Life
The Many Charms of Delhi Winters
The NRI travel guide to hottest spots Delhi during the winter.
The misty mornings, India Gate sneaking from behind a layer of fog, the green embrace of trees, bitter cold breeze brushing the body, wide roads with open spaces and the gush of steam from the tea kettles of roadside chaiwallas. These are the many charms of Delhi winters.
Falling in love with Delhi during winter is as easy and memorable as love at first sight. Delhi winters are so iconic that there is even a Bollywood number dedicated to it —Pyaar tera Dilli ki sardi…
“I totally love Delhi winters. I have personally been fond of them. Unfortunately, in Mumbai we don’t get to feel winters so we miss it too much. The sight of fog, the warm clothes, staying in the blanket, cozying inside and eating yummy hot Punjabi food make Delhi winters super special,” says Nach Baliye 7 and Wajah Tum Ho fame actor Himmanshoo Ashok Malhotra, who was born and bred in Delhi.
Here is the best of what Delhi has to offer during the winter, when you can chuck the trip to airconditioned malls for these bountiful street experiences.
The Uncommon
One of lesser known and must-see historical places is Agrasen ki Baoli. You can admire the construction and preciseness of this Step Well with 103 steps only when the scorching sun is not beating down on you. It is believed to have been originally built in the 12th century by Maharaja Agrasen and restored in the 15th century.
Location: Hailey Road, Connaught Place (CP)
Metro Station: Barakhamba
Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas is a beautiful assembly of ruins that look resplendent even in their wreckage. The ruins are a common hangout for youth longing for serenity and peace. Click pictures with your partners against the bright shining walls of the remains, reflecting sunlight and live your Aandhi moment. Hum the song Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa toh nahin, remembering your old crush or lost love.
Hauz Khas is home to the most happening night clubs, eating joints and bars. It is also the shopping district for foreign tourists. If you are looking for the “it” place in Delhi, this is it!
Location: Hauz Khas Village
Metro Station: Green Park
Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm(Best)
Entry Fee: Free
Green Delights
A garden is the best place to laze around soaking in the sun during the winter months. Lodhi Gardens are spread across 90 acres and feature several incredible monuments, such as Sheesh Gumbad, Bada Gumbad, Bada Gumbad Mosque, Sikandar Tomb and Mohammed Shah Tomb, as well as a lake.
Location: Main Lodi Road, Beside India International Centre
Metro Station: Jawaharlal Nehru
Timings: 6.00 am to 7.30 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Garden of Five Senses
Another place to enjoy the winter sun and take leisurely strolls is the Garden of Five Senses, spread over 20 acres. The garden has several striking features, such as metal birds, stone elephants, peppered seating arrangements, food courts, and distinctly styled Khas Bagh and Neel Bagh, a pool of water lilies.
Location: Said-ul-Ajaib, M.B. Road, South of Saket
Metro Station: Saket
Timings: 9.00 am to 6.00
Entry Fee: Rs 10-30
All That’s Mughalai
India’s marble and sandstone magnum opus mosque Jama Masjid is a sight to behold in the winter. Its 40-meter-tall minarets and vast courtyard that can accommodate 25,000 devotees are tributes to Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan’s architectural passion. He also built the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Red Fort, which is opposite the mosque. The Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque.
Location: Near ISBT Kashmere Gate,1 Km from Old Delhi Railway Station
Metro Station: Chawri Bazaar
Timings: Between Sunrise to Sunset
Entry Fee: Free
Nizamuddin Dargah
Experience live Sufi music in Nizamuddin Dargah. Feel something as spine-chilling as the Delhi winter chill itself. Popularized by Bollywood in many songs, the Nizamuddin Dargah teems with devotees throughout the year. Listen to the high-pitched qawalli. On Sunday and Thursday the Dargah serves free food to devotees. Explore the shrine of Amir Khusro, the father of qawalli and one of the country’s most iconic cultural figures. Enjoy some of the best kababs in the neighborhood restaurants.
Location: 1.5 Km from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Metro Station: Jawahar Lal Nehru
Timings: Anytime (Best is Thursday evening during prayer time)
Entry Fee: Free
Corridors of Power
Sansad Bhavan is the most nostalgic building in Delhi, which you have seen scores of times on Doordarshan. Standing tall and shining bright under the winter sun, Parliament House is an enduring monument to Indian democracy.
Location: Sansad Marg (Parliament Street), North of Rajpath
Metro Station: Udyog Bhawan
Timings: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Sunday & Monday)
Entry Fee: Rs 10 for Adults,
Children-Free
Rashtrapati Bhavan
Location: Raisina Hills
Metro Station: Central Secretariat
Timings: Only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 25 registration charges
For the Bohemian
Bahai Lotus Temple is a mesmerizing lotus shaped structure made of pure white marble, standing amidst lush green landscape. It is surrounded by nine pools of water and blooming petals, which look picturesque with full blooms during the winters. The Guinnes Book of World Records lists it as the most visited religious building in the world.
