Sights of New Delhi: photo and description. The old fortress of Purana Qila

Europe

Article text updated: 2.02.2019

The story of the photo hunt in the Panna Reserve near Khajuraho we finished on the fact that the next morning we arrived again in Delhi. During the vacation, this was already the second visit to the capital of India. Let me remind you that for the first time we went to see the fortresses of Purana Qila and the Red Fort. Today we have a program: spend the whole day walking around interesting places the main city of the country, and at 20:00 fly by the Air-Asia low-cost airline to Goa, where, finally, relaxation will come - six days of "seal rest" on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

The train from Khajuraho arrived at the Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, code NZM. Katya and I agreed in advance that we would not take a rickshaw directly from the platform - for sure they would try to pick three skins, it would be better if we went out “to the city”, where it would be easier to bargain.

Delhi is just waking up, fog. Wet from something. Crowding on the platform ... Naturally, as soon as they got off the footboard of the car, they were surrounded by noisy rickshaws.

- Sir, hello. Where to take you? Cheap!.. You won't find a better offer in the capital.

- Hmm ... we are at the Main Bazaar, the Vivek Hotel. What's the fare?

- Only 200 rupees (3 USD).

“Sir, you are very generous. And your eyes are so kind. But my mother told me that a trip from the Hazrat-Nizamuddin station to Main Bazaar could not cost more than 60 rupees.

Oh great Shiva! Your mother has probably not been to India for a long time: 200 rupees is a fair price tag.

“Oh, right, but we’d better go outside and study the offers,” with our huge suitcase, avoiding puddles on a dirty platform, we head to the exit to the city, accompanied by a persistent driver, claiming that there are no other options but to agree to a trip with him , we do not have.

Seeing that the exit gates of the station are not far away, and competitors are already happily rubbing their hands behind them, the rickshaw gives up.

“I got yours, sir. Let's go for 100 rupees - and he starts loading our suitcases into his little clunker.

We sit down. Driver unperturbed:

— Main Bazaar? 150 rupees.

“What are you, uncle, trying to joke with us!” - we are indignant at such a petty deceit, - Unload!

We go outside and for 100 rupees in 10 minutes we get to the entrance of the Vivek Hotel, where we stayed a week ago.

They offered to give us a room for half the price, since we are moving out in the evening. They don’t bargain, even though I pretend to be leaving (we were going to talk with the administrator of the Relax Hotel, with whom such a deal was done in 2015, but I was too lazy to drag myself with a suitcase to save 200-300 rupees) . In general, we settled for 750 rupees and went to have breakfast at the Exotic rooftop restaurant we already knew.

At this point I want to quote lines from my diary (experienced tourists are always advised to write down their emotions, thoughts and feelings on vacation - this way the report will turn out to be more alive).

An endless stream of motorcycle and cycle rickshaws, pedestrians, the hum of human voices and the incessant "beeping", the smells of spices, sewers and night fires, where the homeless tried to warm themselves on a cold Delhi night. A masala chai vendor is pounding spices, draining milk, a queue... Another vendor in a tandoor is boiling oil and dipping some pies. A third opens his tuk-tuk, getting ready for a long day at work. In the Krishna Roof Top Cafe opposite ours, all the tables are occupied by hungry tourists, the cooks are fluttering butterflies at the stove. The rag sellers are still sleeping. Roller shutters are down. I recall someone's words from a review of a trip to India on my own: “Well, hello my smelly, my beloved Delhi!”

We ordered a special breakfast from our Exotic Roof Top Restaurant (stewed potatoes in Indian spices, toast with jam, scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatoes). I was hungry for meat, so I asked for two servings of lamb dumplings (momo). We are going to Qutub Minar. And in the evening, a silver bird from Air Asia will take us to the same places where we forget about work and problems, to Goa.

Review of the excursion to the minaret Qutub Minar

The second part of the review contains a list of the main attractions of Delhi, which can be seen in 1 or 2 days of excursions in the capital of India. Probably, I would like to visit the fabulously rich Akshadram temple, but at the entrance you will need to hand over all photographic equipment - I did not want to risk it.

On our first trip to Delhi, we got to the Jama Masjid, but it was too late, everything was closed. There you can climb the minaret for a small fee and take pictures of the surroundings, but it is not clear whether your wife will be allowed in.

There are still a lot of temples and palaces in Delhi (see the table in chapter No. 2), but they have already become boring to us. We choose a trip to the Qutub Minar, because there is a small park around it. At least you can take a walk.

In the section "India, guest reviews on the site" there is a detailed report describing the history of this tallest brick minaret in the world (73 m), so I will not describe everything in detail. I will only note that it was built in the period from 1192 to 1220, reconstructed in the XII, XIV and XIX centuries.

The purpose of Qutb Minar is twofold: it is both the Victory Tower and the minaret.

Opening hours of the archaeological complex Qutub Minar: from 7:00 to 17:00. Ticket price for foreign tourists: 500 rupees (7.6 USD).

We decided to take the subway to get there. To do this, along Main Bazaar we reach the New Delhi Railway station and go down to the subway. In the first part of the review about a trip to India in 2015, there is a map of the Delhi metro with linking the sights of the capital to the route lines, and it tells how we tried to get on it to the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, but in the evening, at rush hour, did not dare to enter the car - the passengers are like herring in a barrel. It was scary to run into pickpockets and lose documents. Then we decided to take a rickshaw (100 rupees). This time we have a day trip, in the subway cars it's free.

Fare: Rs 38 per person. From the Delhi metro map mentioned above, it can be seen that the most famous landmark of the Indian capital is located along one line (Jahangirpuri - Huda City Center). Here is a list of stations on this route and their attractions:

Chandni Chowk - Red Fort and Jana Masjit;
New Delhi (railway station) - exit to Main Bazaar;
Central Secretariat - India Gate Monument and Presidential palace;
Qutub Minar is our minaret with a park.

The drive from the New Delhi station to the Qutub Minar station is probably half an hour. The subway is amazingly clean for India: almost like in any other civilized metropolis in the Asian world (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Bangkok).

Although the station is called "Qutab Minar", the minaret is still far from it, you need to get there by rickshaw. The men first asked for 60 rupees, but quickly agreed to 30 ...

What can you say about your impressions of Qutub Minar? Nice park, ancient ruins. If it were not for such an expensive entrance ticket, I would say " perfect place", and so," if you come to Delhi and have a free half day, you can visit.

Photo 1. The famous Qutub Minar in Delhi. Reviews of an independent tour of the capital. 1/250, 5.6, 100, 32.

Previously, it seemed to me that the buildings in the Empire, Baroque or our "Stalin" style were too pretentious. No, in India, too, the builders knew how to inflate the estimate for the construction of places of worship! See what kind of carvings the minaret tower is decorated with.

Photo 2. Arabic script and Islamic ornaments at the Qutub Minar in Delhi. Report on a self-guided tour of the capital of India in half a day. Nikon D610 camera, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Shooting parameters: shutter speed - 1/160 sec., exposure compensation -0 EV, aperture f / 9.0, ISO 100, focal length - 42 mm.

