Filled with tourists throughout the year from all parts of the world, the super famous Delhi needs no introduction. It has much in store for you that won’t stop amusing you right from its rich heritage and culture to bustling markets, magnificent monuments, beautiful gardens, temples, parks, and museums. Don’t believe us! Go get your bags packed and leave right away to be mesmerized by the beauty of the city-Delhi which is often said to be “Dilwalon ki Dilli”.
So here goes the list of some places that you must visit in Delhi:
Not always red. Yes, you heard it right, the magnificent Red Fort was made of white limestone which was later painted in red when the color started chipping off. It is the most significant monument that spells the story of India’s freedom struggle. Since 1947, every year on 15 August the Prime Minister has hoisted the tricolor to honor the freedom fighters and their sacrifices. The image of the Red Fort on the back of the 500 Rupee note symbolizes India’s Independence.
Delhi is the home of the world’s tallest brick minaret. Yes, it’s Qutb Minar which lies at the site of Delhi’s oldest fortified city Lal Kot. Built using red sandstone and marble by Qutub-al-Din Aibak it still stands tall today and is a popular tourist spot. A picture of the minaret is featured on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation travel cards and tokens.
India Gate is known as the largest war memorial in India. It is dedicated to Indian and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and Third Anglo-Afghan War. Just beneath the archway stands the Amar Jawan Jyoti which has been kept burning since 2019 and has now been shifted to the National War Memorial by our honorable Prime Minister-Narendra Modi to pay homage to the fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for Independent India. Recently, he also unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the India Gate during the inauguration of Kartavya Path which was earlier known as Rajpath.
A sightseeing tour in Delhi is incomplete without the visit to the architectural marvel – “Akshardham”. It is a fantastic site with unbelievable architecture, a great fountain light and sound show, a diorama, and more. Built from carved sandstone and marble, it displays the millennia of traditional modern Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The temple has won the title of the world’s largest Hindu temple in the Guinness Book of World Records. Its complex houses lush green open gardens, water bodies, step–well, and bronze statues of various Indian heroes, patriots, and warriors. Above all is the idol of Lord Swaminarayan which is the prime attraction.
Don’t forget to add Lotus Temple to your Delhi sightseeing itinerary. The experience will be worth remembering as it is the only temple which is dedicated to the Baha’i religion in Asia. Its unique flowerlike architecture with white petals of lotus neatly arranged side by side makes it look stunning even from a distance. The all-inclusiveness of the temple goes further than this: there is a beautiful garden and a pond within the complex. The temple is open to all religions, races, or gender. It has won numerous awards and rewards for its mesmerizing architecture.
If you have a kid along during your Delhi tour then this place is a must-visit. Here you will have a wonderful time watching some special attractions of the Zoo like the Jaguar, Sangai, White tiger, Gaur, Lion-tailed Macaque, migratory birds during winters, exotic birds like the Great Indian Hornbill, and reptiles like the Indian Sand Boa, and Indian Cobra. There are around 200 varieties of trees in the Zoo which gives the animals and birds an environment that resembles their natural habitat.
Out of all the tourist places to visit in Delhi, Chandani chowk is the most popular that you won’t be able to miss. Despite the crowd, and narrow lanes, still you should visit here to feel the pulse of the city. The busy shopping area is full of spices, dry fruits, jewelry, and saris, while the narrow streets are crowded with small shops selling handicrafts, traditional Indian sweets, essential oils, and more. Like most of the things in Delhi, this place also has historical significance as it is one of the oldest markets. Not to miss is the grandest street food in the famous Paranthewali Gali.
It resembles a traditional village fair where all that is beautiful, artistic, exotic, and tasty is available. Artisans and craftsmen from different parts of India showcase their handicrafts, handloom products, traditional crafts, metal crafts, and decoration pieces. And most of all is the variety of cuisines from all over India in one place which is a perfect end to your evening.
A popular religious place visited not just by the Sikh community but the masses. The Gurudwara complex consists of a lovely Sarovar, a school, a library, and a hospital museum. It can be recognized from a distance by its golden dome and tall flagpole. The Langar Parshad and quotes of Gurbani should not be missed.
If you love shopping and strolling across the streets then this place is a must-visit for you. Swanky stores, globally renowned brands, food chains, bars, and restaurants are the perfect attractions that will bring your nightlife to life. A visit here is incomplete without a walk in Central Park where the National Flag of India grabs the attention.
Though these are some of the main attractions of Delhi. But the long list continues with many more attractions like Humayun’s tomb, Lodhi garden, Rail Museum, Nizamuddin Dargah, Mughal garden, and Jama masjid that are worth visiting.
Once you have shortlisted a few buyer’s agents, the harder task is now to finalize one. Asking these questions can help with finalizing one:
Do you pocessesses valid licenses to operate in this area?
Under Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) 2016, it is mandatory for every real estate agent to get a registration certificate and license. In addition, a state can have additional license requirements for real estate agents to provide their services or run their business in the state. So, first make aware of such license requirements for real estate agents in your state so that you can verify if the real estate agent you are interviewing processes those licenses.
How long the person is in the market and how many property deals the person has closed in the past?
Experience matters in the real estate business. An agent with good knowledge of the market in your area can negotiate better with the seller and finalize a better deal for you. Also, an experienced realtor can take you to the front of the line when multiple buyers want the same house. Request a few names of the clients who recently purchased property with them, and contact those customers to ask about their experiences.
What strategy will they use to find the house, what will be their role after purchase is complete and what will be their style of communication?
It’s important to know how much time they will dedicate to find the house and how often you will hear back from them. Are you going to work directly with them and their assistant? What will be your work after the purchase is completed? A good buyer agent, even after property purchase is completed, helps further to connect with a good contractor/ handy-man to get property ready for you to move-in. So, the answer to these questions will give a good idea of their working style and if that suits your needs or not.
How is the agent going to make sure that the property seller and the property itself is genuine?
There are few ways to make sure that the seller is the genuine owner or has rights to sell the property. Buyers agents are usually well connected with municipal office employees and quickly able to find out about the status of the property. They should make sure there are no active loans on the property and the owner has the original deed of the property. If you are planning to take a loan to purchase the property, they make sure the property is free from any restrictions which prevent you from getting a loan. For example: Usually banks don't provide loans on property built on farmland.
How much will they charge or what’s their commission?
There is no written regulation over the charges of a Real estate Agent, but usually realtors have commission based charges. The most common fee that has been observed is 2% of the property closing cost. But the commission can vary anywhere between 1% - 4%. So, here negotiations skills can help you to fix the commission amount that best fits your needs.
Working with a realtor is an extremely personal journey. You have to be able to share all your wants and needs and have them guide you with their years of experience with the real estate market. Buyer agents cared for your needs like family, pointed out things good and bad, made the entire process really smooth for you. So, it's very important that you ask the right questions and only after being completely satisfied with their responses, you finalize one.