AUAP 17th General Conference 2024

Places to visit in Delhi

The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a historic old Delhi and the modern New Delhi. From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from an extensive network of the modern metro system to Delhi University campus, Dilli has multiple personalities and is considered to be the city with a heart.

The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country’s oldest and busiest market – Chandni Chowk.

Take time to explore historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila if you want to explore the Mughal History. Delhi has famous temples scattered all across the city, a few noteworthy ones being the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple.

Central Delhi is the concentration of the country’s political power, and the must-visit places here include the Connaught Place,  drive from outside of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill (visitors are not allowed to go inside), the Rajpath, and the India Gate. The best place to visit this area is in the evening, as all the buildings are lit up, and you can see the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate shining brightly.

Delhi is a shopper’s paradise with some colourful bazaars and upscale markets. The wide variety of markets in Delhi ensure that travellers go back home with double the luggage they came with!

India Gate

The All India War Memorial, popularly known as the India Gate, is located along the Rajpath in New Delhi. The imposing structure of India Gate is an awe-inspiring sight and is often compared to the Arch de Triomphe in France, the Gateway of India in Mumbai and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This 42-meter tall historical structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is one of the largest war memorials in the country. India Gate is also famous for hosting the Republic Day Parade every year.

Distance from Delhi International Airport : 12.6 KM (30 Min.) 

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is a minaret or a victory tower located in Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi’s Mehrauli area. With the height of 72.5 metres (238 ft), Qutub Minar is the second tallest monument of Delhi. Its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate after he defeated the last Hindu Ruler of Delhi. He constructed the basement, after which the construction was taken over by his son-in-law and successor Iltutmish who constructed three additional stories. The fourth and fifth storeys were built by Firoz Shah Tuglak.

Qutub Minar remains open for tourist all the days from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m except Sunday.

Entry Fee for foreign tourists: INR 600 per person.  

Distance from Delhi International Airport : 12.3 KM (36 Min.) 

Akshardham Temple

An epitome of Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture, Akshardham Temple is a famous Hindu temple and a spiritual-cultural complex. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, it is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. Akshardham has made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.

The Akshardham Temple is known for its stunning architecture. It has eight ostentatiously carved mandapams while timeless Hindu teachings and flamboyant devotional traditions find their place on the temple’s walls. The centrepiece, i.e. Lord Swaminarayan’s Murti along with that of 20,000 deities, significant personalities in Indian history and sages showcase the essence of Indian architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual thoughts. 

Timings : All days of the week except Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Ticket counters close at 6:00 PM

Dress Code : Arms, shoulders, chest, navel and legs have to be covered.

FIVE STAR HOTELS NEAR INDIRAGANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DELHI

  • Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport (2.4 km from IGI Airport)
  • Pride Plaza Hotel, Aerocity New Delhi (2.3 km from IGI Airport)
  • H uliday Inn (2.4 km from IGI Airport)
  • Pullman (2.3 km from IGI Airport)

PLACES TO VISIT IN AGRA

Taj Mahal

One of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is located on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Constructed entirely out of white marble in the 17th century, Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. Every year visitors numbering more than the entire population of Agra pass through the magnificent gates to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking monument!

Taj Mahal can be reached from Delhi by Rail and Road.  

Entry Fee for foreigners on weekdays except Friday : Rs.1,100/- per person. No entry fee for children below 15 years.

Ticket windows for Taj Mahal open one hour before Sunrise & close 45 minutes before Sunset. Tickets can also be bought online through www.asiagracircle. in & www.tajmahal.gov.in

Fatehpur Sikri

Located at a distance of 40km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a town in the Agra district and a famous tourist attraction. A city predominantly made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1571 century by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is essentially a fortified city built by the king and had been the capital of his Empire for fifteen years. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is home to Jodha Bai’s Palace, Jama Mosque, Buland Darwaza, and Tomb of Salim Chisti among many other famous monuments. Derived from Arab and central Asian tent encampments, the Imperial Complex is a work of pavilions arranged in formal geometry on a piece of land. 

Agra Fort

An architectural masterpiece, The Red Fort of Agra or Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar in 1573. It is located on the right bank of the River Yamuna and is made entirely of red sandstone. The historical fort was once the ersthwhile residence of the Mughals until 1638. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it lies 2.5 kilometres from Taj Mahal.

Itimad-ud-daulah's Tomb

Often referred to as the “Baby Taj Mahal”, the tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah is a Mughal mausoleum and often regarded as a copy of the Taj Mahal. This is the first tomb in India made entirely of marble. The tomb was commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mir Gheyas Beg (later known as Itimad-ud-daulah), who was a minister in the court of Shah Jahan.

