Purana Qila: The Old Fort

Delhi has a major fort that is very popular, the Red Fort in Old Delhi, where the Prime Minister unfurls the national flag on Indian Independence Day (August 15th). But the Red Fort was constructed by the 5th Mughal, Shah Jehan. What was there before that ?
Well, the answer is the Purana Qila (Old Fort). Located on Mathura Road, very centrally, right next to the Delhi Zoo, next to Pragati Maidan, and connected by a short road to India Gate. This looks much more of a ruin, as compared to the Red Fort. The Old Fort has a chequered history, having been completed by the Afghan ruler, Sher Shah Suri who had managed to over-throw the second Mughal, Humayun. The idea of the fort was to defend the city against invaders, and this worked till Sher Shah died 5 years later.
Humayun was able to win his way back over the throne, and occupied the fort. However, the reign was short, and he died in a fall from the steep steps of the library. After his death, the Mughals considered the fort as cursed, and eventually started the construction of a new fort, the Red Fort. The Purnana Qila is a wonderful garrison, with its walls being very high, as high as 20 meters in some places, and with a circumference of around 2.5 kilometers. The fort introduced the concept of spy holes in the walls, something which was copied by other forts.
The Old fort also has a way to show tourists about the history of the city through an incredible sound and light show, run by Delhi Tourism.

Tickets available at - DTTDC Office, N-36, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India 110001.
Phone : +91-11-3315322

Connaught Place Coffee Home, New Delhi, India 110001.
Phone : +91-11-3363607

The Old Fort is supposed to have been built on the site of the historic Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas. In some excavation at the site of the Old Fort, pottery dating back to 1000 BC has been found; and in addition, coins and such relating to the Gupta and post-Gupta dynasties (4th century AD onwards) have also been found.


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Delhi Parks: Nehru Park in Chankyapuri

This is a pretty well maintained park, located in the midst of the diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri. It is a plush park, very well maintained and frequented by a number of the high and mighty of the capital city. The park is spacious, being around 80 acres in size and is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. It is located next to the Ashoka Hotel and borders the Diplomatic Enclave. The park is open on all days, is open from sunrise to sunset and there are no admission fees. There is parking available.
The inside of the park is beautiful, comprising of green mounds, lots of flowers and rocks inscribed with the sayings of Nehru. The park attracts a number of fitness enthusiasts who come to the park morning and evening to work out. The park also has a swimming pool and a snack bar.
In addition, Nehru Park also has a number of musical events such as Morning Ragas on Sunday morning, with performances by famous musicians and vocalists.


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Delhi Tourism: Garden of five senses

This is a very recent addition to the tourism map of Delhi, having been inaugrated only in 2003. The Garden of five senses is indeed a treat for the senses, located in around 20 acres. To reach there, you need to take the Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, and the garden is actually located close to the Qutub complex.
Why is it called so ? That is because the garden caters to the senses of sight, hearing, touching, smell, and taste. You can see beautiful flowers, hear soothing music, cater to your taste buds in the food court serving delicacies from different regions, and of course touch and smell the various plants and flora in the garden. Each of these senses is catered to in a separate area of the garden.
For children, it can be entertaining, what with sculptures, water bodies, fountains, different delicacies, wind chimes with their melodious sound.
Some of the attractions that you can find in this garden are: Stainless steel birds, sculptures, water fountains, fragnant shrubs and trees, rare types of plants such as varieties of bamboos and cactii, an amphitheatre, exhibition area, pre-existing vegetation of the area such as kikar and ber bush, regular festivals of art and food, etc.


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Delhi Culture: Kamani auditorium

Delhi is often enough accused of being a city with a very loud culture, not the refined culture. One place that goes a long way towards removing some of that misunderstanding is an auditorium by the name of Kamani auditorium.
This is a fairly large auditorium, located right in the heart of the city. It is located on Copernicus Marg, right off the Mandi House Delhi Metro station. This auditorium has been there for a fairly long time, inaugrated in 1971.
The auditorium seats 632 people, and the stage is a massive item, with 48 feet depth and a 40 feet opening frontage, it can host different types of performances such as plays, ballets, group and solo performances. If you are culturally inclined, you must have visited Kamani auditorium. The place SHRIRAM BHARATIYA KALA KENDRA, one of the premier cultural institutions of INDIA.
If you want to know the upcoming performance schedule for Kamani, refer to the following link:
http://www.kamaniauditorium.org/schedule/schedule.php


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