If it is your first time in Delhi and you ask anybody about the city's main attractions they will name out Laal Qila, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb etc. in a skip of a heartbeat. But this place is more like a labyrinth of stories, and the story behind those stories. It takes a keen eye and a curious heart to explore the layers of Delhi and each layer unfolds a new world. With numerous attractions throughout the city, there are still some gems which are not so known to the public but will sure be a visit worth your time.
There is a magic in this city and it is hard to put it in words, but here's jotted down some places which you never knew about with tales to astonish and give the perfect perspective of what this city holds in for you.
Haveli of Mirza Ghalib
The magnanimous poet who is a synonym of Shayari in India is a gift of Delhi to this nation. Only a city like Delhi can produce such romanticism in a human. And that too is not easy to find in the hotels in delhi, but on the streets surrounded by people. The home of this timeless poet is in Ballimaran, at the end of Gali Qasim Jaan and is maintained as a museum by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Chhota Qutub Minar
Situated at the Hastsal village, Uttam Nagar, this red-stone minaret popularly known as "Chhota Qutub Minar" is a structure which will imprint your memory forever. Specially after you hear the lores about it. It was built in 1650s by ShahJahan (you know, the guy behind Taj Mahal) and was used as a hunting shed. Interestingly, the minaret is said to be damaged by a plane crash. Hell of a story, it is.
Tughlaqabad Fort
Ruins of the fort that once protected the city from the attack of the Mongols, this fort is spread over a perimeter of 6 Kms. Built by the ruler Feroz Shah Tughlaq, this fort had an important role in the history of invasions in India. But as great is the past, as gloomy is the present. This huge monument is visited by a very small number of people, and is also not much maintained by the authorities.
Bharadwaj lake of Asola
Maintained by the Indian Army, to reach this unbelievable spot you need to reach South of Delhi by getting off at Badrapur Metro station. You can spend an amazing day here as residence in hotels in south delhi is very convenient. It is located between the Asola wildlife sanctuary looked after by the Delhi wildlife department, this lake is a rich resource of water in the sanctuary. Considering the current environment of the city, it is hard to believe a lake so pristine resides in the city.
Chor Minar
Now this has a gruesome story behind it. It was built in the 13th century by the fearsome ruler Ala-ud-din Khilji at the place which is now near Aurobindo Marg in Hauz Khas. It has 255 holes on its walls. Wanna know why?
The ruler used to display severed heads of thieves and criminals on a spear through these holes on it.
Jahaz Mahal
In Mehrauli, resides the monumental Jahaz Mahal which was built by the Lodi Dynasty. It was a place for the royalty to relax and spend some pleasure time. This is a beautiful palace named after its reflection in the surrounding water body which resembles to a floating ship. It is one of the most attractive architectures of Delhi and will definitely charm you immediately.
Delhi War Cemetery
The Delhi War Cemetery can be defined as neat, beautifully landscaped and manicured lawns that currently are the homes of memories and graves of soldiers who fought for the British Commonwealth, especially on the Eastern Front during World War II. The cemetery is in the Delhi Cantonment area and is a scenic beauty to relish as it has a perfect balance of natural greenery and tall monuments that will envelop you into the curiousness of the history embedded in the natural ambiance.
And you thought you know Delhi? There is so much to this city that even after spending a lifetime here, you still might need another one to completely know about it in and out. For the general visitors the city is only about staying at hotels near Pragati Maidan and then spending time at the attractions from the map, travelling through the metro. But just get down once from that metal tube, and sit in Rickshaw to reach any place. You suddenly will notice at least a hundred new things about that very own place where you have been so many times.
But better late than never! Start from these places and tell about them to your friends, or even us, and see the reactions when they hear the name for the first time ever from you.