On the territory of the archaeological park there is not only the minaret itself, but also the ruins of various medieval buildings. It seems to me that in this case, the Indian restorers have found the right balance between restoring the buildings completely (when the atmosphere of antiquity collapses) and not leaving only the foundations (when to look simple tourist nothing).

Photo 3. The ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first Islamic structure built after the conquest of Delhi by Sultan Qutb al-Din Aibak, who came here from Afghanistan. 1/250, 9.0,100, 38.

Photo 4. Carved walls of the ruins of the Kuwwat-ul-Islam mosque. Report on a trip to Qutub Minar on your own. 1/160, 9.0, 100, 62.

Although I said that I was going to the minaret only to take a walk in the park, but when I saw the local beauties, my eyes immediately lit up and, with a camera at the ready, I walked and looked out for plots for a photo report.

Photo 5. View of the Kutubov Column from the main entrance. Delhi day trip report. 1/250, -1.33, 9.0, 100, 32.

It seems that the territory of the complex is small, but we spent two or three hours here. Separated from his wife, and each explored what was interesting to him. For example, I wanted to take a closer look at the famous Iron Column, which was forged by Indian blacksmiths 1600 years ago (it was installed in 415 in honor of King Chandragupta II in the Vishnu temple of Mathura).

How unpredictable life is. Probably, in class 5 in the lessons of world history, I saw a photo of this column in textbooks. Could I have imagined that in 30 years it would be possible to buy a plane ticket for 28,000 rubles and, after 8 hours, stand at its fence, trying to make out the ancient inscriptions? ..

Next to the Qutub Minar stands the foundation of an even larger tower: the Ala-i-Minar minaret. It began to be built by Sultan Alauddin Khilji to commemorate the conquest of the Deccan and the subjugation of all of South India to his power. To prove that he is the most powerful ruler of his time, the padishah decided to build a tower twice as high as the Qutub Minar. But the last years of his reign were not the most successful, and when only the first 24.5 meters of the minaret were erected, the sultan died ...

Photo 18. Ruins of the Ala-i-Minar minaret. As we went to Qutub Minar. 1/200, 9.0, 100, 56.

Every time you visit such sights in different countries of the world, you are amazed how our ancestors could build such grandiose structures without cars and lifting equipment!

Photo 19. Photo session at the foot of the ruins of the Alai Minar minaret. Trip to Qutub Minar "savages". 1/250, 9.0, 100, 70.

By the way, don't forget to take nuts with you when going on an excursion to this archaeological park. Here you can not only breathe history, but also have fun with Chip and Dale.

Photo 20. A minute of rest in the Qutub Minar complex. 1/160, -0.67, 9.0, 180, 70.

Photo 21. Palm squirrels - residents of the Qutub Minar complex. For half a day in Delhi, you can not only see the ancient ruins, but also arrange a photo safari for rodents. Nikon D610 camera, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G telephoto lens, Nikon TC-14E II teleconverter. Options: 1/2000, -0.33, 4.0, 250, 195.

The Kuvwat-ul-Islam Mosque impresses with the carvings on the ceiling of the dome and on the columns.

Photo 22 Reviews about excursions in Delhi. 1/60, -0.67, 9.0, 400, 32.

Photo 23. To take this photo, I had to put the camera on the floor, exactly in the center, and drive away the tourists so that they would not come. 1/60, +1.0, 9.0, 1400, 28.

The uncle-security guard saw my exercises with the camera and offered to take a picture from a different angle so that both tourists and the dome could be seen.

Photo 24 Is your uncle right? The photo looks so interesting! 1/50, -0.33, 9.0, 280, 24.

Although we have already seen enough of such carved columns, traveling through the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, visiting Hindu and Jain temples, it was still pleasant to wander here.

Photo 25. Tourist lost in the forest of columns in the Kuwwat-ul-Islam mosque. What to see in Delhi in half a day. 1/160, 9.0, 2500, 70.

The height of the Qutub Minar column is 73 m, the diameter at the base is 14 m, at the top it is 3 m. A spiral staircase with 379 steps is installed inside. Although formally this building is a minaret from which the muezzins were supposed to call the faithful to prayer, it is unlikely that in practice it served its intended purpose: from such a height, who would have heard them in Medieval Delhi, filled with the noise of shopping streets, the cries of sellers and the roar of camels.

Photo 26. The Qutub Minar is a landmark building in Delhi. Tour of the capital of India in half a day. 1/500, -0.67, 9.0, 100, 24.

This is how this place looked like 500 years ago (if the Alai Minar minaret had been completed).

27. Scheme of the archaeological complex Qutub Minar in Delhi. Tourist reports about independent excursions in a day. 1/320, -0.67, 4.5, 100, 48.

Having walked a lot in the park, we decide to go and see the Government Quarter. Again we get on a rickshaw to the Qutab Minar metro station, from where we need to get to the “Central Secretariat”. For some reason, the driver asks for our used tickets to the park. I think he is in collusion with the controller: he will sell them to other tourists at half price, and the partner will let them into the territory. So, keep in mind that, apparently, you can go to Qutb Minar, spending less money.

What else can you see in Delhi in half a day? government quarter

A twenty-minute subway ride, we get off at the Central Secretariat station and ... we find ourselves in a completely different, unnatural India. There is no dirt, no fumes, no wild cacophony of smells and sounds that surround you in any city in the country.

Photo 28. View of the Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan (Rashtrapati Bhavan) in Delhi. Review of a trip to the Government Quarter. 1/250, 9.0, 100, 32.

Frankly, we could not believe that such sterility could even exist anywhere in India. It seems that you are walking on the scenery of some movie about the future, and not along the real street.

Photo 29. Visiting the Government Quarter in Delhi. What to see in one day. 1/200, +0.67, 9.0, 100, 24.

The most grandiose and recognizable building of the Government Quarter looks like this.

Photo 31. Rashtrapati Bhavan President's Palace. In front of him is the Jaipur Column, donated by the Maharaja of Jaipur during the construction of the palace in 1911 on the occasion of the transfer of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. Nikon D610 camera, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G telephoto camera, Nikon TC-14E II extender. Settings: 1/320, 9.0, 250, 150.

At the time of the tour, we did not know, but while preparing the article, I found out that behind the Rashtrapati Bhavan palace is beautiful park Mughal Gardens. Visitors are allowed here during February every year.

And the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace is also known for the fact that here tourists can watch the changing of the guard of the presidential guard (Changing the guard).

The changing of the guard ceremony lasts 30 minutes in the courtyard. It usually starts at 8:00 in the summer and at 10:00 in the winter every Saturday.

The only thing I haven't seen is a single report Russian tourists about this event, and, as I understand it, in order to get there, you need to book tickets in advance via the Internet.

On the opposite side of the Rashtrapati Bhawan Presidential Palace is Rajpath Marg Avenue, and in the distance is the India Gate arch.

