Go on, go spend two glorious days in New Delhi

I love India, I have been more than 20 times in this little life.

And Delhi has always been a place that I simply cannot get enough of. It’s been my stop to get to Rishikesh and my favorite ashram (to find myself, again and again), or to head down south to the beaches of Kerala. Or, of course, to Rajasthan where I have spent a lot of time at the Aman Resorts finding some more peace. But coming through New Delhi always thrills a deep composed part of me, something about that city in all its flair, and ancient wisdom sticks to me just like its fragrant air.

A stronghold of power in the world for centuries, New Delhi has now reinvented itself (yet again ) as the indulgent princess of India, with all things new. And so it is sparking life in the country’s timeworn capital that has always been packed with ancient monuments, mosques, markets, and forts. 

From the vantage point of a rickshaw the city’s sites are complimented with the noise, smells and chaos associated so expectantly. But New Delhi never ceases to dazzle as the old world gets refreshed with the new world; and the clearest indication here are the hordes of construction cranes around and black SUVs cruising the city. 

MUST-SEES

What we know to be Old Delhi is an area inhabited before the second millennium BC, and is believed to be the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’. Some of the architectural relics date back to the Maurya period, c. 300 BC, and now forms part of this ever-changing metropolis that’s best seen from the express rickshaws parading the streets. 

All this history gives way to sites like the Qila Rai Pithora fort built in the 12th century, the iron pillar of Delhi from the Gupta Empire and the UNESCO Heritage site of the Red Fort that was built in 1648 around the central part of this enormous city. 

New Delhi, a planned city, had its foundation stone laid during the Delhi Durbar of 1911 and was inaugurated in 1931 as designed by British architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker. At the time British supremacy was the game, and for the most parts the early development of this part of the city reflects this history in its design and architecture: like the residence of the President Rashtrapati Bhava on the assuagement of the Buddha Jayanti Park. 

Today we have New Delhi as the official name for the greater metropolis that is surrounding all of the city.  

TOUR THE NEW WORLD

Even though the city sports some of the oldest buildings on the planet, including the Qutub Minar brick minaret built in 1206, it seems to be some of the newer buildings that are attracting visitors today and becoming heritage buildings in their own right. Like the ever-current Lotus Temple, a Bahá'í House of Worship, famed for its flowerlike nine-sided circular formation and structural engineering complexity, also the National Museum in Janpath with 200,000 artworks covering over 5000 years. But the colonial center, Connaught Place, the financial and commercial hub of the city, is where the action of the city congregates in its circular design. 

Lotus Temple

And then with a host of fabulous design focused hotels (with plenty of dining options) like The Scarlette, The Roseate, the new Oberoi, The Andaz, The Leela Palace, all vying for the spotlight - the city is no longer an alternative to its Bollywood cousin Mumbai, but larger than life in its own right. 

Leela Palace

GET INTO ART

South Delhi is a haven for the contemporary art world with galleries constantly opening and attracting a younger set of buyers. Located in a loop around the Siri Fort and Saidul Ajaib and Lajpat Nagar metro station the many venues range from grand and expensive, to discreet and intimate. With India’s new presence at the world’s art fairs, art has become one of its newest areas of exploration for visitors to the city – to see and of course to purchase. Also right here is a guide to all the best the entire country has to offer museum wise - curated by museum curators.  

SHOP TIL YOU DROP

‘Rodeo Drive of the East’ Prithviraj Road, with the Oberoi Hotel to its east and the DLF Emporio, the city’s first zoned luxury mall, to its west, has become the most sought after area in the city. With some designer boutique stores and all the major brands, from Piaget to Hermes, nesting around the greater area this is where the city comes to find their touch of luxury. 

After all the activity filling the material dreams is where the nearby Lodi Gardens offer a refuge. Built during British rule, the park contains tombs of 15th century rules of the area and the 90 acres is a favorite for Delhiites’ early morning walks - the perfect quiet moment. 

INTERESTING NEW PLACES TO EXPLORE

Find yourself roaming around the rising areas of Lado Sarai, Hauz Khas Village (a design oasis if ever), plus Mehrauli’s Style Mile (as locals call it). Also Champa Gali where it’s boho chic meets street art - a perfect place to hang at a cafe and do a little hipster shopping. 

Also if you need a drink, make sure you make friends at the oh-so-queer bar, Kitty Su (at The Lalit Hotel).