Your Delhi tour starts here
We take the Games’ tourists on a guided tour to Old Delhi.
Are you a part of the Commonwealth Games delegation? Are you a tourist currently visiting the city due to the Games? If your answer is yes, why not take a walk in Chandni Chowk — Old Delhi’s most famous street, after watching all the matches of the day? Here, we guide you through the lanes of this old city.
The walk begins from the Mughal-era Red Fort. Look to your left. The red-coloured building is Digambar Jain Mandir, famous for its birds’ hospital. On the right stands what used to be Fort View Hotel — yellowed, yet majestic. It’s now home to a Sony showroom and a multiplex. Step in to watch the latest Bollywood flick.
Both sides of the
bazaar
’s street are lined with showrooms selling everything, right from undergarments to saris. Many Delhiites come here for their wedding shopping. Sneak inside the Chhabra Saree Emporium (488-489 Katra Asharafi) and check out their sarees. Perhaps you may buy one as a Delhi keepsake. Amid a clutter of shops, don’t forget to check out two stately buildings — the Baptist Church and the State Bank of India building. But of course, you can’t miss the Seesganj Gurdwara with its gold plated dome. Visit the gurdwara to listen to Sikh holy songs. Also, try the delicious
halwa
, the holy
prashad
.
Talking of food, Chandni Chowk’s ‘Old, Famous Jalebi walla’ is just a few steps away. The entry to Paratha Waali Galli, too, is close by. If your stomach has grown immune to the Delhi belly, eat their delicious deep-fried
parathas
. Try the one stuffed with tomatoes. If you are the daring types, go for the paratha stuffed with green chillies. Haldiram’s
mithai
shop, famous for its sweets, is on the other side of the road. Close to it, is the Natraj chaat stalls, famous for its
dahi bhallas
.
If you walk straight, you will soon spot the Town Hall building on the right. The vast ground in front of it teems with pigeons. Delhiities go there to feed the birds. Further ahead, you will walk past some of Old Delhi’s most beautiful mansions, including the romantic-looking weather-beaten Lala Channamal ki Haveli. A few steps ahead, you reach the Amritsari
lassi
stall. Its sweet yoghurt drinks in various flavours, are delicious and fulfilling. Next is the graceful Fatehpuri Masjid. Here, Chandni Chowk ends.
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