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.
Moving into a new apartment seems to be overwhelming. But, finding a perfect apartment that fits both your lifestyle and budget won’t be easy. Finding a good home on rent for the next few years involves dealing with brokers, settling rent, sorting out the legalese, building a good rapport with the owner, and what not!
Usually, we overlook some of the must-haves while choosing a place to live. We have compiled the process for you, step by step. So, let’s take you through where to look for a suitable place, how to rent, what to consider before renting, and more:
Where you live is as important as the layout of your apartment. You may find a beautiful apartment at an affordable monthly rent but what if it is located somewhere there is negligible public transport connectivity? Make sure to find a home that provides seamless last-mile connectivity to the important areas of the city, especially your workplace, markets, hospitals, schools, etc.
Shortlist the area that is important for you like the workplace. Accordingly, look for locality and society around. This will help you avoid wasting time touring various apartments that just won’t work.
Whether you are moving out of your childhood home or rented apartment, you will surely bring a lot of stuff with you to your new flat. You must have collected a lot of memorabilia over your life thus far. It will be good to have an honest conversation with yourself about whether you're holding onto certain things because they're useful or because you are emotionally attached to them so can’t leave them and go. Also, you are moving with the family of how many people or you will be staying solo. This will help you make a better decision of what kind of apartment will be perfect for you - a studio apartment, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or 3 bedrooms, multi-level unit, or some other setup.
You can’t go out and say yes to the very first apartment that you have visited to take on rent. It’s also not easy to find a perfect place with all the essential amenities that fit your lifestyle like a Modular kitchen, high-quality electrical fittings, a good outdoor area, elevator, security, gym, and more in just one go. Give an extra effort to check that the apartment has everything you need before signing the lease.
Also, sometimes it is quite annoying to lug your office bag, and groceries if there is a long walk from the car to your home. Check in advance that is there a designated parking facility available and if not then where you can park your vehicle safely.
Firstly, think twice if you can reasonably afford to live here. If yes, then before seriously considering a house/apartment, consider your monthly budget. Also, before finalizing, conduct a bit of online research, visit the various brokers around, and communicate with the people living nearby to get a sense of the genuine rental rates in the neighbourhood. This will help you save money and from paying extra.
Renting a property in India is not easy, as you not only have to keep minimum 3 months’ rent saved in advance before moving in but also have to pay a security deposit which may vary from one month to six months depending on the kind of property you are renting – furnished or unfurnished and the locality. Make sure to check about the deposit amount with the landlord before you plan to rent the property. However, this amount is refundable and sometimes adjusted in the monthly rent with the mutual understanding between both parties at the time tenant vacates the apartment. In case the tenant vacates the property without prior notice to the landlord, utility bills are not cleared or any damage to the property is done then it is considered as the compensation amount.
However, if you are renting an apartment through any mediator (broker), please check the amount of brokerage you will suppose to pay to rent a flat/apartment. Don’t forget to negotiate the brokerage amount.
After you have moved in, rent is not your only financial obligation. You have to pay for the utilities such as water, sewer, cleaning, garbage, and maintenance throughout the time you will live there. Before signing the lease, double-check with your landlord about who will pay for what.
What if you have a perfect luxurious apartment but the locality you are staying in is putting a bad impact on you and your child’s personality and behaviour? Before renting do carefully consider the locality and potential neighbours. Walk around society and have a word with people about their experiences. This will help you get a sense of the place and the people living around it.
Prevent conflicts later between the two parties by spelling out everything of relevance in the contract. Before signing the contract you as a tenant must visit the property and conduct a proper asset condition assessment and read the terms and conditions in the agreement carefully. The agreement should mention the following:
A legal contract on a stamp paper duly registered with the local authority with all the terms and conditions put across is a must whether you are giving your property for rent or you are renting a property. It makes the process smooth and appropriate for both the parties - landlord and tenant.
Don’t rush into making a decision, consider all the aspects carefully so that you won’t regret it later!