Experience the Awesome culinary delight Dilli-Ke-Pakwan with NDMC's  Food Festival 



So what are you waiting for! Scroll down to take a mesmerizing peak into the variety of Authentic Delhi food, ranging from Lip Smacking Street Food to Royal Biryanis.


The festival spans over seven delicious days from 23rd till the 30th December 2016.





Once again Dilli-Ke-Pakwan will showcase Delhi’s best street food from Chandni Chowk and restaurants, chefs, produce, growers, entertainers and musicians.


The #FoodFestival will be filled for the duration with exclusive fine dining experiences, plethora of trendy and stand-alone restaurants, market stalls offering food to buy and food to eat, fun & free events, and plenty of live entertainment.

Delhi is a good place to be in October this year. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, falls on the last weekend of the month. It is holiday season, having started with Dussehra and Durga Puja in the first week, schools are closed and people are in the mood for celebrations.


The date of Diwali changes each year as the day it is celebrated is calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar calendar.This year, Diwali falls on Sunday October 30th.

The Diwali Celebrations kick off with Dhanteras on 28th October. It is a celebration dedicated to wealth. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening and people traditionally buy gold and silver and also new kitchen utensils on this day. Homes are cleaned and readied to welcome the Goddess of Wealth, the Goddess Lakshmi, into their homes. The entrance of the houses are decorated with flowers, diyas, rangolis and this year the Shubh Muhurat for Dhanteras Puja 2016 is 17:47 to 18:20 for duration of 33 minutes.



The next day is Choti Diwali (Little Diwali). Rangoli is created in doorways and courtyards, diyas are lit and people start bursting crackers from this day itself.

Diwali is celebrated all-over India.It is the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated joyously all-over the country. It is also the festival of wealth and prosperity. The legends behind the festival are many but common to all is the theme of Victory of Good over Evil. The most popular one is about the demon Narkasura who managed to acquire such awesome powers that he began to terrorize the three worlds. His defeat and death at the hands of Krishna is celebrated as Diwali.

The third and main day is Diwali. Diyas and candles are lit and fireworks are burst everywhere, giving Diwali its name the ‘Festival of Lights’. Families gather together and perform the Lakshmi Puja in the evening and exchange gifts and sweets.The Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is the most important ritual of the Diwali festival. This puja is performed in homes, shops and offices to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and the God Ganesha for wealth, prosperity and happiness. Many people start the new business year at Diwali.

Large firework displays are held which celebrate one of the legends of the ‘Ramayana’, the story of Rama and his wife Sita. The fireworks signify Rama’s return to his kingdom after being exiled for 14 years and defeating the evil demon King Ravana, who had kidnapped Sita.

Diwali is a celebration and explosion of light…colour… food and noise!

Leading up to Diwali there are fairs, food festivals, art exhibitions, cultural programmes, sightseeing tours happening in Delhi this October. Yesterday I explored Delhi via the HOHO Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Service. Today I am going to visit as many of these events as possible … it is a cultural bonanza I do not wish to miss! There is no better way to celebrate the festival than to be part of these wonderful gatherings that are full of light, happiness and fun. So, once again, carrying my camera and bottle of water I set off on my second day Tour of Delhi.  At this time of the year, I would recommend to dress in light comfortable clothes.

I have made a list of the events that seem the most attractive and ……The most convenient way aroundDelhi will be on the HOHO Hop-on-Hop-off Bus. These are a few that I plan to visit:

Morning Fiesta at the Hauz Khas Village, South Delhi.

Starting early in the morning, this was my first stop while waiting for the Walk to begin. Strolled around the beautiful fort (entry is free) and wandered around the lake, a very pretty and popular site. One can have a nice relaxing morning here, enjoy the ancient sight from Moghul times and wander through this area of hip and funky boutiques and lunch or dine at one of the fantastic restaurants.



This heritage walk takes one through the history of the HauzKhas… how FerozshahTughlaq saved it from encroachment, why it was chosen to be the site of the largest Islamic seminary in the 14th century and learn about the final resting place of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq and other interesting information.

 Date:  27th October to 31st October 2016
Time: 7.30 a.m.
Location : HauzKhas Village, Block C 2, Ansari Nagar East, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Delhi, NCR    110016.
Tickets: Rs.2500/-

The Mega Dilli Mela

There is the DilliHaat Diwali Mela. There are plenty of options here, from apparel and imitation jewellery to curios for the home.  A wide variety of diyas, lanterns, handicrafts and decorative items make for great Diwali gifts. I will spend some time here as I will need to explore all the stalls!


Location: DilliHaat, Pitampura, Near T.V. Tower
Date: 26-27 October
Time: 10am onwards
Entry: Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children

The Diwali Mela held by the Blind Relief Association is also now in full swing. This year, along with the pretty diyas and artsy fengshui items, there are handicrafts from Kutch, paper products and lots of unique home decor items on sale. The Diwali mela is also a hit for its food stalls that offer pan-Indian cuisines.
Location: Blind School Relief Association, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Near Oberoi Hotel
Date/Time: 21 – 27 October; 10 am-8 pm
Entry: Free

Qutub Festival

The Archeological Survey of India has been dedicating a lot of effort in resurrecting this monument to its former glory. As a part of the revival process, there is a three day festival called the Qutub Festival that is being held in Delhi in October.



The Qutub Festival is held on the premises of the Qutab Minar complex. It is organized by Delhi Tourism. Artists and performers from different parts of the country gather to perform on the occasion. Qutub Minar is a festival to celebrate the splendor and magnificence of the Minar and showcase its past glory and majesty to the world.

One of the main focuses of the Qutub Festival is the attention it gets, both national and international. The cultural events and shows are held against the historical backdrop of the QutubMinar. There areperformances by folk musicians and classical musicians as a part of the celebrations. The three days of nonstop music and dance brings back to life this illuminated ancient structure. The Qutub Festival is organized jointly by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation and the Sahitya Kala Parishad. There are also a number of regional food stalls that are set up at the premises serving the local cuisines of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the north eastern states.

EXHIBITION ‘Diwali Artmart’

This is a contemporary art fair being held at Palika Park, Connaught Place from22nd to 25th October 2016.



Time : 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Exhibition on View
Entry : Free
Venue : Palika Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001
Landmark : opposite Regal Cinema
Venue Info : Map | Nearest Metro Station - 'Rajiv Chowk' (Yellow Line and Blue Line)
Area : Connaught Place (CP)

Event Description : New Delhi Municipal Council in support with Studio 55 Art Gallery presents ‘Diwali Artmart’ a contemporary art fair.

Walk Back in history at Lodhi Gardens
Opposite MausamBhawan: Delhi

Lodhi Colony, South Delhi

The Lodhi Gardens is close to Connaught Place. On this Walk you will discover the city of Domes (Gumbad) and the emancipitation of the daughters of the Lodh’s who mastered both Sanskrit and Persian and made arrangements for the education of their slaves.Learn how the Lodhis purchased the starving city, why they exalted meritorious people even if they were prisoners and cracked down upon blind faith and official corruption. Explore the Supreme Court established by the Lodhis where all were assured of fair justice. How musician had to competeto sing in the royal court of theLodhis. The monuments covered in the Walk are the Tomb of SikandarLodhi, Sheesh Gumbad, Tomb of Mohammad Shah, Bara Gumbad and Mosque. A camera is a must! Carry water and dress light.



Location: Opposite MausamBhawan: Delhi,
Near Gate 1, Lodhi Road, Delhi, NCR 110003, India
Dates: 26th to 31st October 2016
Time: 5:30PM
Tickets: Rs.2500/-

Patangbazi (Kite flying) and Hi-Tea By Haveli Dharampura, Delhi

Fly kites at the rooftop of Haveli Dharampura along with Hi-tea. It is breathtakingly beautiful to look at the sky covered with colorful kites from the Haveli rooftop, especially when a cool breeze takes them higher.

Date: From Sun, 23 Oct 2016 + more dates
Time: 4:00p.m.
Tickets: Rs 1290

Phool Walon ki Sair

The PhoolWalonkiSair is a traditional fair, literally a festival of flower-sellers, which is held in Mehrauli in South Delhi, every year from September to October. During the festival, floral tributes are offered at the dargah of the Saint and the Yogmaya temple. There are performances by Kathak dancers, qawalis, kite –flying and wrestling. Fire dancers lead a large procession across the streets carrying flower pankhas made of palm leaves decorated with flowers.  The walk shares stories behind the festival. The walk is through the landmarks of Mehrauli village … one of which is an empty grave meant for the last Mughal Emperor!



Dates: 25/10/2016 to 03/11/2016
Time: 8.00 a.m.
Duration: 3 hours
Charges: Rs.500/-

Meeting Point: McDonalds, Chandni Chowk.
For Sherpa contact details after booking your tour, call or text +91-9643982934.

