A Mini-Disneyland
Appu Ghar in New Delhi is a crowd puller for the residents of the capital as well as those of neighboring towns. Children will have a time of their life over here, while the enjoying the various rides.

The Swinging Sensations
Appu Ghar has the usual fare of exciting games like Roller Coaster, the Big Splash, Dodgem Cars, the Eerie Tunnel, Giant Wheel, Columbus Jhoola - a ship high up in the sky, the Speeding Cup, a Cable Car, a Saucer that works on centrifugal force and lots more.

Ice Games
Appu Ghar has now introduced Ice Games at OYSTERS, where four acres of the Water Park have been blanketed with ice for winter sports. These include sledding, skiing, ice boating, where one can row through a river full of icebergs and bowling on ice.
Amusements for the grown ups are also available over here such as Rain Dance, Ice Dance all to the tune of fast music and according to the seasons in Delhi. This water park is the best place to cool down the sultry summer heat. The entry to the park is from Gate No. 4 at Pragati Maidan and remains open on all days of the week. One can visit the park on Mondays to Saturdays from 1.30 to 9.30pm and on Sundays from Noon to 9.30pm

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The Laxmi Narayan Mandir (temple) built by B.D. Birla is a modern Hindu temple dedicated to Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and Narayana (the preserver). It was inaugurated by Gandhi with the stipulation that it should be open to all castes (including the untouchables) and all faiths, so it is more welcoming to foreigners than the average temple.

After visiting so many ancient Hindu temples, it was fun to see a modern functioning one. The whole temple was quite garish, and noisy with chants over the loud speaker system, but it was also strangely peaceful. In the garden there was a tree wound with colored strings, and two women were praying at the foot.

History
This temple was built over a six year period (1933 - 1939) and was opened by Mahatma Gandhi.

Temple Architecture
The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.

Significance
This is one of the landmarks in the nation's capital New Delhi. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla family of industrialists known for its many other temples in India. It is modern in concept and construction. It attracts several devotees and international tourists. The presiding deity here is Lakshmi Narain (Vishnu).

Other Shrines in the temple
Durga and Shiva are the other major deities housed in this temple. Mention must be made of the Buddha temple in this complex. Access and Accommodation: Accomodation is available in the temple guest house for out of town travellers especially for international scholars pursuing knowledge in Sanskrit or in the Hindu religion.

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Near Connaught Place in New Delhi, a vast and magnificent building that once belonged to Raja Jai Singh of Amber now stands stately Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, in memory of Guru Har Krishan ji. Guru Har Rai ji had two sons, Ram Rai was elder and the younger Har Krishan. Ram Rai had displeased his father on account of his manifesting miracles despite strict instructions not to do so as it was against the Sikh faith. Guru Har Rai ji had thus ordained Guruship to his younger son Har Krishan. Through a cunning and crafty design, the deranged and distraught Ram Rai involved Emperor Aurangzeb against the succession. The Emperor ordered Raja Jai Singh to get Guru Harkrishan ji to see him in Delhi. The Raja was a great devotee of the Sikh Guru's and he knew the true story of the succession too. The Raja instead of presenting the Guru before the King, made him his own guest. It so happened that at time Delhi was inflamed with the epidemic of smallpox and people in large gatherings had been visiting the Guru continuously. The Guru thus could not escapee the attack of smallpox and he left for his heavenly abode in 1664 at the tender age of just eight. It is at this place where the Guru breathed his last and the big palace was converted into an inspiring Gurdwara now known as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, which is a sacred place for pilgrimage with the Sikhs.

Bangla Sahib Gurdwara is situated just a furlong away from the main Connaught Place and has become a centre of pilgrimage for lakhs of people who throng the Gurdwara everyday. People belonging to different religions, castes, color visit this shrine to pay their respect everyday.

Guru Harikrishan ji came to Delhi and was entertained as a royal guest by Mirza Jai Singh in his palace. The palace was built on the model of existing palace of Raja Jai Singh in Jaipur. Raja Jai Singh's chief Rani looked after Mata Sulakhni ( Mother of Guru ji ) and was greatly impressed by the spiritual powers of Guru Harikrishan Ji.

Guru Harikrishan ji was invited by Mughal King Aurengzed, but Guru ji refused to meet the Mughal King, and show any occult miracles of the type his ( Guru ji's ) brother Ram Rai, had shown in the Mughal court. During this period smallpox and cholera had broken in Delhi and Guru Harikrishan ji moved freely among the victims of the epidemic. Both Hindu and Muslims of Delhi were deeply moved by his compassion and human touch.