Photo 32. India Gate Arch on Rajpath Avenue in Delhi. Reviews of tourists about independent excursions in one day. 1/640, 9.0, 450, 280.

The India Gate monument was built between 1914 and 1925. It was originally called "Memorial of all wars in India". It was erected in memory of 82,000 soldiers of the Indian army who died in the First World War in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa and in the Battle of Gallipoli, as well as in the Middle and Far East, in the Third Anglo-Afghan War.

In 1971, Indira Gandhi opened the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Gateway of India in memory of the heroes of the Third Indo-Pakistani War. In general, for Hindus, this place is like the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin walls in Moscow for Russians: a sacred place.

The President's Palace is 2.5 km from India Gate. It was hot, so it was too lazy to walk. We decided not to approach the arch. We left on a rickshaw to Main Bazaar, where we had to buy a new suitcase (the wheels in the old one broke), have dinner, check out from the hotel and get to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. In the evening we fly to Goa ...

About how we got to Palolem Beach from Dabolim airport in Goa, I will tell in the next chapter with a review of the rest in India on our own. Now I’ll just note that in the previous photo, far behind the Gateway of India, a small turret is visible. This is the dome on the fortress of Purana Qila, about the excursion to which I spoke in the second chapter of the report. If you plan your excursions around Delhi, keep in mind that these attractions are very close to each other (there is also the capital's zoo).

This concludes the story of how to spend a few hours in Delhi. I think I just got a guide to the capital of India.

If you read the fourth chapter from the section “India. Guest”, you will be able to learn interesting facts from Mikhail Shmakov about the Qutub Minar minaret and the Government quarter, see the interiors of the Akshardam Temple and the Lotus Temple.

The first chapter of the report on our trip to India in 2015 tells how to walk from New Delhi Station to Main Bazaar and how to find a ticket office for foreigners where you can buy travel documents on the indian train. It also tells how to take the subway to the domestic terminal T-1 of the Indira Gandhi Airport.

All in all, you now have a plan in place for how to spend half a day, a day or two during your holiday in Delhi. If you think that the information turned out to be useful for organizing the trip, I would be grateful if you share the link to the article on social networks.

And now, see you in the thirteenth chapter. In it, I will tell you where in India you can relax by the sea, what are the pros and cons of each resort, and whether we liked it in South Goa.

In this article, you will find out what attractions there are in Delhi and whether it is worth spending time on them. And I will also talk about how to spend the day with benefit.

In Delhi, we will be passing through, so I decided to plan in advance a list of places that can be visited, so that it would be easier to navigate the place.

I know that many may say that it is so uninteresting, you need the rest to be spontaneous, but if you have little time, then it is better to prepare in advance. And you can change plans at any time.

To get started, I downloaded applications with maps of India on my phone ( Google Maps, Maps.me - choose any to your taste) and marked on the map all the cities and hotels that she booked. After this, I go to a specific city (in this case, Delhi), mark the sights on the map, and after that I look at what is near the hotel, in what order it is better to visit them, and be sure to look at the reviews (videos on Youtube, tripadvisor, for example) . This helps to sweep away the unnecessary and leave time for a walk just around the city.

Let me show you how to plan your day.

We arrive in Delhi on 01.01. in the afternoon and check into Yes Please Guest House, it is located near the main street in Delhi - Main Bazar. And also not far from it to go to the railway station, from which we will go to Agra on 02.01.

Our task for the maximum on 01.01.:

Check into a hotel

Find a left-luggage office to drop off winter things (because we plan to travel with backpacks),

Good to eat

Walk around the Main Bazar and buy my husband a travel backpack with the dimensions of hand luggage,

See the city in a nutshell.

So our day begins with the fact that we arrive at Delhi airport, take the subway and get to Main Bazaar.

After that, we check into the hotel, and now it’s 13:00…

And after that we have time to Attraction.

At the beginning I will tell you about the most popular attractions in Delhi:

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

In short, it can be called a Sikh temple with an artificial lake where you can walk barefoot. But it will be cold in winter.

Sikhism is one of the Indian religious movements. It was built of snow-white marble and topped with gilded domes made of gold plates.

The dining room of the temple is the place Catering and here anyone can eat three times a day for free.

Women and men need a head covering (a headscarf, not a cap).

Read more about the temple, the history of its creation.

Opening hours: 0:00 – 23:45

Address: Ashoka Road | Connaught Place,Next to Grand Post Office, New Delhi 110001, India

2. Akshardham Swaminarayan Akshardham.

New building. This Hindu temple complex Delhi opened in 2005. main temple, built of pink stone, is a masterpiece of Indian architecture. Skillful stone carving cannot leave you indifferent. The interior of the temple made of white marble impresses with its beauty and grace. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

The entrance is free. You can also come to the fountain show in the evening (80 rupees per person).

3. Humayun's Tomb.

The complex is a large and well-groomed garden and park area, with numerous water channels, where several tombs are located. The central and most impressive site of the complex is the tomb-mausoleum of Hamayun, an octagonal building built of pink sandstone and crowned with a huge dome of white marble.

The tomb was built by order of the widow of the padishah Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. Her husband, Humayun, the second emperor of the Mughal dynasty, gave his whole life to join North India to his possessions. It looks like palaces in Samarkand and Bukhara.

Entrance for tourists 500 rupees, large territory, beautiful, well-groomed. The complex is open until 19:00.

Address: East Nizamudhin | Opp Nizamuddin Mosque, New Delhi 110013, India

4. Qutub Minar Qutub Minar

The main attraction of the complex is the 72-meter-high Qutb Minar minaret, which impresses with its size, grandeur, beauty and unusual carved ornament.

Address: Aurobindo Marg | Mahrauli , New Delhi 110030, India

5. Lodi Gardens

A great place to take a break from the bustle of the city, noise and dust, familiar to Delhi. An island of silence and tranquility hides from the signals of cars, smog and allows you to enjoy the beauty, nature, greenery.

The wife of the British king - Lady Wellington - decided to create a beautiful park in this place of the slums in 1936. Since then, this park, called the Lodi Gardens, has been the realm of love, relaxation, chipmunks, parrots and eagles. The park is full of various mausoleums.

Address: Lodi Road, New Delhi 110002, India

6. Rashtrapati Bhavan

Located near the gates of India. This is a complex of government buildings and a parliament. good architecture, beautiful view at India Gate. You can’t go directly to the buildings, you can’t go to the parliament either. The government quarter is a completely different world. Silence, peace, the absence of the local population. It seems that he was in the 19th century, Great Britain is an empire, and India is a colony. From the hill you have a beautiful view of the Gateway of India.

Opening hours: 10:00 – 16:00

Address: Rajpath, New Delhi 110004, India.

7 India Gate

This is the gate of India. India Gate is located in the center of the capital of India - New Delhi. The India Gate reminds us of the events of the First World War, in which about 90,000 Indian soldiers died. An excellent place for a walk is the wide lawns.

Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Near Connaught Place New Delhi, New Delhi 110001, India

8. Gandhi Smriti

This place is not a must visit but if you respect the history and struggle for independence of India, then it is worth visiting the place of life last days Gandhi. Very well-groomed territory, calm environment, plan in the middle of the day to relax. Admission is free, you just need to register at the entrance.

On the ground floor is the room itself, where Gandhi lived. His whole life is shown in stories and such small puppet structures, very beautifully and accessiblely equipped. It will be clear even to children and those who do not speak English / Indian languages.
On the second floor it is even more exciting: modern audio / video exhibits, everything is designed so that they can be touched, tasted, and at the same time there will be a certain effect) kaleidoscopes, the play of light, music, harps.

To get there, the possible metro, the nearest station is Lok Kalyan Marg, yellow line.

Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00

5 Tees January Marg , New Delhi 110011, India

9. Bahai Lotus Temple Bahai Lotus Temple

Bahai is a relatively new religious doctrine (originated in the second half of the 19th century), the main theme of which is the unity of God, humanity and all religions. It is not surprising that one of the Baha'i temples was built in Delhi, the capital of India, a country where Christians and Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, Hare Krishnas and Sikhs, and many others coexist quite peacefully. The Lotus Temple is relatively new, was built in 1986, and has an unusual architectural solution in the form of huge lotus petals - somewhat reminiscent of the building of the Opera House in Sydney.

The snow-white marble building of the temple has the shape of a lotus flower - a very unusual, modern and original architectural solution. To get into the temple, you need to take off your shoes and stand in line at the entrance, and then listen to a short briefing in Hindi and English.

Visiting the temple is free. Inside the temple, everything is very simple and concise - rows of benches where you can sit, pray, think and meditate. There is a large, beautiful park near the temple.

Opening hours: 9:30 - 17:30 (Monday - day off)

Address: Lotus Temple Rd | Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India

The Gandhi Museum, Lodi Gardens, India Gate and Hamayun's Tomb are relatively close, so they can be visited together.
Almost all the sights cost from 500 rupees, they are poorly taken care of (they don’t restore much), so calculate the sights and the advisability of visiting in advance.
Qutub Minar is the farthest from Main Bazaar (15 km), if you stay there, calculate the trip to it separately.

In general, if you also have little time, like we do, do not rush anywhere, you will not find anything epoch-making in Delhi.

I have allocated for myself to visit: Qutb Minar, Sikh Temple and Akshardham in the evening (fountain show).

Read also:

Photo 1 of 19:

If the mythical tower of Babylon had not been torn to pieces, then it would definitely be in Delhi. Swarthy, white-skinned, black, yellow - people of all nations and nationalities inhabit this vast Indian metropolis. Some call Delhi a dusty anthill, others enthusiastically roll their eyes at the mention of their dream city. Those who are just starting their journey through India, Delhi, like a stern customs officer, checks for stamina and puts a mark “fit for Indian realities”.

It is impossible not to fall in love with this city. It seems as if everything is shrouded in a spicy haze of spices and seasonings, and a subtle smell of magic hovers in the air. That's what it is oriental tale, a fairy tale about how seven cities turned into one and became a symbol of ancient and mighty India. In Delhi, so many temples, ancient tombs and religious buildings have been preserved that it is impossible to get around them even in a week. But if your carriage in 2 days turns into a pumpkin, then we will not hesitate and immediately set off on an exciting journey through the capital of India. For these 48 hours, tochka.net will become your personal guide to Delhi and show you the way to an old fairy tale.

Sights of Delhi - general information

Let's tell the truth - the first impression is that higher powers threw a handful of seeds on Delhi, and a landmark sprouted from each. Interesting monuments antiquities and art are scattered throughout the city, getting to them is a serious matter. Even if you show some weakness and order a taxi for the whole day (1000 rupees, $20), it will take a lot of time to move between them.

In this case, you can cheat and buy a ticket for the famous Hop on Hop off bus (http://www.hohodelhi.com). The scheme is quite simple - there is a route of about 20 tourist spots which runs several buses. With a single ticket for 600 rupees ($12), you can jump off the bus at any time (hop off), see the sights that interest you and jump on the next bus (hop on). You won't have to wait long at the bus stop, as the buses run every half an hour. The ticket is valid for 2 days, which is ideal in our case.

Please note that entrance fees to museums, tombs and gardens are not included in the ticket.

Sights of Delhi - 09:00-10:00. Wake up and breakfast

If you are staying at one of the hotels in the Main Bazaar, popular with tourists, you will wake up much earlier - with the first rays of the Indian sun. In the early morning, the neighborhood will resound with piercing songs from the mosque. And on the next street, Hindu temples will invite you to the morning service with the roar of drums. And at the same moment the streets will be filled with people, rickshaws, dogs, cows. It's time to get up!

There is no such riot of colors, noises and smells anywhere else. Squeezing through a narrow lane, you will come to main street where ordinary Delhi life is already in full swing. You can have breakfast on the roof of any hotel, even without being its guest. Sometimes the owners themselves cook, who treat the orders of their guests with trepidation. And if the waiter zealously wipes your table for the third time, this is a sign of special respect, which is usually answered with a tip.

One of the most the best places for breakfast - a restaurant on the roof of the Metropolis Hotel. Here you can hide from annoying noise and enjoy Indian and European cuisine. As elsewhere, in the morning they offer toast with jam and milk tea with spices. If you suddenly want to start the day with an Indian dish, be sure to order dal mahani (thick lentil soup) and delicious ice cream with caramel and raisins. Prices are slightly higher than other places. So, the main dishes cost, on average, 200 rupees ($ 4).

The address: 1628 Main Bazaar, Paharganj, Metropolis Tourist Home

Landmarks of Delhi. 10:00 - 11:30. We visit a Muslim shrine.

After a hearty breakfast, your way lies to one of the largest mosques in the world, Jama Masjid. Walk through the Main Bazaar, where you can meet a colorful personality at every step, or face a cow face to face. Slowly and looking at the surroundings, you can walk to the mosque in half an hour.

If you get tired of squeezing through a dense crowd, take a rickshaw. In just 10 minutes, proudly looking at passers-by, you will rush to the main Muslim shrine. The fare depends on your oratory skills and is 40-50 rupees.

Before entering the mosque, you must take off your shoes and pay a fee for a photo and video camera (200 rupees, $ 4). Do not try to deceive the guard by hiding the equipment in a bag - they can search and scold. Receipt of payment must be kept until leaving the mosque. Please note that on Friday and from 12:15 to 13:45, entry to the Jama Masjid is prohibited for non-Muslims. To blend in with the crowd, you can rent a traditional attire at the north gate and wrap yourself in it.

Entering the mosque, you will be amazed by its formidable minarets and massive domes. Two 40-meter minarets are built of red sandstone and white marble. At the same time, about 25 thousand believers can honor Allah here. One has only to look at the scale of the square to feel the amazing harmony of architecture and style.

If you want to view the mosque from a height, it is worth climbing a narrow staircase to the top of one of the minarets. True, first you will need to find an usher and pay 20 rupees ($ 0.4).