The heritage walk of Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk is to make travellers experience the cultural heart of Delhi, Chandni Chowk. a distinct cultural location every 10 meters. One goes through the largest wholesale market in India, passes religious sites, historical monuments and food joints that ace delicacies like DahiBhalla, AaloTikki, KuhladdLassi, Jalebi, Paranthas and sumptuous Mughlai food.

The Chandni Chowk heritage walk begins at the central point of the city, Red Fort.
You then embark on a religious immersion walk for about 300 meters where you will cross the religious institutions of Jains, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians all adjacent to each other representing India's religious harmony. you will move on to the famous Paranthewaali Galli and NatrajDahiBhallewala to try out their fried paranthas, aloo tikki, and dahibhalle.

You will then explore 2 prominent old-school Havelis in the region, one a poet's refuge and the other the largest Haveli of Old Delhi. Meandering through the lanes you will finally reach the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, and you will climb up to one of the minarets to get a bird's eye view of Old Delhi on this Old Delhi Heritage Walk. The tour culminates with some much needed Pet Pooja (A ceremony for the stomach!) as you devour renowned Mughlai cuisine. Thank you for your time and patience on this SeekSherpa Old Delhi Heritage Walk!

Suited for:
The tour is suited for people of all age groups and fields. Its a treat for photographers, history lovers, foodies and the renegades who wish to do Chandni Chowk unconventionally.

Notes:
- People in sleeveless clothes and shorts are not allowed inside Jama Masjid. The Masjid also doesnt allow women inside after sunset. The Minaret at the Masjid closes sometime before the sunset. Equally good food for vegetarians and non vegetarians at the Matia Mahal street. Galibki Haveli is only open till 6 PM.
- The travelers are advised to carry approximately INR 600 for the tour if they plan on trying all the delicacies. If a traveler wants to carry a professional camera/mobile phone camera inside Jama Masjid, then its a INR 300 charge that the authorities levy.

Inclusions
- Sherpa Fee

Host Info:
Sherpa Sidharth

Who is he?
He is pursuing my bachelors in English Literature from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Being an army man's son, he has lived in more than 8 cities and brought the myriad cultural knowledge to the fore during his Old Delhi walks.

Why him?
Nothing is better than travelling with a history lover and foodie who does it the untold way.

Languages spoken by Sherpa
English and Hindi
Food and Heritage Walk of Chandni Chowk

In Chandni Chowk, many call it the cultural heart of India, there is a cultural location every few yards. One passes through religious sites, historical monuments, and the largest wholesale market in India and food joints that serve up delicacies such as dahibhallas, parathas, lassi, jalebis and awesome Mughlai food!

The Chandni Chowk heritage walk which begins at the central point of the city, Red Fort, is an amazing experience and a treat for photographers, history lovers, foodies and bloggers!

Explore 2 prominent old-school Havelis in the region, one a poet's refuge and the other the largest Haveli of Old Delhi. Meandering through the lanes we finally reach the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque and climb up to one of the minarets to get a bird's eye view of Old Delhi.

Experience a sound and light show like no other at the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Red Fort and bear witness to the history of Delhi’s Mughal Empire. Some 300 years of history is showcased using special effects and colorful animation. Music and storytelling combine with this visual wonder creating an unique experience.

People in sleeveless clothes and shorts are not allowed inside Jama Masjid. The Masjid also doesnt allow women inside after sunset. The Minaret at the Masjid closes sometime before the sunset.

Location: Chandni Chowk, Central Delhi
Date: 28th October 2016
Time: 5.00 p.m.

In the evening I had planned to celebrate Diwali by visiting a local temple. Upon my arrival I saw the temple has been decorated with colorful lights and flowers, given as offerings for the deities by the locals who had offered their prayers at the temple today. Inside, the evening ‘Aarti’ was being performed by the temple priest. Later I found a lovely restaurant where sitting outside I could see the sky lighting up as the Nation came together to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light! On my way back all the buildings, homes, shops dazzlingly lit up with multi-colored fairy lights!

Whether your travel is for leisure or business purposes, Delhi is dotted with decent budget hotels for which you will get the best value for your money on accommodation. From themed hotels, budget hotels, boutique hotels and so on, Delhi has it all. Whether in Central Delhi or in South Delhi, HOHO bus stops in these places and hotels in these areas are easily accessible due to excellent metro connectivity wherever may be the place of your stay.

