India Gate - Most special Monument around Lutyens Delhi & the largest War Memorial in India that reminds of Indian warriors who lost their lives for the country

India Gate is a place which I visited the most amongst all other monuments and touristy places in Delhi. and there are millions of Delhi people like me who have spent good amount of time walking around India Gate. There are lot of reasons for India Gate being so popular in many ways. One of the key reasons I think is it's accessibility in Lutyens Delhi and it's beautiful surroundings.

India Gate is a place which I visited the most amongst all other monuments and touristy places in Delhi. and there are millions of Delhi people like me who have spent good amount of time walking around India Gate. There are lot of reasons for India Gate being so popular in many ways. One of the key reasons I think is it's accessibility in Lutyens Delhi and it's beautiful surroundings. 

Apart from the nigh clubs and pubs, there is another place in Delhi that comes alive at night. It is right at the heart of the city, India Gate. However, unlike pubs and clubs, most people are there to spend time with their families. The whole area is vibrant with Children, Newlyweds, joint families and amongst them all, hawkers to sell some of the Delhi's famed streetside food. You can also see dotted here and there some policemen to ensure nothing shady happens in the bushes.

Apart from the nigh clubs and pubs, there is another place in Delhi that comes alive at night. It is right at the heart of the city, India Gate. However, unlike pubs and clubs, most people are there to spend time with their families. The whole area is vibrant with Children, Newlyweds, joint families and amongst them all, hawkers to sell some of the Delhi's famed streetside food. You can also see dotted here and there some policemen to ensure nothing shady happens in the bushes.

I vividly remember those early days when I moved to Delhi from Himachal Pradesh in 2005. Some of the friends and family made me visit India Gate very frequently. This was a place for planning weekend picnics and late evening get-togethers. There are enough parkings around India Gate, it's octagonal road and connecting roads. It's recommended to park your vehicle in paid parking close to India Gate. It may take some time in queue but safer.
I vividly remember those early days when I moved to Delhi from Himachal Pradesh in 2005. Some of the friends and family made me visit India Gate very frequently. This was a place for planning weekend picnics and late evening get-togethers. There are enough parkings around India Gate, it's octagonal road and connecting roads. It's recommended to park your vehicle in paid parking close to India Gate. It may take some time in queue but safer. 

India Gate is that one place in Delhi that symbolizes patriotism, the "coolness" factor, the common man, and the top bureaucracy, peace, and struggle, all at one go?

India Gate is that one place in Delhi that symbolizes patriotism, the "coolness" factor, the common man, and the top bureaucracy, peace, and struggle, all at one go?

India Gate is that one place in Delhi that symbolizes patriotism, the "coolness" factor, the common man, and the top bureaucracy, peace, and struggle, all at one go?




The simple, yet imposing, structure, the India Gate is also home to the Amar Jawan Jyoti - the eternal flame that is kept alight in the memory of soldiers who were martyred in the various wars and during India's struggle for freedom. India Gate is also at the centre of the annual Republic Day Parade in Delhi, which fills every Indian's heart with pride and also showcases the strength of Indian Armed Forces to the world.


The simple, yet imposing, structure, the India Gate is also home to the Amar Jawan Jyoti - the eternal flame that is kept alight in the memory of soldiers who were martyred in the various wars and during India's struggle  for freedom. India Gate is also at the centre of the annual Republic Day Parade in Delhi, which fills every Indian's heart with pride and also showcases the strength of Indian Armed Forces to the world. 

Today, India Gate has also come to be known as the place where the common people of Delhi and beyond gather on a pleasant day or in evenings and hangout till late in the night munching on spicy bhelpuri, golgappe, and sweet potato chaat.

Today, India Gate has also come to be known as the place where the common people of Delhi and beyond gather on a pleasant day or in evenings and hangout till late in the night munching on spicy bhelpuri, golgappe, and sweet potato chaat. 

Today, India Gate has also come to be known as the place where the common people of Delhi and beyond gather on a pleasant day or in evenings and hangout till late in the night munching on spicy bhelpuri, golgappe, and sweet potato chaat.


It is the place where women-hawkers, draped in colorful Rajasthani or Haryanvi attire, sell trinkets to tourists, where patient young men lighten up the surroundings with magical soap-bubbles in an attempt to entice children into buying the soup solution and the bubble blower.
It is the place where women-hawkers, draped in colorful Rajasthani or Haryanvi attire, sell trinkets to tourists, where patient young men lighten up the surroundings with magical soap-bubbles in an attempt to entice children into buying the soup solution and the bubble blower. 

Tea-sellers roam the lawns with their shiny aluminium kettles selling tea to youngsters sitting on the green lawns, while photographers try to convince people to get their pictures clicked with India Gate in the background. The entire vista is bubbling with happiness and life. And this becomes even magical in the monsoons when the sky is clear and the puddles form everywhere offering opportunities to click spectacular reflections of India Gate.






























Tea-sellers roam the lawns with their shiny aluminium kettles selling tea to youngsters sitting on the green lawns, while photographers try to convince people to get their pictures clicked with India Gate in the background. The entire vista is bubbling with happiness and life. 

And this becomes even magical in the monsoons when the sky is clear and the puddles form everywhere offering opportunities to click spectacular reflections of India Gate. 


At India Gate, this gathering of common people is happening in the backdrop of the President's House. And this is what Delhi is all about - the land of contrasts and contradictions. Even though we are mighty proud of the pictures in this post, no picture can ever do justice to the enigma that is India Gate of today.

At India Gate, this gathering of common people is happening in the backdrop of the President's House. And this is what Delhi is all about - the land of contrasts and contradictions. Even though we are mighty proud of the pictures in this post, no picture can ever do justice to the enigma that is India Gate of today.  

India Gate is majestic and is surrounded by some of the most interesting buildings of Delhi. The whole area is under 24 hour security cover as it should be considering the President's house is just a few metres away. You don't expect such an area to be the party hub for middle-class Delhi Families. But it is!

India Gate is majestic and is surrounded by some of the most interesting buildings of Delhi. The whole area is under 24 hour security cover as it should be considering the President's house is just a few metres away. You don't expect such an area to be the party hub for middle-class Delhi Families. But it is!

The monument itself stands in memory of the brave soldiers who died fighting in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. If you look closely at the walls of the monument, you will see the names of all of the soldiers who lost their lives. And beneath the canopy an eternal flame known as the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" burns as a respect to the martyrs.

The monument itself stands in memory of the brave soldiers who died fighting  in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. If you look closely at the walls of the monument, you will see the names of all of the soldiers who lost their lives. And beneath the canopy an eternal flame known as the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" burns as a respect to the martyrs.
 
