“I asked my soul, what is Delhi? She replied: The world is the body and Delhi its soul”
– Mirza Ghalib.
These lines speak heaps about this beautiful city which in every possible way is ‘Dil’ of Hindustan. How will you define your love for the city? ‘Delhi has got it ALL’ it’s Dilli Swag! We are born cool.
Okay so let me ask you a simple question how many monuments are there In Delhi? Qutab Minar, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Old Fort and Humayun’s tomb! Is that is all we know? Sad.
Not bragging, but there are 1300 monuments in Delhi both identified in unidentified. Surprised or shocked? They are in ruins, and forgotten maybe. But as I feel ‘magnificence lies in ruins’.
So here are Five MUST VISIT PLACES – (little known, seldom visited) if your heart beats for this beautiful city. ‘Yeh shehar nahi mehfil hai’:
1. Jahaz Mahal
Jahaz Mahal translating to ‘ship palace’ is derived from the reflection of the palace of reservoir, which leads it’s the appearance of ship. This beautiful and peaceful ship palace is in Meharauli. You remain awed by its beauty and at same time shocked at the pitiable condition in which it is standing. There is so much more to be explored in a place like Meharauli, if you care to look beyond Qutab Minar and of course ‘Olive bar and kitchen’. A must visit for all you dilli wallas.
2. Mirza Ghalib ki haveli
Amidst all chaos in Chandini Chowk, you find in between the gullies this beautiful haveli. Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli is difficult to locate in between the hush hush of Chandini Chowk. You ask a vendor and he will say “Na Mirza rahe na Ghalib”. Mirza Ghalib, the poet who gave soul to words. Reduced to a dimly lit gallery, a claustrophobic verandha, Ghalib’s haveli showcases the callousness towards maintaining historical places.
It is also some sort of a makeshift museum with facsimiles of Ghalib’s letters, some amazing pictures and off-course visuals of his beautiful poetry. Trust me, this is a must visit. You will fall for Ghalib’s poetry all over again.
3. Begumpur Mosque and Bijay Mandal
As I walked around Begumpur village trying to locate the mosque and Bijay Mandal, passerbys help me – “Yahan par ek masjid hai kaafi saal purani aur ek ‘Raja’ ka Mahal bhi hai”. I was not surprised. He guided me through the place and I was stunned. The mosque looked magnificent, so calm and placid. Located in Sarvapriya Vihar, this mid 14th century mosque is grand, simple and rundown.
Today the mosque is dead. The walls are broken, prayers are discontinued, and sadly it’s in dilapidated condition. As you move forward you see yet another monument which stands still waiting to get some attention. Vijay Mandal or Bijay Mandal is one of the few remaining parts of Mohammad Bin Tuglaq’s Jahanpanah (One of the 7 cities of Delhi). Historians call it a very puzzling monument. It is also speculated to be the site of famous thousand pillared hall.
Bijay Mandal is like a difficult poetry with its first and last verses missing. And as you move upwards, you get a panoramic view of Dilli. Sounds Intriguing right?
4. Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki’s Dargah
Absolute peace, faith, love: Everything at this one place. The dargah is one of the oldest in Delhi and yet easily missed out. Located in Mehrauli, very near to the last Mughal building Zafar Mahal. This is a place where people from all over the world come to make a wish and on getting them fulfilled by the grace of Gharib Nawaz, they offer flowers, chadar, degs etc. Also Phool walon kee sair, a 3 day festival which is observed by practically everyone in Mehrauli, is celebrated simultaneously at dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki.
5. Sultan Garhi Tomb – Vasant Kunj
It is one of the elite localities of Delhi, is well visited by dilli wallahas. But amidst all this, there is a tomb totally unnoticed. For a minute you feel like you are entering a jungle and there is nothing inside. But as you proceed you see this tomb surrounded by kids playing cricket and yes ITS A TICKETED MONUMENT!
It’s an octagonal grave chamber which lies underground and it is the first example of tomb building in India. Also few people say that it’s haunted. It’s not safe here though as people stare at you as if they have never seen humans. But it’s worth visiting. You get to see the other side of Vasant Kunj which is deliberately made invisible.