Themed Hotels in Delhi

1) Just opposite New Delhi railway station there is a hotel called 'Bloomrooms' which is one of the top few themed hotels of the city. The theme of the hotel is yellow shades and lines on a white background. This theme gives the hotel a beautiful appearance. Rooms though not very large are really fantastic. They are clean and have very comfortable beds. To get a good view it is advisable to select rooms on the top floors. A value for money hotel with nice and friendly staff deserves a high praise. The address is Arakashan road, opposite New Delhi railway station, New Delhi-110055.



2) Another reputed themed hotel is 'Shanti Home’. Situated not very far from the airport and just 5 minutes away from a metro station in a decent residential area' with pleasant and attentive staff this clean and beautifully decorated hotel is really a home away from home. This hotel has a rooftop restaurant which creates awesome dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also enjoy excellent ayurvedic massages done in the hotel if you feel like having one. Bollywood themed rooms are available here which are pleasant, comfortable and competitively priced.



3) The 'Radisson Blu' hotel of Paschim vihar is another good themed hotel worth visiting. A lovely hotel, its color theme is beautifully done and is a huge draw. It has big rooms with all modern amenities and comfortable beds as well. The staff being helpful and attentive and a breakfast with wide choices make a stay here memorable. The hotel also has a great pool and spa and is clean. The theme and the look of the hotel is uniformly maintained which makes it an attractive destination for stay. It is there at District centre, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi-110063

Budget Hotels in Delhi

1) The first budget hotel that you can probably consider is called 'Metropolis Tourist Home' which is located in Paharganj and is a huge hit even with the foreigners. A 30 year old hotel it absolutely corroborates the fact that a budget hotel should cater to travelers on a shoe-string budget. Three types of rooms i.e. standard, deluxe and luxury are available and the well designed rooms have everything including LCD TVs, refrigerators and electronic lockers together with separate smoking areas and special balconies. The location is easily reachable through the HOHO route. It is located at Main Bazaar, Paharganj, New Delhi-110055.



2) Another good budget hotel is 'Hotel Malik Continental'. Just five kilometers away from the airport the hotel offers complimentary breakfast. It also arranges shuttle services to the airport as well as to the nearby shopping centers which are aplenty with Vasant Kunj's popular shopping malls only a short distance away. Services like travel ticket assistance, 24 hour help desk and currency exchange are offered as standard personalized services in this hotel. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini bars and electric kettles and free Wi-Fi. It is located at Masoodpur main road, Vasantkunj New Delhi-110070.



3) The next hotel that we will look at is called 'Hotel Kabli'. This hotel built in 1947 has successfully kept its old world charm and architecture intact. You are offered all basic amenities like refrigerator, TV, air conditioning and internet connection in here. It is known for its big rooms, open verandah, gardens and open spaces. Services like car rental and 24-hour taxi are also offered. It is situated at Masjid roadf , Jangpura, New Delhi-110014. Again reaching the place through a HOHO bus route is no big deal.



4) The next frill free establishment meant for backpackers and budget travelers in our list is 'Hotel Sun International’. Located at Arakashan road, Paharganj New Delhi-110055 the hotel has 64 rooms on offer having 4 categories. They are Standard, budget, deluxe and family rooms. The usual amenities like air conditioner, TV, refrigerator and Wi-fi connectivity are all present. The hotel has a good multi cuisine restaurant in spite of many well known food joints being available in the vicinity.

Boutique Hotels in Delhi

1) Trying to find out boutique hotels we set our sight first on a hotel called 'The Rose’. This hotel emanates warmth and comfort from the word go. Loud Indian colors together with a lot of white which have been used here make the hotel and its rooms appear very bright. The rooms are spacious too and the construction makes it appear like a bungalow. All the three meals are offered in its in-house cafe and they are delicious. Services like free Wi-Fi in all rooms, luggage storage, 24 hour front desk facilities make the hotel a class of its own. You will find it at Hauz Khas village, Delhi-110016.

                                                            
2) Another boutique hotel in this chic neighborhood of Hauz Khas and located at Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi-110016 is 'Haveli Hauz Khas'. The small hotel is charming and intimate in its own way. A plethora of antique furnishings and generous doses of vibrant colors greet you inside, which instantly makes you feel the warmth and coziness of the place. The nice desk staffs will help you out with your day trips, car rentals etc. Indian, Chinese and regional dishes are available at the restaurant inside. Your request for in-room dining will also be pleasantly complied with. You can find an interconnected HOHO stop somewhere in the vicinity or through a mesh of efficient metro services available sightseeing can be planned.



