paharganj is vivid, chaotic and perhaps a wee bit daunting at least for the first few hours but it is a wonderous place, constantly evolving.
The influence of the tourists in this baazar has been astounding, but for me this has been married with the purpose from which this market originated, as a commercial hub in central Delhi.
As I've watched the shops turn from the sixties hippy look to the ninties smoking culture and finally to "our" new fixation with brand goods, I've noticed that life for the inhabitants of this area of Delhi stays the same,
20 metres back from the frentic shopping, and maniac rickshaw wallahs lies a largely unchanged life style, street cricket, with every small square turned into Eden Garden, the skinny young lads are all Tendulker, hitting their umpteenth century, save the Sikhs who I'm sure are all spin bowlers called "the Turbanator"

I could waffle for hours suffice to say with internet, 200+ budget Hotels, food of every variaty, etc. etc. etc You may want to stay in Paharganj!!!!

MissyT · Oct 5th, 2003, 12:47

Hi Celtic Queen,

Ron and I arrived just over a week ago and stayed in Parharganj. It was pretty much hell after the 20+ hour journey and not being used to such crowds I found it a bit much. One thing that I found is that I was treated much differently once I put on a salwar kameez vs. western clothes (long skirt and blouse) and didn't get the lewd gestures. Between dodging the crap on the street and the autorickshaws a venture out can be tramatic. I have to admit though once I got used to it, it did have a certain maddening charm, nonetheless I was happy to move on to the relative peace and quiet of Orchha...........

LuAnnandJawahar · Oct 5th, 2003, 19:37

We've read alot about the "to Paharganj or not to Paharganj" recently.
A non-Indian traveler flags down an autorickshaw in Connaught or Karol Bagh. "I need to go to Paharganj." Suddenly the traveler can no longer make himself understood, though everybody he's met so far seems to understand English. Or the vehicle is suddenly out of gas. Or he gets in and five minutes later and a little closer to Paharganj, the autorickshaw develops engine trouble and he has to get out and find another.

We're not saying--don't stay in Paharganj because nobody will take you home. Just a little view from the other side......

indiamike · Oct 5th, 2003, 20:21

This is true the farther you get away from Paharganj.

There was quite a few nights that I was out until midnight in South Delhi and needed to get back to Paharganj and it was really 'balls' to find a rickshaw that would take me there. No one would go or suddenly don't speak English...etc...etc...

If I switched it and said I was staying at the Imperial Hotel or something like that then it was a whole new ballgame all together.

bijapuri · Oct 6th, 2003, 00:13

I've never stayed in Paharganj, and really don't see the need, other than saving a few chips. Other cheapies abound.

LonelyWoolf · Oct 6th, 2003, 01:44

Paharganj..no problem madam

we, my girlfriend and I have been there some weeks ago. She never had been to India before and she was very sceptic, after one night it was ok for her.
We arrived there after a longdistance flight at 2:00am, not a really friendly time for coming to Paharganj!

But if u arrange a airport pickup, it's not a problem at all!

See thread: Hotel/Delhi/Paharganj, we stayed at Hotel Star Paradise, which I can recommend!

wonderwomanusa · Oct 6th, 2003, 06:00

I always prefer to stay away from Paharganj; I've never liked it over there, except for an occasional meal.

suginami · Oct 7th, 2003, 12:57

Paharganj used to be a lot of fun, quite wild and a sure bet to bump into someone you might have met on the other side of India. I like the full-on assault of the place but these days I my comforts.

mdchachi · Jan 16th, 2004, 00:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Namaste India Tours
Suddenly the traveler can no longer make himself understood, though everybody he's met so far seems to understand English. Or the vehicle is suddenly out of gas. Or he gets in and five minutes later and a little closer to Paharganj, the autorickshaw develops engine trouble and he has to get out and find another.

I don't understand. Why are local drivers hesitant to go there? Is there some danger to them?

LonelyWoolf · Jan 16th, 2004, 15:55

no danger! it's because of the narrow roads I guess.
Sometimes I had the problem too , but after discussions I always was driven to my place.

Alan D · Jan 16th, 2004, 16:06

I've never had a problem taking an auto rickshaw to Paharganj from anywhere in Delhi though I usually walk from CP even when it's quite late.

LuAnnandJawahar · Jan 16th, 2004, 22:25

Why are local drivers hesitant to go there?
The local driver would say:
"Because it's dirty"
"Because it's congested"
"Because if you are staying in Paharganj you aren't a very good prospect"
"Because once I get to Paharganj, who will need a ride back out this time of night?"
"Because you are probably an independent traveler who doesn't need any additional services and if they did wouldn't be willing to pay for them"
"Because it's too far from home"
"Because I don't like the people there"
"Because the traffic is too bad"

Watson · Jan 17th, 2004, 05:46

LOL - Namaste India Tours - cool answer!

jpvs · Feb 5th, 2004, 21:24

Pahargunj is also said to be famous for...the oldest profession in the world.. could that be a reason that the autowallash dont want to go?

Oct 3rd, 2003, 00:45	#1
Celtic_Queen Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ireland Posts: 2	Paharganj?? Hello! I will be going to India in a few weeks for my first time and several people have recommended that I spend my first night in the Paharganj area as it has plenty of budget accomodation and it is reasonably close to the train station. I don't suppose that anyone can recommend a clean, inexpensive hotel with a hot shower? Also, many people have suggested that I stay at the YWCA... would this be a better choice? Is it possible to meet other travellers in these areas? Thank you!

