By Rashmi Goyal

So many travel articles seem to focus on the tourist experience of coming to India. Few focus on the Indian travel experience . Here’s my bit about my Delhi visit and stay in this great city.

(left) – A budget hotel room in Delhi

Have you ever stayed at a hotel in Delhi? It can be quite an experience. There are excellent hotels in the city, which as per statistics number thousands now, These have, over the last decade acquired a reputation of providing regal hospitality making your stay in the city a delight. Here luxury and budget go hand in hand. The moment I stepped into the lobby of my pre-booked hotel in Delhi this was totally verified.

(right image ) – a budget hotel room in New York City

Some years ago I had stayed at a couple of hotels in New York. Looking back I can honestly say that the service and facilities of the hotels I stayed there at, were the same as those of the Delhi hotels I have stayed at – efficient, elegant and quite comfortable. The hotel staff were equally courteous, I stayed at both a budget hotel in New York as well as a mid-range slightly on the higher side hotel.

(left) – a motel in concord, california i stayed at

I have stayed at a luxury hotel in Delhi for one night after a long flight from San Francisco to Delhi – and I’ve stayed at a cheap motel in the San Francisco bay area as well -  which is the equivalent of a 2 or 3 star hotel in Delhi.  I found no difference in the services and facilities really in term of quality, courteousness – even pricing was comparable between each of their equivalents in both cities.

(right) – a luxury budget hotel in new york city

 

And this was nearly two decades ago when the travel & tours and hospitality industry had not yet witnessed the unprecedented boom of the last decade, not just in India but the world over.

 

 

 

(left) – my room at a luxury budget Delhi hotel

 

 

 

Coming back to the last hotel in Delhi I stayed at, which I managed to reach in spite of earnest cajoling on part of the taxi-driver that he will take me to “the best hotel in Delhi instead “ –  but I made it to mine! Arriving at 2 a.m in the morning I was greeted with some heavenly piping hot complimentary coffee. Super quick check-in, an even quicker luggage deposit at my room – I blinked to realize its all over, coffee sipped in sleepy bliss, I slept like a baby – no satanic knocking for room service or house-keeping till I woke up a good 9 hours later. A courteous call and half an hour later – breakfast the way I like it. And so it went on the remainder of my stay.

Though I had come for a crucial business meet – the car rental arranged by the hotel was SO convenient. I also managed a sneak visit to Agra to fulfill my long standing dream to swoon at the Glory of the Taj Mahal. Again the hotel staff arranged a neat one day sojourn – I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently it was all over. So next time you head for Delhi, make sure to book a room, whether a luxury or economy hotel in Delhi, well in advance to get the most out of your stay in this great city.

By Rashmi Goyal

The old cliché that to see the ‘real’ India one has to hop onto the rails contains an element of truth. Since a sizeable portion of the population lives in villages and small towns, whatever tour you opt for once at a Delhi hotel of your choice, whether rural or mystic India or heritage or any other, the cliché is reinforced.

Railways in India a way of life . A staggering 18 million people travel by train every day. Religious pilgrimages alone account for hundreds of thousands of journeys every year. The Indian Railways has 9000 trains running on roughly 65,000 km of track along side 7,083 stations. And with hotels dotting the entire stretch, the daily flow of human traffic on and off its tracks is mind boggling.

India’s railway network is extensive, prices are reasonable with accommodations suiting every pocket, AC and non AC seating/sleepers of all classes. Apart from the normal trains connecting all parts of the country there are also special faster trains like the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express; the fully AC Garib Rath Express , Duronto Express , Janshatabdi Express and Super fast Trains along with the Mail Express Trains & Local Trains for local travel. Like our Clark Hotels, most luxury budget hotels in Delhi are not far from the major railway stations .

IR has also introduced Bharat Darshan, a special pilgrimage train taking tourists through religious and pilgrim centers in North India (in 14 days) including  sacred Shirdi, Varanasi, Gaya, Allahabad, Haridwar, Mathura and Agra.