The area is also very busy in terms of the traffic on the road. All offices of Central Government are located around the complex and you can sense that you are dangerously near bureaucracy. :-)

The area is also very busy in terms of the traffic on the road. All offices of Central Government are located around the complex and you can sense that you are dangerously near bureaucracy. :-)

A female hawker selling some chips. They do find some buyers and it is good that these people get to earn their livings as well. The only problem is cleanliness. People find it too tough to walk to one of the abundant dustbins in the area to dispose of their plastic wastes and instead prefer to leave it lying in the green grass or on the roads

A female hawker selling some chips. They do find some buyers and it is good that these people get to earn their livings as well. The only problem is cleanliness. People find it too tough to walk to one of the abundant dustbins in the area to dispose of their plastic wastes and instead prefer to leave it lying in the green grass or on the roads.

Some golgappes (pani puri or puchke, if you belong to Mumbai or Kolkatta) on sale. Most of the golgappes available in this area are atta (wheat) golgappes. I prefer Suji (Semolina) golgappes instead. If you really want to taste Delhi ke Golgappe, this is not the place to start.

Some golgappes (pani puri or puchke, if you belong to Mumbai or Kolkatta) on sale. Most of the golgappes available in this area are atta (wheat) golgappes. I prefer Suji (Semolina) golgappes instead. If you really want to taste Delhi ke Golgappe, this is not the place to start.

The area is dotted with specimens of Lutyen's Architecture. The Gate itself was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen as were most of the buildings around this area. This part of Delhi has been referred to as Lutyens' Delhi in William Dalrymple's The City of Djinns.

The area is dotted with specimens of Lutyen's Architecture. The Gate itself was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen as were most of the buildings around this area. This part of Delhi has been referred to as Lutyens' Delhi in William Dalrymple's The City of Djinns.

A child holding the father's hand around India Gate in Delhi. There is no better way to discover your city. 

A child holding the father's hand around India Gate in Delhi. There is no better way to discover your city.

The joint families that I mentioned earlier. Its like a late night picnic and for some it extends to 2 AM in the morning. In my opinion, this is a much better way of having fun than drinking with friends and then driving under influence.

The joint families that I mentioned earlier. Its like a late night picnic and for some it extends to 2 AM in the morning. In my opinion, this is a much better way of having fun than drinking with friends and then driving under influence.

Another hawker selling potato chips and popcorns. There are so many of them that sometimes I feel that there are as many hawkers as there are people in this area. Hope everyone is able to earn their living because this one does look tired and kind of sad too.

Another hawker selling potato chips and popcorns. There are so many of them that sometimes I feel that there are as many hawkers as there are people in this area. Hope everyone is able to earn their living because this one does look tired and kind of sad too.

Some hawkers decorate their stalls with red chillies and candles. This particular stall is selling Bhel-Puri. If you are not used to spices, remember to tell the stall owner to not put any chilli at all because chances are that he would still sneak some in but if you do not ask him not to, you will definitely spend the next ten minutes searching for drinking water.

Some hawkers decorate their stalls with red chillies and candles. This particular stall is selling Bhel-Puri. If you are not used to spices, remember to tell the stall owner to not put any chilli at all because chances are that he would still sneak some in but if you do not ask him not to, you will definitely spend the next ten minutes searching for drinking water.

There are about 50 stalls selling the same stuff and in most cases it tastes the same too. So if you wish to have some, you can practically choose any one of them. try to find the cleanest looking stall if you have a lot of time on your hands.

There are about 50 stalls selling the same stuff and in most cases it tastes the same too. So if you wish to have some, you can practically choose any one of them. try to find the cleanest looking stall if you have a lot of time on your hands.

A lot of recycling goes on in India at homes and everywhere actually. You can see that this hawker is using used mineral water bottle to store some of his sauces. As long as everything has been washed thoroughly before reuse, I think this is a really good practice to follow.

A lot of recycling goes on in India at homes and everywhere actually. You can see that this hawker is using used mineral water bottle to store some of his sauces. As long as everything has been washed thoroughly before reuse, I think this is a really good practice to follow.

If you want to taste a nice papad or rice crisps as people outside India are more likely to call them, then these are the best bets. These are mostly made up of rice and are roasted instead of fried. Crisp and yet melt in the mouth, these are my favorite papads since childhood.

If you want to taste a nice papad or rice crisps as people outside India are more likely to call them, then these are the best bets. These are mostly made up of rice and are roasted instead of fried. Crisp and yet melt in the mouth, these are my favorite papads since childhood.

And at the end, which picnic spot is complete without a Kwality Walls cart and which picnic is complete without an icecream at the end. Be it the sweltering summers or freezing winters, it is icecream season always.

And at the end, which picnic spot is complete without a Kwality Walls cart and which picnic is complete without an icecream at the end. Be it the sweltering summers or freezing winters, it is icecream season always. 

About 150 metres of the India Gate & at the center of the octagon, there is a 73 feet cupola, inspired by a sixth-century pavilion from Mahabalipuram. Lutyens used four Delhi Order columns to support the domed canopy and its chhajja. We are talking about the canopy you see in above photograph's background.

About 150 metres of the India Gate & at the center of the octagon, there is a 73 feet cupola, inspired by a sixth-century pavilion from Mahabalipuram. Lutyens used four Delhi Order columns to support the domed canopy and its chhajja. We are talking about the canopy you see in above photograph's background.

December end till 29th Jan every year, India Gate is a high security zone as Republic Day is celebrated on 26th at India Gate and beating retreat also happens near this place on 29th January.

December end till 29th Jan every year, India Gate is a high security zone as Republic Day is celebrated on 26th at India Gate and beating retreat also happens near this place on 29th January. 

Now National War Memorial is build in one of the other blocks of this octagon. Travellingcamera is yet to visit and see this new space which sounds interesting. In July 2014, the government announced plans to construct a National War Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in adjoining Princess Park. The cabinet allocated rupees 500 crores. The National War Memorial was completed in January 2019 and now open for public. If you are at India Gate and interested in exploring other places/events nearby, here are some options :

Now National War Memorial is build in one of the other blocks of this octagon. Travellingcamera is yet to visit and see this new space which sounds interesting. In July 2014, the government announced plans to construct a National War Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in adjoining Princess Park. The cabinet allocated rupees 500 crores. The National War Memorial was completed in January 2019 and now open for public. 

If you are at India Gate and interested in exploring other places/events nearby, here are some options :



Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi, Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House and served as the residence of the Viceroy of India. It is at the heart of an area known as Lutyens' Delhi. It is the largest residence of any Head of the State in the world. The layout of the palace is designed around a massive square although there are many courtyards and open inner areas within. There are separate wings for the Viceroy and another wing for guests. The Viceroy’s wing is a separate four-storey house in itself, with its own court areas within. The wing was so large that the first president of India decided not to stay there, staying in the guest wing, a tradition which was followed by subsequent presidents. At the centre of the main part of the palace, underneath the main dome, is the Durbar Hall, which was known as the Throne Room during British rule when it had thrones for the Viceroy and his wife. It's a must visit place for Architecture lovers.

Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi, Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House and served as the residence of the Viceroy of India. It is at the heart of an area known as Lutyens' Delhi. It is the largest residence of any Head of the State in the world.

The layout of the palace is designed around a massive square although there are many courtyards and open inner areas within. There are separate wings for the Viceroy and another wing for guests. The Viceroy’s wing is a separate four-storey house in itself, with its own court areas within. The wing was so large that the first president of India decided not to stay there, staying in the guest wing, a tradition which was followed by subsequent presidents. At the centre of the main part of the palace, underneath the main dome, is the Durbar Hall, which was known as the Throne Room during British rule when it had thrones for the Viceroy and his wife. It's a must visit place for Architecture lovers. 

For more details : Indian President's House - Why it's one of the Most Stunning Heritage Buildings to see in Delhi

Change of Guards Ceremony every Saturday Morning at President's House, Delhi :

Long time back when started searching about Change of Guards, goolge was suggesting London or Buckinghom Palce. On searching more I got the confirmation that Change of Guards at Indian President's house is open for public on Sturdays. Since the ceremony starts at 8am sharp one needs to plan the day early. All of us were up by 5:30 and started from Noida at 6:30am. It hardly took 30 minutes to reach Rashtrapati House in morning and that gave us enough time to figure out the entry gate and car parking.

Long time back when started searching about Change of Guards, goolge was suggesting London or Buckinghom Palce. On searching more I got the confirmation that Change of Guards at Indian President's house is open for public on Sturdays. 

Since the ceremony starts at 8am sharp one needs to plan the day early. All of us were up by 5:30 and started from Noida at 6:30am. It hardly took 30 minutes to reach Rashtrapati House in morning and that gave us enough time to figure out the entry gate and car parking.

Related Blogpost - The elaborate 'Change of Guards' ceremony at Indian President's House, New Delhi

National Gallery of Modern Art :

It's located at walking distance from India Gate. Whole campus has an artistic feel and inside National Gallery of Modern Arts, we don't feel like being in Delhi... There are many such places in Delhi but this is again a wonderful place ! Most of the gardens of National Gallery of Modern Arts have various sculptures created by famous Indian Artists. Above photograph shows some of the sculptures lying in main garden of the Gallery, which is near to main entry gate.

It's located at walking distance from India Gate. Whole campus has an artistic feel and inside National Gallery of Modern Arts, we don't feel like being in Delhi... There are many such places in Delhi but this is again a wonderful place ! Most of the gardens of National Gallery of Modern Arts have various sculptures created by famous Indian Artists. Above photograph shows some of the sculptures lying in main garden of the Gallery, which is near to main entry gate.

Old Fort (Purana Quila) is very close to Zoo and a few kilometers from India Gate. If you are planning a visit during evening, you can spend good time watching light & sound show which takes you through history of Delhi. Check out the link below for more details on that. Ishq-e-Dilli - A light and sound interpretation of the allure of Delhi at Old Fort

Old Fort (Purana Quila) is very close to Zoo and a few kilometers from India Gate. If you are planning a visit during evening, you can spend good time watching light & sound show which takes you through history of Delhi. Check out the link below for more details on that. 


The Hindi show starts at 7:00pm and the English one at 8:30pm (during the month of October). The timings are different during different months, so it's recommended to check out the ITDC website for right timings of these shows. For the English show, entry starts 15 minutes before the show and the show itself starts almost on time. The sound that tells the story of Delhi is perfectly in sync with the visuals projected on a facade of old fort. All these photographs show different visuals flashed on the walls of Old Fort in Delhi. The ticket costs 100 Rs per person and it's 50 Rs for senior citizen, kids & students. If you are going in a car, there is enough parking space at the gate, unless there are lot of people. If you want to use Delhi Metro for commute - take the metro to Pragati Maidan and from there an auto would charge 40/50 Rs. Several buses too travel on this road from Pragati Maidan Metro station.

The Hindi show starts at 7:00pm and the English one at 8:30pm (during the month of October). The timings are different during different months, so it's recommended to check out the ITDC website for right timings of these shows. 

For the English show, entry starts 15 minutes before the show and the show itself starts almost on time. The sound that tells the story of Delhi is perfectly in sync with the visuals projected on a facade of old fort. All these photographs show different visuals flashed on the walls of Old Fort in Delhi. 

The ticket costs 100 Rs per person and it's 50 Rs for senior citizen, kids & students. If you are going in a car, there is enough parking space at the gate, unless there are lot of people. If you want to use Delhi Metro for commute - take the metro to Pragati Maidan and from there an auto would charge 40/50 Rs. Several buses too travel on this road from Pragati Maidan Metro station. 



Delhi Zoo is one of the most popular place for folks visiting Delhi from other parts of the world or different Indian States. Especially Kids love to visit Delhi Zoological Park to experience controlled wildlife. Delhi Zoo is one of the very well maintained zoological parks in the country which has good number of wild animals and birds in it. This is located just next to the Old Fort and the lake. There is enough parking space outside the main gate. And it's recommended to eat something before entering into the zoo. Now eatables are not allowed inside and there is no option inside if you feel like eating something.
Delhi Zoo is one of the most popular place for folks visiting Delhi from other parts of the world or different Indian States. Especially Kids love to visit Delhi Zoological Park to experience controlled wildlife.  Delhi Zoo is one of the very well maintained zoological parks in the country which has good number of wild animals and birds in it. This is located just next to the Old Fort and the lake. There is enough parking space outside the main gate. And it's recommended to eat something before entering into the zoo. Now eatables are not allowed inside and there is no option inside if you feel like eating something.

Probably Delhi Zoo is best place when you are planning an outing with Kids. Kids love going to the Zoo, watching different animals especially White Tiger, Giraffe, Lion, Zerba, Jaguar and colorful birds which can be rarely seen otherwise.  


Khan Market is popular market in South Delhi which has some very interesting showrooms, designer outlets, fancy cafes and outstanding restaurants along with some very old & popular eateries like Khan Chacha's Kebabs.

Khan Market is popular market in South Delhi which has some very interesting showrooms, designer outlets, fancy cafes and outstanding restaurants along with some very old & popular eateries like Khan Chacha's Kebabs. 


Taj Mahal of Delhi in red stone is Humayun's tomb, although the real connection between Taj Mahal & Humayun's tomb is more interesting. When Taj Mahal was built, the inspiration for Architecture came from this beautiful tomb in Delhi. Certainly the size of Taj Mahal is huge in comparison to the Humayun's Tomb and other basic difference is kind of stone used. Taj Mahal is made up of white marble when Humayun's tomb is in Red Stone. Both of these beautiful monuments are symmetrical and built on top of a square platform. Look at the monument from any of the four directions and it will look the same.