DISTANCE FROM DELHI TO AGRA

By Superfast Train :  Max.2 Hours.

By Taxi : 4 Hours 30 Minutes

TRAIN SCHEDULE  FROM DELHI TO AGRA CANT WITH FARE

Train Name

Train No.

Dep. From Delhi

Arrival at Agra Cant

1st AC

INR

2nd AC

INR

3rd AC

INR

EC

INR

CC

INR

SHATABDI EXPRESS

12002

6:00 am

7:50 AM

NA

NA

NA

950

595

**CSMT RAJDHANI

22222

16:55 Hrs.

18:45 Hrs,

1560

1250

930

NA

NA

**SBC RAJDHANI

22692

19:50 Hrs.

21:45 Hrs.

1665

1345

1025

NA

NA

AP EXPRESS

20806

20:00 Hrs.

22:03 Hrs.

1255

760

555

NA

NA

TELANGANA EXP.

12724

16:00 Hrs.

18:05 Hrs.

1255

760

555

NA

NA

SACHKHAND EXP.

12716

13:04 Hrs.

15:10 Hrs.

1255

760

555

NA

NA

KERALA EXP.

12626

20:10 Hrs.

22:20 Hrs.

NA

760

555

NA

NA

**Departure from Nizamuddin Station.

Train tickets can be booked online from https://www.irctc.co.in

FIVE STAR HOTELS IN AGRA

Radisson Hotel Agrath

Fatehabad Road, Agra

3.3 km from Taj Mahal

6.3 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station

Room Tariff Appx. 10,500/- per room/night

Hotel Clarks Shiraz

54, Taj Road, Agra

1.5 Km. from Taj Mahal

3.5 km from Agra Cantonment

Room Tariff Approx: 5,500/- per room/night

Jaypee Palace Hotel

Fatehbad Road, Taj Ganj, Agra

2.5 km from Taj Mahal

8 KM from Agra Cant. station

Room Tariff Approx: 10,500/- + taxes per room/night

The Grand Imperial – Heritage Hotel

M.G. Road, Near DMs Bunglow, Near Sai Ki Takaia, Agra

2.6 km from Agra Cantonment

Room Tariff Approx: 12,500/- + taxes per room/night

For booking hotel : www.booking.com

PLACES TO VISIT IN BHOPAL NEAR BY BHOPAL

BHIMBETKA

ave paintings dating back to approximately 30,000 years. Rock shelters that were home to humans, millennia ago. And a rich flora and fauna surrounding these, indeed, make Bhimbetka a gift to us from our earliest ancestors. The Bhimbetka Rock Shelter has the oldest-known rock art in India, as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes to be seen. 

An archaeological treasure, Bhimbetka has around 243 rock shelters and have earned the honour of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The paintings found in the rock shelters here have a striking resemblance to the ones discovered in Kakadu National Park in Australia; to the cave paintings of Bushmen in Kalahari Desert and Upper Palaeolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France.

Distance from Bhopal to Bhimbetka     : 46 KMs (1 Hr. 15 Min. by Road)

THE GREAT STUPA AT SANCHI

Sanchi is a small town situated in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is renowned for its ancient Buddhist site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination. Sanchi is located about 50 km northeast of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, and is easily accessible by road or rail. 

The probable reason for the establishment of Buddhist monuments at Sanchi is the city of Vidisha. This erstwhile capital of ancient Eastern Malwa happened to be the populous and rich city of central India. The interest of the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Vidisha and around was because his wife Devi belonged to Vidisha. In addition to this fact, the Sanchi hilltop was an ideal place for the establishment of a monastery having a suitable atmosphere for meditation and other spiritual activities. 

AGRA-BHOPAL BY TRAIN

From Agra, following trainings are passing through Bhopal.  The travel time from Agra to Bhopal by train is 

Train No. & Name

Agra Cant

Bhopal

1st AC

2nd AC 

3RD AC

Exe.CC

AC CC

CSMT RAJDHANI (22222)

Dep.18.47 Hrs.

Arrival 00:35 Hrs.

2565/-

1965/-

1550/-

NA

NA

VANDE BHARAT EXP (20172)

16:20 Hrs.

22:16 Hrs.

NA

NA

NA

2630

1420

SBC RAJDHANI (22692)

21:47 Hrs.

3.45 Hrs.

2320

1780

1275

NA

NA

SHATABDI EXPRES (12002)

7:55 Hrs

14:12 Hrs.

NA

NA

NA

2165

1125