2023 – October 21-23 – Delhi Darshan

Preeti and I decided to show Ishaan a bit of Delhi, after the exciting and adventurous Agra trip .

A Room with a Twist: Aloft New Delhi’s Unique Layout

Our whirlwind tour of continued after marveling at the stunning Baby Taj in Agra.

We reached Aloft New Delhi, Aerocity, by 7pm. Thanks to the generosity of a close friend, Prem, who was diligently managing a Marriott property all the way in Vietnam, we were able to snag a fantastic “friends and family” rate at this beautiful business hotel.

Checking into the Aloft was a unique experience in itself. The room layout offered a surprise: an open bathroom to the left upon entering, followed by a small changing area. The centerpiece of the room was a massive bed, cleverly positioned in the center, seemingly sharing a “wall” with the bathroom. While unconventional, it was undeniably cool & quite comfortable.

Having planned a two-day family adventure in Delhi, I had prepped my network of suppliers and friends in the city. The unanimous advice? Brace yourselves for Delhi’s infamous traffic jams! Opting for the metro and supplementing with Ubers was touted as the most efficient way to navigate the city.

Vikram’s Insistence: A Touch of Local Hospitality

Vikram, the Indian distributor for Samoa Lubrication, wouldn’t hear of it. Despite having only interacted virtually for over two years (our first in-person meeting was yet to happen!), he insisted on sending a car to whisk us around the city in style.

A Feast for the Senses: Food, Museums, and Monuments

After a satisfying dinner, we woke up to a breakfast spread fit for royalty. Our itinerary for the day was packed with experiences: a deep dive into Indian railway history at the National Rail Museum, a visit to the majestic Humayun’s Tomb, a serene stroll through Lodhi Gardens, and finally, a chance to capture the vibrant colors of the iconic India Gate.

Beating the Heat: A Comfortable Ride to the National Rail Museum

Our day at Delhi’s National Rail Museum began with a stroke of good luck. As promised, a comfortable Innova arrived at 9am, driven by a courteous chauffeur. This was a welcome relief, considering the hot and sultry weather. While the metro station was nearby, having a car meant we didn’t have to worry about lugging our belongings around, finding parking, or dealing with crowded entry and exit points.

A Diplomatic Neighborhood

The National Rail Museum is located in Chanakyapuri, a neighborhood in Delhi known for housing consulates and embassies. Wide, leafy roads lined the area, and many buildings displayed architectural influences from the countries they represented.

A Treasure Trove of Railway History

The museum itself holds the distinction of being India’s first dedicated transport museum. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by over 160 years of railway history brought to life through a variety of exhibits. During our visit, the museum was refreshingly uncrowded, allowing us to explore the numerous displays at our leisure. Our exploration included a delightful ride on a miniature train that chugged along the museum grounds – a perfect way to cap off our roughly two-hour visit.

Exploring a Mughal Marvel

We met with Preeti’s College friends for Lunch at the Social in a mall at Aerocity, and headed to Humayun’s Tomb, a majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1570 for the Mughal Emperor Humayun, and holds immense cultural significance.

Humayun’s Tomb wasn’t just a final resting place for the emperor, it was also credited with inspiring future Mughal innovations, culminating in the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. The tomb’s design incorporates a hexagram, a geometric pattern often associated with planetary alignments, adding another layer of intrigue.

A Glimpse Inside the Mughal Marvel

The Tickets were easy to get online, but being a Sunday, the queues to get in were rather long!

The sprawling complex itself is a sight to behold. While time constraints limited my exploration to the main tomb, the surrounding structures whispered tales of Mughal grandeur, leaving me yearning to delve deeper. The architectural charm of a Mughal tomb lies primarily in its exterior. Unlike the ornate facades, the interiors are deliberately stark and solemn – a fitting tribute to the departed.

Preeti and Ishaan decided to rest it out at the bottom, while I did a quick round about with my camera, and took a few shots of the beautiful structure.

Pages: 1 2