You have probably heard or read how overwhelming India can be, both negatively and positively. So I did my research. I thought it would be great to find it out myself. Mentally prepared and ready to embrace the culture of India, I finally went with my husband and we signed up with a local tour called Feast India Tours, or better known as India by Car and Driver. I will be sharing our itinerary with some information I learned from this trip.
Part I
After the British moved the seat of empire from Kolkata to Delhi (pronounced as Dilli), it has been the capital of India ever since. Its long history can be traced in its many conservatively preserved monuments, forts and tombs.
We first had a glimpse of the old town or ‘Old’ Delhi – busy and chaotic with its narrow lanes, the real Incredible India.
SHAHI JAMA MASJID
First stop was Shahi Jama Masjid, the 2nd biggest mosque in India. Its courtyard can accommodate 25,000 people and is the late Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s final architectural triumph built between 1644 and 1656.
There is no entrance fee to the mosque, only photography or videography fee of 300 Indian Rupees (PHP 200) per gadget. As a practice in Islam, footwear is not allowed inside a mosque. There is no locker where you can safely keep your shoes. But there are people outside who may watch them for you and just give them a tip afterwards. Before going inside, women visitors are provided with robe to wear as coverup and it is compulsory.
Tip: As the floor can be too hot, I suggest you bring socks.
CHANDNI CHOWK
Nearby Shahi Jama Masjid is Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi’s oldest and most famous markets filled with jewelry stores, sweet shops, spice tolls, food carts, clothing bazaar, etc. We had a manual rickshaw ride through this crowded market, where we also saw animals hanging around – cows on the streets, dogs sleeping everywhere, monkeys on the roof and cable wires. It was a 30-minute interesting ride. Do not forget to hand a tip to your driver.
RAJ GHAT
In Delhi a visit to pay respect to the Father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, is worthwhile. Raj Ghat is the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi on January 31, 1948, the day after he was assassinated. The memorial is free to visit. Big bag and food are not allowed in this garden-complex. There are lockers available for INR 20 (PHP 15). As we walked our way to the memorial, we passed by some of his inspirational words written on marble stones. Either you walk around the top path of the monument with shoes on or you see it up close with shoes off. A green and red carpet forms a pathway for visitors who would want to get near. This monument is marked by a simple square black marble covered with fresh flowers, changed everyday, and eternal flame on the side. Feel the solemnness of this site.
Delhi is home to 3 World Heritage Monuments; Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. We skipped the Red Fort as it is said to be structurally similar to Agra Fort, which is part of our itinerary in Agra. While writing this I wonder how it really looked like. So there, the what-if. Please read on other blogs about Red Fort to help you decide whether to go or not. Or better yet if your time and budget permit, go see both.
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
Humayun’s Tomb is the first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent built by the Empress Bega Begum for her husband in 1565 to 1572. Humayun was the 2nd Mughal Emperor. Architecturally, this is my favorite as it is magnificent. Not known to many, it inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal. But compared to Taj Mahal, it has less crowd so you’d get more photo-bomber-free pictures. Entrance fee for foreigners is INR 500 (PHP 350).
QUTUB MINAR
Qutub Minar is a 73-meter high minaret that forms part of Qutub Complex. It was built by the first Muslim ruler of Delhi Qutub-ud din Aibak after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu ruler. He finished its basement, while his successor Iltutmush added 3 more storeys, and Firoz Shah Tughlak the 5th and last floor. Qutub Minar is the world’s tallest brick minaret. The tower is astonishing to think it was built in 1193.
Apart from the tower, the Qutub Minar Complex comprises of the Quwwat-us Islam (the first mosque to be built in India), the iron pillar, the tomb of Iltutmush, Ala’i-Darwaza and Ala’l Minar. Entrance fee to this complex is INR 500 (PHP 350).
Still on the same day, we went from ancient to modern central Delhi. We passed around Delhi’s colonial era parliament buildings before we stopped at the India Gate.
INDIA GATE
India Gate is an “Arc-de-Triomphe” like archway dedicated to the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during World War I. It is surrounded by green lawns and is free to visit.
CONNAUGHT PLACE
Our hotel is in the heart of Connaught Place, the commercial center of New Delhi. If you happen to be in the area, you may want to take a stroll as it is the best place to shop and dine.
Worth mentioning (that I will definitely do if I come back):
• Walk around. As first time visitors, we were obedient when our guide did not allow us. He warned us how annoying it could be with locals who would keep on approaching you to sell something or ask for alms. If you will, I think just keep walking and avoid eye contact.
• Visit temples like Swaminarayan Akshardam, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and Lotus Temple.
What I did not mention:
Shopping. The downside of going on a tour is an imperative visit to a shop or factory. Keep in mind that you are not obliged to buy.
Thankfully, I was not surprised with the experience I had in Delhi. My expectations were met. Somehow coming from Manila might have been helpful – the traffic, the crowd and the weather are somewhat the same.
In this trip I have learned that India has a rich history with incredible sights. There is definitely so much to discover. Do not think twice. Put it on your list.
What you need to know in this tour:
- Hotel booking is included (category depends on your choice with corresponding price adjustment) with daily breakfast.
- English-speaking guide service at all places is also part of the tour.
- It was a private tour (just the two of us) using an air-conditioned Toyota Etios (included fuel charges, state taxes, toll taxes and parking charges) with driver and daily supply of bottled water.
- Rickshaw ride in Delhi and elephant ride in Jaipur are included.
Tips:
- All flights from the Philippines arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport late night (at the time of writing).
- During this trip I did not find a money changer in Manila that sell Indian Rupees. At the arrival hall of Indira Gandhi International Airport, there are foreign exchange booths available like Thomas Cook which offers a good deal. I recommend you exchange your currency already.
- Tipping is compulsory.
Our next destination was Agra.
Thank you for reading!
With love,
Sugar