Taj Mahal of Delhi in red stone is Humayun's tomb, although the real connection between Taj Mahal & Humayun's tomb is more interesting. When Taj Mahal was built, the inspiration for Architecture came from this beautiful tomb in Delhi. Certainly the size of Taj Mahal is huge in comparison to the Humayun's Tomb and other basic difference is kind of stone used. Taj Mahal is made up of white marble when Humayun's tomb is in Red Stone. Both of these beautiful monuments are symmetrical and built on top of a square platform. Look at the monument from any of the four directions and it will look the same.  

Humayun Tomb is one of the popular place among Delhi Photographers and many of the Photographers have worked on this beautiful monument. I have visited this place many times and this time we were accompanying some of the office folks who had come from US and wanted to explore something around Delhi. 



Lodhi garden is at walking distance from Lodhi Garden and it's huge. It's not only a beautiful park with green landscapes but it also has some stunning heritage structures and a very beautiful water body with well structured bridge over it. It's probably one of the best parks to walk around during early morning and late evening. Lot of families come here for weekend or evening picnics and there is enough space in the park. For more, check out the following link :

Lodhi garden is at walking distance from Lodhi Garden and it's huge. It's not only a beautiful park with green landscapes but it also has some stunning heritage structures and a very beautiful water body with well structured bridge over it. It's probably one of the best parks to walk around during early morning and late evening. Lot of families come here for weekend or evening picnics and there is enough space in the park. For more, check out the following link :

Another visit to Lodhi Garden @ Delhi, INDIA || PHOTO JOURNEY through green lawns, interesting Monuments, water-bodies & meeting some birds



Delhi is extremely rich in terms of heritage and there are 3 UNESCO sites in the capital city of India. Apart from Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's tomb there are lot of other monuments to visit & explore in Delhi. Safdarjung is very special amongst them because of various reasons like it's architecture, well maintained gardens around it, it's location and a lot more which we will share through this blogpost. We will also discuss about how to reach Safdarjung Tomb from various parts of Delhi by using various transportation systems and entry ticket fees, timings etc. But more than that, we bring you some interesting secrets about Safdarjung Tomb and places around it.

Delhi is extremely rich in terms of heritage and there are 3 UNESCO sites in the capital city of India. Apart from Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's tomb there are lot of other monuments to visit & explore in Delhi. Safdarjung is very special amongst them because of various reasons like it's architecture, well maintained gardens around it, it's location and a lot more which we will share through this blogpost. We will also discuss about how to reach Safdarjung Tomb from various parts of Delhi by using various transportation systems and entry ticket fees, timings etc. But more than that, we bring you some interesting secrets about Safdarjung Tomb and places around it. 

If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling -

- Manage your waste well and don’t litter
- Use dustbins. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin.
- Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem.
- Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits.

- Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite 

Related Blogposts - 

Looking for the best Delhi tours, hidden gems in Delhi, authentic food experiences, cultural walks, heritage sites, photography tours, and unforgettable local experiences? Welcome to Travellingcamera with Travellingcamera Host.

Delhi Beyond the Guidebooks: Discover the Soul of India's Capital with 'Travellingcamera Host'


I have seen Vegetarians panic when they have to travel to USA for the first time, but things are not as bad as it seems. It varies from state to state in USA, but we will try to share some common tips around what to avoid or what to chose. It's important to know the list of things to avoid, as definition of vegetarian is also different there and you may want to know those definitions as well.



Rising majestically along the banks of the Yamuna River, the Red Fort is more than just a monument—it is a living symbol of India’s layered history, cultural richness, and enduring identity. Known locally as Lal Qila, this UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a silent witness to centuries of imperial grandeur, colonial upheaval, and the birth of a nation.




Architectural Brilliance of Humayun’s Tomb 1. Persian & Mughal Influence Humayun’s Tomb is a perfect blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian architecture. The design was heavily influenced by Persian gardens and domed structures, while incorporating Indian red sandstone and marble.


Delhi, the bustling capital of India, is a vibrant blend of history and modernity, where ancient monuments coexist with bustling markets and contemporary skyscrapers. This sprawling metropolis, divided into Old Delhi and New Delhi, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for residents and visitors alike. Old Delhi, with its narrow lanes and historical landmarks like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk, exudes a timeless charm, showcasing the city's Mughal past. In contrast, New Delhi, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, is characterized by its wide boulevards, grand government buildings, and lush green spaces such as India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Delhi's cultural diversity is reflected in its myriad festivals, diverse culinary scene, and vibrant arts and music culture. As the political and administrative heart of India, Delhi also hosts significant events and houses important institutions. This dynamic city, with its blend of the old and the new, continues to evolve, making it a captivating destination for anyone looking to explore the essence of India.

Nestled within the grandeur of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi lies a hidden gem known as Amrit Udyan, a serene and meticulously landscaped garden that offers respite from the bustling capital. This verdant oasis, situated within the sprawling grounds of the Indian President's House, provides a tranquil escape for those fortunate enough to explore its lush expanse.




Nestled in the heart of South Delhi, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, and the enchanting Hauz Khas Lake collectively form a haven that seamlessly blends history, nature, and contemporary charm. Join us on a journey through this multifaceted destination, where ancient heritage coexists with vibrant urban life, creating an unparalleled experience for locals and visitors alike.


In case you hear the name "Sunder Nursery" of Delhi and think of a beautiful plant nursery, I don't blame you a bit. But in reality, Sunder Nursery is that and much more. We had been planning to visit the place in a long time and in the current state of things, when the world has only just opened back up a little after a harrowing second wave of the pandemic, visiting a beautiful outdoor location and sitting on the grass with cool breeze blowing, sounds nothing short of a dream. This Sunday, we decided to make this dream a reality.


Most likely you have heard about famous Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi, but you may not know all the realities of this street. Through this post, we will share some realities which may change your perception of the place. Idea is not to discourage or encourage anyone to visit this place for Paranthas but to ensure you make an informed decision on the basis of details shared in this blogpost.


Tea, cold-drinks, chips and some light snacks are offered by small vendors inside the garden. It's good to see dustbins installed at reachable places, which are quite helpful in keeping the place clean. Many families come to Lodhi Garden to celebrate weekend with their kids & family members. It's always really nice to see a different type of environment in the lawns of Lodhi Garden.


