Delhi, No.6 is the postal code for an area called Old Delhi. It is now a metaphor for the culture of that golden age when life was lived at a slower pace and there was time to enjoy beauty, refinement, leisure and good food. Oh where that is time and place! Is it gone for ever? No. It is still there, hidden away, and only a few people know how to find
it. Come; join us to discover the charming, throbbing life of Delhi 6.
We at Ajanta Travel Services will take you to see the living traditions of the Mughal days, by rickshaw ride and by foot, through the narrow, twisting streets into the heart of Old Delhi, guided by your hosts who were born and brought up in these by-lanes.
Tour Plan:
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and first taken on a tour of the famous monuments of Old Delhi, visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandini Chowk.
Then you will explore the old bazaars which are fuIl of fascinating sights, a hubbub of sounds, and the intriguing mix of delicate attar perfumes and grilled kebab aromas....
Your tour host will guide you to Dariba Kalan or the 'street of the incomparable pearl', famous since the time of Shah Jahan as the headquarters of the city's gold, silver and jewellery markets. Here, jeweIlery is still sold by weight rather than by the piece - it seems no great value is placed on the craft of the jewellers themselves!
Enter a confusion of colourful shops caIled Kinari Bazaar, famous for wedding ceremony accessories like tinsel ribbon and fancy lace, hair-braids and intricate garlands.
Another landmark is the 18th century confectio nary store called Ghantewala Sweet Shop. The fantastic flavors once made the emperor's elephant stop outside the shop and ring its bell (Ghantewala: Bell Ringer); the recipes remains unchanged till today. Close by is the 18th century triple-domed mosque, Sunehri Masjid.
Look around the paper market in Chawri Bazar and browse in Nai Sarak where the shops are devoted to stationery, particularly the exquisite handmade invitations cards that are an important beginning for any Indian wedding preparation.
The Haveli (mansion) of the famous poet Mirza Ghalib (1796-1869) is located in Gali Qasim Jaan, near the south corner of Ballimaraan, the 'lane of the boat rowers'. The great poet stayed here during 1865 to 1869 in the last phase of his life.
Looking for something to eat? You are invited for lunch at Dewanji ki Have!i, a 150 year old home where the original family is still living. The ladies of the family will prepare and serve a delicious home cooked meal. You will rest awhile, till it is time for your hosts to take you to their rooftop for tea and snacks. Rooftop living is very typical of the old city's life style.
As the sun begins it's decent in the sky and the air becomes softer, we climb to the rooftop - from there we can see the city sprawling around, and people of all ages busy flying kites.
You too will learn to send your kites into the sky and engage in Kite Battles.
You will get a display of the skills required to train pigeons to fly out in circles from the rooftop, but always come back to their home. Pigeon flying (kabootar bazi) was and still is a popular pastime of the city.
In the late evening we will take you back to your hotel.
Walking tour starts from:
• Town Hall, Nai Sarak, Maliwara, Kinari Bazaar, Dariba, Jama-Masjid, Chawri Bazaar, Charkhewalan, Ballimaran .
• Patang Bazi, will be done by tourist under guidance of expert (tea & light snacks served during the session).