01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 1 THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 A Practical Guide to Delhi 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 2:42 PM Page 2 The Commonwealth Games 2010: A Practical Guide to Delhi Contents Copyright ©Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., Introduction . .3 2010 First published in 2010 Pick of Delhi . .6 This customized booklet has been Looking Back . .10 produced by Holy Trail . .14 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 7, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg Green Delhi . .18 New Delhi-110 002 Old Delhi Walk . .20 For Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation Ltd. New Delhi Tour . .26 All rights reserved Mehrauli Walk . .32 No part of this work may be reproduced Eating Out . .38 or used in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic, mechanical, Nightlife . .43 photocopying, recording, taping, web Shopping . .45 distribution, information storage and retrieval systems or otherwise) without Important Info . .49 prior written permission of the publisher. Hop On, Hop Off . .51 Disclaimer Getting In . .52 The content as provided in this Book does not represent the views of the Moving Around . .53 Publisher. Publisher shall be free from Tourism . .55 any liability for damages and losses of any nature arising from or related to the Money Matters . .56 content of the Book. Due care and diligence has been taken while printing Health . .57 and editing the Book. The Publisher does Adventure . .58 not hold any responsibility for any mistake that may have crept in Wellness . .59 inadvertently. Accommodation . .60 Printed at: Language . .62 Ajanta Offset & Packagings Ltd. Commonwealth Games .63 Not for Sale 2 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 3 Introduction Welcome to the city of Delhi! It is old; it is young; it is big, green and beautiful. It is up to you to choose the aspects you want to explore. Delhi has a long history that has witnessed several dynasties come and go. Great kings longing to leave an impression on the city have given us a veritable treasure of monuments. Lal Qila and Qutub Minar are famous across the world. As the capital of India, New Delhi also has the privilege of housing the Rashtrapati Bhawan — a modern architectural marvel. Besides, additions like the Lotus Temple and Akshardham continue to add splendour. The city embraces people of all faiths. Which is why most religions are represented here in their statuesque places of worship. You will also find godliness in Delhi’s clean air. The contents city boasts of a large number of parks and forests that are worth visiting. For the sake of your convenience, we have a few suggested tour plans for you in the book. It is an attempt to ensure that your time is well spent. We have grouped important sites such that you may not miss any of the must-sees. Remember, Delhi is also a great place for eating and shopping. So make sure you visit places like Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place for a binge or two. Towards the end of the book, you will find useful information on Commonwealth Games and everyday necessities. The STD code for Delhi is 011. If you are calling from a mobile phone, dial the code before eight-digit numbers. Wish you a happy stay in Delhi! 3 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 4 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 5 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 6 RED FORT Dominating Old Delhi, Lal Qila or the Red Fort is an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur. Shah Jahan’s palace of a bygone era is now the landmark of the annual Indian Independence Day celebrations on 15 August. Every year, the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the ramparts of this World Heritage Site. pick of delhi JAMA MASJID One of the largest mosques in Asia, Jama Masjid (1650–56), or the Friday Mosque, in Old Delhi is said to be the finest example of three-domed Mughal mosques. Located on a high outcrop of rock, its domes and minarets are easily visible above the surrounding cluster of rooftops and its grandeur never fails to impress. 6 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 7 CHANDNI CHOWK Leading away from the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, meaning Moonlit Square, is the thoroughfare link to Old Delhi’s myriad bazaars and sights. pick of delhi CONNAUGHT PLACE A favourite shopping centre for locals and tourists alike, the white-washed colonnaded arches still retain the aura of the days of the Raj. RAJ GHAT Located on the west bank of the river Yamuna and set in the midst of deep green lawns, Raj Ghat is a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. 