Commuting in Delhi - METRO
Speedy-Efficient – Timely –Clean and Comfortable –Contemporary Delhi’s Metro –With you- for you- from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm Daily Tourist and city commuters-It’s the perfect answer for your commuting needs.Attractions on Central Secretariat – Vishwavidyalaya Metro Route
Station : Central Secretariat
Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House ) – Straddling the low Raisina Hill, overlooking the landscaped vistas of Kingway (now Rajpath), it was designed by Edwin Lutyuens, ar4chitect of the new imperial city of Delhi and completed in 1929. Formely called the Viceregal Lodge as the residence of the Viceroy of India, today this regal building, flanked by the twin secretariat building, is the official residence of the President of India. The formal Mughal Gardens adjoining the presidential palace are thrown open for viewing to the public from February-March when they are in full bloom.
Parliament House (Sansad Bhawan) – The foundation of this historic edifice was laid by the Duke of Connaught in 1921. It become functional in the year 1927. Originally designed to house the Chamber of Princes, the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly, this handsome domed and colonnaded structure, lying in close promixity to the secretariat buildings, is where the two pimary arms of governance, the chambers of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) meet. It is also equipped with an excellent library.
India Gate – Designed by the renowned architect Edwin Lutyens and built in 1931, this grand 42m high, free standing arched structure was originally known as the All India War Memoria. It was dedicated to the memory of those 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I. The landscaping of lush green lawns in punctuated by a small children’s park and water channels popular for boating.
National Museum – Prior to its building in 1956 by Central Works Dept. at the intersection for Rajpath and Janpath, the fantastic collection of Indian art and sculpture and other antiquities were housed in the state rooms of the Rashtrapati Bhawan till 1960. The museum today has a formidable collection of exhits ranging from Indian art an sculpture to jewellery and textiles, numismatics and epigraphy, arms and armour dating from prehistoric times through the late medieval period. It also has a rare collection of Central Asian antiquities and Pre-Columbian art.
Phone : 23019272; Timing 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Monday closed
Tickets Indian Rs. 10; Foreigners Rs. 300 (with audio tour)
National Gallery of Modern Art – Once the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, it is today one of India’s largest and most important repositories of modern art. The collection festures works of artists from the mid-19th century to the present day. On display, too, are works of contemporary Indian artists as well as those of leading artists of the colonial period.
Ph: 23382835 ; Timing 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Monday closed
Tickets Indian Rs. 10; Foreigners Rs. 150
Also worth a visit are the National Archives of India and Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts which lie in close proximity and are easily accessible by auto-rickshaw.
Station : Patel Chowk
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – This renowned Sikh shrine straddles the site of the old home of the eighth guru of the Sikh faith, Guru Harkrishan Dev when he lived here during this visit to Delhi in 1664.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart – Designed by architect Henry Medd, across the road from Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, this is one of Delhi’s finest churches of colonial times.
National Philately Museum – Across the Patel Chowk this excellent museum is located in the Dak Bhawan. On display are some rare stamps and first day covers. It also has a counter for sale of stamps from all over the world.
Ph : 23036447 ; Timing 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday – Sunday closed
Station : Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Circus)
Connaught Place – Designed by Robert Tor Russel and named after the visiting (1921) Duke of Connaught to Delhi, the concentric structure of this market with its radial roads leading to spacious colonnaded corridors, grand shop facades and sprawling central park, was envisaged as a grand shopping centre for the residents of the crowded city of old Shahjehanabad, also called the walled city, and the elegant New Delhi. Today it continues to be the heartbeat of the business, shopping and culinary hub of the city.
Jantar Mantar – Built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh the astronomical observatory’s instruments are still functional though less accurate due to the high rise structures that surround it now.
Hanuman Mandir – Bult by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, this famous temple across the road from the State Emporia at Baba Kharak Singh Marg is dedicated to Lord Hanuman an important deity in the Hindu pantheon. The temple is througed by devotees on Tuesday. Adjoining it, is a small bazaar selling bangles and religious icons etc.
