Boson

Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, Prime Minister Museum, Gandhi Smriti, Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial, National Museum, Bikaner House, National Gallery of Modern Art, and India Gate

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Check about the previous walk tours here and here

Morning:

After a quick breakfast of paneer puff and fruits and doing a fairy job of dropping the book on Delhi metro, I reached Lok Kalyan Marg metro. I walked to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum precisely by the time the museum opened its doors. I was not a good student in history and civics during school, so seeing how power is wielded in different forms is an eye-opener. The place was the house of Indira, and the various rooms and objects are preserved to show the character's growth. I then walked to Prime Minister Museum, which was recently remodelled to Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya showcasing the various vital political decisions in India's growth and lives of prime ministers. The toshakana containing gifts to prime ministers neatly augments the Rashtrapathi Bhavan Museum, which houses the President's gifts. Ramp walks containing key events timeline with background Indian music is the best part for me. Be prepared to read and watch a lot of information; I wonder now, if I had gone to this museum as a school kid, would my perception be as good on social as science and math? Don't bother going to the adjacent Nehru Planetarium, I would instead suggest National Science Center, which is far better in content and scope.

Afternoon:

While eating fruits, I walked to Gandhi Smriti, Gandhi's last home, where he was shot. The museum houses his objects and showcases his beliefs. If you have read his autobiography, you will notice the overlap with reality. The first floor houses modern multimedia installations inaugurated recently by Manmohan Singh. If you like to buy Khadi clothing products, a store is available. Next, I walked to Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial, which showcases his living style and various personal objects. The best part of these prime minister museums is my belief that every house should have separate reading rooms and book collections. Keep an eye out for a family Holi photo of Lal Bahadur. The next stop is National Museum, one of my favourite museums. Although this is my second visit, you will notice new things every time, not just due to the rotation of some objects, but also because it is the highest density museums in world. Also, some galleries get closed occasionally for maintenance, and some of your perceptions change with life and wisdom. So, I recommend visiting it every year. I'm not sure if this museum will get shifted to new blocks during the Central Vista project and what may get lost or damaged in the transfer process. Also, the Buddha Gallery has shifted to a new building near the food court.

Evening:

Then, walking on the Kartavya Path to the Bikaner House, which is also hosting Rajasthan Utsav now. The three art exhibitions are The Human Form: its Context and Spirit by Debabrata De, Our Conspiring Hosts: Of Rivers Vines and Microbes, and Accumulations by Alexander Gorlizki. I loved Alexander's artworks and laughed at a few for their surreality. Next, I walk to my favourite Art museum and my third visit – National Gallery of Modern Art. The museum houses a perfect display, and the building design suits the artwork perfectly. Although I visited NGMA, Bangalore, I still liked the Delhi selection. We should see what the NGMA, Mumbai experience would be like. The ground floor usually exhibits rotating artwork, while the top floors house relatively stable works. The exhibition currently houses Shakti: Fair and Fierce and Ramayanam: Chitra Kavyam for a limited time. Seems yesterday was its foundation day, too. Walking back to India Gate and taking the touching grass too literally, I took a nap on its grass lawns during sunset to wake up to the perfect night view of India Gate. Be sure to visit National War Memorial if possible. All days must end only to start another, so walking back on Kartavya path to the President's house side and entering Udyog Bhavan metro to finish the 15KM/11hours walking journey of the day; but hey, look at the plus side, it's hard to do the same walk in subsequent months with summer going to strike hard in Delhi.