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Central New Delhi (मध्य नई दिल्ली Madhya Naī Dillī) contains the Kartavya Bhavan Area (कर्त्तव्य भवन क्षेत्र Kartavya Bhavan Kshetra), the central administrative district of New Delhi. Formerly called Central Vista, the district was originally designed and constructed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker as the seat of the imperial government. It has been used as the seat of the three government branches of the Republic of India since 1950. It has seen a facelift in the 2020s as part of an effort to modernise the capital city.
Central New Delhi is especially nice in the evening and at night when the buildings are lit and the vendors come out to supply the many picnicking families.
Get in
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By metro
[edit | edit source]Central New Delhi is served by Central Secretariat 2 6 and Seva Teerth 2 metro stations.
See
[edit | edit source]The Kartavya Bhavan Area can be neatly divided into four parts: the Raisina Hill, the Parliament Complex, the Kartavya Path and the India Gate Circle.
Raisina Hill
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The Raisina Hill (रायसीना की पहाड़ी Rāysīnā kī Pahāṛī) is the citadel of the Government of India, comprising the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Central Secretariat and the newly-built Vice President's Enclave. It is often called the "Acropolis of India".
- 1 Rashtrapati Bhavan (राष्ट्रपति भवन Rāshṭrapati Bhavan). The official residence of the President of India, designed in Edwardian Baroque architecture.
- 2 Jaipur Column. A monumental column in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After the transfer of the capital of India to New Delhi in 1911, the Maharaja of Jaipur offered to sponsor the construction of this column in 1912. However, the structure was completed nearly 18 years later. The column is very tall, around 44–45 m (144–148 ft). There's an egg at the top surmounted by a bronze lotus flower and a six-pointed glass star.
- 3 Amrit Udyan (अमृत उद्यान Amrit Udyān). Feb–Mar 30 days. Literally "Nectar Garden", Amrit Udyan is a popular garden at the back of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which combines Mughal and English gardening styles and features a variety of flowers and trees. The February–March period when it is open to the public is called the Udyānotsav, literally the "Garden Festival".
- 4 Central Secretariat (केंद्रीय सचिवालय Kendrīya Sachivālay). A complex of two blocks of symmetrical buildings (North Block and South Block) on opposite sides of the Kartavya Path. It was designed by British architect Herbert Baker in Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, replacing the Old Secretariat in North Delhi. It once housed many important government ministries of India before the construction of the Kartavya Bhavan complex in the 2020s. The buildings are since closed for the development of a national museum inside.
- 5 Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum (राष्ट्रपति भवन संग्रहालय Rāshṭrapati Bhavan Sangrahālay). 9:30AM-4:30PM (closed Mon). A tribute to all the Presidents of the Republic of India. The museum contains artefacts and information surrounding the position of the President of India as well as the people who held the office. Aside from the Presidents, it also displays information about the Prime Ministers of India, the establishment of New Delhi during the colonial rule, Delhi Durbar, the Indian independence movement, the partition of India and drafting of the Indian Constitution. ₹50.
- 6 11 Murti (ग्यारह मूर्ति Gyārah Mūrti) (on Mother Teresa Crescent). A monument representing the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, a classic case of civil disobedience which played a key role in the Indian independence movement, and inspired later protesters such as Martin Luther King Jr. The "11 sculptures" in the monument are designed to look like people of different religions and castes, all marching together.
- 7 Cathedral Church of the Redemption (Viceroy Church), Church Lane (near Rashtrapati Bhavan). The headquarters of the Church of North India, Delhi Diocese. Built by Henry Medd between 1927-1935, it is a fine example of the colonial architecture.
- 8 Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Pandit Pant Marg (near Samvidhan Sadan), ☏ +91 11 2371 2581. Built in 1783 near Raisina Hill, and it took 12 years to build.
- 9 Wall of Truth (Sachchā dī Kandhā, Sikh Genocide Memorial). A memorial dedicated to the Sikhs killed during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. These include the Sikh soldiers killed during the riots and the three people from the Hindu and Muslim community who had been killed for shielding Sikhs during the riots.
Parliament Complex
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- 10 Parliament House (संसद भवन Sansad Bhavan). The seat of the bicameral Parliament of India since 2023. Built in 2020-2023 as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, the triangular legislative building has three gates, namely Gyan Dwar (Gate of Knowledge), Shakti Dwar (Gate of Power), and Karma Dwar (Gate of Karma). There's a 6.5 m (21 ft) tall replica of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at the top, which represents the national emblem of India. The building has separate chambers for the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the two houses of the Parliament. There's a 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long sceptre adorned by the image of a Nandi placed besides the seat of the speaker in the Lok Sabha chamber, which is called the "Sengol" (செங்கோல் Chengōl), meaning the "sceptre" in Tamil.
- 11 Samvidhan Sadan (संविधान सदन Samvidhān Sadan), Sansad Marg. Literally the "Constitution House", the building served as the seat of the Parliament of India from 1950 to 2023. It has been the symbol of India's democracy for decades, with its grand design, spacious interiors and symbolic artworks that celebrate the country's unity and heritage. Designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the building was constructed between 1921 and 1927 as the seat of the Imperial Legislative Council of the British Raj. Based on the Ashoka Chakra, the circular building has 144 sandstone columns. The building is surrounded by large gardens and fenced off by sandstone railings modelled after the Great Stupa of Sanchi.
