Mehrauli Archaeological Park

The Basics

A popular add-on for travelers visiting Qutub Minar, this massive park is home to beautifully preserved old structures, such as the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, full of pristine interior carvings. There's a traditional stepwell in the park that appeared in the Bollywood filmRang de Basanti, along with gardens and nature trails. The park is a stop on group walking tours of the area, and private tours focused on heritage and architectural sights.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The park is a must-visit for history buffs and anyone wanting to get out into nature.

• Wear sunscreen and insect repellent, as there’s lots of jungle around the park.

• Travelers with compromised mobility may find getting around difficult due to lots of uneven steps at the various monuments here.

How to Get There

The park is located in South Delhi, due east of the village of Mehrauli and a 20-minute walk or five-minute auto-rickshaw ride from the Qutub Minar metro station, on the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro. It’s a 45-minute metro ride to Connaught Place. A footpath connects the park to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qutub Minar, a 10-minute walk away.

When to Get There

The park is open daily from 5am to 6:30pm, and travelers heading there around dawn will be rewarded with small crowds and beautiful early morning sunlight that’s great for photography. Mornings here are also cooler, so it’s best to come before noon, particularly if you visit Delhi during the hot months of April and May.

Stepwells

Known locally asbaoris, stepwells are ancient, deep reservoirs of water accessible via steps. In their early days, they not only provided water, but were also used for religious ceremonies and just cooling off. Many such wells remain to this day, and while some are active, others are preserved only as tourist attractions.