Then there are the Royal Trains of India, a favorite luxury travel option  - The Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Maharaja Express all  have fabulous, beautifully adorned coaches, well stocked bar/ restaurants, lounge, library, gym, even spa on board.

India’s most expensive train, the Maharajas’ Express is one of the six luxury trains that offer the best in travel, traditional food and hospitality. Its Classical India tour (7 days/6 nights) starts from Delhi and passes through Agra , Gwalior , Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh, Varanasi , and Lucknow , before returning to Delhi . Its Princely India trip (8 days/7 nights) starts from Mumbai and passes through Vadodara, Udaipur , Jodhpur , Bikaner , Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra and finally lands you back to your hotel in Delhi thrilled and fulfilled.

The train crisscrosses the beautiful locales offering panoramic views of India’s countryside, chugging along majestic ghats, deserts, lush green fields, scenic villages and rivers .
The Maharaja Express is akin to a five-star hotel on wheels . Every cabin has large panoramic windows, individual temperature controls, LCD/TV, DVD players, direct dial phones, electronic safe deposit and internet facilities. It has two fine dining restaurants, a bar with the choicest collection of wines, a lounge cum bar and high-end boutique.

When coming to India, its important to plan ahead and inquire before acting, especially when it comes to booking a hotel, tour and especially luxury train tours which are booked fully months in advance.

By Rashmi Goyal

Transport in Delhi has undergone significant development in recent years. Visitors can look forward to air conditioned trains and buses, computerized tickets, dial-a-cab services along with the usual taxis, auto-rickshaws, the substantial Delhi bus network, cycle rickshaws.

The fairly new Metro train network in Delhi is modern, speedy and convenient.  Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system built and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC). The network consists of six lines with a total length of 156 km (97 miles) along side 132 stations. It has both elevated ground level and underground lines.

Running from and to the Metro are the Metro RTV feeder buses which bear the same silver color as Metro trains and have the Metro logo on them. In fact, the DMRC was the first railway project in the world to be registered at the UN under the clean development mechanism (CDM) scheme, enabling it to earn carbon credits.

21st century Delhi is a bustling ultra modern metropolis with swanky Malls, huge department stores, chic boutiques, endless bazaars and classy up markets to satisfy the unending appetite of shopping buffs. Most of the important and popular shopping centers of Delhi like Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, Janpath, Chandni Chowk and Nai Sarak, Lajpatnagar, South Extension , Sarojini Nagar, Munirka, Vasant Kunj  are either located just outside a metro station or have one nearby, usually within walking distance.

Delhi has been rightly denoted as Mini India- where the ancient and modern coexist in perfect synthesis. The city is known for its rich heritage of medieval Mughal monuments. Some of the most famous spots of Delhi are: the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Humayuns Tomb, Purana Quila, Humayun’s Tomb and Raj Ghat. Modern structures are the Rashtrapati Bhavan and its Mughal Gardens, Rajpath Avenue down to India Gate, the wondrous Lotus Temple and the grand Akshardham Temple. Most of these sites are off a Delhi metro station or very nearby. There are any number of food joints and restaurants serving both Indian and foreign cuisines. Delhi also has vibrant nightlife with discos, pubs and clubs spread across the city.

Hotels in Delhi are known for world class service and facilities. There are thousands of hotels to chose from – a majority are located on the Karol Bagh -  Connaught Place axis which has about a dozen metro stations on it.  An interesting tit bit – can a pillar be your address? Looks like that is what is happening for so many people residing close to the elevated Metro tracks who have started using the Metro pillar numbers as a landmark to find their house or office and even on the hotel visiting cards!

 

By Rashmi Goyal

They say nothing comes in this world for free. We all love to come across a good deal with freebies as icing on the cake.  Our well known Hotel Clark Heights is one of the most renowned in the luxury budget category of hotels in Delhi. Our free airport/rail pick ups have always been a great hit with guests. And our scrumptious meal packages are highly appreciated.