Central Cottage Industries Emporium – Drawn from the wealth of India’s handicrafts tradition, this perennial shopping favourite stocks a fantastic range of excellent buys, drawn from the wealth of India’s handicrafts tradition from around the country. A stone’s throw from here, off the popular shopping area of Janpath, is the Janpath Lane where you can pick up handicrafts from Rajasthan and Gujarat sold directly by craftsmen. Ph: 23320439/6219. Timings : 10 a.m to 7 p.m.
Palika Bazar – This famous under ground air-conditioned market is a convenient place for buying clothes, footwear, jewellery, books and electronic items. It also has several eateries and travel shops.
State Emporia – The spacious state- run showrooms here showcase some of the best regional handicrafts and handlooms from around the country. Located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg they also offer seasonal discounts. Try Zoom (Kashmir Emporium) for carpets and shawls, for traditional bronze icons and lamps check out Poompuhar, the Tamil Nadu Emporium and for traditional southern silks try Cauvery, the Karnataka emporium. Explore Nagaland Emporium for cane furniture and traditional handlooms. The Delhi Tourism Information Centre, located opposite the Connaught Place police station across from the emporia complex, provides free information and detailed tourist counseling, map etc for enjoying the city.
Station : New Delhi
Station : Chawri Bazaar
Chawri Bazaar – This ancient market located in the walled city is one of the country’s most famous wholesale market for metals, handware and paper products.
Nai Sadak – Lying is close proximity to the Jama Masjid area is the old quarter this ancient street houses the wholesale market for stationery items and books.
Khari Baoli - This ancient and very atmospheric bazaar, located in the walled city, is home to Asia’s largest spice market.
Station : Chandni Chowk
Red Fort (Lal Qila - Qila-e-Mu’alla (Auspicious Fort) as it was originally called. This massive red sandstone fortification was designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahori and built in 1648 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Holding pride of place in the city even today it is the venue for the Prime Minister address to the nation on Independence Day. The fort, dating back to the height of Mughal rule. The fort complex houses three museums. These are the Red Fort Archaeological Museum, Indian War Memorial Museum and Swatantrata Sangrahalaya Museum.
Jama Masjid - The Royal or the Grand Mosque, as it was also referred to in its time, was commissioned in 1656 by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. It is one of India’s biggest mosque with a carrying capacity of almost 25,000 people at a time. It is one of the few mosques in the city where women are permitted to enter.
Chandni Chowk – It used to be one of the most beautiful boulevards of Shajahanabad, the grand city of emperor Shahjahan. The wide sweep of its tree-lined vistas offered a grandstand view from the Red Fort to the Fetehpuri Masjid at the other end. Today the old city throbs with the sights and sounds of its shops and eateries. Go there for gold and silver jewellery and trousseau saris, pashmina shawls and lehengas in its narrow shop- lined streets.
Baptist Church - Located in Chandni Chowk it dates back to the 1860s. It was a popular venue for theological debates and a band used to play here once a week.
Jain Temple – The small marble courtyard here is marked by a fine stature of Mahavira the founder of Jainism.
Gauri Shanker Temple – Adjoining the Jain Temple this ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati.
Gurudwara Sis Ganj – This historic gurudwara is situated on the site of the beheading of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Sis (Head) by the order of Aurengzeb on 11th Nov. 1675 A.D.
Kinari Bazaar – Shop for sequins and brocades and embroidered garments in this ancient and narrow little lane off Chandni Chowk.
Dariba Kalan – From the time that emperor Shah Jahan made Shahjahanabad his dream city, this ancient street or ‘ the Street of Incomparable Pearl’ has been home to Delhi’s famous gold, silver and jewellery market.
Bhagirath Place – You can get any electrical item in what is Asia’s largest market for electrical goods.