Delhi is extremely rich in terms of heritage and there are 3 UNESCO sites in the capital city of India. Apart from Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's tomb there are lot of other monuments to visit & explore in Delhi. Safdarjung is very special amongst them because of various reasons like it's architecture, well maintained gardens around it, it's location and a lot more which we will share through this blogpost. We will also discuss about how to reach Safdarjung Tomb from various parts of Delhi by using various transportation systems and entry ticket fees, timings etc. But more than that, we bring you some interesting secrets about Safdarjung Tomb and places around it.


Recently some of my friends had permissions to visit various monuments in Delhi to shoot Lunar Eclipse on 10th Dec, 2011. I also joined them, although all the hard-work for planning these photo-shoots, getting permissions and arranging appropriate equipments was done by other folks. All photographs shared here are not related to the project. These are some of the casual shots taken during eclipse hours on that evening...Here is one of the simple shot when eclipse just started This shot was taken around 6:35 pm on 10th Dec, 2011 !!! Usually Lunar Eclipse used to take place in January, when sky is mainly covered with clouds or fog. Since this time, it happened early, people got to see it clearly and there was huge buzz among various Photography communities.Here is one of the photograph of Humayun's tomb. It's taken with Zoon-in/Zoom-out during long-exposure. Since most of folks were busy on eclipse project and they had to spent 4 hrs at Humayun's tomb, I thought of roaming around and having some clicks of the place in this wonderful lighting, which is rare to capture. Above photograph is also a result of some of the experiments done at Humayun's Tomb, Delhi.Here are some water ponds in all four directions of Humayn's Tomb, but the one in front of entry gate is maintained well. Reflection of the main tomb was looking awesome in Eclipse hours, although above photograph failed to show the real magic... You can see the shining moon in the sky and lovely hues of sunset, when exposed this view for a long time.A similar photograph of Humayn Tomb, with some part of it being reflecting on adjoining water stream... Usually Humayun Tomb closes before Sunset, but if someone wants to have access for some specific purpose, permissions are required in advance.Relatively closer look at Lunar Eclipse through Humayun Tomb. Lunar Eclipse of 10th Dec 2011 can be seen in Photographs at http://www.examiner.com/photography-in-national/yesterday-s-total-lunar-eclipse-photos-1 as well !!!Light and colors were changing with every minute. In fact the change was very prominent for folks who were shooting moon close-ups with tele-photo lenses. After one stage, color of moon starts changing to red and again come back natural shade after few hours...Opposite side of Humayun Tomb, Delhi, INDIAThere are various photography techniques are explained on web and some of them are really technical. At the same time, some of them are really easy to get an idea about the concept and light variation trend during the eclipse hours. In my opinion, understanding the concept and applying your ideas is more important otherwise we always see similar shots on every lunar eclipse. Now many softwares even come with standard ways of capturing lunar eclipse and create single HDR or multi-exposure shots.Carrying Gorilla-pod helps in placing camera at low height, so that some of the other compositions can be tried... No doubt that sturdy and big tripods are important for such shoots but some desi fundas also work well :)Humayun Tomb is very well maintained by Archaeological Survey of India !!! ASI is is the organization to get special permissions to get entry into Humayun Tomb in odd hours. There is lot of green area around main tomb in this campus. And there is very special thing about Mughal Architecture that all four areas around a building are maintained in similar fashion. Alignments of landscapes, gardens and trees would be exactly same.During day time, entry fees for SAARC citizens is 10 Rs. SAARC includes Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan... BIMSTEC Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar also need to pay 10 Rs only. For others it's $5.This photograph would be give you a sense about it's shape and architecture. It has a square base and all four faces of Humayun Tomb look same. Theoretically it's a two storey building but height of one storey is unmatchable :) ... Whole building is made of red stone and Taj Mahal is exactly replica of this building, but in white marble...Light streaks touching ground after filtering through tree leaves around Humayun Tomb... Such photographs from early morning look stunning, as light is most favorable at that point of time of the day...Check following link on wiipedia to know more about Humayun Tomb - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Humayun . This page has rich information about architecture of Humayun Tomb and history related to it.Humayun Tomb is also in the list of World Heritage sites maintained by UNESCO. Check out http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/232 for more details.Every other site about Delhi has special mention of Humayun Tomb, so I would not repeat all those well known facts about the place. Delhicapital.com has also written about Humayun Tomb in a well structured way... Check it out......A photographer sitting in front of main Tomb in the campus to shoot Lunar Eclipse 2011 with Humayun Tomb in foreground. These folks were sitting at same place, fiddling with camera setting to get best possible multi-exposure shots. Some of them also work on HDRs and hope to see the results soon.Some of the standard techniques of shooting Lunar Eclipses are available here - it was lovely evening with enthusiastic Photographers at Humayun Tomb !!!


India Gate is a place which I visited the most amongst all other monuments and touristy places in Delhi. and there are millions of Delhi people like me who have spent good amount of time walking around India Gate. There are lot of reasons for India Gate being so popular in many ways. One of the key reasons I think is it's accessibility in Lutyens Delhi and it's beautiful surroundings.



Many of you may know that Jama Masjid is largest mosque of India (which is controversial and you will few details below) and situated in hustle bustle of Old Delhi. You may have seen those large Eid gathering photographs of Jama Masjid and those delicious street food shops of Chandi-Chowk or Chawri Bazar but may not really know some of the lesser known facts about this mosque which is very important for religious standpoint as well as heritage & architecture. On internet, there are also claims that Jama Masjid in Delhi is largest mosque in India, and at some places the largest mosque in India is Taj-ul-Masjid in Bhopal.


Segway tours are getting quite popular across the world and especially in tourist places. Similarly there is one option in Delhi as well and they have 2 tours - Rajpath Tour and Historical Tour. The second one has been stopped because it was not feasible to conduct the tour safely because of the road conditions and the traffic patterns. Now there is only one tour available which takes you through President's house, Parliament House and the India Gate.


Few days back I wrote about top-3 not to miss places in Delhi if you have a day to explore the city and it’s heritage. After that post, some folks came back and shared some feedback which I wanted to address. Following were some points - 1. Lots of people visit the city during the weekend, so there is a good number of people who would want to explore the city in 2 days. Therefore, a little more comprehensive plan would help. 2. This post only covers heritage and architecture related options, what about people interested in other things like shopping, markets, food, street walks, nature, art & culture etc. There should be a lot more than just heritage sites in the capital city of India. 3. Metro has become one of the most important modes of commute within the city and it’s relatively cheap as well, so why not talk about a plan which can be covered well through the Metro and save 3K+ on taxi for 2 days in Delhi. There is a Metro pass available for a day. Go to Metro ticket counter and inquire.