Our cozy little in house spa has become equally popular with our esteemed guests. We offer a range of spa services that include hydrotherapy (sauna, steam baths, mud baths and the like) along with an array of facials, hair care, stunning nail beautification, pedicure, manicure, body wraps, scrubs and body polishing. Our massages specially are in demand.

For the convenience and enjoyment of our guests, we have several wonderful packages on offer at the state of the art spa on our hotel premises. Our basic spa cum accommodation package that has proved a great hit with our regular guests is the 3 Night with Free Massage package.  Our exclusive wellness packages blend Ayurveda and modern technology. This basic free massage at Delhi hotel package applies to those booked to stay at any of our Deluxe rooms for 3 nights in a row.

Simplicity and serenity are implicit in our Deluxe rooms, our base category rooms, with basic amenities like twin or double bed, attached bath, marble flooring, LCD TV, refrigerator, digital safe, AC, 24 hr room service – perfect for the business traveler to kick off those shoes and unwind in the lap of luxury.

Massage is most sought after nowadays as it is no longer a luxury indulgence of the elite only. Its therapeutic effects aside, many seek massage for simply unwinding after a bout of hectic work schedule, hard partying or night life revelry or even the shop till you drop spree for an impending marriage in the family; or just for the heck of it as it’s so pleasurable!

Massage is an age old human activity, as old as eating or making out! Gone are the days when mention of massage in Delhi hotels raised eyebrows and snickers. The shady joint scenario of the 70′s has given way to a wide variety of professional massage services available right at your doorstep, at elegant beauty saloons and spa in hotels of all styles and levels across the city.

The in flow of business executives to the capital is sizeable. In between hectic routines and rushing from one business meet to another, a relaxing massage can be a boon. And amidst all the treatments and cosmetic makeovers comprising lengthy sessions at the spa, a massage is again a welcome bliss. A whole range of Ayurvedic herbal treatments and massage creams and oils are available that are stunning in their effects on mind and body. A truly holistic healing and soothing relaxation is provided.

A Free Massage at Delhi hotel is no doubt very popular with the international crowd of globe trotters, business and trade pros and family’s on extended vacations as well. Massages can range from Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Swedish and Thai massage techniques and are often accompanied by brief reflexology procedures that involve stimulating points on the feet and hands believed to be beneficial to the body and mind.

 

“The Spa at Hotel Clark Heights is waiting to give you pleasure.”  Come and soothe tired mind and muscle in a cozy cocoon of personalized service with privacy and exclusivity.  Men and women alike love the peace and tranquility of a few hours spent at a spa. So don’t hesitate. Go ahead unabashed and indulge yourself extravagantly in sensual massage. Come out glowing, all bright eyed and bushy tailed!  Nothing like a free massage at Delhi hotel!

By Rashmi Goyal

The state of Madhya Pradesh is a prime cultural and religious hub of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. With the world famous Khajuraho temples, exquisitely carved Jain temples, forts and palaces, the state is full of glorious reminders of the era of Rajas and Maharajas. Its medieval cities, amazing wildlife sanctuaries and pilgrimage centers offer memorable experiences.

The Khajuraho Group of monuments in Khajuraho town, 385 miles from Delhi, are one of the most popular destinations in the world. It has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain Temples, more famous for their erotic sculptures than anything else. The Khajuraho temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of India.

The temples are made of sandstone – the builders didn’t use mortar. The stones were put together with mortise and tenon joints and held in place by gravity. This kind of construction requires very precise joints. The columns and architraves were built with megaliths that weigh up to 20 tons!

The Khajuraho temples bear erotic artwork with sensual engravings and erotic sculptures, built by the Chandela rulers in the 10th century. Many carvings also depict everyday life of the common man at the time. Erotic fantasies sculpted in stone are a curious blend of religion with eroticism.

