Thursday 7 March 2013

Trip to Delhi

A Trip to Delhi

Delhi Trip - Photo By Ramakant

It’s time to plan travelling trip at north part of India, Finally with my wife, son & 2 friends Arun & Anil families we have plan to visit Delhi, Agra, Amritsar & Jammu. As planned we have booked railway tickets accordingly for full trip & we have got confirm ticket too…. Totally we were 10 in which 7Aduls & 3 children’s.

Rajdhani Express - Photo by Ramakant
A day has come we have to start our journey, around 3.00 pm I left office & It takes me around 40 to 45 minutes to reached Mumbai Central Station & my friends picked my wife & son from home & they  reached Mumbai central Station around 4.00pm,  as we were travelling from 12951- Mumbai Rajdhani Express @ 4.40 pm.  Train was already standing on platform Number 1 & all passenger where boarding at train.

We too start moving towards train to board & as we entered in train, Attendant welcomes us with big smile…. & helped us to get our seat. Mostly all these we see when we are travelling by air…. Not by train… Thanks to Indian Railway….
Train departure on time, as train departure attendant has given us welcome drink & after some time Snacks with choice of tea or coffee…. As the journey was going on, we were served by the attendant… & time has gone so fast that it’s was already 9 pm, time to sleep, as next day we have to travel a lot, so it’s best to get good sleep.


Around 6.00 am Attendant has come with morning Tea.  After some time he served breakfast. As we finished it’s time for us to ready as train was on time & it's arrival time was 8.30 am at New Delhi Station. Thanks to Indian Railway & the all the staff working in Radhani Express for giving VIP Treatment.

As we reached New Delhi, we have to move towards hotel, which was already booked in advanced & it was near to New Delhi Station on Pahar Ganj area were their was lot of hotels & lodges. After Check in, as planned after fresh & breakfast we have to move to roam around Delhi……. Heart of India….
We start our Delhi Darshan around 10.00 am; there was lot of place to see, but due to time shortage we have to select as per time. After discussion with driver, following place has been finalised. India Gate, on the way Raj path, Qutab Minar, Louts Temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir, Raj Ghat & Red Fort.
Let have some information about the place we visited:

India Gate
India Gate - Photo by Ramakant


India Gate is situated in the Centre of Delhi, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, in the Memory of British Indian Army Soldiers lost their live in World War I & in Afghan War of 1919.  Stone of India Gate was laid down by His Royal Highness, Duke of Connaught in 1921 & in 1931 it was ready & dedicated to nation by Viceroy, Lord Irwin with the Name “All India War Memorial”. After Independence it has given Name as “India Gate” and “Amar Jawan Jyoti” (the flame of the Immortal Soldier) has been added. Flame burns day & night under arch. Both the side INDIA is carved & also MCMXIV on left side & MCMXIX on right side. The Monument is one of its kinds, every day lot of visitor visit here, it has been surrounded by Green lawns, a fountain with water flow & near Rajpath Marg & nearest Metro station is Pragati maidan & in evening it is covered with lovely coloured lights which attracted lot of visitors.


India Gate - Photo by Ramakant
After spending a memorable time, we have to move ahead, as we were crossing the VIP area & driver was giving information about the places. Our Next stop was at Qutab Minar, let have some information about the same.

Qutab Minar
Qutub Minar - Photo by Ramakant
Qutab Minar was built in 1193 by Sultan Qutab – Ud – Din Aibak after defeating Hindu Kingdom in Delhi.  It is 72.5 M high pillar know as Tower of Victory of Delhi Sultanate. It was made of by fluted Red Sands stone and marble & messages from Quran & history of Qutb is carved. Qutab Minar has five story’s tower with Balcony with tapers from a 15 meter diameter. First Three stories’ is made from Red sandstone & fourth & fifth story’s is made by using Red Sandstone & Marble.
Near Tower there is a Quwwat – ul – islam Mosque the first mosque to be built in India. It is open all day & there is an entry fee of Rs. 10 for Indians & Rs. 250 for Foreigners & Photography is allowed, no charges for Digital Camera, the nearest Metro station is Mehrauli. Its timing is from 10.00 am to 5.00pm. It is also recognised as an UNESCO Heritage.

Qutub Minar - Photo by Ramakant
After roaming near by Qutab Minar everyone were hungry & it was time for lunch, we have lunch near Qutab Minar, where there was Dhaba in line & we want to eat something special  which is famous in Delhi…… , after lunch it’s time to move ahead.  Our Next stop was at Lotus Temple, let have some information about the same.
Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple - Photo by Ramakant

Lotus Temple is situated near Kalkaji Mandir in South part of Delhi. It is also known as Bahai Temple. It has been given a shape of Lotus Flower & which was made of White marble from Penteli Mountain - Greece. 26 acres of area is covered to develop, which included Gardens, green lawns and water fountains. It was opened to Public in December, 1986. Presently it is one of the most popular places in world & many visitors visit this place. There is no restriction to any visitor from any religions. Every day there is 15 Minutes Prayer in Lotus temple in which all can participate; its timing is 10.00 am to 10.15 am, 12.00 noon to 12.15 pm, 3.00 pm to 3.15 pm & 5.00 pm to 5.15 pm.
The Nearest metro station is Nehru Place, it is closed on Monday & it’s time for summer is from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm and in winter from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. One can visit Lotus temple if they are coming to Delhi, it’s unique in its type.

