This saturday, I and my cousin Gopal planned a day out. I’ve just moved to Delhi and that’s the reason he was quite concerned or worried to know about me. To take it light, he planned to meet me on saturday. We planned beforehand on night and we had three main places in mind. They were- Bangla Sahib, Agrasen Ki Baoli and Connaught place.
The first thing you need to take note of is that the nearest metro station is Rajiv Chowk. From there you would be able to cover all the three spots. Besides these, you can also take time to visit Jantar Mantar and India Gate, if you like, which are nearby. We didn’t visit because they don’t match our spirit. We like something consistent to visit, with which we can associate.
Bangla Sahib
Well, I must tell you that first of all, we visited Bangla Sahib. It’s a famous gurudwara where communal efforts were laid to deal with smallpox, centuries ago. The campus is really beautiful. It has one main structure, where guru granth sahib is laid. Coming out of it, you’ll see a big pond where sikh devotees bathe. Colorful fishes and fries can be seen inside. The holy water of the pond is really pure, cool and clear.
There are many services where they offer you water for free. It’s relatively sweeter than the water which you’ll find in other places of Delhi. You must mind it anyway that don’t waste the water as it is divine.
They’ll give you prasad as well which is the sweet halwa or Lapsi of wheat.
Though the authorities are not as strict, you can carry the gadgets inside; yet, I’ll suggest you not to click pictures there. Read the instructions carefully and then act accordingly.
Agrasen Ki Baoli
This is really a beautiful place. This stepwell was built to deal with water management. I feel sad to say that this architectural structure is on the verge of oblivion.
Though, this place has many visitors every day, it is still unmaintained. I went till the lowest surface after descending through the stairs to find that the actually well didn’t have even a single drop of water in it ( Though it was quite lower from the ground level), It had a big cavity connected to a drain nearby which was filled with infinite plastic waste. Surface of the baoli had dead insects and the roof of the structure was black with the presence of bats.
I wondered, that even in this age, this baoli could have proved itself as an idea of rainwater management and fulfillment of water table (if not as a source of drinking water), as a big part of Delhi is running short of clean water.
Anyways, you must visit it, at least for some good shots. We stayed here for no more than 15 minutes.
Connaught Place
This is a marketplace which was built by britishers in the colonial times. It was designed by Architect Robert Tor Russel . If you’re a photogenic person, then this place is for you. Here, you can really get some good shots. However, if you talk about my rating about its consistency, I guess there is no option for zero, right?
I might sound rude, but I mean what I think. I like to visit any place which has something consistent to visit. I like those places with which I can relate or associate myself.
The structure is really good, but I don’t really feel that it properly represents the Indian culture. Here, you’ll find the perfect glorification of the cruel colonial past.
If you want to shop, it can be your destination. But this doesn’t please me. Here, almost all the biggest brands of the world have their franchises or outlets although that doesn’t make this place unique.
Those brands have their outlets in various malls and shopping places of the country. Moreover, they can be found online as well.
You should be sensible enough before becoming lavish. This is what a minimalist can advice you. The rates of the restaurants and cafes soar higher than ever. Now, I’m relieved that you won’t blame me if you visit this place and didn’t find it upto the mark.
I don’t like visiting the cafes and restaurants unless it’s necessary. Moreover, I keep a check if the rates and charges offered are justified.
I enjoyed this article.
Delhi is very beautiful city, i always visited here. Now i looking for Best shopping places in mumbai