Today, the temples serve as fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their explicit depiction of erotic life during medieval times. The Khajuraho temples are now set in a parkland landscape. The archaeological park now has something of the character of a public park, with mowed grass, rose beds and ornamental trees. This however has no relationship with the historic landscape at the time the temples were built. The temples of Khajuraho were built between 950 to 1050 A.D. Of the original 85 temples, only 20 have survived the weather over the millennia .

The Khajuraho temple complex offers a well-made light and sound show every evening. The show is about an hour long and covers the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these temples. These 10th -11th century temples have an interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of the Chandela dynasty. It is said that in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girl known as Hemvati, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman -the founder of the Chandela dynasty. Later, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother requested him to make a temple which would reveal all aspects of passion and erotic fantasy to the world.

The fact is the Khajuraho temples do not contain erotic art inside the temples or near the deities ; however some external carvings bear erotic art. Also, some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. There are many interpretations of the erotic carvings. They portray that for seeing the deity, one must leave his or her sexual desires outside the temple. They also convey that Divinity, such as the deities of the temples, is pure like the atman (soul), which is not affected by sexual desires and other characteristics of the physical body.

Meanwhile, the external curvature and carvings of the temples depict humans, human bodies and the changes that occur in human bodies as well as the facts of life. Just about 10% of the carvings contain sexual themes, the rest depict the everyday life of the common man at the time when the carvings were made.

The Khajuraho Dance Festival, held every year in February/March, is an opportunity for visitors to experience various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Temples.

The nearest railway station is at Jhansi, 18 km from town. The nearest airport is Khajuraho Airport. Premium hotels in Khajuraho offer all modern amenities and the Budget hotels too offer decent a stay at reasonable prices. Most hotels here have good restaurants where you can try a variety of cuisines.

By Rashmi Goyal

Indians love to entertain and be entertained. In fact, our two well known national pastimes are interacting with people – chattering, and eating! Hospitality is our natural inclination. Our motto – the now famous ‘athithi devo bhavah” which translates as ‘guest is god’. This is naturally reflected in our hotel milieu, catering, wining and dining. And never so perfectly as in capital city Delhi, which is a die hard ‘foodie’ venue!

Delhi is the heart of India. This huge capital is a fascinating melting pot of cultures and life styles and provides terrific opportunities to tourists to explore variety as the spice of life – the true essence of this vast country. There is a maze of restaurants and food joints, a plethora of national and international cuisines to relish. Most visitors to the city look for a Multi Cuisine Restaurant in Delhi where chances of finding something delectable to gobble down for all members of the troupe is greater .

Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can relish their favorite dish, choosing from a wide range of delicacies- north Indian, south Indian, seafood, continental, etc. Chinese and Mughlai have always been hot favorites with the domestic crowd, with Italian, Mexican, Japanese and Thai in hot pursuit. Multi Cuisine Restaurant in Delhi is the flavor of the day. And sky is the limit. Visitors at hotels in Delhi come sniffing for the most exotic to the esoteric  - or may even, in a bout of homesickness,  plain simply ask for unheard of yummy something’s cooked back home in any one of two hundred nations of the world! They can seek anything from local fare hilly billy tribes up north or far east India  consume to grub former Royalty tucked in right down to the exact recipe!

Delhi is called mini India, where life of its denizens reflects the kaleidoscope that is India. People from all parts of the India live together in this mammoth metropolis amidst stunning historical sites and hotspots. With tasteful interiors that spell comfort and class, accommodation in Delhi strives to offer every possible amenity. To promote business in the region hotels have come up with business centers, coffee lounges and the like with the latest facilities including high speed wireless internet , photocopy, fax, international calling, multi-media etc. Crisp, prompt service mingled with polite, friendly staff makes one relaxed and at home. Keeping in tune with the trend, most hotels, whether luxury budget or high end, strive to have at least one in house Multi Cuisine Restaurant in Delhi .