Guru Harikrishan ji everyday distributed sanctified water to the sick and the poor, which had a miraculous healing effect on their mind and soul. To this day water sanctified by the word of God, sung all the day in the temple is distributed to those seeking their peace of mind.

Raja Jai Singh dedicated his palace to the sacred memory of the Guru and since his death it has been the place of worship of the sikhs.

Guru Harikrishan ji died of smallpox on March 30, 1664. The Gurdwara was built by Sardar Baghel Singh in 1783. It was rebuilt by Baba Harbans Singh ji and a Sarover was also added. It is a spacious four storey building with beautiful facade. The birthday of Guru Harikrishan ji is celebrated here every year with great pomp and show.

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One of Delhi's most popular shopping centres built as early as 1931 there is nothing that one cannot buy here and it also has several eating houses. The state emporia buildings are also located in this area so are the head offices of major banks, airlines and other such things of importance to the tourist. The complex popularly referred to as CP is an important meeting points for all sections of people and is something which no tourist should miss if for nothing else then for its architecture and the humdrum of everyday life

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At the center of New Delhi stands the 42m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like Archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart war memorial. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the First World War and bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. The foundation stone was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and was designed by Edwin Lutyens.

The monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added much later, after India got its independence. It is in the form of a flame that burns day and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge molding, beneath, which are inscribed Imperial sons. Above on both sides is inscribed INDIA, flanked by MCM and to the right, XIX.
The shallow domed bowl at the top was intended to be filled with burning oil on anniversaries but this is rarely done. Surrounding the imposing structure is a large expanse of lush green lawns, which is a popular picnic spot. One can see hoards of people moving about the brightly lit area and on the lawns on summer evenings

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Situated in the heart of Delhi, the unique Dilli Haat is an upgraded version of the traditional weekly market, offering a delightful amalgam of craft, food and cultural activities. However, while the village haat is a mobile, flexible arrangement at Dilli Haat, a permanent haat, it is the craftsmen who are mobile and ever-changing thereby offering a kaleidoscope of the richness and diversity of Indian handicrafts and artifacts.

Spread over a spacious six acre area, imaginative landscaping, creative planning, and the traditional village architectural style have combined to produce the perfect ambience for a haat or market place. A plaza paved with stone and brickwork skilfully interspersed with grass, flowering shrubs and towering eucalyptus tress, plus a play corner for children, have conjured up an oasis in which visitors can browse at their leisure.

The food plaza enables visitors to savour the inimitable flavours of gastronomic delights from the various regions of India. The different stalls offer a wide choice of ethnic food which is clean, hygienically prepared and reasonably priced, often a venue for regional food festivals.

A wide variety of skilfully crafted handicrafts, intrinsic to each part of the country are available in this exotic bazaar. These range from intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, to sophisticated fabric and drapery. Gems, beads, brassware, metal crafts, silk and woollens ..... the range is limitless.

The handicraft stalls are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen from all corners of the vast and varied land of India, usually for fifteen days. Thus ensuring that different handicrafts are available to visitors at each visit, and also enabling them to buy authentic wares at prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs. Shows promoting handicrafts and handlooms are held at the exhibition hall in the complex.

The Dilli Haat offers you the Indian experience in a microcosm. A destination in itself. And your window to a land filled with myriad colours and vibrant contrasts.

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The living legacy of New Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by the builder of Taj Mahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying centre, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon, called Chandni Chowk. Shahjahan planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted. It was divided by canals filled with water, which glistened like silver in moonlight. The canals are now closed, but Chandni Chowk remains Asia's largest wholesale market. A must visit place in New Delhi.

The Main Street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. It's hopelessly congested day and night, a very sharp contrast to the open, spacious streets of New Delhi. At the Eastern (Red Fort) end of Chandni Chowk, there is a Digambara Jain Gurudwara, with a small marble courtyard surrouonded by a colonnade. Traditionally, Jain monks of teh Digambara, or a sky Clad, sect, wore no graments. There's an interesting bird hospital here, run by the Jains, entry is free.

Next to the Kotwali (old police station) is the Sunehri Masjid. In 1739, Nadir Shah, the Persian invader who carried off the Peacock Throne, stood on the roof of this mosque and watched while his soldiers conducted a bloody massacre of Delhi's inhabitants. The western end of Chandni Chowk  is marked by the Fatehpuri Masjid,  which was erected in 1650 by one of Shah Jahan's wives.

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