Location: Lotus Temple Rd, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur
Metro Station: Kalkaji Mandir
Timings: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm (closed Monday)
Entry Fee: Free
Majnu-Ka-Tila
Popular as Majnu-Ka-Tila, this Tibetan refugee colony is the Little Tibet of Delhi, popular for Tibetan markets and Tibetan food. Shop for colorful tees, jeans, flip flops, shoes and bags. Collect posters of Tibetan deities, figures of the Dalai Lama, or Tibetan pendants. You can also enrich your Chinese and Korean film CDs and DVDs.
Location: New Aruna Nagar
Metro Station: Vidhan Sabha
Timings: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
The National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park is a surprise package in Delhi. Situated in the heart of the city, the zoo has recreated an ambience of the natural habitat. The zoo is home to 1,350 animals from around the world, including the rare white tiger.
Location: Near Purana Qila on Mathura Road
Metro Station: Pragati Maidan
Timings: 9.00 AM to 4.00/4.30 PM (Closed Friday)
Entry Fee: Rs 10 – Rs 200
For The Foodies
If you love old world charm, Chandni Chowk is the place for you. Its narrow bylanes are dedicated to individual business sectors or industries. Famous for inexpensive clothing, raw material, jewelry, fabric and electronic items, Chandni Chowk is teeming with shoppers. You can spot everything from a bullock cart to a Mercedes here. Chandni Chowk is also famous for its rich and spicy street food. From Paratha Wali Gali, Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale, Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, Lotan Chole Wala, Chawri Bazaar, Karim’s, to Daulat ki Chaat, Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Natraj Dahi Bhalla and non-veg outlets around Jama Masjid, you can sample some of the best street food in India. Some of these famous eateries have served Mughal emperors and Indian ministers. Now you can drool on them too. Other famous spots in this area are Dariba, Kinari Bazaar and Daryaganj.
Location: Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi
Metro Station: Chandni Chowk
Timings: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Entry Fee: Free
All That’s Handicraft
Dilli Haat has handicraft shops representing almost every Indian state, set up flea market style. Dilli Haat is an initiative to encourage local artists. You can buy keepsakes and giveaways for your family and friends here. Gujarati embroidery bags, beaded purse, mirror umbrellas, wooden idols, colorful paintings, jewels, bamboo and jute products….
Location: Opposite INA Market, Sri Aurobindo Marg
Metro Station: INA
Timings: 10.00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Nominal Charges
Dastkar Winter Mela
If you cherish Indian arts and crafts, the Dastkar Winter Mela in Chattarpur, South Delhi, is the highlight of the Christmas season. The mela features herbal and organic products, winter textiles, cultural performances, and Christmas food.
Location: Nature Bazaar Venue, Andheria Mod, Chhatarpur
Metro Station: Chhatarpur
Timings: 11.00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Nominal Charges
Surajkund International Crafts Mela
The big daddy of art and craft festivals is the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, held in February every year in Faridabad. It showcases the richness and diversity of Indian handicrafts, handlooms and fabrics and draws an estimated million visitors. An artificial lake constructed against the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills gives the festival its name “Surajkund.”
Enjoy the performances of folk artists from around the world at open-air theaters, amazing spots of adventure and amusements. Visit hundreds of stalls of elite crafts and the multi-cuisine food courts featuring traditional foods from across India. “If you wish to experience the diverse cultural heritage of India in the form of fun, frolic and happiness this Winter Mela is your destination,” says Olivia Robert, a tourist from Sweden who visited the festival last year.
Location: Surajkund, Faridabad Surajkund is a 35 minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International airport and 25 kms from Palam airport
Timings: 10.30 AM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Rs 80 (weekdays) and Rs 120 (weekends)
The Fiesta
If it’s the past that glorifies Delhi then it’s the present that keeps it alive. Winter is the time when many colleges hold their College Fests. “Delhi, acts as the perfect winter host. Local flavors blend well with global musicians and performers. The celebrations are laced with exciting fun activities,” says Sakshi Tanwar, a former Delhi University student who has now moved to London. Bask in the warm sun while absorbing foot tapping live performances at one of these fests.
You also cannot miss the Christmasy feel, luxurious locales, layering of wintery clothes and high end shopping at the DLF Promenade. You can spot the rich and famous from Delhi shopping for their Prada, Gucci, Dior, Versace and Armani needs here. The mall provides you the experience of a lifetime as you marvel at just how much India has changed since you left the country.
Location: 3, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj Malls,
Metro Station: Chhatarpur
Timings: 10.00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free