Delhi is a potpourri of diverse cultures, each one adding a unique flavor to the culinary palette. A city of food-lovers, it has oodles of eateries all over to meet the demand for delicious cuisines. Dining and drinking arrangements in chic and elegant spaces is a hit among the city’s bold and beautiful. Hence most Delhi hotels have come up with a Multi Cuisine Restaurant in Delhi inside their premises. Though the best of the lot are 5 star properties the lesser brethren are not too far lagging behind! A grand culinary experience can be had at luxury budget hotels like our Hotel Clark Heights. We offer a sumptuous spread of Indian and international cuisines at our roof top restaurant, barbeque and at our terrace lounge. Gulp down delectable snacks and yummy delicacies all day.

By Rashmi Goyal

The rich cultural past of India is reflected in the innumerable forts and palaces across the country. Most were built as defenses to keep enemy at bay and hence are mind boggling massive, with stunning temples and palaces inside, exquisite architecture, sculpture and carvings that have stood the ravages of time.

Though standard heritage tours are evergreen, customized tours are gaining popularity. The last decade saw a boom in hospitality ; the next revolution was in Historical India Tour options. India has immense historical heritage as countless valiant rulers of ancient and medieval India left traces of their empires which tourists feast on. Once a visitor to India has settled in a Delhi Hotel of his choice, the first instinct is to explore this amazing capital.

If you’re a forts and palaces buff and are wondering where to quickly find the majestic and magnificent, then don’t lose hope. There are many fortresses not far from your hotel in Delhi. India’s colorful, vibrant past is reflected in the myriad citadels dotting the country’s landscape. There is one right outside your doorstep in Delhi. The magnificent Red Fort, which is visited by nearly every tourist to India, is a masterpiece of architecture.

The next nearest is the Agra Fort; combine it with gazing awe struck at the glorious Taj Mahal, an unforgettable experience. Just an hour journey from your Delhi hotel, you can go by train or car or luxury bus. The 16th century Agra Fort of red sandstone, encompasses within its 2.5 km long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughals. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, audience halls, and beautiful mosques.

Next you can head for Gwalior and its famous fortress. You can also head for Jaipur first, then Agra or vice versa, followed by Gwalior. The Amber Fort in Jaipur is a classic example of fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture. It has a profusion of palaces including the ‘palace of mirrors’, Sheesh Mahal, with walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors that still take every first time visitor’s breath away.

Gwalior is 122 km south of the Taj Mahal . Due to massive tourist in flow, Gwalior is called the tourist capital of the state. The formidable Gwalior Fort is reputed to be one of the most invincible forts of India. It occupies an isolated rock outcrop with the hill steepened to make it virtually non scalable. Called the ‘Gibraltar of India’, it has unique architecture with Chinese influence on Indian architecture. Its intricately designed beauty is encased in 35 feet high walls enclosing stunning temples and palaces.

Do your homework at the travel desk of your Delhi hotel to work out your list of fortresses to gawk at.

 

 

 

 

 

Orchha, founded in 1501 AD, is just 120 km from Gwalior . A medieval city with an amazing fort along the Betwa river which is full of palaces and temples that still retain their original grandeur. Hotels here are known for their splendid décor and comfort .

 

 

By Rashmi Goyal

Nothing beats the fun and excitement of going on a vacation with the whole family. When it comes to planning and arrangements, India tour with family can be quite a handful for anyone to take on. A reputed travel agent works like a genie here. If you’re looking for a family hotel in Delhi then you can relax as the Delhi hotel scenario is family and senior citizen friendly. Traveling with small children is far from easy as they get bored easily and tired easily and find it difficult to stay still for more than a few minutes. Traveling with infants is all the more difficult. Yet it’s inconceivable to go vacationing without our adorable ones cuddled in our laps all safe and content.

The country is like a kaleidoscope and it dazzles the eyes with amazing diversity. When on tour to India with family pick a trusted travel company that has in-depth knowledge about each destination and tie-ups with the best vendors. Plan your trip according to your family’s interests – you have so many options for your holiday.  Your son’s demand might be for adventure sports and elderly parents fascination with cultural tours, beaches might be your forte while your wife’s plan is to go for a spa tour in the hills.

