Tel: 011 2411 1211
Entry: Rs 50 for 4 hours; group climbing workshops Rs 150 per person (minimum 10 people)
Timings: Tue to Sat 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm in winter; Tue to Sat 8 am to noon and 4 pm to 8 pm in summer; closed on national holidays
KSHITIJ Adventure League
KSHITIJ Adventure League conducts adventure type activities on weekend mornings throughout the year. Activities include rock-climbing, rapelling, trail biking and trekking through parks and to heritage sites around the city. Venues change so call in advance.
>Tel: 95 1124 408 1500
Timings: Sat and Sun10 am to 6 pm
Walks
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage holds a variety of walks around Delhi for visitors to better appreciate the city.
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is one of the busiest of roads in the city; it links the Red Fort with the Fatehpuri Masjid. Chandni Chowk is a colourful bazaar, very popular with traders and locals. It is considered as the best place to shop for fabrics in wholesale prices. It gets so crowded that vehicles are not allowed in its bylanes. Chandni Chowk has retained its old magic and is a bustling shopping area, with historic alleys and hotels, mosques and temples that will take multiple visits to truly explore fully. Some food stalls in the area are 100 years old. It is a favourite hangout for cuisine buffs. You’ll have to try your luck at various restaurants if you need a bathroom break.
>Red Fort area
Hauz Khas
The highlight of the walk includes a 13th century reservoir. The water and the lush green areas attract lots of birds. The walk covers the reservoir, tombs, mosques and pavilions.
>Hauz Khas
Tel: 011 2464 1304; 011 2469 2774
Timings: From 8:30 am
Cost: Rs 50 per person Details: Register by Friday for the Intach walks (held mainly on the weekend) by sending an email to [email protected] or calling the numbers above.
Lodhi Garden
Lodhi Garden’s beauty is held under the spotlight through this walk which takes visitors to some of the Syed and Lodhi tombs and mosques, the Mughal garden and other structures. The walk lasts about one and a half hours. You’ll build up quite an appetite that will be satiated at Lodhi, The Garden Restaurant. (See Eats, pp.139–40.) The walk is stroller and kid friendly. Toilet facilities for Rs 2 near Gate 1.
>Lodhi Road
Tel: 011 2464 1304
Timings: From 8:30 am
Cost: Rs 50 per person
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
The guided walk at Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is spread over hundreds of acres of land near the Qutab Minar, takes visits to Balban’s tomb, Jamili Kamali mosque and tomb, Metcalfe’s bridge, Quli Khan’s tomb, a mosque, a sarai and other tombs. It lasts about 2 hours. Call ahead for reservations and meeting point for all walks. It is best to carry very young kids in a back carrier. Be prepared for lots of walking so you might hear some whining by the time the walk is over.
>Near Qutab Minar
Tel: 011 2464 1304
Timings: From 8:30 am
Cost: Rs 50 per person
Nature walk
The India Habitat Centre also organizes a walk, conducted by an environmentalist, which explores forests from Malcha Marg to Dhaula Kuan.
>Tel: 011 2468 2222
Timings: From 7:30 am
Cost: Rs 50 per person Details: You can register for the walk (mainly on weekends) by sending an email to [email protected] or phoning the number above. Registration closes at 20 people per group.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
Up in the sky, it’s a plane, it’s a bird, it’s Superman. Actually, it’s more likely to be a bird you see soaring through the sky during a very enjoyable nature walk at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. The nature trail is open for visitors on Saturdays who come to see the weekly 40-minute changing of the guard ceremony, akin to the one at Buckingham Palace in London. There’s a butterfly garden and horticulture, citrus grove, guava grove and a parakeet grove too (also see If You Have to be a Tourist, pp.109–10).
>Near Connaught Place, at the western end of Rajpath.
Nearest Metro: Central Secretariat
Changing of the guard ceremony: Every Saturday between 10:35 am to 11 am in winter and 8:30 am to 9:15 am in summer.
