Tips collections, Delhi

Tughlaqabad Fort
A fort guarding a city

Jamali Kamali
Slave dynasty's architecture

Bhulbhulaiyan
A ghost lived here?

Lal Gumbad
Pre-Mughal Architecture

Hazrat Nizamuddin
Old, traditional settlement

Feroz Shah Kotla
Built in 1354

Ugrasen Ki Baoli
An ancient step well

Salimgarh
Haunted prison

Saint James Church
The oldest church

Coronation Memorial
Coronation site

contact:
tel: +91 11 2332 0005
location:
Tuglaqabad
New Delhi DL 110062
1 Tughlaqabad Fort

DESCRIPTION: The fort stands high on an outcrop of rocks, with walls
reaching 27 meters in places, stretching over a parameter of seven
kilometers. This sprawling fortress was built in less than four years in the
early 1300s to guard against the attacks by Mongols from central Asia.
It was also connected to Old Delhi by a secret underground passage.
But the fort was fated to be abandoned right after construction. Legend
has it that it had been cursed by a Sufi saint. Today, it lies as beautiful
ruins surrounded by rampant wilderness and numerous peacocks. It is a
popular destination for trekkers and picnickers.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist
Information)
location:
Near Qutub Minar Complex
New Delhi DL 110030

2 Jamali Kamali
OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:
There is less bustle here than at the Qutub. Use this as a
short pit stop to unwind before setting off on your itinerary
again.
DESCRIPTION: The Jamali Kamali masjid (mosque) and tomb is
situated near the Qutub Minar complex and is set within a beautiful park.
The mosque's simple lines give it an air of simple elegance and quiet
contemplation. Through the door on the right lies a small chamber in which
Jamali and Kamali are buried. Jamali was a saint and a poet who was a
favorite of the ruling king. The identity of Kamali is unknown. The tomb
chamber is closed to the public but the outside premises are worth a view.

Shashwat_Nagpal
contact:
tel: +91 11 2332 0005
location:
Mehrauli Village
New Delhi DL 110030

3 Bhulbhulaiyan
DESCRIPTION: This was constructed in 1562 as a tomb for
Adham Khan, who was killed by king Akbar. This is situated
next to the entrance of Mehrauli village and is also locally
known as Bhulbhulaiyan, which means 'a maze'. According
to folklore, this tomb is inhabited by ghosts. It is a beautiful
structure in midst of green wilderness - an ideal spot to get a
good view of the first fort of Delhi.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2464 7005(Tourist
Information)
fax: +91 11 2469 7352
(Tourist Information)
location:
Panchshila Park
New Delhi 110 017

4 Lal Gumbad

DESCRIPTION: The Lal Gumbad is one of the many grand pieces of ancient architecture that
beautifully adorn the city of Delhi. Lal Gumbad or the Red Mausoleum is the tomb of Shaikh Kabir-
Ud-Din Auliya, who was buried here in 1397, during the pre-Mughal era. The square-shaped tomb
is erected of red sandstone, with a conic-shaped plastered dome on the roof. The serene lawns
of Panchshila Park, where the tomb is located, exudes a wonderful ambiance. Don't miss this
gorgeous monument, when in Delhi!

contact:
tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist
Information)
location:
Mathura Road
New Delhi DL 110013

5 Hazrat Nizamuddin

DESCRIPTION: Nizamuddin is a historic village settlement,
which continues to exist within modern Delhi. It gets its name
from the Sufi saint, Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, who was born
in 1236. The area is full of craftsmen shops, traditional Mughal
bakeries, ittar (exotic perfumes) bazaars, restaurants, old
houses, traditional Islamic bookshops, and numerous shrines
devoted to saints and poets. You are immediately transported
back in time when you enter Hazrat Nizamuddin. It has a
magical ambience.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2332 0005
location:
Bhahadur Shah Zafar Road
New Delhi DL 110002

6 Feroz Shah Kotla

DESCRIPTION: Ferozabad was constructed in 1354 by Feroz
Shah Tuglaq. It now lies in ruins at Feroz Shah Kotla. This
place now seem like a menacing fortress, but the most famous
structure here is the Ashoka Pillar, on which the great king and
philosopher, Ashoka's teachings are inscibed. Amongst the
ruins are also the remains of a mosque and a well. It has been
bought to this state by the endless stipping of its materials to
construct newer buildings.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist
Information)
location:
Near Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi DL 110001

7 Ugrasen Ki Baoli
DESCRIPTION: This baoli (step well) is a small structure built of rubble
and dressed stone. Shaded by a massive neem tree, it has no roof.
Step wells of this kind were once the lifeline of settlements. They not
only provided water but also served as points and centers of community
activity; places where people gathered to cool off and socialize. The well
has five levels where each level has an arched area, which was used as a
resting place. The center of the well has water and the water is linked to a
well dug in a covered platform. Today, it stands quietly and ignored amidst
the corporate buildings of Connaught Place. If you look over the highest
wall of the baoli, you will see a surrounding ring of imposing high rises. It's
quite a view.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2464 7005 (Tourist
Information)
location:
Ajmere Gate
New Delhi DL 110006