If you are visiting Delhi first time, then (like many others) don't plan a trip to Agra for seeing Taj Mahal. I strongly believe that if you only have a weekend of so, there is lot to see in Delhi (including mini Taj in red stone) and that's the best use of your time. Now let me come to the nest part - prioritization of places to see. Delhi has lot of heritage sites and beautiful architecture to explore. But if you only have a weekend, you can't explore everything. So in my opinion, the very first thing should be 3 World Heritage Sites in Delhi - Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Red Fort. Now this post doesn't finish here, because I intend to share you a full day plan to visit these places along with the places where you can have your food. Let's check out this post and I hope that it helps you plan your day trip in the capital city of India - Delhi.


Last week I was out with fellow Photographers, Bloggers and Foodies to explore some of the popular eating places in Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk). During this walk we went to different places around Chandni Chowk & towards the end we also thought of going inside Fatehpuri Masjid. Chandni Chowk is just across the Red Fort. The road going from Red Fort ends at Masjid Fatehpuri. This is such a peaceful place in the middle of lot of hustle bustle of Chandni Chowk. There is a huge campus surrounded by four walls and entry gates from 3 sides.There is a very interesting history behind this mosque of old Delhi. This mosque was built in 1650 by wife of Shah Jahan, her name was Fatehpuri Begum. She belonged to Fatehpur Sikri (a place around Agra). After 1857, Britishers auctioned this mosque to a Hindu businessman Lala Chunnamal. He had bought the mosque for 19 thousand rupees and to me it sounds a lot of money at that time. And people say that Lala Chunnamal used the mosque for social causes. Later on Britishers bought it back in lie of 4 villages. This was the time when Britishers invited back the muslims to Old Delhi and renovated the mosque for the community. Tarun Gaur was with us to share all these interesting events from History of Old Delhi.This walk was planned by Desi Traveller with the help of Deba Rajpal and Tarun Gaur. There was good turnaround and all of us had lot of fun eating some of the interesting things in Old Delhi. I will be sharing another post on food we tried and some history around these food items. These food businesses are run by some specific families who came to Chandi Chowk from different parts of country. And that’s why there is a such nice mix of food from different states of India.As we entered inside Fatehpuri Mosque, we noticed these groups studying. This was first time I was seeing such interesting sessions outside television. These folks were reading something and it seemed that they were trying hard to remember what they were reading. These folks were rocking their bodies back and forth while reading.Fatehpuri Masjid is quite different from Jama Masjid. Somehow this Mosque was not as crowded as we Jama Masjid. There is a water pond in the middle of this whole compound. You can see this water pound in first photograph.In the rectangular compound the main Mosque is on one side and other three sides have beautiful arched corridors. It was a great visit to the mosque. Hopefully I will visit Fatehpuri Mosque again and spend a little more time. This time, I had to accompany the group and adhere to the schedule of the food-walk.


Long time back when started searching about Change of Guards, goolge was suggesting London or Buckinghom Palce. On searching more I got the confirmation that Change of Guards at Indian President's house is open for public on Sturdays. For a long time, the visit remained in plans till I saw the blog by Ruby Singh. So this saturday we planned to visit President's house to witness Change of Guards in morning. Since the ceremony starts at 8am sharp one needs to plan the day early. All of us were up by 5:30 and started from Noida at 6:30am. It hardly took 30 minutes to reach Rashtrapati House in morning and that gave us enough time to figure out the entry gate and car parking. We followed the road which connects India Gate to President's house. And when we reached at the entry, police directed us to Dalhousie Road and asked to enter from Gate number 37. When I talked to them, it seemed that no one at entry was very sure. They were sure of one thing that some shooting is happening so entry through gate number 2 is not possible. Anyways we headed to Gate number 37. The security man at Gate number 37 was not sure if entry would happen through this gate. So we requested to confirm so that we head towards the right entry gate. There were 5 more cars following us :). He had few calls and confirmed that entry would happen through gate number 37 and car parking is also available inside. That was a great news because finding parking in this region would be a task (because of security reasons). As we parked our car, Vibha and I were thinking about the security. No one checked our car and we were already in President's house premises. While we were discussing this, we saw these jawans going towards the ceremony ground. It was a good indication that we should walk fast as it was 7:50 already. We reached the ceremony and almost all chairs were empty. I headed to the first row and a jawan asked me to move to second row. He mentioned that first row is reserved, while there is no such thing. This is first time I experienced an Armyman cheating in front of me. Anyways, it was not a big deal so I simply moved to second row. By now, only Army band was available at the ceremony ground. And a man was describing about the whole process on loudspeaker. And then Change of Guard Ceremony started. The Army band started playing 'Saare Jahan se Achha' and these Jawans entered the ceremony ground on their magnificent horses. At the beginning of the ceremony who see so much disciplined action and feel energetic. There must be a reason why Army ensures that every Jawan is highly disciplined and energetic. Looking at their each action you feel proud. These horses are amazingly trained. All of them take position and ensure that each one is in row. While standing they hardly do any movement. A few times, you can see some movement around their neck but their legs remain at same position all the time. When we walk, each of them are in sync. I have also seen Beating the Retreat ceremony and was super impressed with camels trained for that ceremony. Guards already on duty came to foreground of Rashtrapati Bhawan and took their place. Soon after the new set of guards joined them on ground and the formalities started. All of them were walking with full energy and enthusiasm. Please note the dirt around their feet. All of them were in sync and accurate. New guards are inspected. It's hard for me to describe each and every ceremony on ground and that's the reason that you should visit Rashtrapati Bhawan on any Saturday to witness the action yourself. I was super happy to see a Photographer and Videographer who were covering the ceremony. I have never seen Army Photographer earlier and wondering what's the eligibility to become a Photographer with Indian Army :). The ceremony concluded with some interesting actions by horses. Do check out the video for full action and I found it very interesting. Some quick details - Time of Change of Guards - 8 am sharp When should one reach - By 7:30am (Reason behind this time is explained above) Nearest Metro Station to Indian President's House - Central Secretariat Car Parking around President's House - If entering from Gate-37, parking is available inside. If entering from main gate (Gate no 2, you need to park near water fountains - As per traffic police, it's allowed in morning although I was not very sure ) . Otherwise you can on the road connecting President's House with India Gate. Entry Ticket for Change of Guards - No ticket or special permission needed Documents to carry - Any valid identity proof in original form. Mom and dad moving back towards the car after witnessing Change of Guard. Selfidow or something else. Some creative suggesstions are welcome. These carved elephants caught my attention and thought of taking a quick shot. The President House has very beautiful carvings all around. While we were heading towards the car parking we noticed these folks taking some rest in shade. This was the troop, which gave charge to the new team. This is how Delhi roads look on weekend morning :) How here is a quiz for you - Which of these photographs are clicked with DSLR and Mobile Camera? Do answer through comment below (And you have to judge through visuals only). The one who answers correctly would get something interesting from Travellingcamera.com Team !!!