Shahjahanabad
Delhi, more accurately Old Delhi, is famous for its monuments, bazaars and abundance of street vendors hawking everything under the hot Delhi sun. What is considered Old Delhi today was the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad, built by Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, when he moved his imperial capital from Agra to Delhi. A wall with 14 gates encloses the area. However, only 3 survive—Delhi, Turkman and Ajmeri Gate. The walk through time begins from Shri Digambara Jain Lal Mandir and ends at the north gate of Jama Masjid. Sights include a plethora of religious houses including the Gauri Shankar Temple, the Central Baptist Church, the Sis Ganj Gurudwara and the Jama Masjid. Make pit stops at Sunehri Masjid, Kinari Bazaar and Gali Guliyan. The municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to make an extensive map of the Walled City which will be helpful for tourists and researchers. The map will include an extensive listing of the major heritage monuments, guest houses, eateries and the all important maze of roads which can be terribly confusing. The maps will be on signage inside and outside the Walled City, and should soon be available for sale in bookshops.
>Duration: 2 to 3 hours Best time: Mid-morning or evening
Tel: 011 2464 1304; 011 2469 2774; 011 2463 2269
Around Delhi
Badhkal Lake
A popular picnic spot, Badhkal Lake has facilities for water sports. The lake however has been fast drying up due to rain shortage, and it might just disappear one of these days. (See pp.12–13 above; see Day Trippin’, p.120.)
Surajkund
Surajkund is the site of the annual Surajkund Mela, there is a golf course, an exotic hotel and one can fish and also go boating. (See Day Trippin’, pp.121–2.)
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, located just 46 km from Delhi in Gurgaon, is the closest bird reserve to the city. This birder’s paradise, at 359 acres, is the most ideal destination for environmentalists and bird watchers. It was established as a bird sanctuary in 1971 and was upgraded to a National Park by the Haryana government in 1991. There is a calm that cannot be found elsewhere in the region. The winter months of December and January are the ideal time to visit, when several birds from distant places such as Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan visit the park. There are about 250 species of birds in the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, some stay year round and others are migratory. Be sure to pack a pair of binoculars to spot the birds from the top of the 4 towers located in the park. Sultanpur also boasts of a wide variety of wild animals including antelopes like neelgai (blue bull), black bucks, porcupines, wild cats, hedgehogs, pigs, mongoose, leopards and deer roaming the park. A guide can be hired for the visit and there is an onsite educational centre. A tourist lodge is located inside the park with AC rooms for an overnight stay. There is also a restaurant on the premises.
>Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon–Farukh Nagar Road, Haryana
Tel: 95124 237 5242 for Sultanpur; 011 2332 4910/11 for Haryana Tourism
Entry: Rs 5
Web: www.haryana-online.com
Roller Skating
Roller Skating can be done at the Talkatora Skating Rink and several other parks in the city. (Also see Playground Paradise, pp.74–5.)
>Talkatora Skating Rink Main Willingdon Crescent Road
Timings: Open all day.
Preferred timings 3 pm to 6 pm
Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk
DIVAS
No. 1: Shankar’s International Doll Museum. What better place
to see a collection of thousands of dolls from
around the world?
Hit the h
ot spots for girls out on the town. Turn favourite pastimes into a cultural event and then some. Your little diva can build a teddy bear exactly how she likes it; envision how any of the more than 6,000 dolls from around the world in the doll museum spent their time back home before coming to India; appreciate various forms of Indian dances and unwind with scones and tea at the Imperial or in a beautician’s chair for a few hours of pampering.
Get Creative
Build-a-Bear Workshop
Why buy a teddy bear for your little angel when she can build one exactly to her liking? The US-based Build-a-Bear Workshop operates more than 300 stores in 15 countries and has an outlet at the Shopper’s Stop in Rajouri Garden. The showroom has nearly 40 kinds of animals to choose from, not just teddy bears. There are monkeys, leopards and puppies that are also waiting to find a new home. Of course, the customization is the best part as kids can choose the animal, colour, clothing, stuffing and voice. Yes, they can speak. Kids can even use their own voices. Special considerations are made for young children, with toys that have no removable parts. Even the eyes are embroidered. Those with dust allergies can rest assured because there are some bears without fur. Many shop assistants are available to help with the stuffing, sewing and fluffing. There’s a wide selection of outfits and shoes to choose from as no bear would be complete without those perfect to-die-for threads.