3) Situated at Friend's colony (West) New Delhi-110065 you will encounter another lovely boutique hotel called 'Mantra Amaltas'. The hotel exhibits neutral colors and has spacious air-conditioned rooms together with wooden flooring.LCD TVs with satellite channels and coffee makers are available in the rooms. You will get complimentary American breakfast, a private dining room and in-room dining facilities here. The hotel is convenient for business travelers due to its proximity to commercial zones like Nehru place and Okhla industrial area. A place like this will obviously be accessible through HOHO's network combined with metro services needless to say.



A comfortable stay at any of the hotels and sightseeing with HOHO will definitely make your visit to Delhi highly enjoyable.

Flagged off by The Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on the 25th July 2016 the HOHO (Hop-on-Hop-Off) Bus Service has been extended upto Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The HOHO Hop-on-Hop-Off Bus Service is the Official Sightseeing Bus Service of the Delhi Tourism Board and has been running from 2010. These are AC buses and have ‘Onboard’ Guides. It is a Daily One-Day Sightseeing Tour of Delhi (the Delhi Darshan Tour) there are others too and tickets can be bought from the HOHO Delhi website.

It drives past more than 20 places and you can visit 9 of these.

Buses start from the HOHO Centre, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Opposite the Connaught Place Police station….View HOHO Bus Pick Up Point

The first Bus leaves @8.30 a.m. every 40 minutes….View HOHO Bus Timings

Let us see the places where the Bus will take us ……

Rashtrapati Bhavan:

Rashtrapati Bhavan is home to the President of India. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker and stands on a 330 acre estate. It has 5 kilometers of corridors and 190 acres of garden area. The main building covers an area of 5 acres and has 340 rooms spread over four floors. The famous Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan cover an area of 15 acres and have 159 celebrated varieties of roses, 60 varieties of bougainvillea and many other varieties of flowers. The Estate also has a state-of-the-art Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex comprising the Clock Tower, the Stables and the Garages. The RBMC was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on 25th July, 2016.

Change of Guard Ceremony at President House (Saturdays Only):

The Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan is a fascinating parade with the elite President’s Body Guard on horseback and the Army Brass Band.  It is held Only on Saturdays.

Baba Kharak Singh Marg:

The HOHO Dilli Dekho Bus Service’s i-Center is also situated on BKS Marg which is the starting point of the route.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib:

It is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara  known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan.
All days open.

The Red Fort:

The Red Fort, popularly known as the Lal Qila, is a ‘must see’ spot for tourists. This magnificent structure on the banks of the River Yamuna is an important piece of Indian history. This fort was constructed by Shahjahan, who also built one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. The whole structure is made of red stone. Construction of the Red Fort started in 1639 and this colossal structure was completed in 9 years! It is from here that the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation on August 15. The Red Fort became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Rajghat:

Rajghat is a simple black granite platform marking the site where Mahatma Gandhi’s last rites were performed. ‘Hey Ram’, his last words, are engraved on the black memorial stone. An eternal flame burns at the center of the stone. Prayers are held here on Gandhi’s birthday and death anniversary. Foreign leaders who visit Delhi pay their respects to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation here at Rajghat. Almost 10,000 visitors visit this memorial every day.

National Gallery of Modern Art:

Here you can explore the history of Indian art! The former residential palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur was later transformed into the National Gallery of Modern Art. It is situated at the eastern end of Rajpath near India Gate.  The Gallery has a wonderful collection of around 15,000 paintings, sculptures and works of arts by Indian as well as international artists.

India Gate:

India Gate was built in 1931 as a memorial to the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives fighting in the First World War. The names of the 90,000 men are inscribed on the uprights of the arch. Under the arch is the memorial to the Unknown Soldier guarded round the clock by a ceremonial guard drawn from the three wings of the Armed Forces. It serves as the venue for the Republic Day Parade.

Purana Qila:

The Purana Qila was started by Humayun in 1533 AD and was completed by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah in five years. Excavations in 1955 have revealed evidences of Gupta age. The archaeological evidences established that this fort stands on the ruins of the legendary city of Indraprastha.

Humayun’s Tomb:

Humayun’s Tomb was built by his widow, Haji Begam after his death. It is considered as the first distinct example of proper Mughal style inspired by Persian architecture. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian Subcontinent. Humayun’s Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The channels at the garden reflect the four rivers that flow in Jannat, the Islamic concept of paradise. It took eight years and Rs 1.5 million to build Humayun’s Tomb.