Qutub Minar is one of the most popular heritage compounds in Delhi and quite popular destination amongst tourists visiting Delhi. It's also a good places for local folks to spend quality time with their family & friends. Many times photographers and heritage explorers can be seen around Qutub Minar campus. This Photo Journey shares some of the special photographs from Qutub Minar campus. Reaching Qutub Minar has become pretty easy now. One can take Metro to Qutub Minar. The Qutub Minar Metro station is not close to the compound, but there are autos which drop folks from Metro to Qutub Minar and charge 10 rs each. If you don’t want to share the auto, most of the folks use meters and that’s reliable. It will not cost more than 30 Rs.Other good to way explore these beautiful monuments in Delhi are HOHO buses run by Delhi Tourism department. You can buy a daily pass and hop on/off to/from these buses at defined stations, which are usually very well located around the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi.Booking a Taxi to go to Qutub Minar from Central Delhi, East Delhi or Noida might be a bad idea because of slow traffic movement. I had gone through such experience twice and now try to use Metro, if possible.After Red Fort, Qutub Minar is most visited monuments in Delhi and one should expect lot of people inside Qutub Minar compound, even on weekdays. Apart from the main minaret, there are various architectural structures in this compound having different stories associated. There are no guides around Qutub Minar now, but you can get an audio device on rent which will keep telling you about the place. Easy to use device and have good details about various spots in Qutub Minar campus.As you walk around this huge compound, you get to see spectacular beauty of the Qutub Minar from different angles. Above photograph shows one of the views of Qutub Minar through the other structures around.It's a wonderful place for photographers because of diversified opportunities to click architecture, people, landscapes and lot more. I have been part of various photo-walks here and every time it was different experience.Tourists from different parts of the world come to Qutub Minar to witness it's grandness and know about it's history. It's really strange that we don't care much to know our own history, but things have been changing for good. There are lot of social circles which inspire folks to visit such places and know more about our heritage. Mehrauli Archeological park is another interesting place around Qutub Minar. It's awesome to see these airplanes crossing through Qutub Minar. Although there is a huge different between the top most peak of Qutub and the flight, but such views look dramatic.Qutub is the 2nd tallest minar (73 metres) in India after Fateh Burj. Qutb Minar originally is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is made of red sandstone and marble. The stairs of the tower has 379 steps, is 72.5 metres high, and has a base diameter of 14.3 metres, which narrows to 2.7 metres at the top. Construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibakand was carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. Check out more about Qutub on Wikipedia His expressions explain it all about the height and grandness of Qutub Minar.



At the very heart of Delhi lies the "showpiece of Lutyen's Delhi", the business and commercial centre we know as Connaught Place or CP. The place not only houses some of the biggest names in the financial scene of the country, it is also one of the most happening places as far as restaurants, shopping options, and crowd is concerned. A favorite amongst young couples, foreign tourists, college students, and families, Connaught Place offers immense opportunity to photographers as well. Teeming with hawkers dressed in colourful traditional clothes, young and old beautiful faces, colonial architecture complete with pillars, arches, and buttresses, a photographer cannot resist the charms of CP. Portraits, architecture, candid - you name it and CP offers it. So we, armed with our Honor 5C, descended upon CP for photography on a Saturday. But we decided to add a twist to it. We went there after sunset to capture the CP of the shadows. When the crowds have dwindled, the hawkers are wrapping up their make-shift shops, and the practical jeans and t-shirt of the days are replaced by night dresses and high heels, a new CP emerges. Less "happening", but yet glamourous. Just a reminder - this series is an attempt to see if we need a DSLR camera for day-to-day photography or whether a smartphone suffices. All photographs in this post are shot using Honor 5c in CP under low-light conditions. Be it the panning shot of the auto in motion, or the dog sitting like royalty under the lamps, our phone managed to shine through. Now you can see for yourself and decide whether you need to purchase a DSLR if you don't intend to shoot like a pro, and are happy with regular shots based on a good composition. After spending some time in and around CP, we headed home. However, our explorations with Honor 5c are not over yet. Next we will head out of the city to the mountains with the smartphone that hadn't yet given us a single opportunity to complain. To find out how that goes, stay tuned.

Few weeks back, Nat Geo Moments Awards 2014 team announced an Instawalk in Delhi and Photographers were asked for share their Instagram & Twitter accounts to select 20 Photographers from the City. I also got a chance to join for this Instawalk, which happens in Mehrauli Archelogical Park in Delhi. Let's check out this Photo Journey to know more about the Instawalk and Nat Geo Moments Awards.I had also shared by Instagram account with Nat Geo team and was selected to join this Insta-walk. It sounded very exciting but at the same time I had my doubts about this Photo-walk, because I couldn't find names of photographers who definitely do great photography & my inspiration as well. Because it was about Nat Geo, I wanted to give them a benefit of doubt. One of my office friend was also joining for the walk, which was encouraging.Mehrauli Archeological Park is close to Qutub Minar Metro station, so we planned to take Metro-train from Noida to reach for Instawalk at 9:30am. Opposite to Delhi trends, Instawalk started on time and we were late by 5 minutes. But we hit the place before the first brief. Delhi Heritage Walks team was there to help every Photographer to understand the place, although most of the photographers were more interested in capturing the place well. There was negligible participation from Nat Geo. It seemed more like a promotional event by Nat Geo, wherein they wanted folks to create some buzz about #NGMA2014 through Instagram and Twitter.All of us met around Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb complex built in Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Jamali Kamali is one of the oldest structures in the town which is maintained by ASI. It was built around 1528 CE.Breakfast was arranged during the Instawalk. There is a green area around Jamali Kamali, which was chosen for breakfast. Food was good and I think, it was home made.Mehrauli Archaeological Park is spread over an area of around 200 acres in Delhi. This Archeological park is located just on the back side of Qutub Minar World Heritage site and the Qutb complex. This park consists of more than 100 historically significant monuments, although many of them are in ruins now. There are few interesting water bodies in this complex and most part of it is very well maintained with green patchesMehrauli Archeological Park is the only area in Delhi includes the ruins of Lal Kot built by Tomar Rajputs, which makes it the oldest extant fort of Delhi.Mehrauli Archeological park contains sites like Tomb of Balban, wherein a true arch and the true dome were built for the first time in India... and then Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb of Maulana Jamali Kamali (Jamali Kamboh),Quli Khan's Tomb, Jahaz Mahal, Zafar Mahal of Bahadur Shah II alias Lal Mahal, Gandhak ki Baoli, Hauz-i-Shamsi and Tomb of Adham Khan. Rajon Ki Baoli, a stepwell, and Madhi Masjid.A view of Qutub Minar from Kuli Khan Tomb. When we were roaming around this place, a bunch of folks were playing cricket in the back side of Tomb of Kuli Khan. This comparitively a smaller tomb and one needs to climb up few stairs to see it from inside. Tomb of Quli Khan, overlooking the Qutub Minar. All Instagrammers were busy in clicking photographs around the tomb and few were simultaneously posting these photographs to Instagram and Twitter. Rain had happened last night so some of us tried clicking reflections as well :).Above is a photograph of Rajaon ki Baoli, which is comparatively smaller than Gandhak ki Baoli. All this shows about rich Indian Heritage in capital city Delhi. It's a famous stepwell near Adham Khan's Tomb having multiple levels in it and one of the special places inside Mehrauli Archaeological ParkRajon Ki Baoli is also referred as 'Rajon ki Bain'. This magnificent three-storeyed stepwell is believed to have been built by Daulat Khan during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.Rajaon ki baoli is one of the highlights of Mehrauli Archaeological Park and everyone during Instawalk liked this place the most. This baoli has multiple levels and each level of the baoli exposes to visitors as one walks towards its steps. The baoli-complex has a 12-pillared tomb and a mosque with some pretty plaster decoration on it. This Instawalk was concluded here and we headed back. Now it was time for me to attend a Blogger meet at CP.


