Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is a blend of cultural extravaganza, crafts and food. It is a unique bazaar in the heart of the city that displays the richness of Indian culture. One can buy a number of traditional and ethnic items from the market. Not only that, the haat offers some delicious food items at cost effective prices. You can visit the various food stalls set up by individual states of India that serve authentic delicacies native to their region. Visiting the haat is a unique experience as it gives you a taste of the cultural heritage of each and every state of India. The bazaar also houses souvenir shops for visitors. Some of the items you can buy include brassware, metal crafts, gems, beads, silk and wool fabrics, embellished footwear, sandalwood and rosewood carvings etc.

Dilli Haat

Garden of Five Senses

Spread over an area of 20 acre, the Garden of Five Senses provides a serene atmosphere to its visitors. The garden has been divided into distinct areas, of which Khas Bagh is the most popular. Modeled along the lines of the Mughal Gardens, this lush garden is dotted with vibrant flowers and also boasts water channels that bestow a coolness to the environment. There is also a series of fountains that present a splendid view when lit up. Another attraction is the Neel Bagh, which houses a pool of water lilies and hundreds of ceramic chimes. Moreover, the garden houses a number of flowering shrubs and as many as 200 varieties of plants. A walk through the garden can be quite rejuvenating. Several murals and sculptures have been set up in the park, making it one of the largest collections of public art in India.

The garden also hosts a food and shopping court, where tourists can enjoy with family and friends amidst pristine surroundings. Another highlight is an amphitheatre that has blocks of sandstone for seats. An exhibition area at the back of the garden hosts art exhibitions and workshops that are a delight for tourists.

Garden of Five Senses

Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

One of the most prominent spiritual sites in Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is the shrine of Muslim sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Auliya (1238 - 1325 AD). It is a beautiful structure comprising intricate jaalis (lattice screens) and a vast courtyard framed by marble arches. Dating back to the 14th century, this dargah has been built in the Islamic style of architecture. It is a square-shaped building with a dome-shaped roof. A particular attraction is a 13th century room, called Hujra-e-Qadeem, which makes for an interesting visit.

The dargah draws devotees from far and wide and they can be seen tying a red thread on the jaalis so their prayers can be answered. While performing the prayers, they also light incense sticks and shower rose petals. Offering a chadar (a large sheet of fabric) at the shrine is considered especially auspicious. The best time to visit the dargah is on Thursday, when qawwali performances are held in the evening. Such is its renown that the dargah has been a cinematic backdrop for several movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Rockstar (2011).

Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah

National Zoological Park

National Zoological Park, or Delhi Zoo as it is popularly called, is located near the Old Fort. Spread over an area of 176 acre, it is an abode to more than 1,000 animals, along with a diverse range of flora and birds.

Visit the huge hippopotamus as it enjoys a lazy swim in the waters, see the chimpanzees have a playful go at each other, try to figuratively wrap your head around the really long arms and tails of the spider monkey, or hear an Asiatic lion roar its authority as it prowls restlessly in its enclosure; many fun experiences await you at the Delhi Zoo. Other unmissable stopovers are the spaces of the royal Bengal tiger, swamp deer, Indian rhinoceros, brow antlered deer etc. For birdwatchers, visiting migratory birds like storks and peafowl makes for an interesting sight.

National Zoological Park

Chandni Chowk

Preserving the antiquity of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk is a bustling neighbourhood that is one of the oldest in the national capital. A vibrant bazaar that is buzzing with activity, Chandni Chowk is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways that are crammed with small shops, either selling delicious servings of snacks, sweets and savouries or offering budgeted deals on a host of products, including clothes. This medieval shopping site is stocked with almost everything under the sun, and you can get a fine selection of perfumes, jewellery, electronics, candles, lifestyle goods and idols of gods and goddesses. Moreover, it also plays host to one of the largest wholesale markets in Delhi, in which visitors can get huge discounts on several items.

Chandni Chowk is perhaps most popular for its food, which was relished by personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and others. As you explore the culinary riches of the market, start with the Old Famous Jalebi Wala, near the metro station. Sample piping hot soft and syrupy jalebis as you soak in Delhi winters. Food lovers can head to the Paranthe Wali Gali for an immersive experience. A noodle-thin lane lined with shops selling fresh and hot paranthas (stuffed flatbread), it is a must-visit. Next comes kachori-aloo (deep-fried pastry served with potato gravy) and dahi bhalla (deep-fried snack served with yoghurt). If you're visiting in summers, a tall glass of spiced lemonade never goes amiss. A highlight of the food scene of Chandni Chowk is rabri faluda (a sweet thick milk dish served with vermicelli). Many of the shops here are more than 100 years old and preserve a taste of medieval Delhi that makes one fall in love with the place.

Chandni Chowk