APPU GHAR
A
Mini-Disneyland
Appu Ghar in New
Delhi is a crowd puller for the residents of the capital as well
as those of neighbouring towns. Children will have a time of their
life over here, while the enjoying the various rides.
The Swinging Sensations
Appu Ghar has the usual fare of exciting games like Roller
Coaster, the Big Splash, Dodgem Cars, the Eerie Tunnel, Giant
Wheel, Columbus Jhoola - a ship high up in the sky, the Speeding
Cup, a Cable Car, a Saucer that works on centrifugal force and
lots more.
Ice Games
Appu Ghar has now introduced Ice Games at OYSTERS, where four
acres of the Water Park have been blanketed with ice for winter
sports. These include sledding, skiing, ice boating, where one can
row through a river full of icebergs and bowling on ice.
Amusements for the grown ups are also available over here such as
Rain Dance, Ice Dance all to the tune of fast music and according
to the seasons in Delhi. This water park is the best place to cool
down the sultry summer heat.
The entry to the park is from Gate No. 4 at Pragati Maidan and
remains open on all days of the week. One can visit the park on
Mondays to Saturdays from 1.30 to 9.30pm and on Sundays from Noon
to 9.30pm.
BIRLA
MANDIR
It is another landmark close to Connaught Place and was built by
industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an
important prayer site and contains idols of several deities.
Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also
a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.
BANGLA SAHEB
Near
Connaught Place in New Delhi, a vast and magnificent building that
once belonged to Raja Jai Singh of Amber now stands stately
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, in memory of Guru Har Krishan ji. Guru Har
Rai ji had two sons, Ram Rai was elder and the younger Har Krishan.
Ram Rai had displeased his father on account of his manifesting
miracles despite strict instructions not to do so as it was
against the Sikh faith. Guru Har Rai ji had thus ordained Guruship
to his younger son Har Krishan. Through a cunning and crafty
design, the deranged and distraught Ram Rai involved Emperor
Aurangzeb against the succession. The Emperor ordered Raja Jai
Singh to get Guru Harkrishan ji to see him in Delhi. The Raja was
a great devotee of the Sikh Guru's and he knew the true story of
the succession too. The Raja instead of presenting the Guru before
the King, made him his own guest. It so happened that at time
Delhi was inflamed with the epidemic of smallpox and people in
large gatherings had been visiting the Guru continuously. The Guru
thus could not escapee the attack of smallpox and he left for his
heavenly abode in 1664 at the tender age of just eight. It is at
this place where the Guru breathed his last and the big palace was
converted into an inspiring Gurdwara now known as Gurdwara Bangla
Sahib, which is a sacred place for pilgrimage with the Sikhs.
LOTUS TEMPLE
Is a very
recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from
several spots in south Delhi. Located in Kalkaji in the south of
Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It
is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all
faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace
and tranquility.
CONNAUGHT PLACE
One
of Delhi's most popular shopping centres built as early as 1931
there is nothing that one cannot buy here and it also has several
eating houses. The state emporia buildings are also located in
this area so are the head offices of major banks, airlines and
other such things of importance to the tourist. The complex
popularly referred to as CP is an important meeting points for all
sections of people and is something which no tourist should miss
if for nothing else then for its architecture and the humdrum of
everyday life.
DILLI HAAT
A
Bazaar Par Excellence
Delhi Haat Food and Crafts Bazaar, opposite INA Market, is a
one-stop shopping place for tourists, which not only offers
various arts and handicrafts of India, but also a taste of the
ethnic cuisine. Visitors can also witness the different performing
arts of the country.
The Haat
The word 'haat' refers to a weekly market in rural, semi urban and
sometimes urban India. Dilli-Haat provides an atmosphere of
traditional rural or village market, but suitable according to the
needs of the contemporary world.
Dilli Haat is known as the first ever-permanent crafts market
showcasing India, housing within its premises a blend of craft,
food and cultural activities. The craftsmen here are mobile & ever
changing, which is another depiction of the richness and diversity
of Indian handicrafts and art crafts.
The Architecture
Spread over a spacious 6-acre area, the plaza is paved with stone
& brickwork, skillfully interspersed with grass, flowering shrubs,
Eucalyptus & other tall trees. A minimal built up area ensures a
relaxed & serene ambience.
The 62 stalls selling handicrafts are allotted on a rotational
basis to craftsmen who come here from all across India by paying a
mere INR 100 per day for a maximum period of 15 Days. This ensures
visitors buy authentic wares at prices within their budget.