Some Experiments with old architecture of Jantar Mantar in Delhi, INDIA : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Last month me and one of my friend were waiting for other folks to reach Connaught Place in Delhi and they called us to inform that all of them are arriving after 1:30 Hrs... This was good opportunity for us to explore some place nearby and decided to visit Jantar Mantar... After reaching the place I was not able to decide what should I shoot... Everywhere people were roaming and it was really difficult to find a place without people... and it was not like two or three folks.. It was huge crowd in front of each yantra @ Jantar Mantar.. So finally I decided to have some photographs which can avoid this crowd and it gave a good opportunity to place with various angles/compositions... check out and critics are welcome !!The first photograph where I wanted to have darkest possible shadows to make it look like black tiles in contact with reds and white ones.. Although it doesn't look like that... I would have to wait to click this photograph at right time but we had to move out in few hrs... Never mind, I will try it again...This time I was carrying SONY Alpha-700 and was confused with some of the controls.. Anyway that's not important... These yantras were very narrow is shape and it was difficult to fit myself for clicking these architecture forms nicely... Here is a tilted view of a semi-spherical yantra @ Jantar Mantar...All these photographs from the same yantra and it was was quite interesting... But please don't ask me about how it functions and what it is supposed to do...Stairs hidden behind these structures and everyone needs to follow them to go down and see the real work inside these yantras.. In Jantar Mantar at jaipur, everyone was not allowed to go inside these structures but in Delhi I didn't see such restrictions except one which had highest structure followed by lot of stairs....Jantar Mantar in Delhi is a very popular place among activists, social associations and artists as well... Many of the NGOs choose this place to start a rally or protest... Also many artists have explored this very well and many times Photographers have exhibited this place...A Series of small pillars taking all the weight of small paths connecting outer circle of a structure with a pole in the middle... as you can see the turning path in a circle...One of my friend called it 'Stairs of Success'.. I don't if that is the name of these stairs but like the caption :)Final Photograph showing the close-up view of this architecture which shows the age of this structure and its been repaired multiple times in past which resulted in this roughness... I am again planning to visit Jantar Mantar in Delhi and will ensure that I get full day to spend there...


When loitering around in Cannaught Place or navigating traffic on Barakhamba Road, it is difficult imagine that barely 5-minutes away, hidden amongst trees, lies the magnificient stone structure of Agrasen ki baoli. The 14th-century step well was restored by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2002. Now the Baoli is clean and well-maintained. We visited Agrasen ki Baoli on a humid Sunday afternoon and were expecting to find a more or less abandoned structure with may be a couple of people loitering about here and there. But we were in for a surprise. The baoli was buzzing with well-dressed, pouting, selfie-clicking youngsters. They were there in such large numbers that it was difficult to capture even a single shot without people in it. This was heartening. I don't know whether this popularity is because the Baoli was recently featured in the popular Bollywood film PK or because the Baoli is clean, litter-free and situated barely a kilometre away from the heart of the city. It may be all of these, but it is wonderful to see the hard work of the ASI bearing fruit. Usually when we head out to explore the city, we make sure that we carry a DSLR and all the required lenses, but this time we had decided to do something different. The impact of camera phones on the photography ecosystem is the hot topic for debate nowadays, and we decided to settle it with a practical. So this time instead of a DSLR, we were carrying a smartphone - Honor 5c to be precise. All the pictures that you are seeing in this post have been clicked using Honor 5c. Based on the results, we can comfortably say that for everyday non-professional use, a smartphone, if used well, can suffice. One would of course need to study all the capabilities and features of the particular smartphone camera in details to be able to use them in appropriate situations. Coming back to the Baoli, we captured the structure, the pigeons peeping out of the gaps in the walls, the contrast between the modern skyscrapers of CP and the medieval architecture of the Baoli, the people exploring the structure and a lot more. The baoli is situated in one of the lanes branching out of the very pretty Hailey road, and this lane is dotted with some very interesting grafitti. We captured some of that too. If you haven't yet seen Agrasen ki Baoli, we recommend that you should. But make sure that the day is pleasant and you have time on your hands, because there is a lot to take in at the Baoli and in the surroundings.

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Post Today !

Image

How to reach Kasol/Malana and top things to do around this stunning hill-station of Himalayan State of India

If you are a regular visitor of Travellingcamera , you must have noticed that title of this Photo Journey is not really matching with what we usually share. This post is inspired by lot of queries which come to us, especially in summer.  One of the mostly asked thing is the options to reach Kasol and Malana . Here we are trying to share some details the option to reach Kasol/Malana, places to stay , things to do and lot more.  Related post -  Kasol: A beautiful Himalayan hotspot
Image

Main places to see & Top things to do around Dalhousie : Stunning Hill Station in Himalayan State of India

  Dalhousie is one of the most popular Hill Stations in Himachal  and there is lot to explore around Dalhousie. This is small and very well maintained town in Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh . This Photo Journey shares some of the exciting places around Chamba and how to plan a good one day tour through Khajjiar, Chamba & Chamera etc. CHAMERA HYDROLIC PROJECT Chamera Hydroelectric Project is located in Banikhet, 7 kms from Dalhousie. The water body near the lake is very scenic and is a popular boating spot. Chamera Dam is around 40 kilometers from Chamba Town. It takes approximately 1.5 hrs to reach the place is road condition is good. Overall it’s a little dry terrain as compared to Dalhousie and Khajjiar. And temperature also goes up as we go towards Chamera Dam.  As you move out from Chamba town, you follow Ravi river for some time and then take right. After 45 minutes of drive, you get a glimpse of Chemera Dam.