Walking through Old Delhi

Situated in the North-Central part of India, Delhi is the capital city of the country. Sitting on the western banks of the Yamuna river, the city is one of the largest urban agglomerations of India. Delhi has been a witness to the reigns of many dynasties. Being one of the coveted tourist destinations, Delhi houses numerous hotels and tourist attractions that are crowded by both tourists and locals. With an array of restaurants and street food stalls, the city offers a great dining experience as well. Divided into two parts, New & Old Delhi, the city paints two completely different pictures. The New Delhi in the South presents modern structures while the Old Delhi in the north shows remnants of the glorious history of the past dating back to the Mughal Era.

On hearing stories about the history, lifestyle and culture of the capital city, I had been planning to go for a trip to Delhi. And started looking for budget accommodations on Intermiles. Previously while planning for my Kolkata trip, I had used Intermiles as well. Finally, I got hold of one of the best budget hotels in Delhi and without wasting time reserved a stay with Pearl Premium Luxury Homes for a whole week and went on planning the next part of our Delhi expedition. The city’s true historical aura lies in Old Delhi. Thus after landing in the capital city, we (me and my parents) decided to explore Old Delhi at our own pace and discussed a full-proof plan which turned out to be really successful. Here is a comprehensive overview of Old Delhi.

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Visited Red Fort

Red Fort Delhi

Old Delhi or as we call it Purani Delhi houses many historical remnants that are visited by tourists from all around the world. Of the many tourist attractions, Red Fort is quite an iconic one. The UNESCO declared World Heritage Site, Red Fort marks the ruling of the Mughal emperors. While touring the premises, we got to witness floral designs, twin domes and charismatic complex carvings. Further, the exterior of the fort displayed a great architectural work of the Mughals. We took a tour guide along with us to get a better understanding of the history of the fort and its significance. Since I am a history buff, exploring the Red Fort was like a treat. In our opinion, Red Fort is surely a delight that you would not want to miss. If you are planning a tour in Red Fort, make sure you visit the place in the early morning to avoid crowds during the later half of the day

Headed to Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk

After an expansive historical morning tour at Red Fort, we walked down the busiest place of the region, Chandni Chowk. A place that covers massive crowds of shoppers, Chandni Chowk has been there since the 17th Century. With a wide range of shops, this place is popularly known as the “shoppers’ paradise”. From spices and dry fruits to clothes and jewellery, the hawkers sell variegated items at wholesale rates. Also, the food stalls in Chandni Chowk were an additional delight in this popular place. We tried various lip-smacking street food from there.

Walked around the Mahatma Gandhi Park

Mahatma Gandhi Park

Old Delhi is home to many beautiful parks, among which Mahatma Gandhi Park is a notable one. After completing our shopping, we took a metro from Chandni Chowk Station and headed to Mahatma Gandhi Park. Conveniently located near Old Delhi Station, Mahatma Gandhi Park is an ideal place for spending time on a leisurely afternoon. Originally called the “Queen’s Park” by the Britishers, this park features sprawling greenery. Along with towering trees, we spotted a bronze statue of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at the park. Moreover, there were many small groups of people who came for picnics. The scenic beauty of the park caught my attention. The well-maintained park also has seating arrangements that enhance its looks and makes it convenient to spend long hours there. What I loved about this place is the tranquillity that the park radiates. If you want to experience ultimate peace, then visit the park in the later afternoon.

Went for dinner at Karim’s

Karim’s

From Mahatma Gandhi Park, we then headed towards Jama Masjid to complete our one-day expedition of Old Delhi with a lip-smacking dinner. Purani Delhi not only features historical monuments and crowded markets but also different kinds of restaurants. While searching for the best restaurant in Delhi, I asked a local person and he told me about Karim’s. And honestly, this place is a haven for meat lovers. Karim’s is one of the oldest eateries in the city that is known for preparing authentic Mughlai cuisine. Here, we ordered mutton burra, mutton nihari and chicken korma along with biryani and firni that made for quite a filling dinner. If you are a foodie and also a meat lover like me, then don’t miss the delectables served at Karim’s.

We took a cab from Karim’s and went back to the hotel, thus completing our one-day Old Delhi tour. The walkthrough Old Delhi was one of my best experiences to date. By planning a day tour properly, you too can also enjoy a walk down the busy streets of Purani Delhi. Before that, book a stay in advance at the best hotels in Delhi to secure an important part of your travel plan.

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