Oct 5th, 2003, 19:37	#4
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 663	We've read alot about the "to Paharganj or not to Paharganj" recently. A non-Indian traveler flags down an autorickshaw in Connaught or Karol Bagh. "I need to go to Paharganj." Suddenly the traveler can no longer make himself understood, though everybody he's met so far seems to understand English. Or the vehicle is suddenly out of gas. Or he gets in and five minutes later and a little closer to Paharganj, the autorickshaw develops engine trouble and he has to get out and find another. We're not saying--don't stay in Paharganj because nobody will take you home. Just a little view from the other side...... __________________ Reject violence.

Oct 6th, 2003, 00:13	#6
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,598	I've never stayed in Paharganj, and really don't see the need, other than saving a few chips. Other cheapies abound. __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Oct 6th, 2003, 06:00	#8
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,465	I always prefer to stay away from Paharganj; I've never liked it over there, except for an occasional meal. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

Jan 16th, 2004, 16:06	#12
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	I've never had a problem taking an auto rickshaw to Paharganj from anywhere in Delhi though I usually walk from CP even when it's quite late. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been!

Oct 3rd, 2003, 01:19	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Hi celtic queen, methinks I may have answered this mail before on a different forum?? If not sorry!! Paharganj has so many good budget choices it would be a pointless exercise to start naming them all. But since you asked, this forum aims to please! There is a very good hotel section which list accomodation from other traveler's personal experiences. There happens to be a listing under Delhi submitted by my good self and several other good reccomendations!! Take a look, the hotel I plumpted for also offers a airport pick up service something to consider if you're flying in early!! (I hasten to add there are many other Hotels offering this service!) The Paharganj is vivid, chaotic and perhaps a wee bit daunting at least for the first few hours but it is a wonderous place, constantly evolving. The influence of the tourists in this baazar has been astounding, but for me this has been married with the purpose from which this market originated, as a commercial hub in central Delhi. As I've watched the shops turn from the sixties hippy look to the ninties smoking culture and finally to "our" new fixation with brand goods, I've noticed that life for the inhabitants of this area of Delhi stays the same, 20 metres back from the frentic shopping, and maniac rickshaw wallahs lies a largely unchanged life style, street cricket, with every small square turned into Eden Garden, the skinny young lads are all Tendulker, hitting their umpteenth century, save the Sikhs who I'm sure are all spin bowlers called "the Turbanator" I could waffle for hours suffice to say with internet, 200+ budget Hotels, food of every variaty, etc. etc. etc You may want to stay in Paharganj!!!!

Oct 5th, 2003, 12:47	#3
MissyT Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burnaby, BC Canada Posts: 10	Hi Celtic Queen, Ron and I arrived just over a week ago and stayed in Parharganj. It was pretty much hell after the 20+ hour journey and not being used to such crowds I found it a bit much. One thing that I found is that I was treated much differently once I put on a salwar kameez vs. western clothes (long skirt and blouse) and didn't get the lewd gestures. Between dodging the crap on the street and the autorickshaws a venture out can be tramatic. I have to admit though once I got used to it, it did have a certain maddening charm, nonetheless I was happy to move on to the relative peace and quiet of Orchha...........

Oct 5th, 2003, 20:21	#5
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	This is true the farther you get away from Paharganj. There was quite a few nights that I was out until midnight in South Delhi and needed to get back to Paharganj and it was really 'balls' to find a rickshaw that would take me there. No one would go or suddenly don't speak English...etc...etc... If I switched it and said I was staying at the Imperial Hotel or something like that then it was a whole new ballgame all together.

Oct 6th, 2003, 01:44	#7
LonelyWoolf Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austria Posts: 53	Paharganj..no problem madam we, my girlfriend and I have been there some weeks ago. She never had been to India before and she was very sceptic, after one night it was ok for her. We arrived there after a longdistance flight at 2:00am, not a really friendly time for coming to Paharganj! But if u arrange a airport pickup, it's not a problem at all! See thread: Hotel/Delhi/Paharganj, we stayed at Hotel Star Paradise, which I can recommend!

Oct 7th, 2003, 12:57	#9
suginami Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 42	Paharganj used to be a lot of fun, quite wild and a sure bet to bump into someone you might have met on the other side of India. I like the full-on assault of the place but these days I my comforts.

Jan 16th, 2004, 15:55	#11
LonelyWoolf Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austria Posts: 53	no danger! it's because of the narrow roads I guess. Sometimes I had the problem too , but after discussions I always was driven to my place.

Jan 16th, 2004, 22:25	#13
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 663	Why are local drivers hesitant to go there? The local driver would say: "Because it's dirty" "Because it's congested" "Because if you are staying in Paharganj you aren't a very good prospect" "Because once I get to Paharganj, who will need a ride back out this time of night?" "Because you are probably an independent traveler who doesn't need any additional services and if they did wouldn't be willing to pay for them" "Because it's too far from home" "Because I don't like the people there" "Because the traffic is too bad"

Jan 17th, 2004, 05:46	#14
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 229	LOL - Namaste India Tours - cool answer!

Feb 5th, 2004, 21:24	#15
jpvs Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 87	Pahargunj is also said to be famous for...the oldest profession in the world.. could that be a reason that the autowallash dont want to go?

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