Dilli aur Dilwale

The capital of India and my 'pit stop' to northern India, haha.

Never in my life I knew that I would be visiting this city multiple times for various reasons and would be having some genuine times of my life here making this pit stop a cozy stop.

I remember the very first time I was here, it was 2017 and we were on our way to Manali for my first Himalayan trek. Playing cricket with random kids is something which I cherish as my first memory here. There on it was 2019, 2023 and 2024 several times.

Every time I visited, the people I know here kept growing. Some who already lived here and some whom I met on my travels, while others who came here for some career opportunities. Each of them unique to themself and has helped me in any way possible during my solo trips. Trust me, a solo traveler would never forget you even if you help them for a second. Similarly, I am grateful for these people as this pit stop would had been really difficult otherwise. Moreover the amount of memories I have here with them is unfathomable.

"It's the people who you meet on the way" made sense to me here. I have met hundreds of strangers at this point, but for some reason this place hits different for me.

One of the libraries near Karol bagh, full of UPSC aspirants.

Adding to this, the city is no less interesting. My actual exposure to the city began with the UPSC environment, I mean I was living at my friends' near Rajendra Palace and Karol Bagh area. The morning routines, study libraries, lunch times, late night studies and then the distractions of life - a unique combination of all this for months for the exam, I mean the discipline is commendable. But it makes sense as the air itself had this routine to it there. You were just flowing with it every day not knowing what's happening outside this small world of aspirants. Along with such one friend I visited Majnu ka Tila just before my bus to Bir but I think my journey already started from here. It's a market/cafe hub with a monastery somewhere in between and you also get Tibetan food here. Fun place actually. As long as we are talking about food, let me save you from a place names - Delhi Haat INA, just don't go is all I would like to say. Instead have it somewhere local and unknown, I am sure it tastes better than here.

The next thing which I remember vividly are actually two places - the infamous Sarojini Market and Connaught Place. Talking about the market, I personally am not an enthusiastic shopping freak so for me it was more or less like any other market but yes one things for sure they have tons and tons of variety and everything's so cheap, I mean that's why it's famous. Ah, I cannot ignore the fact that a guy tried selling us air pods (probably stolen) and also some drugs. It was hilarious for me as it had never happened to me before.

On the other hand Connaught Palace, a place where nothing is cheap - I mean it's basically a huge cafe hub for me (I don't know these places like a local yet) where I went multiple times to a couple cafes - especially BIG CHILL, I don't know what's the obsession xd. But yes it's a central hub for friends from different corners of Delhi to meet here, trust me you don't have time here, so this place helps a ton. Also the area is really well designed and it's actually fun to stroll around in the evenings. You might spot some flutist or artists hopefully even now. A quick couple suggestions around here (haven't been here personally yet) - Depaul's and Wengers, do let me know!

Walking distance from here is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Let me tell you Gurudwaras and me, just connect, I never miss one if I see it. And visiting Bangla Sahib was something so peaceful for me. Especially how similar it's build to the Golden temple in Punjab. (Ps I am dying to be there for a few years now). Sitting around the pond and watching the structure with tons of people clicking pictures (even if it's not allowed), children running around and old people staring into the unknown, an evening well spent. I even visited the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah one such evening. My only personal motivation was watching the place where the song 'Kun Faayan Kun' was filmed. The moment I entered the Dargah I saw the whole premise and I smiled. This song means a lot more to me and being at the place of it's creation connected me even more. Then we sat to hear the 'Qawwali' leaving with a higher energy experience.

Again, not far from here is the Humayun's Tomb. Well at that point I was just excited to click the cliche picture of it with the symmetry of it. I wasn't that interested in the history till then. Visiting these larger than life structures definitely make you think - wonder about how it all would have happened. Today's modern architectural marvels still surprise me less than such beautifully done soulful architecture. And the green gardens around it, wow. Delhi people do have such big gardens in some spots to escape the rush and just be for a few moments.

So such places make up a huge part of Delhi for me - Akshardham, Qutub Minar, Hauz Khas fort, Sundar Nursery, India Gate, Red Fort, Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Lotus temple and the list goes on.

For cafe lovers, Hauz Khas area is something I can recommend which has this Deer park and a somewhat lake structure besides it and the fort as mentioned. The alleyways are full of options to eat and chill. I suggest just go and sit wherever. I did go to a few cafes here, but the one that meant the most for me was again for a movie reference 'The Social' of Hauz Khas where a scene of Tamasha was shot. A movie really close to me. Apart from that you will find a couple galleries too. Fun incident - I spotted a 'Peacock' running around outside one such gallery, what are the chances. It was actually there XD. On similar artistic lines do visit the huge murals on the residential buildings of 'Lodhi Art district'. Genuinely hats off to the people who have pulled this off and the messages they are spreading through it. Just go have a walk randomly, you won't regret. Also visit 'Raghubir Nagar' and do let me know to!

One of the murals in Lodhi Art District. Just Perfect.

Ending this short trip to Delhi I do wanna mention the different dynamic Gurugram-Delhi and Noida has. I did visit Gurugram a couple times. Couldn't experience much but visited the DLF city. Do go if you love the upbeat nights and drinks. Noida didn't go as such but had people visit me from Noida and seeing the metro connectivity I was shocked. Which brings me to the last and probably one of my most favorite things about Delhi, it's Metros.

My love for Delhi metros is undying as it was also my first solo experience plus the connectivity and comfort which it offers in this large expanse is much appreciated. Also watching the city pass by from these fast moving machines is something I still cherish. Yellow, red, blue, pink, orange and what not, these lines have helped me a lot and I look forward to walking around metro stations following the colored footsteps which eventually guide me to the right stations. :)

It's the metro card I use when I am there. Thanks to a friend!

Hope you loved this read, would love to hear your Delhi stories. Jaate jaate for my solo travelers do check JHouse! Take care.

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PS : Pollution, heat and some major other problems is something which I didn't wanted to bring up, I think it's just so obvious at this point, but yes I hope it gets better and take care. Also every place has it's flaws, but for me it's about appreciating things while being aware of the problem it holds.