Metro Museum:

Inspired by the Transport Museum in London, DMRC has set up South Asia’s first “Metro Museum”. It was founded in 1995 but the museum was opened to the public only in December 2002 and since then it has become a favorite attraction. The museum showcases visitors the technology involved such as the Automatic Train Control System, Automatic Fare Collection system. In the museum you can see photographs and models of the metro trains and stations, etc. The museum also has two large touch screen monitors which plays presentations describing how the Metro and its stations were and are built. There is also a gift shop.

Lotus Temple:

The Lotus Temple is one of the most remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. This structure is considered the modern ‘Taj Mahal’. Since its dedication to public worship in December 1986, it has drawn more than 70 million visitors, making it one of the most visited edifices in the world. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The central hall of worship of the Lotus Temple has a capacity to accommodate 2500 persons at a time. A CNN report has listed the Lotus Temple of Delhi as the most visited establishment in India.

National Philatelic Museum:

The National Philatelic Museum is operated by the Department of Posts which has a post office with an outlet for philatelists interested in Indian stamps. The building has an extensive stamp collection including the first stamp issued in India by the Sindh Dak (1854) and stamps issued before Independence by the rulers of the Princely States.

Embassy Lane (Drive Past):

Embassy Lane is situated at Chanakyapuri where you can see the Embassies of the different countries. The road known as Shanti Path is covered with lush green gardens. You can see the national flags of each country.

Qutub Minar:

This is one of the architectural marvels of the world. Qutub Minar is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. The Qutub Minar holds the title for the highest individual tower in the world with a height of 234 feet. It is a World Heritage Site. It is India’s most visited monument attracting around 3.9 million visitors every year.

Hauz Khas Village:

Hauz Khas Village, besides being the hub of designer studios and themed restaurants also has a rich history. All the top designers of the country own a studio at Hauz Khas!

Dilli Haat:

This is the hub for traditional artisans and food. This is a vibrant place throbbing with life. It has 62 stalls and 25 food stalls located within the complex. Craftsmen from different corners of India come over to showcase their products which are reasonably priced. The regional food stalls offer traditional food from all the regions of India. Delhi Haat represents the village style and showcases the richness and diversity of Indian culture and tradition.

National Rail Museum:

The National Rail Museum is located in over 10 acres of land with both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The most amazing feature of the rail museum that attracts children as well as train buffs is the toy train. The National Rail Museum educates us about the history of the Indian Railways. It has a collection of over 100 real size exhibits of Indian Railways, The line-up of old coaches includes the handsome Prince of Wales Saloon, built in 1875 and the Mysore’s Saloon built in 1899. The star attraction here is the Fairy Queen, considered to be one of the best preserved steam locomotive engines of her age.

Nehru Museum:

The Nehru Memorial Museum was established in the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru and is located in the majestic Teen Murti House. It is divided into four … a Memorial Museum, a Library on modern India, a Centre for Contemporary Studies and a Planetarium. Nehru’s bedroom, the drawing-room and study have been preserved in the way they were used. There is a massive granite rock on the front lawn which has Nehru’s first speech that he delivered on the eve of Independence of India.

National Museum:

The National Museum of Delhi is the largest museum in the country. The National Museum displays collection dating back to as far as five thousand years. The National Museum has several galleries. It has the largest collection of artifacts dating to the Indus Valley Civilization. It was inaugurated for the general people on the 5th June, 1978. It possesses over 2, 00,000 works of art and has a prestigious collection of 800 sculptures.

National Science Museum:

The Museum houses working science exhibition as well as exhibits on the history of architecture. It has various sections for all age groups such as Heritage & Dinosaur gallery, Human Biology gallery, Fun Science Library etc. There are also a number of hands-on displays explaining the laws of physics. The Cyberlkool of this museum is the first fun-packed multimedia centre in the country. At least a whole day is required to go through this children’s paradise.

Central Cottage Industries Emporium:

This is a treasure-trove of fixed price Made in India handicrafts. Though prices are higher than in the state emporiums, the selection of woodcarvings, jewellery, pottery, papier mâché, jootis, brassware, textiles, beauty products and miniature paintings is superbe!

Jantar Mantar:

The Jantar Mantar, built by Maharajah Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734, is a remarkable structure that shows the high level of scientific acumen in Ancient India. It has 5 astronomical observatories, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. It consists of geometric devices used for measuring time, forecasting weather changes, predicting behavior of planets and finding extraterrestrial altitude. It is Jantar Mantar is very popular place for tourists as well as the local people. The Jantar Mantar was the logo of the 1982 Asian Games.

India has a very rich historical heritage.  Each of the places at which the HOHO Bus stops has a story. Enjoy your Delhi Darshan!