Landmarks of Delhi. 11:30-13:00. Wandering the Red Fort

Leaving the mosque, you will find yourself in front of the famous Red Fort, built in the image and likeness of paradise in the Koran. This is immodestly stated by the inscription “If there is a paradise on earth, then it is here” above the entrance to the citadel. Indeed, the Red Fort impresses with its size and grandeur. An unusual mixture of Indian and Arabic styles give the fortress a fabulous look.

Many tourists wander under the patterned arches of red sandstone, looking at each pattern for a long time. And if you get tired of standing with your head up, then look down and you will see the little inhabitants of the fort - chipmunks. The animals are very friendly and willingly jump on hands if they are beckoned with a treat.

Entry fee - 250 rupees ($ 5), for children under 15 years old - free of charge. Please note that on Monday the fort is closed to the public. By the way, if you are planning to go to Agra, you can skip this point, because there is an identical fortress there. Instead, wander around the Main Bazaar longer and gain mixed impressions.

Landmarks of Delhi. 13:00-14:00. Laying flowers at the Gandhi Memorial

Not far from the Red Fort is Raj Ghat - a picturesque park, famous place cremation of Mahatma Gandhi. And if visiting Lenin's mausoleum you want to quietly whisper the phrase about "study", then here the word "fight" involuntarily comes to mind.

You can get to the Raj Ghat on foot or by rickshaw, which will take you 10 minutes. Skillfully maneuvering between groups of Indian schoolchildren, get close to a low black platform. All the eyes and prayers of the visitors who came to honor the honor of the great revolutionary are directed to her. To the north of the memorial are the more modest monuments of former Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv. On the way to them, you can relax in the shade of thick trees or go down the stairs to the river.

Landmarks of Delhi. 14:00-15:00. Lunch at Changezi Chicken

If you are already hungry, then it's time to go to local cafe Changezi Chicken to feel the atmosphere of Old Delhi. You can't make a mistake - a bright pink neon inscription will literally drag you to the entrance to this institution. Can you guess three times what you need to try in a place with such a flashy name? Of course, Changesi Chicken's signature dish is tender chicken pieces generously seasoned with curry and lime juice. An appetizing buttered flatbread - tandoori roti or rumali roti - is well suited to a meat dish. Please note that for one person a whole portion (full chicken) is too much, it is better to divide it into two. Vegetarians can try more budget options - Indian cheese dishes (paneer tikka) and lentil soup (dal mahani).

You can dine in this colorful place for 300 rupees ($ 6). Do not be greedy and do not eat too much - there are still many gourmet temptations ahead.

The address: 3614, N.S. Marg, Daryaganj

Landmarks of Delhi. 15:00-17:30. We pass through the India Gate to the President.

After leaving the cafe, turn right and walk a couple of minutes to the Delhi Gate bus stop. From here, buses 502, 26 or 53 will take you to the National Stadium. Of course, if you are not attracted to a local public transport, you can catch a taxi and get there much faster.

Here is the triumphal arch of the India Gate, built by the British in honor of the fallen soldiers of the First World War. Unlike her twin in Mumbai, she stands right in the middle of a park. In the shadow of the gate, an honor guard in multi-colored berets is serving, and tourists are fussing nearby, choosing an angle for a photo. As befits a popular attraction, there are a lot of merchants nearby who sell mere knick-knacks - soap bubbles, photographs and postcards. Be careful: on the way you can be stopped by strict Hindus and demand a fee for visiting the sights. Ignore these street crooks and calmly walk towards the archway, the soldiers and the eternal flame.

Near the Gate of India there is a picturesque park where you can relax on the grass. Romantically inclined persons are recommended to take a boat and ride on the calm waters of the lake. After resting, you can set off on a journey to a large building, the silhouette of which can be seen in the distance. This is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. An excellent road has been laid to it from the arch, which can be overcome on foot in 30-40 minutes.

Initially, Rashtrapati Bhavan was built for the needs of high-ranking British, and then passed to the new government of India. On the territory of this luxurious palace the 145-meter pillar of Jaipur rises, at the base of which the plan of New Delhi is engraved. Unfortunately, mere mortals can only get into the Mughal gardens, and only in February. But you can see in detail the dome, made in the image of the dome of the Roman Pantheon, skillfully trimmed trees and feed the monkeys.

Landmarks of Delhi. 17:30 - 20:00. Walking around a Hindu temple

The Central Secretariat metro station is a two-minute walk from the President's Residence. Jump on the subway and follow the signs to Akshardham station. The journey with a transfer will take about half an hour and will cost 15 rupees.

Here is your next destination - Akshardham Temple, Guinness World Record holder for the largest Hindu temple. The main sanctuary is built of pink stone and adorned with 234 columns inspired by Indian mythology. Inside the temple is finished with white marble, symbolizing absolute purity and peace.

The control at the entrance to the temple is very strict - they take away everything except money. All personal belongings must be handed over to the storage room, and then go through a manual search and inspection with a metal detector. Due to the lengthy control procedure, you will have to stand in line for up to 30 minutes.

After a thorough check, you can finally breathe and relax. An artificial lake was built on the territory of the temple, on which boats float, there are museums, cafes and fountains. By the way, after wandering around the temple, try to take a good place In front of them. At 19:45, a light and music show begins, which, combined with beautiful temple lighting, causes an unusually vivid sensation.

Landmarks of Delhi. 20:00 - 21:30. Finally! Dinner.

As you know, all roads lead to Rajiv Chowk, one of the largest shopping and business districts in Delhi. Getting here by metro is easy, since all metro lines intersect at the Rajiv Chowk station of the same name.

Surely your stomach has already raised a riot on the ship. In this case, we know a great place for a hearty dinner - Saravana Bhavan Cafe (http://www.saravanabhavan.com). True, anyone can be confused by the prefix "hotel" on a neon shop window. Do not be surprised, because in India all cafes and budget restaurants are called like that.

Hindus who have repeatedly visited South India unanimously say that excellent South Indian dishes are prepared in this cafe - dosa, uttapam, idli. Take their word for it and try butter masala dosa - vegetables wrapped in a thin buttered flatbread. If you suddenly want everything and a lot - thali with side dishes and sauces is at your service. For dessert, you can choose ice cream and freshly squeezed mango juice.

Despite the fact that the order will have to wait a bit, the service here is good. And the prices don't bite. For an immodest dinner, you will pay about 300 rupees ($6).

Landmarks of Delhi. 21:30 - 23:30. Relax in the lounge bar

This day was obviously busy. Therefore, it is worth finishing it in one of the pleasant lounge bars in Delhi, dissolving in atmospheric music and evening coolness. Not far from the cafe where you had dinner, there is a respectable Aqua establishment. Unlike many clubs and bars in Delhi, the local speakers do not explode with the rhythms of Indian pop music. Accordingly, there is no wild crowd dancing near the bar. Only an open terrace, a pool and unobtrusive music.

