15 long weekends in 2018, and here's how you can use them to travel

If one of your New Year resolutions is to take more short and sweet vacations in 2018, here's some good news for you. 2018 has 15 long weekends!

Well, it was technically 16 long weekends, if you count in the one we just passed by December 30, 2017-January 1, 2018. We're sure you managed to party well, even if you didn't get to travel.

But when it comes to the rest of the year, you can actually plan ahead and travel a lot. And it's quite important to do so. Why, you ask?

Well, apart from the fact that you deserve to take a break from the everyday hassles and pressures of the world time and again to rejuvenate, you also need to consider the place this country found itself in a recent survey.

According to a survey, India is the fifth-most vacation-deprived country in the world, since 67 percent Indians cancelled or postponed their vacations for a number of reasons last year.

It's actually quite a sorry state to be in, so let's try and change that this year by using all the long weekends to their fullest potential. And don't worry, we have just the help you need, especially if you're based in Delhi-NCR.

Here's the list of long weekends you'll need to plan your travels:

1. January 20-22, 2018 (Basant Panchami on January 22)

You can of course head off to Rajasthan for a quick getaway, of places like Agra. Given the air pollution levels in Delhi, you might want to head off to small towns or hill stations, just for the sake of some much-needed fresh air. There are also some winter festivals you can check out.

2. January 26-28, 2018 (January 26 is Republic Day)

With the Jaipur Literature Fest on during this weekend, you can totally head off to get a taste of Rajasthan. If you want to relish the offerings of warmer climates, head to Pondicherry, Bangalore or Goa for a cosy and quick weekend vacay.

3. February 10-13, 2018 (February 13 is Maha Shivratri, so apply for leave on February 12 for a four-day weekend)

The Sufi Spring Festival starts off in Rajasthan around this time, so you can enjoy a weekend soaking in some culture. The Rann Utsav is also on in Gujarat around the same time, so you can even head to Kutch for four days.

4. March 1-4, 2018 (Holika Dahan on March 1, and Holi the next day)

Mathura and Vrindavan are must-visits during this time of the year, so do head to these places if you want some Holi fun. If you want to enjoy a quiet Holi, head to places like Nainital, Kasauli and Orchha, where you can enjoy some solitude.

5. March 29-April 1, 2018 (Mahavir Jayanti on March 29, and Good Friday on March 30)

With the peak tourist-season in Goa over, you can head to the state to enjoy the beaches before it gets too hot.

6. April 28-May 1, 2018 (April 30 is Buddha Purnima, and May 1 is Labour Day)

As the weather gets warmer, head to the hill stations closest to the city to get some relief. From Dharamshala to Mussourie, your options are many.

7. June 15-17, 2018 (June 15 is Eid-ul-Fitr)

To beat the heat as it rises, you should head off to places that are colder still. Shillong, Gangtok, Ladakh, and Darjeeling are a few options you can explore.

8. August 15-19, 2018 (August 15 is Independence Day, August 17 is Parsi New Year, so apply for leave on August 16)

The Rohtang Pass gets blocked for vehicular traffic after this period, so this will be your last chance to take that trip to Leh and Ladakh.

9. August 22-26, 2018 (August 22 is Eid-ul-Adha and August 24 is Onam, so apply for leave on August 23)

You could head to Kerala to join in the Onam festivities. And if loading up on biryanis and kebabs is your thing around Eid, head to Lucknow or Hyderabad.

10. September 1-3, 2018 (September 3 is Janmashtami)

Once again, this is a good time to visit Mathura and Vrindavan, along with a pilgrimage to Dwarka in Gujarat.

11. September 13-16, 2018 (September 13 is Ganesh Chaturthi, so apply for leave on September 14)

Head to Mumbai or Pune to be a part of the festivities. If you want to do something else on these four days, head to Rajasthan or Himachal for a quick getaway.

12. September 29-October 2, 2018 (October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, so apply for leave on October 1)

From Bhopal to Mandu, this would be the best time to take a quick trip to Madhya Pradesh.

