Old Delhi Sighseeing Attractions - India

Old Delhi Attractions and Tourism.

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The Pleasures of the Walled City
Old Delhi is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s an assault on all your senses. Hordes of people crowd the narrow streets. The sounds of vendors, beggars, screaming children, shrill cycle rickshaw bells and the muezzin’s call to the faithful at prayer time merge into a dizzying ring in your ears. The smell of frying food, pungent spices, dust and ithar (perfume) fill your nostrils. All of these are undeniably a part of the Walled City, but amid all this chaos is an absolutely fascinating vibrant world. A primarily Muslim area, it has held on to its past traditions and customs, preserved much of its Mughal-era architecture and in its fascinating bazaars you will find almost every conceivable product and the most amazing food. Here are some of its highlights.

Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is an extravagant structure of cusped arches, towers, two minarets, 260 pillars, 15 marble domes and a main prayer hall, which can hold up to 25,000 people. Made of alternate stripes of red sandstone and white marble, this was Shah Jahan’s final architectural indulgence. It is the principal mosque of Old Delhi and the largest and arguably the most famous one in India. Its size does not take away from its elegance and the fact that it is built on high ground, the hill of Bho Jhala, adds to its majestic beauty. You can visit any time between 5 A.M and 9 P.M and visitors should remember to remove their shoes. Those who are inappropriately dressed can hire robes at the gate.

Digambar Jain Temple
Even though the population is predominantly Muslim, there are some equally intriguing religious monuments of other faiths. The Digambar Jain Temple, a place of worship for adherents of the Jain faith, is a tranquil oasis amid the chaos and is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi, its simplicity being its main attraction. There is a bird hospital attached to it where sick and injured birds are taken care of, though the odors can be quite overwhelming! The Gauri Shankar Temple, fringed with heaps of marigolds sold to people going in to pray, has an 800-year old lingam, a stylized phallus worshipped as a symbol of the Hindu Lord Shiva. Another interesting stop is the Sisganj Gurudwara of the Sikhs, where Shah Jahan’s tyrannical son, Aurangzeb, beheaded the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The Red Fort
Another one of Shah Jahan’s architectural masterpieces in the area is the Red Fort. “If there is paradise on the face of this earth, it is this, it is this.” The emperor had these words inscribed on the white marble pavilion, Diwan E-Khas, of the Red Fort. Though this ornately decorated hall, which was meant for a private audience, is one of the more celebrated areas in the fort, having housed the famed Peacock Throne till Nadir Shah plundered it in 1739; it is the magnificent palace, the Red Fort itself, which is absolutely breathtaking. It is made of red sandstone, from which it derives its name.

The palace is inextricably linked with some of the most country’s most important historic events. It has witnessed the end of Mughal rule, freedom from colonial rule and Nehru’s announcement of India’s freedom from the British yoke and his raising the Indian tricolor from its ramparts in 1947. One of the key attractions, other than its fascinating interiors comprising a vaulted arcade, the Moti Masjid, Royal Baths and more, is a Sound and Light show held every evening, which recreates the history of this magnificent citadel.

Shopping in Old Delhi
A major part of the area’s allure is the shopping and vibrant bazaars. The streets of Chandni Chowk are filled with shops selling everything from clothes, books and watches to jewelry and shoes. Step into Asia’s largest spice market, Khari Baoli, filled with sacks spilling over with every conceivable texture and color. In Kinari Bazaar you can stock up on some gold and silver trinkets and accessories while Churiwali Gali offers dazzling bracelets and bangles. Shoppers can indulge in gorgeous jewelry at bargain prices at Dariba Kalan. Chawri Bazaar is full of Souvenirs and brass and copper knick-knacks and Nai Sarak is the place to go to for great stationary and books.

Eating and Dining
The Walled City is also renowned for its mouthwatering food. From famous Paranthe Wala Gali to mouthwatering jalebis and samosas and the food stalls that line the streets at Ramzan, it’s an absolutely delectable experience.

Nestled in a chaotic street opposite Gate 1 of Jama Masjid is, arguably, Delhi’s most famous restaurant, Karims. Strictly for carnivores with a robust appetite, this award-winning establishment is renowned for its succulent meat preparations, a rich inheritance from the royal kitchens of the Mughal Emperors. Started with the aim of bringing the royal cuisine to the public, this phenomenal place began in 1911with just enough space for ten to twelve people, serving only aloo gosht (meat and potatoes), daal (lentils) and rotis (whole wheat flour pancakes). It grew in popularity and more space had to be acquired to accommodate the people who just couldn’t get enough. Some of their culinary highlights include the popular mutton korma, melt-in-your-mouth shammi kebabs, biryanis (pilafs made with rice, meat and spices) and a range of breads. Another attraction is nihari, a concoction of bone marrow, meat and spices prepared through the night,and paya (trotters), which are served early in the morning, at 5 A.M, as breakfast. Celebrities are no strangers to this restaurant. Famous movie stars, the Bangladeshi cricket team, and the Pakistani President Parvez Musharraf’s mother, who supposedly shed tears of nostalgia when she ate the food, have all visited to savor the phenomenal experience that is Karim’s.

With other attractions like Feroz Shah Kotla, Raj Ghat and St James Church, Old Delhi is definitely worth a trip.

Old Delhi Sightseeing and Tourist Guide, India