>Shopper’s Stop, Eros Mall, Rajouri Garden
Tel: 011 3243 8692
Prices: From Rs 395 to Rs 1,195 for the bear; clothing and shoes range from Rs 195 to Rs 800
The Colour Factory
Take extra pleasure at tea time knowing you’ve painted your own tea set. The Colour Factory bills itself as India’s first ‘paint your own pottery’ store. There’s a wide range of colours and mugs, cups, vases, platters and photo frames to choose from that can all be personalized. The finished pieces will be glazed and finished and returned in a week. If you’re not going to hang around Delhi long enough to retrieve the finished pieces, you can purchase ceramics a la carte along with paints and brushes and get the firing done at home. Ready-made pieces can be purchased, but what’s the fun in that? It can get crowded on weekends and school holidays so reservations are advised.
>2nd Flr, Select Citywalk Mall, Press Enclave Road, Saket
Tel: 011 4059 7515
Timings: Daily 11 am to 8 pm
Entry: From Rs 225
Web: www.thecolourfactory.in/contact.htm
>120, 1st Flr, DT Mega Mall, DLF
Tel: 0124 437 0958
Timings: Daily 11 am to 8 pm; 11 am to 9 pm on weekends
Other Activities
Bindis, bangles and butterflies
An array of fashionable accessories is piled high in markets across the city. Change bindis, bangles and hairclips that come in a countless range from butterflies, dragon flies, bows and ladybugs to match outfits or moods. Check out the markets in Shopping, pp.163–88.
Dances of India
For little ladies who fashion themselves as the next Sonal Mansingh or Birju Maharaj, this will make for an unforgettable evening. The show—around for 29 years—has internationally renowned artists performing 6 folk, tribal and classical dances of India. Although geared towards tourists, the dance forms represented include traditional dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam. The footwork, hand gestures, expressive eye movements, and sheer variety and energy of the performances make the show a memorable experience.
>Parsi Anjuman Hall, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, next to Maulana Azad Medical College
Tel: 011 2323 1228 or Laljah at 98102 31644
Timings: Daily 6:45 pm. Come 15 minutes early if you want to buy tickets at the door
Entry: Rs 200 per person
Getting dolled up
Spend a few hours being pampered with a pedicure and manicure and maybe even a glamorous hair cut. Looks salon is used to clients who don’t yet have credit cards and treat them with the same care and professionalism.
>10 Khan Market
Tel: 011 4175 7233, 4175 7244
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Web: www.lookssalon.in for more locations
>D-1 Defence Colony
Tel: 011 4155 2800; 011 4155 2801
High teas
With pinkies extended and tea cups raised, gals will surely enjoy the tradition of English high tea. A selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones, cakes and juices, tea and coffee make the experience enjoyable for everyone. The lawns at both hotels are magnificent for a walk or a romp, after the tea.
The Claridges—The Senate
>12 Aurangzeb Road
Tel: 011 4133 5264
Timings: Daily 3 pm to 6 pm
Entry: Rs 650 per person plus tax
The Atrium at the Imperial Hotel
>1 Janpath, Connaught Place (Opposite Cottage Emporium)
Tel: 011 2334 1234, 011 4150 1234
Timings: Daily 3 pm to 6 pm
Entry: Rs 650 per person plus tax
Mehendi
Although Mehendi is generally associated with Hindu festivals, celebrations and the wedding ceremony, most girls love to have the beautiful henna patterns on their feet and hands on any given day. Mehendi is a small tropical shrub, whose leaves when dried and ground into a paste emit a rusty-red pigment, suitable for making intricate designs on the hands and feet. There are no side effects on the skin. Mehendi is a painless alternative to permanent tattoos. The Mughals brought mehendi to India in the 12th century and the intricacy of the patterns has evolved over the years. One doesn’t have to look very far in most markets to find a mehendiwali. They are ever present at Dilli Haat, Janpath, Khan Market, Sarojini Nagar and Hanuman Mandir on Tuesdays. Prices vary greatly with Hanuman Mandir charging as little as Rs 10 per hand and Khan Market charging as much as Rs 275 per hand.