13. October 18-21, 2018 (October 18 is Ram Navami, and the next day is Dussehra)

Head to Kolkata or Mumbai to get into the spirit of Durga Puja and Navratri. You can also head to North Bengal, Sikkin or Nepal to experience a different sort of Dussehra celebration.

14. November 3-11, 2018 (November 5-9 is Diwali week, so some restricted holidays, and for others you can apply for leave)

This would be the perfect time to take a long trip to destinations abroad. If you want to stay closer to home, just head to a city of your choice to enjoy the fireworks. But if you want to escape the inevitable pollution from firecrackers, head to hill stations for a breath of fresh air.

15. December 22-25, 2018 (December 25 is Christmas, so apply for leave on December 24)

Take a trip to places like Kolkata or Goa, where Christmas celebrations are at a peak. If you just want to get away from the city, head to warmer places like Pondicherry, Bangalore or Mumbai.

Plan a drive to Rajasthan right now to experience these beautiful festivals

Heading to Jaipur this winter for a break or for the most sought-after Jaipur Literature Festival?

Here are some other fun events and activities that you can engage in the land of royals during your visit.

Jaipur Literature Festival: Several literary fests take place in and around India. However, the Jaipur Literary Festival scheduled from January 24-29, 2018 at the Pink City of India is the world's largest event of its kind that will see renowned personalities including historians, politicians, humanitarians and business leaders grace attendees with their presence. The literary fest, with its stimulating conversations held in the backdrop of the famous Diggi Palace will offer a unique cultural and intellectual experience.

The Jaypore Open House: Jaypore, an online platform for India's finest craft-based designs, is here with their Open House event from January 17th to 31st 2018 to bring the best of options for your New Year shopping.

Desert Festival: Witness the Thar Desert come to life at the three-day extravaganza of Jaisalmer Desert festival. Scheduled from January 29-31, 2018, this is the time when the celebrations of the festival lighten up the desert with colour, enthusiasm, and happiness. The traditional and bright costumes, the folk music recitals, competitions like camel races, tug-of-war, moustache competition, gymnastic stunts along with mouth-watering food and artifacts make it an absolute must-visit destination during the winter.

Sufi Spirit Festival: Rajasthan is definitely much more than its historic forts and palaces. The Sufi Spirit Festival at Nagaur with soothing music, dance and poetry and good food is sure to offer an unforgettable experience. Touted to be one of the most exhilarating music spectacles in the country, the Sufi Festival brings together brilliant artists from across India and around the world in a stunning royal setting. Scheduled from February 12-15, 2018 at the Nagaur fort and from February 16-18 at the Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur, this event is sure to transport you to a different world altogether.

10 places everyone wants to travel to in 2018

In 2017, Asian countries dominated the lists of places people wanted to travel to, and this year it seems like travellers have set their eyes on Europe.

According to data from travel search engine Kayak, which just released their 2018 travel hacker guide, looked at the top 100 most searched for travel dates between March 3 2017 and February 28 2018, and identified the cities around the world with the greatest year-over-year increase in search, reports The Independent.

Here's the list of top 10 destinations travellers are itching to go in 2018:

10) Rome, Italy - February is the cheapest time to go there.

9) Paris, France - January is the cheapest time to go

8) Athens, Greece - February is the cheapest time to go

7) Madrid, Spain - March is the cheapest time to go

6) Las Vegas, Nevada - August is the cheapest time to go

5) Lisbon, Portugal - February is the cheapest time to go

4) Amsterdam, Netherlands - January is the cheapest time to go

3) Bali, Indonesia - November is the cheapest time to go

2) Barcelona, Spain - January is the cheapest time to go

1) Maui, Hawaii - September is the cheapest time to go

The research also said that the right time of booking certain destinations is crucial.

Mercury Drops In Delhi-NCR, Dust Storm Expected Today

The minimum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 26.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the normal. The maximum temperature on Saturday was 38.3 degrees Celsius, two notches below the average in the season, said a MeT official

The day is forecast to remain clear but thunderstorm or dust storm may occur
in the evening and night.