Gali Paranthewali - The delicious paranthas, stuffed with a variety of mouth-watering fillings such as potatos, spinach, cauliflower and radish, served in this old street for decades, are a perennial favourite with city dwellers.
Fatehpuri Masjid – Built by one of emperor Shahjahan’s wife, the masjid was once a favourite venue for public debates between Muslims theologians and Christian missionaries.
Station : Kashmere Gate
St James Church – Built by James Skinner of the Skinner’s Horse regiment fame, this is one of Delhi’s the oldest surviving church. Behind the curch are the remnants of the home of William Fraser. This domed building is now an administrative office of the Indian Raiways.
Station : Civil Lines
One of Delhi’s greenest areas along set along the old ridge, it offers breathing space from the hear and dust of the city.
Station : Vidhan Sabha
Old Secretariat – Designed by E. Montague Thomas and built in 1912, it now houses the office of Government of National Capital Region of Delhi and Delhi Assembly.
Ambedkar National Memorial and Museum – Within easy walking distance on 26 Alipur Road this building showcases the meteoric rise of Dr. B.R.. Ambedkar who was born in a very poor family and became the chief architect of India’s constitution. Children are encouraged to visit the museum.
Phone No. 23934443
Timing : 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed : Monday
Station : Vishwavidyalaya
Vice –Chancellor’s Office – Originally the circuit house for British officers of the Raj it was also considered to be used as the Viceroy’s residence. It seems that Lord Mountballen the last British Viceroy proposed marriage to Edwina here.
Kamla Nagar – This old market is exceptionally well stocked with shops and showrooms, restaurants and snack bars and can be easily reached by auto-rickshaw o cycle- rickshaw.
Attractions on Indraprastha – Dwarka Metro Route
Station : Pragati Maidan
Appu Ghar Amusement Park & Oyster Water Park, Near Gate No. 9, Pragati Maidan
Phone No. 23371681, 23371971;
Timing : 12 noon – 8:00 pm
Supreme Court Museum, Mathura Road (Entry from the gate opposite Appu Ghar )
Phone : 23388922-24 Timing : 10:00 am – 5 pm:
Closed : Monday and other holidays of Supreme Court, Photography strictly prohibited.
Purana Quila (Old Fort) – Built by Sher Shah in 1541. Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating in the lake, which is the foot of the hill.
Old Fort Museum, Inside Purana Quila.
Phone No. 24355387; Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Closed ; Friday
Bhairon Temple (Behind Purana Quila)
National Zoological Park, Beside Purana Quila.
Phone : 24458070; Timing: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm: Closed: Friday
Crafts Museum, Pragati Maidan Exhibition Ground, Mathura Road
Phone : 23371887; Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm : Closed : Monday
National Science Centre Museum, Near Gate No. 1, Pragati Maidan.
Phone : 23371893; Timing: 10:00 am – 5.30 pm; Closed: Monday
International Dolls Museum, Nehru House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.
Phone : 23316970-4: Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Closed ; Monday
Gandhi National Museum, Situated across the road from Raj Ghat, this museum has on display a few personal belonging of a man who hardly possessed anything.
Ph: 23310168; Timing : 10:00 am – 5.30 pm;
Closed ; Monday & 2nd Sunday
Station : Mandi House
Musical Instruments Gallery, Rabindra Bhawan, Sangeet Natak Akademy, Feroze Shah Road, Phone : 23387246/8; Timing : 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Closed : Sat-Sunday
Lalit Kala Akademy, Ravindra Bhawan, Feroze Shah Road
Phone : 23387241-43; Timing: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Triveni Kala Sangam, Tansen Marg.
Phone : 23718833; Timing: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
LTG Gallery, Copernicus Marg.
Phone : 23389713; Timing: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
National Museum of Natural History, Inside FICCI Auditorium. Tansen Marg.
Phone: 23314849; Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Closed : Monday
Shri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra, Copernicus Marg,
Phone : 23386428; Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Closed : Sunday