>Dilli Haat, Sri Aurobindo Marg, opposite INA Market
Timings: Daily 10:30 am to 10 pm
Entry: Rs 15 adults; Rs 5 children
>Janpath, near Connaught Place
Timings: Daily 11 am to 8 pm
>Khan Market, close to India Gate, near Lodhi Road
Timings: Daily 11 am to 8 pm
>Sarojini Nagar, near Dilli Haat
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 8:30 pm
>Hanuman Mandir, Baba Kharak Singh Marg
Timings: Tue market from 10 am; closed Sun
Shankar’s International Doll Museum
A collection of dolls brought together by cartoonist K Shankar Pillai during his world travels. Housed in the building of the Children’s Book Trust, the Shankar International Doll Museum occupies over 5,000 square feet on the first floor of the building. There are special displays of over 150 Indian dolls in various costumes made at the doll’s workshop attached to the museum. But the entire display houses more than 6,000 dolls. Dolls from China, Russia, England, Japan, Spain and Africa are among the selection from more than 80 countries. Doll-size tea sets, sofas, toys and, of course, houses are also preserved.
>Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Near ITO
Tel: 011 2331 6970/74 (5 lines)
Timings: Tue to Sun 10 am to 6 pm
Entry: Rs 10 Adults; Rs 5 children. Ticket counter closes at 5:30 pm
Web: www.childrenbooktrust.com
Sugar & Spice and everything nice
Choko la offers chocolate, cookie and cupcake classes during the summer, usually beginning in May. Children learn everything about the sweeter things in life from decorating, preparing dough from scratch, melting, mixing flavours and of course, lots and lots of tasting. The business of making sweets begins with a film on the history of chocolates, which Choko la makes by hand. Kids are properly attired with a chef’s hat and apron. They get to take home what they have made in the class, if they haven’t already eaten it. Kids need to be able to follow directions. Ideal for children ages 4 and older.
>36 Khan Market, Middle Lane
Tel: 011 4175 7570
Timings: Early May
Entry: Rs 1,800 for
a 2-day course; Rs 2,100 for 3 days. Class lasts about 3 hours.
>Choko la Vasant Vihar, Priya Cinema Complex, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar
Tel: 011 4166 9595
DUDES
No. 1: The whole of India is bowled over by cricket, so
do not be a couch potato. Experience the thrill from the
seats at Ferozshah Kotla Stadium.
Boys will be boys and they certainly love their toys. They can meander through the Car Parts Bazaar and even spy a complete engine ready to be bought. Car, plane and train enthusiasts can spend an afternoon zipping around a go-karting track; learning about India’s history with railway travel at the Metro Museum or the Rail Museum; and see fighter jets up close at the Air Force Museum. 20/20 has nothing to do with having perfect eyesight, though fervent cricket fans have a tendency to question the eyesight of the field referee when a player on their favourite team is called out. Check out IPL and test matches at Ferozshah Kotla Stadium. Go team! Need some down time? There’s always fishing in Okhla dam. And for those who like spy games, paintballing is just the ticket.
Buyer’s Guide
Modelart
Although your son may be years away from a driver’s license, yet alone owning wheels of his own, it’s never too early to start. Check out the scale models of little red Corvettes, Porsches, BMWs, Harley Davidsons, Hummers and vintage WWII planes, tanks and helicopters at Modelart. Forget about Tata’s one lakh Nano. With these cars, you don’t have to hire a driver.
>F-27 Select Citywalk Mall, Saket, 1st flr
Tel: 011 4056 6966
Timings: Daily 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Prices: From Rs 1,500
Gift Palace
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