The minimum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 26.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the normal. The maximum temperature on Saturday was 38.3 degrees Celsius, two notches below the average in the season, said a MeT official.

The day is forecast to remain clear but thunderstorm or dust storm may occur in the evening and night

After a dust storm hit Delhi-NCR on Friday, the mercury slipped a few notches in the national capital, bringing some relief for people from the hot weather. The minimum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 26.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the normal. The maximum temperature on Saturday was 38.3 degrees Celsius, two notches below the average in the season, said a MeT official. Relative humidity oscillated from 38 per cent to 60 per cent.

Today, the day is forecast to remain clear but thunderstorm or dust storm may occur in the evening and night, the weather department official said.

The minimum and maximum temperature will hover around 28 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius, respectively, he said.

The dust storm that last night hit Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad on Friday night, had brought the maximum temperature down from 42 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature on Friday had settled at 30 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average.

Delhi Metro takes this step to make life easier for commuters on Magenta Line – Check Now

Recently, DMRC launched the complete section of the Magenta line that connects Botanical Garden in Noida on Blue Line to Janakpuri West metro station. The Delhi Metro Magenta Line is considered as the 'knowledge corridor' as it connects, Amity University, Jamia Milia University, IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Delhi Metro takes this step to make life easier for commuters on Magenta Line – Check Now

Recently, DMRC launched the complete section of the Magenta line that connects Botanical Garden in Noida on Blue Line to Janakpuri West metro station. The Delhi Metro Magenta Line is considered as the 'knowledge corridor' as it connects, Amity University, Jamia Milia University, IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

The Delhi Metro Magenta Line is considered as the ‘knowledge corridor’ as it connects, Amity University, Jamia Milia University, IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Ever since its launch, Delhi Metro has been pegged as one of the biggest transport services across India. Recently, DMRC launched the complete section of the Magenta line that connects Botanical Garden in Noida on Blue Line to Janakpuri West metro station. The Delhi Metro Magenta Line is considered as the ‘knowledge corridor’ as it connects, Amity University, Jamia Milia University, IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With daily footfall expected to be in millions in the coming years, Delhi Metro has taken a new step to make

The Delhi Metro line is considered as the 'Knowlegge corridor'
as it connects, Amity University, Jamia Milia University, IIT
Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

the commuters’ life easy on the Magenta Line.

To ensure smooth movement of commuters at the new interchange stations of Line-8 (Magenta Line), Delhi Metro has installed 10 extra Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates at Hauz Khas and 6 extra AFC gates at Janakpuri West stations of the Line-8. That means the total number of AFC gates at these new stations have increased. At Hauz Khas metro station, the number of AFC gates have increased from 12 to 22, whereas at Janakpuri (West) metro station, the number of AFC gates have been increased from 6 to 12. The old Hauz Khas metro station on the Yellow Line has 7 AFC gates and Janakpuri (West) Station on Blue Line has 13 AFC gates.

In the recent past, the number of trains and frequency of trains has also been increased on a few lines. Says Anuj Dayal, Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Delhi Metro, “On-Line 1 (Red Line) and Line-3(Blue Line), three more trains have been added on each line increasing the total number of trains to 29 and 64 respectively. Similarly, on Line-2 (Yellow Line), the total number of trains has been increased to 55 from 54. Also, now all trains coming from Vishwavidyalaya are terminating at HUDA City Centre, (earlier being Qutab Minar for some trains). Thus, the frequency of trains between Qutab Minar-HUDA City Centre has also increased from 4 minutes 11 seconds to 2 minutes 47 seconds.”

The frequency of trains on the Red Line has also increased from 3 minutes 20 seconds to 3 minutes 6 seconds. On Delhi Metro Blue line, the frequency of trains has increased from 2 minutes 46 sec to 2 minutes 40 sec.

The increase in the number of trains has also resulted in the increase in total number of train trips on these lines. On the Red Line, 25 more trips are done whereas the numbers have drastically increased to 43 additional trips on the Blue Line. The total train trips have increased from 3650 to 3735 across the network, including the fully operational Magenta Line.

