Delhi/Central Delhi

Central Delhi is a district in Delhi. The district contains (in its southern part) the historic core of Delhi, also known as Old Delhi (पुरानी दिल्ली Purānī Dillī). The northern parts of the district were developed mainly during the days of British rule, and are known for their Raj-era buildings and institutions. The most important attractions here are the Red Fort, a and the Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Delhi. It also has several markets and is known for its variety of street food.

Understand
Central Delhi contains an interesting mix of architecture from the Sultanate, Mughal and the colonial period. It contains two of Delhi's ancient citadels, Firozabad (Feroz Shah Kotla) and Shahjahanabad. Ferozabad was constructed in 1354 by Feroz Shah Tughluq. The Shahjahanabad was constructed by the fourth Mughal ruler Shahjahan and consisted of a walled city centred on the Red Fort (a ) and Jama Masjid. Central Delhi is centred around the Chandni Chowk a paradise for street food lovers. It is also a favourite hunting place for shoppers. The area contains several gateways, hunting lodges and step-wells of the Sultanate period. There are also two Ashokan Pillars which were brought to Delhi by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. A significant amount of colonial architecture is present in the area and includes war memorials, churches and a couple of Christian Cemeteries.

By train
Central Delhi houses the two major railway stations of Delhi, and

By metro
The Orange Line connects the airport to, thus providing direct access to Central Delhi for air passengers arriving in Delhi. , and  lines also run over the district, which meet at  and provide easy access to most of the tourist spots of the district. also runs along the southern edge of Central Delhi. 

By bus
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operates both air conditioned and non air conditioned buses in this district. Blue-line (orange coloured) private buses are also in operation.

By rickshaw
There are three types of rickshaws in Central Delhi, auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and electric rickshaws.

Auto rickshaws are good for shorter trips. They don't run on meters and prices are fixed before the trip. Fares are generally over quoted and needs to negotiated before the trips begins.

Cycle rickshaws and electric rickshaws are ideal for very short trips. Prices needs to be negotiated and fixed before the trips start.

Chandni Chowk Area


Chandni Chowk, the "Moonlight Square", is one of Delhi's oldest bazaars, famous for its street food and snacks and crammed with 1,600 shops, countless havelis (mansions) in various states of repair, rickshaws, donkey carts and a permanent crush of humanity. Half-heartedly pedestrianized in 2021 (cars and motorcycles are meant to be banned between 9 AM and 9 PM, although enforcement is variable), a stroll or cycle rickshaw ride through the swirling chaos is a uniquely Indian experience.



Kamala Nehru Ridge
Kamala Nehru Ridge or Delhi North Ridge is an extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, near the Delhi University Campus. It was declared a Reserve Forest in 1915. It initially covered an area of 170 hectares but has now shrunk to 87 hectares. The ridge houses several monuments and structures from the Sultanate period right up to the colonial period.

Kashmiri Gate Area
The locality around the Kashmiri Gate houses Delhi Junction railway station and the Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT).

Mahatma Gandhi sites
The area consists of Raj Ghat and a museum related to Mahatma Gandhi. These sites are located in close proximity, 5 minutes walk east of Delhi Gate.
 * Shantivan (Peace Garden) commemorates Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
 * Vijay Ghat (Victory Platform) commemorates Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India.
 * Shakti Sthal (Place of Strength) commemorates Indira Gandhi, the third Prime Minister of India.
 * Samta Sthal (Place of Equality) commemorates Jagjivan Ram, the fourth Deputy Prime Minister of India.
 * Kisan Ghat (Farmer's Platform) commemorates Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.
 * Veer Bhumi (Brave Land) commemorates Rajiv Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India.
 * Ekta Sthal (Place of Unity) commemorates Zail Singh, the seventh President of India.
 * Karma Bhumi (Place of Duty) commemorates Shankar Dayal Sharma, the ninth President of India.
 * Sangharsh Sthal (Place of Struggle) commemorates Devi Lal, the sixth Deputy Prime Minister of India.
 * Uday Bhumi commemorates K. R. Narayanan, the tenth President of India.
 * Jannayak Sthal (Place of People's Leader) commemorates Chandra Shekhar, the eighth Prime Minister of India.
 * Smriti Sthal (Place of Remembrance) commemorates Inder Kumar Gujral, the twelfth Prime Minister of India.
 * Sadaiv Atal (Firm Forever) commemorates Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tenth Prime Minister of India.
 * Sadaiv Atal (Firm Forever) commemorates Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tenth Prime Minister of India.

Red Fort


The only open entrance is Lahore Gate, on the west side. Security in and around the Fort is very heavy, as it was the scene of a terrorist attack in 2000 that killed three people. Bags are allowed, but they'll be X-rayed and you'll be patted down. Tickets cost ₹30/500 for Indians/foreigners, photography is free, and video cameras ₹25 extra. Tickets can be bought online at the official Archaeological Survey of India website. Open sunrise to sunset daily except Monday. Allow for 3-4 hr in your schedule in case of long weekends and national holidays as a lot of tourists flock around then. The most scenic way of reaching the fort is to take the Metro to Chawri Bazaar and then a cycle-rickshaw through the incredibly packed bazaar to the Fort (price negotiable, aim for ₹20).

The fort has a light and sound show (₹50) in the evenings from 7:30-9PM, depending on the season.

Be careful buying tickets at the booth, as the ticket sellers will attempt to shortchange you. Try to have a small bill. Due to enhanced security, the parking can be a bit tricky as the walk from the now distanced away parking at nearby alternative slots is quite a bit. The congested traffic makes crossing the road even trickier.

The Red Fort buildings include:
 * Chhatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar) — True to the name, this is a covered bazaar between the gate and the fort itself, now filled with souvenir hawkers.
 * Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) — This building separates the outer court from the inner court and has a marble platform for the emperor's throne.
 * Hayat Bakhsh Bagh (Life-Bestowing Gardens) — Once a grand garden full of fountains and streams, now sadly all dry, only dry channels and acres of green grass remain. Near here will you find the Sawan Pavilion.
 * Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) — Built completely of marble, this is where the emperor received special visitors.
 * Khas Mahal (Private Palace) — The Emperor's main residence. The octagonal Mussaman Burj tower looks out toward the Yamuna River and is where the Emperor used to appear before the public each morning.
 * Rang Mahal (Colour Palace) — The residence of the Sultan's main wife.
 * Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel Palace, Persian/Urdu: ممتاز محل) — Contained six apartments for Sultan's harem. Now used as a museum of court textiles, carpets, weapons, etc.
 * Daawat Khana — A minor palace, this was originally the residence of a prince, but it was converted into a tea house by the British, a function it continues today. Basic meals cost around ₹60, drinks ₹ 10-20, and it also has the cleanest toilets around.
 * Swatantra Sangrama Sangrahalaya (Museum of the Independence Movement) — To the left after the Chhatta Chowk, this is a reasonably well-presented museum on the history of independence activism in India, starting from the Mutiny of 1857 all the way to Mahatma Gandhi.

Religious buildings




Eat
You will find many shops in Chandni Chowk area. Paranthe Wali Gali is a street with shops selling paranthas, where you will find many verieties of paranthas.

Budget

 * Haldiram's, 1454/2 Chandni Chowk (just west of the fountain) and other outlets around town. This is a famous manufacturer of Indian snacks and sweets that has now gone global. This always-packed, two-story outlet in the heart of Chandni Chowk was its first in Delhi and dates back to 1924. The ground floor houses a vast array of sweet and sticky Indian confections, while the first floor has a popular vegetarian restaurant. This is a great place to try authentic and hygienic Delhi chaat and other Indian snack foods. Try the Raj Kachori, a mixture of different types of stuffing with sweetened yogurt and chutneys in an oversized hollow dough shell. All chaat is under ₹50, or you can get a full daily thali for ₹90. Choley Bhature, and the various Dosas are great options to try as well from their Southern Indian selection. Be sure to save room for dessert, as Haldiram's offers some of the best rasmalai, rasgullah, gulab jamun and other tasty delights in India.
 * Kake Di Hatti, Chandni Chowk near Old Delhi Railway Station. The most extensive varieties of naans (Indian bread) you will find in Delhi. They make the biggest and best tasting naans for your money.
 * Tadka, 4986, Ram Dwara Rd, Nehru Bazar, Paharganj, (side road off of Main Bazaar). A notably clean restaurant by Paharganj standards. Serves only vegetarian food, a full thali for ₹ 60. Their tea is really good and their most popular dish is paneer masala.

Middle Eastern

 * Felafel Man, Main Bazaar, Paharganj. (About a 10 min walk down Main Bazaar from New Delhi train station). Small shop selling falafel rolls and sabeekh. Multilingualcook, the rolls come with hummus, tahini and mineral water washed vegies. Don't forget to wash it down with the seasonal fruit lassi, so thick it takes some effort to suck it up the straws.

Paharganj
Paharganj is an area directly west of New Delhi, bordered by Panchkuian Road in the south, Igdah Road in the north, and Deshraj Bhatia Marg/Chitragupta Road in the west. The neighbourhood is noisy, filthy, and full of touts, but it's also centrally located and has many cheap hotels and thus very popular with budget travellers. Paharganj is considered a safe area.


 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.
 * Staybook-Pinky Villa- 2463-N, (Nalwa St, Chuna Mandi), near New Delhi Train Station that offer rooms at very affordable price. +918527703312.

Karol Bagh
This area, west of Paharganj, is quieter, but not as centrally located. It is served by the Karol Bagh metro station.



Majnu ka Tilla
Majnu ka Tilla is a compact Tibetan settlement and the place of departure and arrival for buses to/from Dharamsala, the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama. Stay here if you have an interest in Tibetan culture, politics and religion, or if you need something quieter (and just slightly more expensive) than Paharganj. Rooms are mostly doubles averaging ₹700, but some ₹400 singles can be had (2015). An auto-rickshaw from New Delhi train station should cost around ₹ 50 (use the prepaid stand). The Vidhan Sabha metro station is also nearby and popular. From there, cycle-rickshaws charge ₹ 15 and take about five minutes.