8 Salimgarh

DESCRIPTION: About 1.5 kilometers north of the Red Fort
are the ruins of the small fort of Salimgarh. It was built by king
Salim Shah, in 1546, as an island fort on the Yamuna River.
The next king, Aurangzeb, converted this fort into a state
prison, and the British continued using it as such till the 1940s.
Many freedom fighters from the Indian Independent Movement
were jailed here for extensive periods of time. That however, is
not its only claim to fame; Salimgarh is also considered as one
of the most haunted places in Old Delhi

contact:
tel: +91 11 332 0005
location:
Kashmere Gate
New Delhi DL 110006

9 Saint James Church

DESCRIPTION: Built in 1836, it is the oldest surviving church
in the city. St. James Church was built in a western classical
design with a Greek cross plan. Three of the arms of the cross
have porticoes, while the east arm contains the altar. The dome
is very similar to the dome of Florence Cathedral in Italy which
was the first renaissance structure in the world. Delicate stained
glass windows were added to the building in 1860. Some of the
decorative elements have a Mughal influence and these are
more prominent and visible in the base of the dome and also in
the steps leading to the church.

contact:
tel: +91 11 2462 9365
location:
Near Majnu Ka Tila, Ring
Road
New Delhi DL

A Coronation Memorial

DESCRIPTION: Coronation Memorial has the statue of King George V,
which once stood under the canopy near India Gate. The king is attired
in the coronation robe he wore for the Darbar (royal court) in 1911. It
is surrounded by other statues, including those of Lord Willingdon and
Lord Hardinge, all standing on red sandstone plinths. The statues retain
their old glory but they are situated within a neglected walled garden.

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Located on the narrow Hailey Lane on the Atul Grove Road, cutting across the Kasturba Gandhi Road, in the center of modern Delhi,This baori (step well) is a small structure built of rubble and dressed stone. Step wells of this kind were once the lifeline of settlements. They not only provided water but also served as points and centers of community activity, places where people gathered to cool off and socialize. The well has five levels where each level has an arched area, which was used as a resting place. The center of the well has water and the water is linked to a well dug in a covered platform. Today, it stands quietly and ignored amidst the corporate buildings of Connaught Place. If you look over the highest wall of the baori, you will see a surrounding ring of imposing high rises. It's quite a view.Ugrasen ki Baori is a fine example of Delhi's unique architecture.

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Delhi Zoo is located near the Purana Qila on the Delhi-Mathura road was established in 1959 and is spread over a massive area of 214 acres. Is regarded as one of the finest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide an almost natural habitat to the animals and birds. There are many animals and bird species from places like Africa, America, Australia and even Asia.
Delhi zoo features quite an amazing range of flora and fauna. Over one thousand varieties of animals, reptiles and avian species can be seen here. Leopard cat, Indian Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Black Buck, Indian Gazelle and Lion-tailed macaque are some of the commonly found animals here. It also has nearly all varieties of deer spotted in the country. Don’t miss the white tiger from Rewa, the elephant which plays a harmonica and the leopards. The zoo is home to many species now endangered in India. Several species of migratory birds have made this spot their favorite haunting ground. Winter is the time when the winged visitors including, storks, ducks and other species throng the large lake at the entrance of Delhi zoo.
This place is particularly popular among the children.
Opem 9.30 AM to 4 PM Close on Friday

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National gallery of modern art located in the stately Jaipur House near India Gate, was once the residence of the Jaipur Maharajas.The museum has a splendid collection of sculptuures and paintings dating from 150 years ago to the present days.The famous Indian artists such as Amrita Shergill, Raja Ravi Varma and MF Hussain as well as the Britesh landscape artists, the Daniells.
Monday Close

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The ruins of Ferozabad, the 5th city of Delhi, erected by Feroz Shah Tughlaq built in 14th century (AD1351-1388) can be found at Feroz Shah Kotla, just off Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg between the Old and New Delhi. The remains of a mosque and a well can also be seen, but most of the ruins were used for the construction of later cities. Ferozshah Tughlaq was himself a great patron of architecture. He built the Ferozshah Kotla fort, this fifth city of Delhi was full of splendid palaces, mosques and gardens. The famous 14-meter highly polished sandstone Ashoka Pillar carrying Emperor Ashoka's message of peace stands here.

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National Rail Museum is located In Chanakya Puri. It is unique in its collection of rail engines and locomotives. India was among the countries which had railway lines since 19th century. The locomotives in the museums are displayed in open. But they also have a small in house museum which gives the details of the progress and development in the history of railway in India.
Children love a ride in the toy train that takes them around the museum on a miniature rail track.
Open 930 to 5 PM
Entrance Fees Rs 10 Video Camera Rs 100
Boating Rs 20
Every Monday Close.

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National Museum Located on Janpath is one of the treasure houses of the our glorious past. The museum has a large collection of excavated items many of which date back to 2nd and 3rd century B.C. The museum has separate section for the Harrapa (Indus valley civilisation) collection. Recently the museum added a very interesting section of Jewellery collection. Apart from the regular sections the museum has regular exhibition on different themes. Information about any such exhibition can be obtained from the museum itself or from the tourist offices. A daily film show is organised in the auditorium of the museum and it is closed on Monday.
Open 10AM to 5 PM
Entrance Fee for India Rs 10
for Forgien Rs 300 inclouded Audio Guide.
Camera fee for Indian Rs 20
for Forgions Rs 300
Video camera is prohibted.

The Tibet house is a must visit for those interested in Tibetian history, an excellent resource centre about Tibet. The House has a collection of artefacts brought from Tibet when the Dalai Lama fled from there.
There are rare 'Thangkhas' or painted scrolls from 15th century Tibetan monasteries, an exquisite collection of Buddha figurines, old currency notes, objects of prayer, musical instruments and antique jewellery. There is a library with books on Tibet, Tibetan history and culture. A shop is also located over here that sells clothes, jewellery, medicines, incense, curios and Tibetian handicrafts.
Open :- Monday to Friday 9.30 to 5.30