7 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 8 RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN The residence of the President of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan is one of the largest and grandest Raj-era pick of delhi constructions. Built by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, it was once the British Viceroy’s palace. QUTUB MINAR A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 72.5-metre-high Qutub Minar is made of red and buff sandstone. Its fluted form narrows at the top, producing the illusion of even greater HUMAYUN’S TOMB height. The Qutub Built by Hamida Banu Begum, Festival, hosted by Humayun’s widow, Humayun’s Tomb Delhi Tourism, is held is Delhi’s first Mughal mausoleum. This here in Sep–Oct World Heritage Site also marks the every year. advent of garden tombs in India. 8 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 9 DILLI HAAT A crafts and food bazaar set up to promote the Indian pick of delhi handicrafts industry and Indian cuisine, Dilli Haat is a must-visit for a complete India experience. Opp. INA Market, Ph:26119055 Nearest Metro: INA Near TV Tower, Pitampura, Ph:27317663 Nearest Metro: Pitampura Open: 11am to 10pm Entry: `15 (Adult), `5 (Children) AZAD HIND GRAM Azad Hind Gram is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It offers quality leisure space and wayside amenities to citizens. Tikri Kalan, Rohtak Road, Ph:28353102 Nearest Metro Station: Mundka Open: 10am to 6pm Entry: Free 9 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 10 NATIONAL MUSEUM The largest museum in India, the National Museum is devoted to Indian art history and iconography as well as to Buddhist looking back studies. Janpath, Ph: 23013357, 23019272 Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM The National Rail Museum is a storehouse of information about the history of railways in India. This museum, spread across ten acres, has all the ingredients of a popular tourist spot — history, heritage, information, leisure and entertainment. Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, Near Bhutan Embassy, Ph: 23304137, 26880939 Nearest Metro Station: Dhaula Kuan Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed 10 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:02 PM Page 11 GANDHI NATIONAL MUSEUM Built opposite Raj Ghat, the two-storey Gandhi National Museum houses a collection of photographs, relics, memorabilia, books, looking back journals and documents, audio-visual materials, exhibition and art pieces closely connected to Mahatma Gandhi. Raj Ghat, Ph: 23311793 Nearest Metro Station: Indraprastha Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed INDIRA GANDHI SMRITI Also called the Indira Gandhi Memorial, this museum was the residence of the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. On display are her personal belongings and a collection of rare photographs from her life. 1, Safdarjung Road Nearest Metro Station: Race Course Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed 11 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:03 PM Page 12 SANSKRITI MUSEUM Set amidst landscaped gardens of Sanskriti Kendra, the Sanskriti Museum is a wonderful place to see traditional terracotta art. The museum has over 1,500 exquisite exhibits on display. Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Ph: 26501796 Nearest Metro Station: Mehrauli, Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed looking back CRAFTS MUSEUM The Crafts Museum is a charming oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Delhi. Mud huts with painted walls and thatched roofs, courtyards, terracotta horses recreating village shrines, and craftsmen at work are some of the elements that add to the rural ambience of the place. Bhairon Road, Pragati Maidan, Ph: 23371887, 23371641 Metro Station: Pragati Maidan Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed 12 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:03 PM Page 13 NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART Located in Jaipur House (former palace of erstwhile Maharajas of Jaipur), the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) houses looking back a significant collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. Jaipur House, Near India Gate, Ph: 23384640, 23382835 Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan Open: Tue–Sun; Monday closed SULABH INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOILETS A unique concept, Sulabh International Museum of Toilets displays the evolution of the toilet and its various designs. It also has toilet-related items that date back to 2500 BC. Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Marg, Ph: 25031518 Nearest Metro Station: Dwarka Mor Open: Mon–Sat; Sunday closed 13 01_small layout-NEW.qxd 8/23/2010 1:03 PM Page 14 LAXMI NARAIN MANDIR Also known as Birla Mandir, the Laxmi Narain Temple was built in 1938 by BD Birla. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. It was inaugurated by Mahatma holy trail Gandhi on the condition that the temple not bar entry to people on the basis of caste, creed or religion. Near Gole Market, Mandir Marg, Connaught Place Nearest Metro Station: RK Ashram Marg CHHATTARPUR Chhattarpur Temple is one of the largest and most popular Hindu temples in Delhi.