The most comfortable place for two is a white sofa with pillows in the form of an open shell. Order a delicious hookah and enjoy the peace, because tomorrow you will plunge into chaos again. Treat yourself to caramel ice cream, and if your soul longs for the continuation of the banquet - a glass of beer. If you are afraid to sort out, look at the menu from time to time. Prices for alcohol (beer from 400 rupees, $ 8) will immediately sober you up.

Leaving the establishment around midnight, take a taxi and get to the hotel without incident. You will obviously sleep without hind legs!

Sights of Delhi - day two.

Landmarks of Delhi. 09:00 - 10:00. Wake up and breakfast

Waking up in a hotel on the Main Bazaar, as you remember, is possible without the help of an alarm clock. After shaking off the remnants of drowsiness, head to Café Festa for breakfast. Very tasty coffee is prepared here (of course, by Indian standards). For a bite to eat, order a fruit salad of apple, pineapple, papaya and banana slices. Probably, the place is very popular among our compatriots, since you can even find “Russian salad” on the menu - chopped vegetables and fruits with mayonnaise. Indian version of Olivier, so to speak.

If you have Napoleonic plans, you can refresh yourself with Chinese wonton soup. Asian performance is not guaranteed, but morning hunger can be satisfied. Breakfast at this establishment will cost you 200 rupees ($4).

The address: 1832, Laxmi Narain Street, Chuna Mandi, Pahargang

Landmarks of Delhi. 10:00 - 12:00. We walk along the tomb of the Shah

The first destination is the tomb of Humayun, the Mughal emperor. The legend of his outstanding personality vividly illustrates the saying "woe from wit." Thus, the educated ruler Humayun was very fond of astronomy and astrology. One day, leaving the library with a pile of books, he heard a call to prayer, got entangled in the skirts of a long robe and rolled down the stairs. The inconsolable widow built a majestic mausoleum in his honor, in the image and likeness of which the Taj Mahal was later built.

To get to Humayun's Tomb, you need to take the subway and get to JLN Stadium station (the trip will cost 15 rupees). From there you can walk (25 minutes) or take a rickshaw (10 minutes). The entrance fee for foreigners is 250 rupees ($5). If you disguise yourself as a Hindu, you can go for a symbolic 10 rupees.

You can endlessly walk around the complex, looking at the carved stained-glass windows inside the tombs and relaxing in the shade of trees. After all, this is not only a mausoleum, but, above all, a beautiful garden with quiet alleys and footpaths. Water channels divide the park into 36 squares with fountains.

By the way, not only great emperor, but also many of his subjects, including the royal barber. A separate tomb with a double dome is dedicated to him, to which 7 steps lead.

Landmarks of Delhi. 12:00-14:00. Qutub Minar Complex

Some distance from the central attractions is the world's highest brick minaret Qutb Minar. You can get to it by metro, getting off at the Qutub Minar stop of the same name (the trip will cost 19 rupees). Tickets (250 rupees, $ 5) are sold across the street from the entrance, there is also a toilet and a left-luggage office.

Three rulers built this gigantic structure for 200 years, hoping to overshadow the glory of the Jam minaret in Afghanistan. In addition to religious purposes, the minaret was also used as lookout tower to protect the city. It is not surprising, because this "candle" 70 m high is visible from a long distance.

In addition to the brick minaret, there are the ruins of the first Indian mosque. It was built from the remains of destroyed Hindu and Jain temples. But not mosques, gates and arches are of most interest to tourists, but the mysterious iron column. According to legend, not a single speck of rust appeared on it for 1600 years. There are rumors that the column is made of a meteorite, and where aliens are, there is a sensation. It is believed that if you stand with your back to the column and clasp your hands, then unearthly happiness will fall on your head. To stop the mass hugging of the rarity, a fence was erected around the structure.

A little away from the main attractions, you can relax on the grass. Do not be surprised if you suddenly notice a green parrot in a flock of pigeons. According to tradition, feed the chipmunks, who deftly scurry through the ruins of the complex and beg for treats from tourists.

Landmarks of Delhi. 14:00-15:00. Resting in the Garden of Five Senses

Next to Qutb Minar is the Garden of the Five Senses. As the name implies, people come here to feel harmony with nature. During the day it is calm and quiet here, in contrast to the morning hours, when the paths are not overcrowded due to fitness enthusiasts.

Under shady trees, you can escape from the heat and take a break from annoying photographers. By the way, more attention local residents guaranteed to all tourists in Delhi. Some may take pictures of you furtively, others - ask for a joint photo. This applies even to the most touristic places, where there are always a lot of white misters. Interest in foreigners in India never disappears. So we recommend periodically running away from busy areas to such secluded corners of nature.

To get to the park, walk to Saket metro station and then take a rickshaw. We'll have to bargain a little, because rickshaws are monopolists here and feel their power. For less than 50 rupees, these tricksters will not go. The entrance fee to the park is 20 rupees ($0.4).

Landmarks of Delhi. 15:00 - 16:00. Dinner for the Maharaja

Stop eating in budget establishments, it's time to feel like a maharaja and try "high" Indian cuisine. It's no secret that in cheap cafes, the taste of the dish is often interrupted by spicy sauces and spices, and only a fire is felt in the mouth. At the exit of the Garden of the Five Senses is the Fio restaurant (http://www.fiorestaurant.com), where spices are added wisely. Gentlemen, get ready to fork out, and not in vain.

Among palm leaves comfortable ottomans and sofas are hidden where you can wait for your order. Live music plays, the interior is decorated with butterfly figurines and decorative lanterns. Be sure to try the dish of Indian paneer cheese, which comes with salad, traditional flatbread, olive vegetable paste and sauces. Please note that taxes and tips will also be included in the bill. From here you will leave with a thinner wallet (at least 600 rupees, $12), but with a full stomach and no fire in your mouth.

The address: Gate 1, Garden of Five Senses, Saiyad Ul Ajaib

Landmarks of Delhi. 16:00 - 17:30. Thinking about lofty matters in the Lotus Temple

What are we all about material values, spending and expenses. It's time to digress from the realities of life and think about high matters. Having reached the entrance to the Saket subway by rickshaw, we go down to the subway and go to the Kalkaji Mandir station (22 rupees). Here is one of the most interesting and atmospheric temples in Delhi - the Lotus Temple.

Even 450 years ago, the Mughal Shah Akbar dreamed of building a majestic temple for all religions on earth. His dream was realized by a Canadian architect, according to whose project the Bahai Temple, or the Lotus Temple, was built. The building of the prayer house is made in the form of a snow-white lotus, which symbolizes purity and lofty thoughts. As befits a water flower, the temple is surrounded by pools of water.

When entering the temple you need to take off your shoes. Until the previous group of visitors leaves, you will have to wait in line for a couple of minutes. Remember that loud conversations, photos and videos are prohibited in the temple.

The interior of the temple is very simple, and only in the center shines the sacred Baha'i symbol. This place has a unique energy, so sit here in silence for a while, look inside yourself and try to find answers to eternal questions. We recommend visiting at 17:00, when for 5 minutes different speakers read lines from sacred texts.

