Short-lived weekends after a stressful week, look heavenly. It has been 5 months since I have shifted to Delhi, yet did not explore the most wanted tourist destinations of the Indian capital. Owing to mom’s perennial pressure to push my lazy self off home and give her company on a temple tour and shopping expedition, we embarked on a memorable voyage.

Nehru place is barely 20minutes drive from CR Park, the Bengali bastion in South Delhi. Our first stopover was Lotus temple, east of Nehru Place. I had seen Taj Mahal glowing in sunlight. Without comparing the two, the white marble petals of the temple glittered during the day. Vast crafted landscaped gardens and paved pathway guided us to the building. To aid smooth flow of visitors, there were volunteers. They seemed to be well-versed in Hindi and English, demonstrating the history of Lotus temple.

Also known as Bahai temple, the structure was a brainchild of followers of Bahai faith. With an aim to promote religious harmony, the temple was constructed in 1986. Due to religious sanction we had to open our shoes while entering the prayer hall, with a seating capacity of 1300. The ambiance was ethereal, perfect for meditation or a personal chat with the Almighty. Soon holy scriptures from Bhagwat Gita, Quran, Bible and Buddhist manuscripts were read aloud. This 10-minute prayer meet featured hymns too.

We observed the architectural detailing, 27 white petals surrounded by 9 pools. A classic combination of turquoise blue water and white marbles complimented each other to beautify the temple. It was good to learn till 2002, the Bahá’í House of Worship was one of the main tourist magnets of the world. At one point of time Lotus Temple visitors outnumbered Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal’s fan following. Hats off to Furiburz Sabha, the chief architect of this wonder! With Bahai hangover, we headed to a shopping hub.

Women are often mocked at for being shopaholics. Without caring about generic testimonials, we landed up at Dilli Haat. Thankfully, traffic blues don’t haunt on Sundays! It took me 30 minutes to reach the spot. This shoppers’ stop seemed to teleport us to an ethnic Indian Village, featuring shops with thatched roof, set amid urban backdrop. Dilli Haat is a sophisticated cocktail of Indian art and crafts, culture and cuisine.

Handloom and handicraft items from different Indian states with respective food stalls thronged the 6 acre land. Momos are my favorite when it comes to quick-bites, hence we chose the Sikkim kiosk. Shoplifting was mainly from Kashmir stalls selling pashmina shawls, embroidered dress materials. Shops from Rajasthan sold lovely flowing skirts and footwear. Mom, like all Indian middle-aged women, loosened her purse strings at kiosks selling saris, oven proof utensils. Open-air Rajasthani and Punjabi folk dances were gripping. Astrologers, pickle sellers, painters, puppeteers tried their luck at wooing people.

Unplanned outings always weave magic. Sunlight was all we needed to counter winter chill. I’d like to thank Sun God for shinning in glory and mom for a wonderful Sunday.

How often do you get to talk to your beloved if both of you are professionals? After returning home on Fridays, tired of traffic and workload, you either opt for a sports channel or daily soaps — overdose of drama on screen! Here are some good places to help you counter stress and keep the romance alive.

Kinnaur: Meadows, valleys, orchards and white peaks mark Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. Tribals form a major part of the small population here. Kinnaur in the heart of Himalayas has small temples and monasteries which can be explored on toes. Gushing streams, small natural fountains and a spectacular view of Dhauladhar peak will surely transcend you into another world. You can enjoy the scenic splendor from your hotel room,sipping coffee, reliving the romance.Long romantic walks are ideal in in such picturesque.
Getting there : Kinnaur is roughly 600km from Delhi.

Bharatpur: Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Kinnaur owing to it’s distance. Bharatpur is at your service. Bharatpur Palace will give you an overview of ancient Rajput gharana, through the architecture and royal carvings. The main reason to visit the city is not difficult to guess — Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Make the most of your bird watching, amidst nature trail. Apart from migratory birds, you’ll get to see ducks, cranes, flycatchers, wagtails and pelicans. If you’re lucky enough you can also spot Nilgai or wild boar.
Getting there: Bharatpur is around 180km from Delhi.

Narkanda: The Himalayan treat continues at Narkanda. Unexplored, less populated town of Narkanda is ideal to spend quality time with your beloved. Orchards, forests in the heart of the small town make it an ideal honeymoon spot. Winters freeze here, while summers are cold and pleasant. With love in air, unleash your adventure streak. Snow covered Narkanda is ideal for skiing in winter.
Getting there: 440kms from Delhi

Shoghi: Another secluded place in Himachal Pradesh kissed with Himalayan charm, can be your dream destination. This pollution free town houses rhododendron forests. Pine, oak and teak plantations add a dash of green border to white mountains. You can opt for long walks across meandering pathways accentuated with waterfalls. Or sit back in hotel and allow Mother Nature to mesmerize you with unparallel beauty.
Getting there: Around 320km from Delhi

Corbett:This one is meant for wildlife enthusiasts. Opt for candlelight dinner at forest bungalows and set out early next day for jeep safari. November to May is the peak season as the sanctuary remains closed for six months. The leading tiger reserve boasts of rich forest cover. Caution! Also, on prowl are barking deer, python, crocodile, leopard, sambar, sloth bear.You can spot wingies like dove, bulbul, duck, hornbill, stork and falcon among hundreds of other rare species.
Getting there: Roughly 240km from Delhi

Ranikhet: The name itself has a royal touch. Ancient bungalows with a modern touch, colonial malls and buildings coupled with a clear view of Himalayas — reasons good enough to attract cosy couples. Golf courses, vibrant gardens and orchards, army camp — Ranikhet is a demographically blessed hill station. Live life king size with your queen!
Getting there: Around 350km from Delhi

Galta: Here’s a chance to thank the Almighty to have blessed you with a lovely partner. Galta, in Rajasthan is a pilgrim halt. The Sun God is worshiped in Galtaji Temple made of pink stones. Devouts are seen taking a holy bath in a spring, next to the temple. Legend has it, you get to clean your sins in the spring. Winter months are ideal for visit to escape from sultry summers.
Getting there: Galta is 260 km from Delhi.

Pangot: Another tourist hub in Uttarakhand, Pangot is a small hill station which is a tourist’s favorite around the globe.Birdwatching is one of the key activities here. You can visit Pangot this winter, if you can bear extreme temperature. Snowfall comes as a bonus.You can trek to Nearby Naina Peak.Exploring the surroundings on foot is a great idea!
Getting there: Pangot is around 285km from Delhi.

Pilibhit: Dense forests at Pilibhit is set to be the origin of River Gomti. A haven of Indian flutes, this small town is known for its tiger reserve. Don’t miss out on a comfortable stay at log huts next to the tiger reserve. Don’t forget to obey forest guidelines, who knows the predator might be watching you!
Getting there : Pilibhit is around 305km from here

Chhachharauli: Chhachharauli, on the foothills of Himalayas is a natural splendor. Green forests, mountains and ancient buildings — a perfect blend of nature and lifestyle. The town houses temples and numerous markets. Farmers are seen at their best trying to sell their produce. Lord Shiva is worshiped in the the Raghunath temple.
Getting there: It is around 215km from Delhi

The capital city, Delhi presents a vast canvas of historic monuments, museums, art and culture, celebrations of various fairs and festivals, colorful markets, haute couture, scenic locations and the list does goes on and on. This vibrant city contributes a lion’s share on the rich heritage of India.

You have not even thought that there would be a structure pretty similar to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Humayun’s Tomb is an example to it. The whole white element is missing of course. Tucked away in the corner of the Nizamuddin area in Delhi, it is the tomb of the emperor Humayun. This can be rightly termed as the precursor of the Taj with slightly different proportions. But the overall effect is very imposing especially the combination of marble and red sandstones. In contrast to the Taj Mahal, this tomb was made by the Begum for his beloved husband. Your Delhi visit will remain incomplete without visiting this beautiful tomb.

The elements of symmetry, eye of detail, perspective, beautiful jaali openings, stone lattice work and beautiful designs depicts the Mughal architecture at its best. Humayun’s Tomb has inspired several major architectural innovations and of course the Taj Mahal which was constructed much later. This structure is a well-developed specimen of the double-domed elevations with kiosks on grand scale. Laid itself in the center of a garden, it is the first garden tomb in Delhi. The garden popularly known as the Char Bagh is divided into four parts with pools joined by the channels. The main entrance to the tomb is on the south with other on the west. A bath and a pavilion are located on the eastern and northern walls. And the mausoleum itself stands on a high, wide and terraced platform with small arched cell on both the sides.

The restoration of this heritage site helped in getting the original grandeur and added value in maintaining the lush green garden. With over two thousands trees and plants including mango, lemon, neem, hibiscus etc., it offers a picturesque landscape. The restoration project also ensured that water flows naturally through the channels and the pools. The long dormant fountains have also come alive. It now offers a perfect aura of the tomb garden and is visited by large number of people. It is a favorite place to hang out during the summer evenings for the locales of Delhi and serves as an important tourist destination for the domestic and foreign visitors. Important part of the heritage of Delhi in particular and India in general, Humayun’s Tomb is a great place to visit.

Traveled to Delhi and not visited the massive Red Fort? Then you have certainly missed the important flavor of Delhi. With two contrasting but harmonious part, Old Delhi and New Delhi forms the beautiful capital of India. This imperial city is blessed with rich heritage in the form of forts, historical monuments and museums. Red Fort contributes a lion’s share in the rich heritage of Delhi in particular and India in general.

Visitors remain spell bound with the wonderful structures of the Red Fort which sprawls an area of around two and half kilometers. Situated in the Old Delhi, as the name goes, Red Fort is built of red sandstones. It is another creation of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the immortal Taj Mahal in Agra. It serves as the palace of the Mughal Emperor after he shifted his base from Agra. The construction of this massive structure began in the year 1638 which completed after ten years in the year 1648. Popularly known as the Purana Quila, one of the important attractions of the fort are the huge red walls encompassing the whole fort. It has two entrances to the fort, the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate. Lahore Gate being the emotional and symbolical focal point of the modern India, it is crowded by people on the Independence Day of India.

While on normal days, you can feel the popularity of the fort by the hordes of people visiting the place from various parts of the world. A walk into the fort will allow you to discover various beautiful structures. You will be welcomed by an erstwhile bazaar called Chatta Chowk. It now sells various items like ethnic jewelries, collection of antiques, beautifully woven carpets, skillfully done handicrafts, miniature paintings and various other beautiful things. The fort also houses a Drum House or Naubat Khana where the musicians used to play music for the Royals.

You will surely be amazed by the beautiful architecture of the structures done with intricate designs. The Hall of the Public or the Diwan-E-Aam once boasted with elaborate marble works and gemstones. It now reflects a pale shadow of the former charm. It was where the Emperor used to listen to the complaints of the common men. While Diwan-E-Khas or the hall of the private had a bejeweled peacock throne where the Emperor used to sit and engage in private discussions. Though the gems and jewels are not available now, but the charm of the places still remains. The lotus shaped marble carvings in the in the central floor of the Rang Mahal is a great source of pleasure for the eyes of the visitors. The Pearl Mosque inside the fort is also very beautiful which is made of marble. Shahi Burj and Royal Baths are highlights of this fort.

While in the evenings, the special light and sound show in the fort premises spreads a wonderful atmosphere in the place. People are greatly entertained and relaxed by the show after exploring the various places in the huge fort. You will feel yourself to be blessed after exploring the fort making your holiday in Delhi a memorable one.