Your India tour with family can very well fulfill everybody’s desires. Do some exploring and research, choose a theme for the vacation and with the help of a trusted agent pick suitable destinations. There are excellent tours of every possible theme to any nook and cranny of India. Coveted family tour themes on well trodden paths are heritage tours, beach and backwaters, adventure sports.

Heritage Tours flourish on countless fascinating historical monuments, inspiring sculptures and edifices sprinkled across the country. Especially thrilling are the stunning palaces and forts of Rajasthan, Delhi’s amazing ancient monuments and temples andAgra’s enchanting marvel, the Taj Mahal. Most of these spots are easy hops from your hotel in Delhi.

Palm fringed beaches on India’s thousands km long coastline are the best locale for a laid back vacation, walking on silvery sands and relishing a revitalizing Ayurveda massage. The backwaters of Kerala are also ideal for the family. Hire a personal traditional houseboat which is like a personal cruise to explore beautiful Kerala.

 

Crowned with the mighty Himalayas in the north and its southern tip dipped into three oceans of the world,Indiahas stunning bio-diversity. The country has more than 550 wildlife sanctuaries attracting wildlife enthusiasts and photographers in hordes.

 

 

As for adventure, lush jungles, deep valleys, cascading gorges and grand peaks offer fascinating destinations for adventure sports. Indulge in trekking, rafting and mountaineering. For water sports head south and try out jet skiing, motorcycling and more in Goa and other coastal towns. Tour packages arranged by Delhi hotels are the best means for family’s from different parts of the world to enjoy India’s historical and cultural beauty with greatest fun and enthusiasm.

Our Hotel Clark Heights prides itself on being a women and senior citizen friendly stay option, located right in the center of town, within very short distances of popular restaurants, shops, sites and museums. There is an array of amusement parks, water parks and interesting bazaars full of fascinating knick knacks and buys, where the kids can get all the thrills and run up your bills, all not far from our hotel.

Hotel Clark Heights elegant cozy rooms are easily converted into a family suite with up to one to three extra beds. We have a desk top installed in our lobby and convenient, assistant operated elevator for older folks and kids on the run. Our complimentary airport/ rail pick ups are a great boon for any family, small or large, arriving Delhi with frayed nerves, possibly hair standing out on skin and head. Amenities necessary for family and kids include the all important satellite TV , hot water at all times;  free internet wi-fi is a bonus, especially for older kids. Last but not the least, there is the utter joy family and kids get when they tuck in our scrumptious food.

By Rashmi Goyal

A Delhi City Excursion Tour is a must for any India first timer. The capital of this vast, ancient, incredible land is very aptly called a mini India. Delhi city can truly be dubbed as a Heritage City of the world – it is actually seven cities successively built over more than a thousand years, all inter-meshed within each other, with British built New Delhi making an eighth! This has resulted in a fascinating heritage collection of mostly Mughal monuments and relics juxtaposed with modern architectural wonders.

A brief historical timeline of Delhi –

1. Lal Kot (or Qila Rai Pithora) : area around Qutab Minar founded in 1060 A.D.

2. Siri Fort :  a fortress rather than city, commissioned in 1303 .

3. Tughluqabad : fortified city built in 1321 but deserted soon after.

4. Jahanpanah :  Founded 1326 as an extension of Lal Kot

5. Firozabad  : remains are a fortified palace, Firoz Shah Kotla, founded 1354

6. Purana Qila : 1533 A.D. fortress , said to be the site of ancient Indraprastha

7. Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) : Founded in 1638 as capital of Mughal India

8. New Delhi : Inaugurated by the British in 1931 as their brand new capital

Today’s buzzing international metropolis is both daunting and alluring. Form the tourists point of view, Delhi is divided into two main parts. Old Delhi is the city of the Mughals, dating the 17th century, with ancient monuments in marble and sandstone and teeming bazaars. Spacious New Delhi is full of tree-lined boulevards, museums, classy markets.  Our unique two day Delhi City Excursion Tour makes the mammoth task of an inner excursion easy, comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable!
Highlights of Delhi City Excursion Tour

Day one 

* Red Fort  – Morning, you start your excursion with a visit to the magnificent Red Fort, the most famous and largest of heritage monuments. The massive fort is built in red sandstone and its ramparts stretch for about 2 km. The fort contains halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, private apartments, a mosque and elaborate gardens.