With These 10 Weekend Getaways From Delhi Under 5k, Budget Is No More A Constraint

Often the monotonous routine gets to us! To rejuvenate your weary body and mind, there is no better therapy than travel. If you can’t manage a long vacation, make use of the weekends. As you kickstart 2017, pledge to explore and breathe in the natural beauty of small towns of India. With these 10 awesome weekend getaways under 5k you no more need to think about budget constraints while planning an escape.

Weekend getaways under 5k from Delhi

1.   Jaipur – Flaunting the heritage of Rajasthan

Jaipur- Pink City

The Pink City – Jaipur – is also the capital of Rajasthan. It exhibits the essence of Rajasthani heritage, right from its history to the flavorsome local food. And it is one of the best weekend getaways from Delhi for culture vultures, art aficionados, and history lovers.

Distance from Delhi: 288 km (5 hours and 30 minutes)

Key attractions: Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, and Nahargarh Fort

Average trip cost: INR 3,000 per person per day (With meals, transport, and accommodation)

Best budget place to stay: Roadhouse Hostel @ INR 499 per person per night onward 

2. Rishikesh – Mountains, Ganges, and a whole lot of adventure

Rishikesh

Rishikesh attracts a large variety of tourists, but the primary attraction here is adventure. Right from camping and rafting to bungee, there is a lot you can do here. At the same time, it is also a soulful city where the holy Ganges flows and the tinkle of temple bells sanctify the aura.

One of the best weekend getaways from Delhi under 5000/-( Five Thousand only), it offers a lot to explore for adventure-junkies, spiritual seekers, and nature lovers.

Distance from Delhi: 242 km (6 hours)

Key attractions: River rafting, bungee jumping, and cliff jumping. Cafes near Lakshman Jhula offer delicious food at reasonable rates.

Average trip cost: INR 3,500 per person for 2 days (With meals, transport, accommodation and rafting charges)

Best budget place to stay: Bunk Stay @ INR 399 per person per night onward

3. Bir Billing – Most popular paragliding destination near Delhi

Bir Billing - Paragliding Destination

Paragliding in Bir Billing features in almost every adventurer’s bucket list.

Realize your dream by planning a weekend getaway to this beautiful town of Himachal. This Himalayan getaway is also known for housing a number of Tibetan monasteries and Stupas.

Distance from Delhi: 517 km (10 hours)

Key attractions: Paragliding, Chokling Monastery, Sherab Ling Monastery, and Bir Tea Factory

Average trip cost: INR 4,000 per person for 2 days (with meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing)

Best place to stay: Shivalik Guest House @ INR 1,539 for two people per night onward

4. Manali – Gateway to other heavenly locations like Spiti 

Manali - Gateway of other haven

Manali is one of the most famous hill stations in India. The town acts as a gateways to other picturesque locations like Lahaul, Spiti, and Leh. With crystal clear River Beas flowing through the mountainscape, it is the ideal destination for a quick escape. Doable with just 5000/- (Five thousand only) in your pocket, it is also a great pick for a trip with friends.

Distance from Delhi: 537 km (11 hours)

Key attractions: Adventure activities like paragliding, rafting, & skiing and tourist attractions such as Hadimba Temple and Rohtang Pass. No wonder Manali is among the best places to try adventure sports in India.

Average trip cost: INR 4,000 per person for 2 days (With meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing) 

Best budget place to stay in Manali: The Lost Tribe Hostel @ INR 299 per person per night onwards

5. Jim Corbett – Habitat of Bengal tigers

Jim Corbett National Park is among famed national parks in India, and one of the ideal weekend getaways from Delhi for the wildlife-enthusiasts. On a trip to Jim Corbett, you get to spot over 580 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals.

