This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.
Place: Old Delhi
Highlights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Mirza Ghalib’s House, Fatehpuri Masjid, Parethewali Gali
Season: During winter – October to March
Time of the day: 2pm to 7pm
Distance: Approximately 3kms
Difficulty Level: Easy
Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. Click on the blue markers to identify of each location.
View Walks in India – Old Delhi in a larger map
Map of places to see and walking in Chandni Chowk
The Walk
With inputs from Himanshu Joshi, New Delhi.
Delhi’s afternoon weather us usually mild in winters, and you will be craving for sun. Walking in the afternoon can be a pleasant experience.
Old Delhi is full of landmarks that have a significant place in history. Nearly every other structure in this part of the town would be a few hundred years old. Begin the walk from Red Fort. The 350-year old fort built by Shah-Jahan can keep you occupied for an hour or more. When you are done, walk on Netaji Subhash Marg to Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India, another structure from the time of Shah-Jahan.
Visit the mosque, come back on Netaji Subhah Marg and turn left at Chandni Chowk. Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest streets in Delhi and once used to be a busy trading hub. Walk along Chandni Chowk until you reach Sis Ganj Gurudwara. This Gurudwara is located on the site where ninth guru of the Sikhs – Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the orders of Aurangazeb. After visiting the Gurudwara, continue further on Chandni Chowk to reach Nai Sarak. Nai Sarak is a wholesale market of books; but what sells primarily is school and college text books. Walk along Nai Sarak to reach the house of famous Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib. The Haveli of Ghalib now houses a museum dedicated to the poet.
Come back to Chandni Chowk and continue walking till you see Fatehpuri Masjid. The red sand stone mosque at the end of Chandni Chowk is another structure from the days of Shah Jahan. After visiting the mosque, head back on Chandni Chowk, cross Nai Sarak and turn right to Parathewali Gali. The street is a well-known foodie joint with many small shops selling Parathas and other delicacies. If the long walk is making you hungry, it is time to sit back and stuff yourself with Parathas before you conclude the walk.
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I never even knew there was an old delhi. hmmm. Interesting way to present Delhi.
Matt, Old Delhi is the city from many centuries ago. New Delhi is the larger region that was built early this century.
Oh my God – this series what you have started is so good. I personally love walking…..!
You are right, walks are not very common. However there are many organized walks in delhi. Just recently I did Food walk in Old delhi with my colleagues
And then there are architectural walks…etc….so let me know next time when you are in delhi and I can suggest more walks….!
Tk care ~
In February this year, I went on a part of this walk from Red Fort to Juma Masjid to Chandni Chowk and then ending up with a sumptuous dinner at Karim’s. The next time it will be right up to Fatehpur Masjid to end up in Parathewali Galli.:)
Yes Arun, this series of posts are going to be interesting.:)
Nice initiative
but there is a lot more to Old Delhi than all these well known places and only walking can discover that
There is a excellent book called Walk in Delhi : 10 walking trails that takes you to so many unknown places and eating places……..
There is a similar book on Shimla also…….which takes you away from the crowd of Mall road etc…
Wud have loved had there been a video of the program. anyways ur description was attractive, even to me who is a regular in those lanes