* Jama Masjid – Next on the agenda is India’s largest mosque, the Jama Masjid. It has huge minarets and offers bird’s eye views over the old city. The mosque accommodates 25,000 worshippers and was built by a workforce of 5000 men. It looks east to sprawling Red Fort and down onto the seething streets of Old Delhi. In its northeast section, a shrine protects a collection of Muhammad’s relics shrouded in rose petals and watched over by keepers who reveal the contents: two sections of the Koran written on deerskin by relatives of the prophet, a red beard hair of Muhammad, his sandals and his footprint ‘miraculously’ embedded in a marble slab.

* Chandni Chowk  – At this point, you can have a fascinating foray into Chandni Chowk on cycle rickshaw or foot – Asia’s biggest wholesale market said to be 400 years old and running since! It is Old Delhi’s main thoroughfare that was once a tree lined canal with  opulent bazaars. There are heritage buildings signposted at intervals. Starting east to west, just across Red Fort is Lal Mandir, a Jain temple with carvings and gilded paintwork. The 18^th century Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple is next door with shrines, a statue of Lord Shiva and an 800 year old lingam.

Go further west to Gurudwara Sisganj, a 1784 Sikh temple marking the spot where Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded the ninth Sikh guru, Tegh Bahadur in 1675. The guru was forced to see three of his followers executed – one was sawn in half from head to foot, another wrapped in cotton and slowly burned to death, a third boiled alive in a cauldron of water. This happened across the street in what is now Fountain Chowk.

* Finally you reach Connaught Place or ‘CP’ – the popular, modern commercial and shopping hub full of restaurants, shops, cinemas, banks and airline offices. Its central park is beautifully landscaped and offers a quiet retreat from the hurly-burly. Neon advertisements adorn the roofs and verandas of buildings that circle central park.

You can break here for a sumptuous lunch at any one of numerous fine dining spots or munch yummy snacks at a food joint out here.

We continue our Delhi City Excursion Tour :-  

* Jantar Mantar – located just south of CP, built in 1725 A.D.– one of five open-air observatories designed by Maharaja Jai Singh II – huge red and white slanting stone structures used to calculate time, solar and lunar calendars and astrological movements with an admirable degree of accuracy.

* Bangla Sahib Gurudwara – Delhi’s largest Sikh temple with a vast white marble structure topped by a huge, golden dome .

* Lakshmi Narayan Mandir – an extravagant modern Hindu temple commissioned by a wealthy merchant family, the Birlas and inaugurated in 1939 by Mahatma Gandhi.

The Delhi City Excursion Tour will now take you on a drive down the grand avenue Rajpath viewing hotspots :

* Rajpath  – South of CP , the grand avenue Rajpath stretches from India Gate to the Presidential Palace, flanked by gardens and fountains floodlit at night. It’s wide grassy margins are a popular spot for families, picnickers, courting couples.  It is the location of the annual National Republic Day Parade.

* India Gate  – a must see war memorial raised in honor of  Indian soldiers, designed by Edward Lutyens in 1921. The 42 meter high arch commemorates Indian soldiers and bears names of more than three thousand soldiers. India Gate has a carnival atmosphere with sellers of balloons, ice cream and candy-floss, families enjoying a day out .

* Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) –  one of  the largest and most grandiose of the Raj constructions, with classical columns, Mughal style domes, Indian filigree work and use of the red sandstone.

* Sansad Bhawan (Parliament Building) – its well known circular structure is located just  north of Rajpath.

You round up the first day of your Delhi City Excursion Tour with the must visit must see Akshardham Temple Complex.