Distance from Delhi: 246 km (5 hours and 30 minutes)

Key attractions: Jim Corbett National Park is known for being home to the Royal Bengal Tigers. Indian elephants, spotted deer, golden jackal, Himalayan black bear, and leopard cats are among other animals you may spot while on a jungle safari. Corbett Museum, and Corbett Falls are added attractions.

Average trip cost: INR 4,000 per person for 2 days (with meals, transport, accommodation and entry charges)

Best budget place to stay in Jim Corbett: Jungle Lore @ INR 3000 for two people per night onwards

6. Shimla – Colonial charm amalgamated with nature’s pristinity

Shimla - Colonial Charm

The Queen of Hills and the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla boasts of British charmand natural beauty at its best. It continues to be among popular tourist places and getaways near Delhi. Forests, shops, temples, or even a developed township, Shimla has it all!

Distance from Delhi: 323 km (7 hours)

Key attractions: Mall Road is one of the best places to visit in Shimla. Other attractions are Indian Institute of Advanced Studies,

Average trip cost: INR 4,000 per person for 2 days (with meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing)

Best budget place to stay in Shimla: Aapo Aap Home Stay @ INR 1,200 for two people per night onwards

7. Agra – The city of the Taj

Agra - City of Taj

The City of Taj, Agra is the place that attracts tourist around the globe. After all, who wouldn’t want to steal a glimpse of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal!Agra proudly forms the Golden Triangle Circuit of India, which consists of three cities – Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur.

Distance from Delhi: 233 km (4 hours and 30 minutes)

Key attractions: Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort

Average trip cost: INR 4,000 per person per day (with meals, transport, accommodation and entry charges)

Best place to stay: Zostel Hostel @ INR 499 per person per night onwards

8. Mcleodganj – Tibetan culture, nature, and hippie vibes

Mcleodganj

Mcleodganj or the Little Lhasa is tucked in Kangra District of Himachal. Embraced with nature and sprinkled with Tibetan ethnicity, it is one of the best weekend getaways from Delhi that can be easily planned in 5k. Monasteries, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and even the local cafes give an insight to the Tibetan culture.

Distance from Delhi: 488 km (9 hours)

Key attractions: Monastery visits, shopping, cafe-hopping, Yoga and trek to Triund are some of the best things to do in Mcleodganj.

Average trip cost: INR 5,000 per person for 2 days (With meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing)

Best place to stay: Backpackers Inn @ INR 800 per person per night onwards

9. Kasol – Laid back yet energetic

Kasol is a tiny village in Kullu, perched right beside the glistening Parvati River. Besides natural beauty, it offers a number of easy to moderate treks, lovely cafes for foodies, and a lot of serenity..

Distance from Delhi: 519 km (11 hours)

Key attractions: Camping in Kasol, a visit to Tosh, Kheerganga trek and cafe-hopping

Average trip cost: INR 5,000 per person for 2 days (with meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing)

Best budget place to stay in Kasol: Hosteller @ INR 299 per person per night onwards

10. Udaipur – Forts & lakes narrating tales of history

Udaipur – the City of Lakes, hypnotizes with its history and remnants that flaunt immaculate sculpting and intricate carving. Beautiful lakes elevate the charm of city to a whole new level. shopping in Udaipur is an affair filled with vibrant, colorful knick knacks and more. There’s never an end to what you can indulge in here; watch the sunset on a boat,uncover the mysteries as you take a heritage walk across the various attractions of Udaipur.

Distance from Delhi: 663 km (11 hours)

Key attractions: The lakes of Udaipur are, undoubtedly, a key attraction and taking a sunset boat cruise is among the best things to do in Udaipur.

Average trip cost: INR 5,000 per person for 2 days (With meals, transport, accommodation and sightseeing)

Best place to stay: Bunkyard @ INR 449 per person per night onwards

Famous Places in Delhi for the History Lovers

India Gate 

Delhi has been the capital of many dynasties over the period of time. From the Pandavas of the Hindu epic Mahabharata to the Narendra Modi-led BJP of the present day political scenario, the current capital of India has seen many rulers come and go. Many of these rulers got new forts, palaces, and establishments constructed. Today, these historical places in Delhi form the highlight of the sightseeing tours of the capital, popularly known as Delhi Darshan.