- 12 Parliament Museum, Gokul Nagar. Tue–Sat 11AM–5PM. An interactive museum describes the story of freedom struggle of India. It also has rare collection of gifts from foreign delegates to the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Kartavya Path
[edit | edit source]- 13 Kartavya Path (कर्तव्य पथ). Literally the "Path of Duty", the Kartavya Path is the ceremonial boulevard for the Republic of India in New Delhi. Once called "Kingsway" in colonial times, and the "Rajpath" (राजपथ Rājpath) after independence till 2022, the boulevard resembles the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and is surrounded by grassy lawns and government buildings. There is a massive parade every year on the Kartavya Path during Republic Day (26 January), showcasing India's culture and military, with tableaux of different states. The Beating the Retreat ceremony takes place here two days after the Republic Day parade.
- 14 Kartavya Bhavan (कर्तव्य भवन). Literally the "House of Duty", the Kartavya Bhavan complex consists of ten office buildings at both sides of the Kartavya Path, for use by the various government ministries of India. It was built in 2020-2027 as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The home (4F-6F) and external ministries (3F) are housed at Kartavya Bhavan 3.
- 15 National Museum (राष्ट्रीय संग्रहालय Rāshṭrīya Sangrahālay) (bus 410 to
National Museum). 10AM–5PM (closed Mon). The layout here is labyrinthine and the presentation won't win any awards, but the collection is unparalleled and contains some true masterpieces. The section on the Indus Valley Culture and the one on Buddhist Heritage is most informative. The museum also showcases the arts and handicrafts from different regions of India. Keep an eye out for the 4,600-year-old Harappan temple dancer, the Gandhara-era standing Buddha with Greek hair and a Roman toga, the stunning miniature painting gallery, and the giant temple chariot parked outside. An informative place for all interested in knowing more about Indian culture and history. ₹500 for foreigners (includes useful audioguide), ₹20 Indians (optional audioguide ₹150 extra), ₹1 for Indian students, plus ₹300 if you want to use a camera. Decent restaurant on the second floor (lunch buffet ₹200). A cloakroom is free for customers. - 16 Seva Teerth (सेवा तीर्थ Sevā Tīrth) (metro: Seva Teerth 2 6 ). Literally the "Pilgrimage Site of Service", the triangular building houses the Prime Minister's Office. It was built in 2026 as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
- 17 Sunehri Bagh Masjid. A Mughal-era mosque in New Delhi, predating the British-built capital. It has been on the headlines of Delhi in 2023 for a proposal to demolish it by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
- 18 Vice President's Enclave (उपराष्ट्रपति भवन Uprāshṭrapati Bhavan), 108, Church Rd. The official residence of the Vice President of India, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament. It was built in 2021-2024 as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
India Gate Circle
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- 19 India Gate. The iconic landmark of New Delhi, this monument was built as a memorial for the Indian soldiers who died in World War I.
- 20 National War Memorial (राष्ट्रीय समर स्मारक Rāshṭrīya Samar Smārak). A war memorial for the soldiers who fought for the Indian military since 1947, including the armed conflicts with Pakistan and China as well as the 1961 War in Goa, Operation Pawan, and other operations such as Operation Rakshak. The memorial consists of four concentric circles and a central obelisk, at the bottom of which burns an "eternal flame" representing the immortal soldier. The concentric circles are named "Amar Chakra" (Circle of Immortality), "Veerta Chakra" (Circle of Bravery), "Tyag Chakra" (Circle of Sacrifice) and "Rakshak Chakra" (Circle of Protection).
- 21 Netaji's Statue. A 28 ft (8.5 m) tall monolithic statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945), Indian freedom activist and commander-in-chief of the Indian National Army, housed inside a canopy behind the India Gate. Sculpted by Mysore-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, the statue was formally dedicated on 8 September 2022, replacing the earlier statue of George V, Emperor of India.
- 22 Param Yodha Sthal (परम योद्धा स्थल Param Yoddhā Sthal). It houses the busts of all the 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour.
- 23 Hyderabad House. The house was built as a residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad, and is now used by the government for banquets and meetings for visiting foreign dignitaries. Designed by Lutyens, the house is in the shape of a butterfly, in Indo-Saracenic architecture.
- 24 National Gallery of Modern Art (राष्ट्रीय आधुनिक कला संग्रहालय Rāshṭrīya Ādhunik Kalā Sangrahālay, NGMA), Jaipur House, Justice SB Marg (Delhi High Court, C - Hexagon), ☏ +91 11 2338 6111. The premier art gallery under the Ministry of Culture, established on 29 March 1954, with branches at Mumbai and Bangalore. Its collection contains more than 17,000 works by 2000 plus artists includes artists such as Thomas Daniell, Raja Ravi Verma, Abanindranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil as well as foreign artists. Some of the oldest works preserved here date back to 1857. With 12,000 square meters of exhibition space, NGMA is one of the world's largest modern art museums.
Do
[edit | edit source]Convention centres
[edit | edit source]- 1 Vigyan Bhawan. One of India's premier venues for conferences. Located on Maulana Azad Road, it has been the venue for major national and international events, and the main Plenary hall can seat 1200 delegates.
Sports
[edit | edit source]- 2 Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Patiala House Sports Complex, India Gate Circle. A field hockey stadium named after India's hockey legend and its greatest of all time in the sport. It is India's premier field hockey venue and was also the main venue for the sport in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It seats around 16000 people.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]- India Gate. All Indian cuisines available at the food courts at both sides of the India Gate.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]There's no hotel in the Kartavya Bhavan Area; all hotels nearby are listed under North or South New Delhi.