Cuisine Delights
Visitors can also savour the unique flavors of the delightful
local foods from the various regions of India be it the momos from
Sikkim or the Bamboos hot chicken from Nagaland, Kahwa & Kebabs
from Jammu, Pooranpoli from Maharashtra or the Gujrati Dhokla. As
many as 25 food stalls are present at the Haat that offer variety
of foods, served in an eco -friendly manner.
The Cultural Complex
Dilli Haat also comprises of an open-air theatre for cultural
programmes and a children's play area. In the theatre from time to
time performance of folk music and dance is on offer to attract
the tourists. The theatre captures tantalising glimpses of the
diversified Indian culture in all its rich and varied colours,
ranging from the unique and spectacular dance of Kathakali to the
pulsating alive and vigorous Bhangra from Punjab.
Timeless Displays
Diili Haat is paradise for handicrafts and lovers. The treasurable
collection over here comprise of intricate rosewood & sandalwood
carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, Kandtha sarees from
West Bengal, Bidri work from Karnataka and Andhra, bamboo and cane
work from Assam, Aari embroidery from Kashmir, wooden icons from
Tamil Nadu, panels from Bastar and a host of other items.
Dilli
Haat is thus an important landmark of
Delhi where one can enjoy the
myraid cultural, musical and art forms of India, all available at
one place.
INDIA
GATE 
Straight
down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan along a magnificent view and
totally unhampered drive is India Gate, which is primarily a
memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Designed by Lutyens, the 42 metre
high structure is a war memorial in honor of the soldiers who died
during the Second World War. The imposing structure from where
stretch massive lush green lawns has an eternal flame (amar jawan
jyoti) to honor the memory of the unknown soldiers. A popular
picnic spot, one can see hoarders of people moving about the area
and on the lawns on summer evenings.
SAFDARJUNG
TOMB
It is 5 km
to the S-West from Connaught Place at Arvind Marg on the way to
Kutub. Between 1753-74, Nawab Suja-ud-Dulla erected Safdarjung on
the graveyard of Nawab of Ayodhya Mirza Mukim Abul Mansur Khan,
like the tomb of Humayun. In the middle of Mughal Garden Charbagh,
it is the last tomb or graveyard of 40 ft high. On the 4 sides,
there are 4 stone made Azan Minar. In the courtyard, there is rose
garden.
Beside it, mini airport, Safdarjung of Delhi Flying Club is
located. In 1980, Sanjay Gandhi died in an air crash in this
airport. Adjacent to the south, there is the battle field, where
Mahammad Shah Tughlak was defeated by Taimur in 12 Dec, 1398.
KALKAJI KALI TEMPLE
3 km to the
south of Humayun tomb and west of Mathura Rd, the Rock Edict of
King Ashoka was discovered in 1963. At a little distance, there is
18th century Kalkaji Kali Temple.
JANPATH
Janpath is one of the
busiest roads in New Delhi. Tourism Dept Office of Govt of India
is at 88 Janpath. You may seek their assistance Monday to Friday
from 9-00 to 18-00 and on Saturday from 9-00 to 13-00. Sunday
closed. Janpath meets Rajpath going further south. To the east
of Rajpath is India Gate and to the west is Parliament House and
Rashtrapati Bhawan. To the further south there is the posh area
of New Delhi - Defence Colony, Lodhi Colony, Greater Kailash,
Basanta Bihar etc.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is towards further S-West
from Rajpath via Dalhousie Rd/Sardar Patel Marg/Parade Rd. On
the way various foreign Consulates and Embassies there is
Diplomatic Enclave Chanakyapuri. Many star hotels are also
located in Chanakyapuri.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
A marvellous piece of
architecture which can be admired only from outside on account
of security restrictions. Close to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, it is
domed almost circular structure about a kilometer in
circumference, and was designed by the famed architect Lutyens.
It is the seat of the Indian Parliament and during the sessions
of Parliament there is a flurry of activity in and around the
structure.
RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN
The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of
the President of the country. Designed by Lutyens, it was the
official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled
India. With 340 rooms and an area of about 330 acres, it is an
imposing structure and a tourist's delight. The pillars and
the porticos are an architect's marvel and so are the Durbar
Hall and the Ashoka Hall within the complex. Although special
permission has to be obtained to visit the complex, the Mughal
Gardens within the complex are a treat for the eyes and are
open to the public during certain periods of the year.
MUGHAL
GARDEN
Situated within the
President's Estate, these gardens boast of the finest
varieties of roses in the country besides other flowers, which
are maintained with the utmost care and thought. The lawns of
the gardens are the place where the President hosts tea
parties. Besides this there are several artificial ponds where
one can get to see a variety of fish and perhaps one of the
most interesting sights are the almost romantically designed
fountains illuminated with multicoloured lights.
Next >>>
::