With a history that spans over a millennium, it is only normal to have a long list of historical places. But to try and summarize, we bring to you a comprehensive list of famous places in Delhi that speak volumes about the history of the Indian capital.

So a close buddy is visiting Delhi for the first time and you are excited yet confused about showing him the tourist places in Delhi. Not your fault. The long list of tourist attractions in Delhi often gives nightmares to most established trip planners.
Chill!

MONUMENTS and TEMPLES

1. The grand ‘Red Fort’

The grand  'Red Fort'

The Red Fort is an epitome of the Mughal era in India and is the face of tourist attractions in Delhi. Built in 1638, it is an outstanding marvel of Mughal architecture made of red sand stone. Within its magnanimous walls, the chhata bazaar and an every evening sound and light show are special attractions.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians, and INR 250 for foreigners

Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays

Must visit: Digambar Jain Mandir, Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Paranthe wali Gali nearby

2. The glorious ‘India Gate’

India Gate is one monument that defines Delhi or India for that matter. It was built in 1931 as a memorial for martyrs of World War I and war in Afghanistan. At Rajpath, the structure looks amazing in evening lights. The gardens that line the structure are a must visit among the sightseeing places in Delhi.

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: Always open

Must visit: National Gallery of Modern Art

3. The architectural beauty called ‘Rashtrapati Bhawan’

Rashtrapati Bhawan

On the opposite of the Rajpath is residence of the President of India. Not among the typical tourist places in Delhi, access to this grand piece of architecture is restricted. With four floors and 340 rooms in a floor area of 200,000 square feet, it has a huge presidential gardens (Mughal Gardens), large open spaces, residences of bodyguards and staff, stables, other offices and utilities within its perimeter walls. Just a walk past the monument will give you the idea of how grand the monument is.

Opening hours: 9 am till late evening. For an inside visit, one can pre book at the official Rashtrapati Bhawan website.

Must visit: Stroll through the road and you will get a glimpse of Parliament House, National Secretariat and Defence Headquarters

4. The mysterious ruins of ‘Qutub Minar’

'Qutub Minar'

Among the other places to visit in Delhi, Qutub Minar stands tall with its 73 meter tall brick minaret. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the structure has five stories abundant with chiseled carvings and scriptures.

Entry fee: Free for children under 15, INR 10 for Indians INR 250 for foreigners

Opening hours: Sunrise until sunset, Closed on Mondays

Must visit: Chhatarpur Temple

5. The equinoctial sundial called ‘Jantar Mantar’

'Jantar Mantar'

Constructed in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory. Fascinating for their ingenuity, the instruments at Jantar Mantar can no longer be used accurately because of the tall buildings around. However, a visit to admire the science of Indian astronomy makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi.

Entry fee: INR 5

Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset

Must visit: Central Park in Connaught Place and get a selfie with the largest Tiranga

Must Read: 10 Less Popular Places In Delhi, That Have Been Ignored For Long

6. The first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent: ‘Humayun’s Tomb’

A world heritage site under UNESCO, the Humayun’s Tomb was built in 1570 by Humayun’s wife Haji Begum. It is unarguably one of the most amazing works of Mughal Architecture to which Taj Mahal owes its design.

Entry fee: INR 10 for domestic and SAARC Visitors, INR 250 for others

Opening hours: Daily, up till sunset. Best viewed in the morning or a full moon evening.

Must visit: If on Thursday, walk to the Dargaah of Nizam-ud-din Auliya for a spiritual qawwali evening

7. The wonderful Swaminarayan ‘Akshardham Temple’

While sightseeing in Delhi, a visit is necessarily suggested to Swaminarayan Akshardham – one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. Built by the BAPS spiritual organization, it’s a stunning architectural work made of the pink stone and white marble.