* Akshardham Temple is a sprawling, modern construction that has stupendous stone cutting in stunning sculptors and carvings and is set amidst beautiful flood lit fountains in the evening. It’s back to your hotel to tuck in a sumptuous dinner before bed.

Day two

* Raj Ghat or Gandhi Smriti – Morning you start off with a visit to the Memorial site of  the peace apostle, Mahatma Gandhi. An open air, black marble platform with an eternal flame burning at one end, set amidst lush greens and a tangible, pervading atmosphere of peace.

* Humayun’s Tomb -  Next on the agenda is the Mughal garden tomb in red sandstone and white marble set amidst lovely gardens – considered to be the elegant forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

* Purana Quila – remains of the fortress citadel built in 1533 A.D., Delhi’s sixth incarnation . Surrounded by a lake on which boating is very popular. The Delhi zoo is adjacent to it.

* The Lotus (or Baha’i)  Temple -  A stupendous piece of iconic modern architecture in the form of  27 free standing petals comprising a gigantic lotus structure. Said to receive  the maximum number of annual visitors in the world after the Eiffel Tower in France!

* Qutab Minar Complex – The impressive ruins of 13^th century Delhi comprise the Victory Tower, the tallest single tower in the world and famous 4^th century Iron Pillar that has not rusted in 1500 years!  The red sandstone tower tapers up to a height of 72 meters and has beautiful carvings on its floor landings. The area to the south is rich with relics from many historical periods and is now an Archeological Park.

By Rashmi Goyal

 

Delhi is the main point of arrival for overseas visitors to India.   Once you are settled in a hotel of your choice, you can easily spend up to a week or two exploring the monuments, museums and bazaars of this great city. Just as there is a wide range of Delhi hotels to suit every class and taste, Delhi has a huge variety of markets and bazaars catering to the needs of every class and taste. The sky is the limit to Delhi Bazaar Inc! The endless stream of fellow travelers can give you tips and pointers on anything you’re unsure of.

Delhi is a known shopper’s paradise where you can shop till you drop , with thousands of shops selling anything from antiques, ethnic wear, European fashions, rugs and carpets, linen & fabrics, silks, jewelry, furniture to everything else! Delhi has the best buys for leather items, carved stone pieces, precious stones, silk products, wood work, jewelry.

Delhi consists of crowded 17^th century Old Delhi with ancient monuments and teeming bazaars and the more spacious New Delhi, with modern neighborhoods, tree-lined boulevards and classy up-markets, including Connaught Place. There are excellent shopping complexes in almost every locality in Delhi but Connaught Place, Karol Bagh

and Chandni Chowk are principle shopping areas.

 

Connaught Place, or ‘CP’, is radically different from the bazaars of Old Delhi, crammed with restaurants, bars, shops, cinemas, banks and airline offices.  CP has emporiums full of goods from all over India and also Tibet. Many luxury Delhi hotels have outlets for these wares especially precious stones, jewelry and even exquisite carpets and the like.  Connaught Place had good departmental stores and big showrooms as well as the famous underground Palika market. Each of India’s 28 states has its own showroom here with wooden and stone carvings, brassware, textiles, clothing, jewelry, high-grade Darjeeling teas, sandalwood carvings, carpets, shawls etc.  Not far is the Karol Bagh Market, that sells everything from cars to clothes. Most of the luxury budget hotels are situated here.

 

Sarojini Nagar, Khan Market, Greater Kailash, South Extension I and II, Hauz Khas Village are up market shopping precincts. Ansal Plaza is Delhi’s most popular mall. Santushti Shopping Complex is popular among diplomats. Dilli Haat is full of stalls selling crafts from across the country with good eating joints and handicraft shops. The city’s growing nightlife scene boasts designer bars, chic cafés and decent clubs – many at elite Delhi hotels of south Delhi.

Foreigners visiting India can pick up items of international brands like Benetton, Ray-Ban, Adidas, and Pierre Cardin at lower prices. Make sure stock up with souvenirs and presents to take back with you before you fly back home.