10th April 2009
We landed in Delhi at around 1500 hrs. I had booked accommodation in Delhi. Took a prepaid taxi and was off to the hotel. After refreshing, decided to go to BAPS Swaminarayan temple (Akshardham temple). Luckily, got a black ambassador taxi in front of the hotel. He quoted Rs. 600/- to take us, wait there and drop us back. Took that and went to the temple. It was bit crowded. After handing over our mobiles (a serpentine queue as it was a holiday due to Good Friday), went to the temple. Was lucky to catch up with the musical show there. It was a wonderful 15 minutes show. Had our dinner at the restaurant inside the temple premises. Offered the taxi driver to take us around Delhi the next day and drop us at Nizamuddin Railway Station. He quoted Rs. 800/-.
11th April 2009
We landed in Delhi at around 1500 hrs. I had booked accommodation in Delhi. Took a prepaid taxi and was off to the hotel. After refreshing, decided to go to BAPS Swaminarayan temple (Akshardham temple). Luckily, got a black ambassador taxi in front of the hotel. He quoted Rs. 600/- to take us, wait there and drop us back. Took that and went to the temple. It was bit crowded. After handing over our mobiles (a serpentine queue as it was a holiday due to Good Friday), went to the temple. Was lucky to catch up with the musical show there. It was a wonderful 15 minutes show. Had our dinner at the restaurant inside the temple premises. Offered the taxi driver to take us around Delhi the next day and drop us at Nizamuddin Railway Station. He quoted Rs. 800/-.
11th April 2009
Taxi was waiting at 9 a.m. Told the taxi driver to take us to as many places as possible. Went to Lotus temple (Bahai Temple). More than the temple and beliefs, the architecture is excellent. Pranav is in 
front of Lotus temple in the picture (right side).
From Lotus Temple, we went to Qutab Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret (72.5 Mtrs). After spending some time in Qutab Minar, we were off to Indira Gandhi Museum in 1, Safdarjung Road, the then official residence of Ms. Indira Gandhi. This museum has collections of news of Ms. Gandhi as well as collections of photos and dresses worn by her as well as her son, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi when they were asssasinated.
From L to R : Dress worn by Indira Gandhi, by Rajiv Gandhi and the place where Indira Gandhi was assasinated (you can see the flowers)
We drove through Raj Path. Wanted to take couple of photos near the Parliament, but our driver said Police doesn't allow vehicles to be parked on the road. Had a view of Parliament and went to India Gate (similar to Arc de Triomphe in Paris) which is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died in World War I and Afghan wars. Names of all the soldiers have been etched on the memorial. Also, there is a tomb of an unknown Indian Soldier called Amar Jawan Jothi.
India Gate on the left and Amar Jawan Jothi
Proceeded to the memorials of all leaders of India started from Rajghat (Memorial of Mahatma
Gandhi). It was almost 3.30 p.m. and only Red Fort was pending in our list. The driver suggested not to go there (as it is located in crowded Old Delhi and even if we are to see it from outside, he would not advise). So, went to Humayun Tomb, spent some time and reached Hazrat Nizamuddin station to catch August Kranti express to Mumbai.. Our 24 hour tour of Delhi was over !To see my blog on our Kashmir Trip, click here
