Distill India: Explore Art and Architecture in Delhi in One Day

Old Delhi

India is a country which truly leaves a multi-layered sensory impact on your soul and heart. The richness of architecture, history, spices, colors and noise is an emotional attack on all senses.  

When you arrive in Delhi and only have 1 day to explore, I recommend visiting the following sights-if you have already explored Qutub Minar and the India Gate and the must-see Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. If you have already seen the must-visit sites, what is next?

1. The Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India, across from the Red Fort, just a few miles north of Connaught Place. It was built between 1644 and 1656 in the Mughal style of architecture with its Islamic, Indian and Persian influences, and is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, constructed by over 5,000 laborers. Tall minaret towers and domes can be seen for miles.  3 monumental gates face east, south and north, with the west side facing Mecca, and served as the Royal mosque until the British take-over in 1857. It is best to start your day here early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. At the gate you need to rent an attire to cover your head, legs and shoulders, leave your shoes (you pay 100 Rupees extra to get a “keeper” to watch your shoes) and pay a camera fee of 300 Rupees whether you have a camera or just a smartphone- before entering the large courtyard which can accommodate more than 25,000 people. The architecture is stunning, with large red sandstone domes and vaulted ceilings with crystal chandeliers and the massive ornamental gates.

Across from the mosque is the Red Fort, but it is not that impressive and has a hefty entrance fee of 500 Rupees for foreigners. Agra Fort is much more impressive.

Chandni Chowk-Old City of Delhi

2. Chandni Chowk

Outside the mosque you can rent a bicycle rickshaw to take you into the walled old city of Delhi, Chandni Chowk, which is insanely jammed and jumbled, but definitely worth a visit. The bicycle rickshaw will take you through narrow alley ways covered by a myriad of electric wires, cows, and vendors: a rich visual impact, with a noise level to accompany it.

The bicycle rickshaw drivers are fearless, passing cars, people and cows with barely a hair space in-between. Forget about bringing your big camera, just try to shoot from your smartphone. In the morning a spice market and flower market add abundant colors. Guides will tell you this is the worlds largest spice market, but I have traveled to other countries with far larger spice market halls, here they are individual shopkeepers’ stalls. As the old city is so dense, I highly recommend the rickshaw instead of a walking tour.

3. The Sikh Temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

The temple near Connaught Place is quite interesting, with its shrine, ponds and large communal kitchen feeding over 2,500 people for free a day, 24-7, but is not as interesting from an architectural point of view. If you have time you can walk through the large kitchen staffed by devout volunteers or enjoy a free meal seated on the large square with people from all over the world.

Sikh Temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

24-7 communal kitchen serving free food to anyone

4. Agrasen Ki Baoli

This is a startling centuries old marvel: a monumental historic step well which is 60-meter-long and 15-meter-wide. It hides in plain sight behind modern high rises near Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, the observatory site. Walking through an unassuming gateway the old stone steps cascade 4 levels down into the earth, excavated by hand hundreds of years before the machine age. This is a startling view: we are used to look up at architecture, not looking down, which adds to the breathtaking power. If you are jetlagged it has a dizzying effect on your senses. Probably built around late 14th Century. The niched corridors running along both sides offered cool retreat with water just a few feet away and were in the old days a welcome oasis, built far outside the old city of Delhi. Today it is a hidden architectural jewel. Thousands of step wells were built around India around 600 CE but fell in disuse with the invention of water pumps and plumbing.

Agrasen Ki Baoli: Ancient step well

Nearby Jantar Mantar Observatory  is impressive, but if you are planning to visit Jaipur you will find a more advanced observatory site there.

5. Connaught Place

Located in New Delhi’s central business district. Built in 1933 by the British, it consists of 3 rings of the colonnaded white Georgian style classical buildings, which are now are full of shops, bars and restaurants, with most of the action at the outer circle.

6. Delhi’s hippest neighborhood Hauz Khas Village

This is further away in South Delhi, about 50 min. drive from Connaught Place, but has a fascinating history dating back to the 13th century. Today the urban residential village is filled with chic tiny boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars; a peaceful and safe refuge even for single female travelers with a cool, hip ambiance during the day. The area also includes a fort, a madrasa, mosque and a deer park. A great place to check into gorgeous Indian wedding fashion, art and ancient jewelry. A place to enjoy for hours after visiting the crowded must-see sites.  

Hauz Khaz by night-unknown source

 “India is a country which truly leaves a multi-layered sensory impact on your soul and heart”