6 Must See Places in Delhi

Delhi is awash with culture-rich tradition resulting in a wealth of ‘things to do’ during your visit.

We have picked some of our favorites – so whether it is a tour of the city, an ancient monument like the India Gate or learning the history of Indian cuisine, there is something in Delhi for everyone.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART

The National Gallery of Modern Art is the premier institution of its kind in India.

It is run and administered as a subordinate office to India’s Department of Culture. With the NGMA having one branch in Mumbai and the other at Bangaluru, the gallery is a repository of the cultural ethos of the country and showcases the changing art forms through the passage of the last 150 years. Starting from about 1857 in the field of visual and plastic arts and complimented with large amounts of trivia, the NGMA collection today is undeniably the most significant collection of contemporary art in the country and a fun day out for travelers of all ages.

RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

Built on Raisina Hill, less than a mile from Connaught Place at the western end of Rajpath, Rashtrapati Bhavan is famous for being one of the Indian president’s official residences.

Easily found by name, it can be reached by taxi as it is in the heart of the city. The changing of the guard ceremony, if you happen to be in the city on a Saturday (10.35am in winter and 8.30am in summer), is a must-do, as is catching the parade if you happen to be in Delhi on January 26th (Republic Day).

NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM

The National Rail Museum is the focus of rail heritage in India and a source for travelers with a fascination and interest in railways.

Formally inaugurated in February 1977, this one-of-a-kind museum in Asia has an interesting collection of history, heritage, romance, nostalgia, fun, leisure and entertainment, all in one place. Sprawled over 11 acres, it comprises an indoor gallery devoted to the display of various exhibits, models, photographs, coats of arms and so on, and over a hundred real-size exhibits from the glory of the bygone era. The museum promises to take visitors on an exciting journey into railway history and heritage and depict their contribution to the industrial and economic progress of the city – and indeed the entire country.

Bahá’í HOUSE OF WORSHIP (LOTUS TEMPLE)

The Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi is one of the seven Bahá’í houses of worship in the world.

It is dedicated to the ‘oneness of God, man and religion’ and welcomes people of all races and faiths to worship their Creator. Its unique design, inspired by the lotus flower, features 27 free-standing concrete petals clad in white marble. Locals claim the lotus flower, found in dirty and stagnant water, signifies ‘purity’. There is also a prayer hall for silent prayer and meditation. Although there are no images in the temple and no sermons given, prayer services occur four times a day, are multi-faith in character and often consist of chanting. There is also a state-of-the-art information center set within the grounds.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) owes its genesis to the Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.

While considering new projects to be initiated in 1972 on the 25th anniversary of India’s Independence she decided that the country needed a museum of natural history to depict the country’s flora, fauna and mineral wealth – and to provide an out-of-school facility for education. The National Museum of Natural History opened its doors to the public in a rented building on Barakhamba Road on 5 June 1978, which coincided with the World Environment Day. NMNH has grown substantially during the last 30 years, with the addition of three more galleries and the ‘discovery and activity room’, which has conducted a variety of educational programs and brought out a large amount of popular literature.

AGRA DAY TOUR

This tour, in an exclusive air-conditioned Tata Indigo car, is the ideal way to make a luxury day trip to visit Agra.

This unique town still lives mainly in the past and once served as the seat of the Mughal rulers. By far its most extravagant monument is the Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years to build by more than 20,000 skilled artisans, it is a mysterious and fascinating place to experience. Guests can enjoy the Indian countryside during this five-hour tour as well as a delicious lunch, which is held at one of the city’s best hotels. Other sites include the Agra Fort, River Jamuna and Sikandra (the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar).