Presidential House
Time to head back into town and pass some of the government buildings and Presidential House. Because of the security, couldn’t stop here so it was merely a drive by.
This vast, intricate work of mixed Mughal and Western architecture is one of the largest presidential residences in the world.
The Indian Presidential House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) in New Delhi is one of the world’s largest residential head-of-state houses. The building is 19,000 square metres (200,000 square feet) in size, with four floors and 340 rooms, and sits on 130 hectares (320 acres) in the city centre. The architectural style mixes Mughal and European traditions in an intriguing fashion.
The palace was initially built to house the British Viceroy in India and was designed by a British architect. The building was intended to symbolise the permanence of British rule in the East. In 1950, following independence, the first president of India took up residence there and the palace was renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The whole palace has representations of Indian architectural patterns running through it. They include Buddhist railings and chhajjas, which are stone slabs below the roof that protect the walls and windows.
https://www.expedia.co.in/Rashtrapati-Bhavan-Delhi.d6074810.Attraction
India Gate
Finally drove down towards the 42 metre / 138 foot tall India Gate which was already getting ready for the 26 January India Republic Day parade.
Here is the link to Tripsavvy:
The towering archway of India Gate at the center of New Delhi is a war memorial, built in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army in World War I. At night it glows warmly under floodlights, and the gardens that line its boulevard are a popular place to enjoy a warm summer's evening.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/top-delhi-attractions-and-places-to-visit-1539209
Popular late afternoon with the local families gathering enjoying the open spaces and not doubt flying kites, playing cricket or simply eating from one of the street vendors.
Pani puri or golgappa as they called it in Rajasthan. These are puffed puris which are served with potato and white peas filling, topped up with tamarind chutney and spicy mint water.
Eaten whole in one shot. Remember eating these at Mumbai last year down on Chowpatty Beach.
https://bruceontour.travellerspoint.com/51/
Ugrasen ki Baoli
Didn’t want to stop for a walk around so it was back towards the hotel with a stop off at the Ugrasen ki Baoli (stepwell). Apparently you could see it from my hotel and looking afterwards on the map it was only several hundred metres away.
Ugrasen ki Baoli (also known as Agrasen ki Baodi) is a 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well on Hailey Road.
This Baoli, with 108 steps, is among a few of its kind in Delhi. The visible parts of this historical step well consist of three levels. Each level is lined with arched niches on both sides. Thanks Mr Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrasen_ki_Baoli
To me this was a bonus as the pictures of stepwells that I have seen, they are square whereas this one was so rectangular.
The street art outside was also interesting and colourful.
Now 3.30pm / 15:30 and the tour of both old and new Delhi was over.
Connaught Place
Got a local dinner restaurant suggestion from Gautam and after getting some warm clothes for the evening, off to find it near Connaught Place. With sunset just after 5pm / 17:00, just had enough time to see a little bit of this area.
Dressed as a tourist and standing out as not a local in a touristy area of Delhi, I was approached several times by well-meaning locals offering me help and advice, but had to be really travel smart, street wise and being on my guard, gracefully declined. I am sure that they were well meaning.
Managed to get a shot or two of the sun fast dropping below the horizon along with the super large flag pole in the middle of Connaught Place’s Central Park.
So many people were out. The streets were crowded with people going home or simply out shopping, eating or going to the cinema.
Dinner at Garam Dharam = Dhaba theka paneer makhana 395 rupees / NZ$8 / US$5.50.
Jerra rice 225 rupees / NZ$4.60 / US$3.15.
Plus GST and a tip came to 720 rupees / NZ$14.60 / US$10.
Jerra rice as well as garlic naan bread were to become a favourite of mine on this trip.
https://www.facebook.com/garamdharamdhabadelhi/
Outer Circle | M-16, Ground Floor, Connaught Place