Landmarks of Delhi. 17:30 - 18:30. Shopping at the ethnic bazaar

The case is approaching evening, which means that you need to get from the outskirts of Delhi closer to the center. On the way, it is worth stopping by the Dilli Haat ethnic complex. The easiest way is to jump into the familiar subway and get off at the Ina stop (19 rupees). You will have to pay 20 rupees ($ 0.4) to enter the complex.

On the territory of Dilli Haat there are many souvenir shops, shops and cafes. By the way, each institution represents the cuisine of a particular region of India. Everything is written on signs and shop windows. If you don't want to wait for dinner, then you can have a snack here kheer (sweet rice porridge with milk) or halava (semolina pudding).

Remember the Indian markets and be glad that you are in this place. Here they sell similar goods, but in a more civilized manner and, of course, with a cheat. After walking along the rows with embroidered bags, shawls and scarves, you will come out to the merchants of Ayurvedic medicines. Next, there are musical instruments, handicrafts, oriental shoes with curved ends, jewelry, knick-knacks and much more.

In addition, it is also a permanent craft fair. Masters come here from all over India to show off their skills. The most interesting thing, of course, is to visit during the festival, when the trade is accompanied by dances, songs and ethnic shows.

Landmarks of Delhi. 18:30 - 20:00. Watching Indian dances

To see classical Indian dances, it is better to visit the festivals that are often held in Delhi. Announcements should be sought in English-language newspapers (Times of India, Hindustani Times) or local news resources. But if you have not found a worthwhile event, then you can go to the Parsi Anjuman Hall (http://www.tabeventsunlimited.com). Every evening from 19:00 Indian dances of Kathakali, Bhavai, Bhangara and others are shown here. The cost of the performance is 200-400 rupees ($4-8).

To get there, take the subway (if you are not tired of it yet) and go to Mandi House station (15 rupees). From there, take a taxi or rickshaw to Feroz Shah Stadium. Building concert hall is directly opposite it.

Landmarks of Delhi. 20:00 - 21:00. Dinner at Moti Mahal

After exiting the concert hall, turn left and walk 15 minutes to the Moti Mahal restaurant (http://motimahalindia.com). It is possible that in the case of severe hunger, the journey will take much less time. In any case, you should hurry up to get good places.

The owners of the restaurant are proud of its history, which dates back to the 30s of the XX century. According to their sworn assurances, Indira Gandhi, Richard Nixon, the Nepalese king, the Shah of Iran and even Nikita Khrushchev came here! However, many guests are brought here not by such stories, but by the fame of mouth-watering chicken dishes - butter chicken and tandoori chicken. If where they are prepared according to unique recipes, then only here. Remember the rule of half and don't order a whole plate. The choice of dessert is poor, but they do not come here for sweets.

For a decent dinner, you will have to pay a lot - 400-500 rupees ($ 8-10). But if you don’t like lordly manners, there are several budget options nearby. So, turning into the street opposite the already familiar Changezi Chicken cafe, you will stumble upon Zaika Restaurant. In spite of funny name, the food here is good - dishes of chicken and goat meat (mutton). The average check in this place is 200 rupees ($4).

The address Moti Mahal: 3703, Netaji Subhash Marg

Address Zaika Restaurant: 3615, Daryagang, Near Golcha Cinema

Landmarks of Delhi. 21:00 - 23:00. Evening walks in the Main Bazaar

The Daryaganj district, where you had dinner, and the Main Bazaar are half an hour's walk from each other. Of course, if you are uncomfortable wandering around Delhi in the evening, it is better to take a rickshaw.

At dusk, this quarter is transformed - there are more tourists and rickshaws, colored shop windows light up. Some colorful personalities offer hashish, others lure you into their establishments. Despite the fact that all shops and shops close by 23:00, you can find water, spicy pies (samosas), and even toilet paper at midnight. This, by the way, is very useful, because in some parts of India it cannot be found during the day with fire.

Walk through the narrow streets, buy Indian sweets and courageously give your hand to a street artist. In half an hour, an elegant henna pattern - mehendi will flaunt on your skin. This beauty will wash off in two weeks, if you carefully rub your hands - earlier. However, this time will be enough for you to show off the Indian “stamp” to friends and relatives.

Delhi attractions - how to get around Delhi

The best is the subway. This is a clean and relatively cheap (15-20 rupees) mode of transport that will quickly take you from point A to point B. All signs and signs are duplicated on English language It won't be hard to navigate. The subway operates from 6:00 to 23:00. You can also buy a tourist pass for 3 days, which costs 250 rupees ($5).

You can also ride city buses. The cost of the trip is 5-15 rupees. True, a rare tourist decides to use buses because of their overcrowding. Fewer people travel on red and green government buses, more on orange private ones. Tickets must be purchased from the conductor and kept until the end of the trip.

The most common mode of transportation for tourists is autorickshaws. These are small three-wheeled cars, which usually fit up to 3 people. They rarely go to the meter, preferring to break fantastic prices. When traveling long distances, one kilometer will require 10 rupees. For short distances, it is better to use a cycle rickshaw - a stroller attached to a bicycle. Cycle rickshaws are not as brazen and will pedal for a budget price. Please note that rickshaws are not allowed to drive on wide roads and main avenues.

Taxis in Delhi are not as common as in Mumbai, but are also popular. The fare for 1 km is 15 rupees, each subsequent - 10 rupees. There are special booths at the airport and train stations where you can find out and pay the cost in advance. In addition, it is possible to order a car by phone or online (www.easycabs.com, www.megacabs.com, www.quickcabs.in)

Lotus Temple

This flower-shaped white marble building is one of New Delhi's most recognizable landmarks. The Lotus Temple was built in 1986. The idea of the temple was to unite all religions under one roof.

People of absolutely any religion can enter the temple, but for this you will have to stand in a huge queue in the sun. Services are not held inside the temple. Once there, people simply sit down on benches and think about the eternal or meditate. The capacity of the temple is 1300 seats, but apparently it is rarely full.

Inside the temple, it is customary to be barefoot and observe complete silence.

Lotus Temple in New Delhi on the map:

Akshardham temple

Definitely the most beautiful and grandiose sight of Delhi! Many, comparing Akshardham with the Taj Mahal, assure that the last palace loses to the Delhi "new building" in beauty. Unfortunately, photography is strictly prohibited in Akshardham. Upon entering, you are required to hand over to the storage room everything that is in any way related to technology: phones, cameras and even flash drives. Therefore, if you want to remember this beauty, you can use the “Photo Memory” service: the photographer of the complex will take a picture of you against the backdrop of the main Akshardham Palace, and at the exit you will pick up the finished A4 photo, and even in the cover. The cost of such a photo is only 130 rupees. We certainly took advantage of the opportunity!

And here are some photos from Akshardham's official website, just for a general idea:

In addition to the main palace of pink marble, immersed in gold, the complex has performances with animated robots and a grandiose fountain show. We visited Akshardham twice, because on the first day we did not have time to watch those same animated performances (Exibitions).