After spending some time in Lotus temple we have to move ahead  & Our Next stop was at Akshardham, let have some information about the same.

Akshardham
Akshardham is situated new National Highway24, New Delhi, which is covered in 60 acres of land, It was inaugurated on 6th November, 2005 by Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj, in the presence of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, the  Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh & leader from Opposition from Indian Parliament Shri Lal Krishna Advani. It is also known as “Swaminarayan Akshardham”, in Akshardham there is  Mandir of Shree Swaminarayan Maharaj, with is built without using any Steel, it is made from Pink Stone & Pure White Marble, which consists of 234 Carved Pillars, 20 Guadrangled Shikhars, Elephants and too many Murtis & Statues of great Maharaj’s & Saints of India. Places to see in Akshardham are - Ten Gate, Bhakti Dwar, Mayur Dham, Mandovar, Gajendra peeth, Neelkanth Darshan, Sahajanand Darshan, Sanskruti Vihar[14 Minutes Boat Ride], Yagnapurush Kund & Musical Fountain, Narayan Sarovar, Abhishek Mandapam, Bharat Upvan.

Even 2 days is not enough to cover all the places in Akshardham, Timing from Tuesday to Sunday – For Murti Darshan 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, Exhibition from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Musical Fountain Show 6.45 pm, Premvati Food Court from 11.00 am to 10.00pm. It is closed on Monday & nearby Metro Station is Akshardham. Entry is free, but for Exhibition hall & theatres there is a charge of Rs. 125/- for Adults & kids & Rs. 75/- for senior citizen & extra charges for Musical Fountain  Please note any Electronic devised like mobile, camera, Radio or Food items from outside, Photo or video filming is not allowed. It’s advisable to keep extra time as you have to pass through Security check, before entering the Premises.
After Roaming and not able to cover all the things at Akshardham we have to come out without enjoying Musical Fountain show, now it’s time for us to move ahead.

Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat - Photo by Ramakant
Raj Ghat is the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, which is located on Ring Road.  It is a black squared shape Marble Platform & “Hey Ram” is written in Golden Letter in open sky with flame burning at one end. It is covered by Green lawns. Everyone has to remove footwear before entering Raj Ghat area. Jawaharlal Nehru’s Samadhi is located at North of Raj Ghat & is known as Shanti Van. There is Mahatma Gandhi museums with the name Gandhi Memorial Museum & Ghandi Smriti Museum.

It was already 6.00 pm & we have to move ahead to see Sound & Light Show at Red Fort.

Red Fort
Red Fort - Photo by Ramakant

Red Fort was built by Mughal king, Shah Jahan, it is covered in 255 acres, Fort has been shaped as an octagon from the North-South side longer then the East-West side, the construction of Red Fort began in 1638 & finished by 1648. It is recognised as an UNESCO Heritage site in 2007. Every year on 15th August, India Celebrate Independence day & Prime Minister hoists National Flag at Red Fort. Today Red Fort is very much popular Tourist place, which attract Thousands of Visitors.  Daily there is Sound & Light show which described the Mughal history. It is located at Netaji Subhash Margh, and nearby Metro Station is Chandi Chowk, Entry fee is Rs. 10/- for Indian & Rs. 250/- for Foreigners and there is no charges for photography, but for video filming they charged Rs. 25/-. Sound & Light Show Starts from 6.00 pm onwards in Hindi & English, the entry fee is Rs. 80/- for Adults & Rs. 30/- for Childrens.

We were late to reach there and we were not able to see Sound & Light show & finally after passing by Chandni Chowk we reach to hotel and finished our one day memorable journey of Delhi. In Delhi there are more places to visit like Azad Hind Gram, Birla Mandir, Dilli Haat, Garden of Five Senses, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Parliament House, Purana Quila and many more places.


A Trip to Delhi  - Photo by Ramakant

Today all were so tired & next day we have to move toward Agra….. So everyone decided to have Dinner & have a good sleep, as we have to travel next day…….

As it’s was a memorable journey, which cannot be forgettable & in these way we have finished our one day trip of Delhi & in my next blog I will take you to “Agra”


* * * * * Important Information about Delhi * * * * *
Climate:
In Delhi Summer season is from Mid-March till End of June, in which approx. Maximum Temperatures of 36º C & Minimum Temperatures of 25 ºC. Monsoon Season End till End of September & Winter Season Till February, Very coldest Month in North reason is Mid December & January where Minimum Temperature goes to lowest of -2 º C to 7º C.

How to Reach?
Delhi is connected with all the cities and country one can reach easily.
By Air - Delhi has both International & Domestic Airport [Indira Gandhi International Airport] which is approx. 20 to 22 km away from the city.  All Major Airlines in the world is linked with the Airport.

By Train Delhi has Three Major Station or we can say Junction...I.e. New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station & Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. One can easily reach to Delhi, as train’s runs from all the part of country & which is connected to all the cities.

Best Season to Visit DelhiBest season to visit & roam around Delhi is between "Octobers to March". It is recommended not to visit in the Month of "May & June" it’s very hot in summer season.

 
Finally Thanks for reading blog & if I miss something, please update me for the same. …  Always