Mathura is a holy town located about 30 miles north of the Taj Mahal city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It's a hub of religious activity, owing to the fact that the Hindu god Krishna was allegedly born here, and most visitors to the city are devout Hindus or tourists stopping by on their way between Delhi and Agra.
Sarojini Nagar Market is one of South Delhi’s most popular markets, predominantly specializing in factory seconds of export brand names at extremely low prices. Discount Western-style clothes aren’t the only thing on offer either, with home furnishings, bags, footwear, jewelry, and accessories rounding out the selection.
Travelers interested in the arts, handicrafts, textiles, and folk traditions of India shouldn’t miss the informative National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum. The museum mimics an Indian village, with the types of buildings and decorations that you might encounter in rural areas. There are also crafts demonstrations, galleries showing paintings and different kinds of carvings, and temporary as well as permanent exhibits.
Situated on a busy road at the border of Central and South Delhi, this temple is dedicated not to a deity but to Shirdi Sai Baba, a 19th-century saint who was renowned for teaching compassion, charity, and pluralism. He's one of the most revered saints in Hinduism today, and his temple is one of the busiest in this part of town.
Meet and take selfies with your favorite Indian and international celebrities at Madame Tussauds Delhi. On display are lifelike wax models of sports stars, Hollywood and Bollywood actors, and royalty, including favorites such as David Beckham, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Tom Cruise, and Lady Gaga.
Karol Bagh is a residential and commercial neighborhood of New Delhi that’s particularly well-known for its markets. One of Delhi’s earliest shopping hubs, today the area is crammed with shops selling everything from inexpensive clothing and cotton yarn to dusty second-hand books and gleaming golden wedding jewelry.
Although Feroz Shah Kotla isn't as famous as some of Delhi's better-known UNESCO World Heritage sites, these ancient ruins provide a fascinating insight into what life was like in the area centuries ago. At the heart of the fort is a third-century sandstone pillar, known as the Ashoka Column, which stands 43 feet (13.1 meters) high.
One of Delhi's oldest temples, the Hanuman Temple (Hanuman Mandir) is notable for its large statue of the monkey god Hanuman. It was built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh of Amber, while much of India was under the Mughal Empire. The crescent atop the temple’s spire allegedly protects it from destruction at the hands of Muslim rulers.
Delhi’s Sulabh International Museum of Toilets must be one of the most memorable museums in India--if not the world. Despite being a fun and quirky museum, it’s also very educational and has an important mission: to inform visitors about sanitation issues around the world. It displays toilets and toilet-related paraphernalia from more than 50 countries, from both ancient and modern times.
The AapnoGhar Amusement and Water Park is a large, family-friendly resort, entertainment center, and water park outside Delhi. Travelers can stay at the resort to enjoy all the facilities, or just visit for the day to cool off at the outdoor water park and have fun on the fairground rides.
Situated in the northern reaches of Old Delhi, the pale-yellow St. James’ Church (Skinner's Church) is a historic house of worship that's still used by the local Anglican community to this day. It was consecrated in 1836, making it one of the oldest churches in the city, and its adjacent cemetery contains the tombs of many important Raj-era officials.
Select Citywalk was the first large-scale shopping mall to open in south Delhi, back in 2007. This vast shopping center features hundreds of retail stores representing major Indian and international fashion brands, along with a gym, tons of restaurants, and even a multiplex cinema.
On the edge of New Delhi’s trendy Hauz Khas Village, the Jagannath Temple (Jagannath Mandir) is worth a visit for its striking white domed architecture alone, complete with engraved spires and an elaborate gateway. It’s also a great way to gain insight into the traditions and culture of the Oriya people of East India, the temple’s primary target community.
Although the history of the North Delhi neighborhood of Majnu Ka Tilla (Majnu’s Hill) dates back hundreds of years, Tibetan refugees settled there in the 1960s, hence its moniker “Little Tibet”. Now, it’s the place to go in Delhi to sample Tibetan food, visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples, and shop for Himalayan trinkets.
This off-the-beaten track temple is located in Mehrauli, near the famous Qutub Minar. It's dedicated to the pure goddess Yogmaya (aka Jogmaya), the sister of Lord Krishna's (an incarnation of Vishnu). Although the temple in its present state dates back to the 19th century, there have been ancient temples here for many centuries prior.
A favorite among college students from the many schools in the area as well as well-heeled Delhiites looking to shop, the M Block Market is an upscale shopping complex in the Greater Kailash neighborhood dominated by retail shops selling international brands. With plenty of eateries and cafés, it’s also a good spot for coffee or a meal.
Many people visit Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village for the nightlife, but beside the popular urban enclave is Deer Park, a more tranquil natural spot. Next to Hauz Khas Fort, the sprawling park extends far beyond the atmospheric ruins and is a significant patch of greenery within the city.
One of the 13 old gateways to Delhi that still stand to this day, Khooni Darwaza (Lal Darwaza) is an ancient gate that has long been associated with bloodshed, hence its name (which translates as "bloody gate"). There have been countless brutal murders at the gate over the centuries, and many people believe it to be haunted.
On the outskirts of Gurugram in India’s National Capital Region, Sultanpur National Park is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Within a short drive of the city, its wide-open spaces and lake are home to a wealth of migratory and resident bird species, which you’ll spot either from observation towers dotted around the site or as you wander its grounds.
Metro Walk Mall in Delhi’s Rohini is the ultimate destination for a fun day out. Spanning a whopping 221,000 square feet (20,500 square meters), the mall features over 100 national and international brands, as well as outlet stores and a sprawling food court. On top of this, Adventure Island, the adjoining amusement park, offers rides, attractions, and kid-friendly entertainment.
Delhi can get very hot in the summer and monsoon months, and the Just Chill Water Park is an ideal place for the whole family to, well, chill. The water park includes slides, fountains, a wave pool, and more. There’s also a dry-land amusement park and an edutainment park for visitors who can’t swim or don’t want to get wet.
Situated near the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Shantivan is a memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, and marks the spot where the politician was cremated. Shantivan is surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens, and the whole area is a lovely place to get away from the crowds and noise of urban Delhi.