The entrance to the Akshardham complex itself is free. Entrance to the performances about the history of the creation of Akshardham and the history of India (where you can see animated robots) is worth 170 rupees from an adult and 100 rupees from a child (from 4 years old). Visit the famous Akshardham Fountain Show: 80 rupees for an adult ticket and 50 rupees for a child ticket.

Akshardham Temple in Delhi on the map:

Red Fort (Lal Qila)

The same attraction, about which we say that we visited "near" it. And all because of the unjustified (in our opinion) price of the entrance ticket. Entrance fee to the Red Fort for tourists - 500 rupees per person, while residents can enter for as little as 30 rupees. No, we do not mind that for tourists the entrance should cost more. But not 17 times?

The cost of entry to the Red Fort for tourists and locals: there is injustice

Moreover, the Red Fort looks great from the outside.

We walked around it and were very pleased. By the way, the perimeter of the outer wall of the Fort is 2500 meters, so it turned out to be a full-fledged walk!

The Red Fort was built in 1968 on the model of the Agra fort (the city in which the famous Taj Mahal). Once the outer walls of the fortress were surrounded by a moat with water (which was fed by the Yamuna River). Now the moat is just a pit where unscrupulous Indians throw their garbage.

Qutub Minar

Another attraction that we did not want to visit. Entrance fees to Qutub Minar are the same 500 rupees from a tourist and 30 rupees from an Indian. The territory of Qutub Minar is smaller than in the Red Fort. It is a pity, of course, that we did not see with our own eyes the famous iron column erected in the 1st century AD. But the highest brick minaret in the world (which is the Qutub Minar) can be seen just passing by the park.

Passing by Qutub Minar

Rajon Ki Baoli Tomb and Archaeological Park

Very close to Qutub Minar is the cozy archaeological park Mehrauli, where we went for the very beautiful and unusual tomb of Rajon Ki Baoli. This is not a popular attraction at all, but we walked purposefully towards it, as we accidentally saw its photo on the net, and it sunk into our souls. The date of construction of the tomb is 1506.

The tomb of Rajon Ki Baoli is unusual in its shape - a well, at the bottom of which splashes bright green water. Looks cosmic. This tomb is believed to be haunted.

Such structures in the form of stepped wells are not uncommon in India; they served to conserve and accumulate water in the hot Indian climate. You can enter the territory of the tomb for free. You can even go up to the second floor and rooftop for nice views of the park.

By the way, the Qutub Minar minaret is also visible from the archaeological park:

View of Qutub Minar from the archaeological park nearby

The territory of the park is also worth a visit.

There are many excavations in the territory of the archaeological park.

Archaeological Park and Tomb of Rajon Ki Baoli on the map:

Cathedral Mosque Jama Masjid

This is the main mosque of Delhi. Admission is free, but there is a strict dress code. Unfortunately, we did not pass it: that day Denis had shorts above the knees. But I fit into the local color as it should and marked on the steps of the Cathedral Mosque:

With one eye peeked through the gate

Museum of Steam Locomotives (State Railway Museum)

Nice place to visit with kids (and not only). The museum contains the entire history of Indian railways. Here you can see steam locomotives of the 19th century and more or less modern models. Buying a ticket for 20 rupees, you can go around the entire park on a monorail train.

Museum of Science (National Science Center)

Basically, it's an interesting place. The museum has 6 halls on various topics: ancient world, modern science, the history of the origin of life on earth, the history of space and much more.

We were very unlucky, and all the schoolchildren of Delhi came to the museum with us (according to our feelings). And Indian schoolchildren are something! Being in the same room is simply impossible: they will touch you, openly discuss, take selfies with you 100 times, and not take 1000 times just because your patience will simply run out.

Ruthless Indian schoolchildren

So we left without seeing everything we wanted, which is a pity. In the museum, in addition to exhibits, various interesting shows are held several times a day:

Show Schedule at the Science Museum

Lodhi Gardens

Cozy, quiet, cool city park in noisy and dirty Delhi. Here you can walk all day, the territory is very large. The Indians themselves come here with their families for picnics.

There are 4 tombs in the park: Muhammad Shah, Shish Gumbad, Sikander Lodi and Bara Gumbad.

Also in the gardens of Lodi there are beautiful lake with swans and huge fish, a wide variety of trees and shrubs, and even parrots. Entrance to Lodi Park is free.

Lodi Gardens on the map:

Streets of old Delhi

Of course, this can hardly be called a tourist attraction. But in order to feel the Indian flavor, it is worth walking along the old streets of Delhi, where the old way of life is adjacent to modern world. Cycle rickshaws that miraculously do not knock down numerous pedestrians, merchants offering you to dine right in this crush of people, cars and cycle rickshaws, the ubiquitous Indian sacred cows, the smell of incense. The streets of Delhi are worth the walk!

What is the girl in the yellow sari doing there?

Fur hats? What for?

Ironing on the street: no wires, pour coals and smooth surface!

Meat grinder of people and vehicles

Compiled according to my own experience and personal preferences about the sights of the city, I hope it will help everyone who wants to get to know Delhi better and maybe come back here more than once.
So, let's begin.

First day in Delhi –
The most important rule in India is not to rush anywhere at all, unless of course you are late for or the plane.

For a leisurely walk along Purana Qila, you can lay a little more than an hour and literally 100 meters away is zoo. Entrance 100 rupees. Spend two hours at the zoo, no less. Near the zoo, at the very walls of Purana Qila, there is a small pond where you can enjoy boating. Take a ride, why not? Between the gates of Purana Qila and the entrance to the zoo, there are several inexpensive ones - just in time for lunch.

After Feroz Shah Kotl, head straight to Red Fort, by auto rickshaw can be reached in 10 minutes (about 60 rupees). I will not give here references to the Red Fort, the seventh capital of Delhi founded by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan - a lot has been said about this place.
After lunch, I would like to advise you to definitely go to the main mosque not only in Delhi, but also in India - this is the Jama Masjit mosque. At the entrance you will need 200 rupees for the right to bring a camera or mobile phone with a camera. Also be sure to climb the minaret, from a height of 60 meters offers an impressive view of Old Delhi. Entrance to the minaret 100 rupees.
Not far from Jama Masjit (300 meters on foot) is the metro station Chauri Bazar. From Chauri Bazaar drive to Qutub Minar(Metro station Qutub Minar, from the station by auto rickshaw ride 5 minutes, about 40 rupees), entrance to the territory of the historical complex 150 rupees.

After Qutub Minar, I would probably advise you to move to Akshardham(Akshardham tube station). Entrance to Akshardham is free, before entering you will need to leave a camera, mobile phone, cigarettes, a lighter, a USB flash drive in the storage room. Day off - Monday.

It is clear that in 3 days it is impossible to see and feel a beautiful city, for this and the year it will probably not be enough, but if you have time, I could add a few more places to this, and first of all, of course
Mehrauli- "Enchanted Park"

Georgy Melnikov