TRAVEL SPECIAL..WHAT TO SEE IN DELHI IN 48 HOURS

WHAT TO SEE IN DELHI IN 48 HOURS

Got only 48 hours in Delhi? Her are  you five different ways to indulge in the very best that the city has to offer

HISTORIC DELHI SHOPPER’S DELHI NATURE DELHI FOODIE DELHI

ONE-OF-A-KIND DELHI

Delhi is a international city where tradition and global trends blend together against the backdrop of the country’s political power-house. This June, the monsoons will give Delhi a break from the sweltering summers and offer the city a clean, fresh look. If you’re in the capital for a business meeting, or for the weekend and wondering how to spend the next 48 hours... Where do you go to find the best deals in designer brands or Tibetan handicrafts? With so many heritage landmarks dotting the place, which ones should definitely make it to you ‘must-visit’ list? Which of the Capital’s famed chaat joints should you visit and where in the bustling city can you escape to, for some time with nature?
    ET-Travel lists the top five things to do and places to visit for the traveller with varied interests, be it food, heritage, shopping, nature or simply a visit to any of the one-of-a-kind spots that the city is home to. 1
HISTORIC DELHI
    Humayun’s Tomb: Humayun’s Tomb is popularly known as ‘Humayun ka Maqbara’ and is a complex of buildings. This tomb is incidentally India’s first garden tomb and is a major constituent of the top tourist attractions in Delhi.
    Red Fort: Also known as the ‘Lal Quila’, the Red Fort was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The famed Jama Masjid is part of the site. A light and sound show about the fort’s history is held here every evening except for Mondays.
    Qutb Minar: The Qutb Minar in Delhi is the tallest brick minaret in the world measuring 72.5 meters in height. The monument is a fine specimen of the blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and is one of the top tourist attractions in Delhi. Also check out the Iron pillar known for its superb metallurgic properties.
    National Museum: It is the largest museum in the country. With a huge collection of specimens and articles that range from the pre-historic era to the modern period, the National Museum in Delhi is a must-visit.
    Akshardham: Akshardham is a Hindu temple developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. The tag line ‘Peace in pink stone’ has been associated with this temple. 2
ONE OF A KIND
    Buddh International Circuit: The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida was inaugurated last year with the Indian Grand Prix and is part of India’s notable entry in the world of F1 racing tracks. Go ahead, get behind the wheel and race on the track there.
    Lotus Temple: Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá’í House of Worship in Delhi has attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world. The numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. 3
SHOPPER’S DELHI
    Dilli Haat Why: Handicrafts from around India Where: Sri Aurobindo Marg. Also at Netaji Subhash Place and Pitampura
    Chandni Chowk Why: Shawls, pearls, musical instruments, clothes, Indian sweets Where: Old Delhi Note: Palika Bazaar, the underground market here can get congested and has a number of pickpockets, so be on your guard
    Khan Market Why: Books, music and clothes Where: South New Delhi, not far from India Gate
    Emporio DLF Why: Global luxury brands Where: Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj
    Janpath and Tibetan Market Why: Brasswear and leather works Where: Just off Connaught Place, in central New Delhi 4
NATURE DELHI
Lodhi Gardens: The Lodhi Gardens is home to the tombs of Mohammad Shah and Sikandar Lodhi along with Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad and holds a air of the past to it.
Bhalswa Lake: At the northeastern perimeter of Delhi, Bhalswa Lake offers facilities like boating, canoeing, angling and kayaking.
Aartha Kunj: This park came into existence in the year 2004. It encircles the south and east sides of Nehru Place and joins the Lotus Temple, Nehru Place, Greater Kailash, and Kalkaji.
    Garden of Five Senses: The 20 acre Garden of Five Senses is nestled in Saidul Ajaib village, in proximity to Mehrauli heritage area. Numerous cultural programs and events are held here. Some of the major attractions of the garden are the Khas Bagh, Neel Bagh, Colour Gardens, astounding sculptures, the interesting Solar Energy Park and the Courts of Specimen Plants.
    Deer Park: An ideal family picnic spot, this popular Delhi park is home to spotted deer, peacocks, guinea pigs, varied bird species and rabbits. 5
FOODIE DELHI
Street food at Chawri Bazaar, Chandni Chowk and Dilli Haat: Delhi has a variety of street foods that can be found at almost every nook and cranny of the city. Golgappa, chaats, chole bhature and parathe are some of the famous street treats to be enjoyed in the gullies of the capital. Chawri Bazaar has a couple of popular chaat stalls while Chandini Chowk offers golgappa and Dilli Haat has stalls serving foods from almost every state in India.
Mithai,snacks at Bikanervala, Connaught Place:
Jalebi, gulab jamun, rasgulla and halwas are among the popular picks at this sweetmart and restaurant. The place also sells a variety of snacks and namkeens.The family run business has more than 10 outlets across Delhi and are by popular choice one of the best sweet and snack joints around. European at Smoke House Room, Lado Sarai: An experimental space that serves up an innovative take
on modern European cuisine, Smoke House Room also offers molecular cocktails alongside an international wine collection.
    North Indian at Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton: At Bukhara, the tandoori cuisine of the North-West frontier of India finds a great setting. The restaurant has played host to Crowned heads, Heads of State and famous personalities from all over the world. Enjoy delicious kebabs along with dishes cooked in clay ovens or tandoor in the traditional style of the Indian North-West Frontier region.
    French and Italian at Le Cirque, Chanakyapuri: Le Cirque is Asia’s first international French Italian gourmet restaurant in Delhi and maintains its eclectic mix of contemporary French and the classic Italian cuisine.
Compiled by Lara Rebello with inputs by Upnesh Raval ETT120614