Entry fee: Free, separate fee to view exhibitions

Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Closed on Mondays

8. ‘Chattarpur Temple’ for its wonderful architecture

Set amid the beautiful surroundings of South Delhi, Chattarpur is a popular temple founded in the 1970s by Sant Shree Nagpal Baba. This divine temple has an incredible architecture and it’s a perfect blend of north and south. There are beautiful statues of Shiv-Parvati, Ram-Darbar, Maa Katyayani, Radha-Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Hanuman.

Opening hours: 4:00 am – 11:00 pm

9. The stunning ‘ISKON Temple’

ISKCON is a spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. You can see the beautiful visual presentations of Bhagavad Gita with colourful lights that create wonderful effect on the huge screen. They also organize beautiful robotics and Mahabharata show during the evenings. There’s a simple Govinda’s restaurant inside the temple premises, where you get veg food.

Opening hours: 4:30 am to 8:30 pm

10. A remarkable landmark of Delhi: ‘Lotus (Bahai) Temple’

'Lotus (Bahai) Temple'

Famously known as the Lotus temple in the list of famous tourist places in Delhi, Lotus in the Bahai Temple symbolizes four religions namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam. This temple belongs to the Bahai faith which proclaims that all people and religions are united. Worshippers of every religion are welcomed here.

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: Rrom 9 am till sunset

Must visit: Kalkaji and ISKCON Temple nearby

11. One of the largest mosques in India called ‘Jama Masjid

Among the other tourist attractions in Delhi is the largest mosque in India–Jama Masjid. It can hold 25000 devotees at a time. It was Shah Jahan’s first architectural marvel. The mosque has four towers and the southern tower gives a stunning view of the city. You’ve to be dressed appropriately to enter the mosque. If not, rent an attire provided by the mosque authority.

Entry fee: Free, but videography fee is INR 300

Opening hours: Daily, 7 am-12 pm: 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. It is closed during prayers and the timings depends upon the direction of the moon

Must visit: Try Changezi chicken at Karim’s Hotel nearby

12. One of the oldest forts in Delhi: ‘Old Fort’ (Purana Quila)

In the list of places to visit in Delhi, Purana Quila is one of the most ancient grandeurs of the city. With rectangular dimensions, it spreads over a circuit of nearly 2 kilometers. Boating in the lake nearby and a sound and light show in the evening are special attractions.

Entry fee: INR 5 for domestic, INR 100 for foreigners

Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm

Must visit: National Zoo and Supreme Court Museum nearby

13. The holy ‘Bangla Sahib Gurudwara’

With the gurgling sarovar inside its complex, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783. The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital.

Entry Fee: Free

Opening hours: Everyday

Must visit: Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, Birla Mandir and St Cathedral Church nearby if you are on a sightseeing in Delhi

14. A memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi: ‘Raj Ghat’

Gandhi Smriti shows you the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The room is exactly how Gandhiji left it and that’s where he built his abode for 144 days until his time of death. The room where he slept and the prayer ground is open to the public. It also has a display of paintings, sculptures, etc. On the other side of the road is Raj Ghat. Overall, if you want to pay your respects to Gandhiji and the work he did for India, then this is one of the best places to visit in Delhi.

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Closed on Mondays

Must visit: Feroz Shah Kotla fort

15. The gorgeous ruins of ‘Hauz Khas Fort’ and the happening village

The Hauz Khas Fort Complex rests amidst the splendid beauty of a lake and is a 10 pointer among the very famous tourist places in Delhi. Firoz Shah Tughlaq re–excavated the silted tank and cleared the channels to give shape to what is a famous recreational spot in South Delhi. Built in the 13th century, is a hub of activities, a bird-watcher’s delight and a favored picnic spot for the locals.

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset

Must visit: Green Park (attached to the fort)

16. The haunted ‘Agrasen Ki Baoli’

Agrasen Ki Baoli, which is also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli is one of the coolest places to visit in Delhi. It became quite popular after Amir Khan’s PK movie and on the other hand is also infamous for its haunted activities at night. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide step well in Connaught Place attracts many. You must pay a visit to this place while exploring the lanes of CP.

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm