We have lived in Delhi long enough to know that this city has many layers. There is the Delhi of crowded markets and famous food, the Delhi of Mughal monuments and colonial architecture, and then there is another Delhi that is quieter, more reflective and deeply connected with faith. We recently got a chance to explore that side of the city with Delhi Tourism, and it turned out to be quite a different kind of day out.

Delhi Tourism has recently introduced four new Spiritual and Heritage Circuits covering 21 destinations across the capital. The idea is simple but interesting – bring together some of Delhi’s religious, cultural, historical and architectural landmarks into curated routes so that visitors can experience more of the city in a planned way. We were invited on a familiarisation trip for media and social media creators to experience the first of these circuits, called The Soul of Delhi. And what a day it was.

Four Spiritual and Heritage Circuits, 21 Destinations

Before we take you through our experience, here is the bigger picture. Delhi Tourism has divided 21 destinations into four new spiritual and heritage circuits. The four routes are:

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1. The Soul of Delhi – Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Lotus Temple and Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple.
2. The Heritage of Delhi – Lakshminarayan Mandir (Birla Mandir), Jhandewalan Mata Mandir, Jantar Mantar, Yogmaya Mandir and Jagannath Temple.
3. Delhi’s Sacred Harmony – Praacheen Hanuman Mandir, Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Ambedkar Memorial, Purana Qila and Hazrat Nizamuddin.
4. Echoes of Delhi – Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Buddhist Temple, Church of the Redemption, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Chhatarpur Mandir and Linga Bhairavi Sannidhanam.

We experienced the first one, The Soul of Delhi, which brings together five very different places of spiritual and historical importance. And the interesting part is that these aren’t obscure places that you have never heard of. Most Delhiwalas would immediately recognise the names. What makes the concept interesting is putting them together as one thematic journey.

Also Read: Well Illuminated Qutub Minar Now Open In The Night For Tourists

Starting the Day at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Our day began at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most revered places in Delhi. There is something about entering Bangla Sahib early in the day. The noise of Delhi seems to fade away, and the atmosphere around the Sarovar has a completely different energy. We spent some time by the Sarovar, listening to Gurbani and simply taking a few quiet moments for ourselves. No rushing around, no ticking off a sightseeing list. Just sitting there and taking it all in. For us, that was a lovely way to begin a circuit called The Soul of Delhi.

Sacred Heart Cathedral: A Peaceful Change of Setting

Our next stop was Sacred Heart Cathedral, and one of the things we liked about this circuit was how quickly the atmosphere changed. The cathedral is just a short walk from Bangla Sahib, making this an easy transition between two very different places of worship. We stepped inside the church and spent some quiet time there. The architecture, the stained glass and the peaceful interiors made it a completely different experience from our first stop.

Delhi is often described through its monuments, but its religious diversity is just as important to understanding the city. A Sikh gurudwara followed by a Catholic cathedral within walking distance is a perfect example of that.

Agrasen Ki Baoli: From Spirituality to History

From Sacred Heart Cathedral, our next stop was Agrasen Ki Baoli. It took us only a few minutes to reach the historic stepwell, and this was where the spiritual character of the circuit began to blend with Delhi’s architectural history. If you have watched Bollywood movies like PK or Sultan, chances are you have already seen Agrasen Ki Baoli on screen. But honestly, seeing it in person is different.

The long flight of steps disappearing into the depths of the baoli, the massive stone walls and the way the structure sits almost hidden amid modern Delhi make it one of those places that continues to surprise you. It is also a reminder of how layers of history sit right in the middle of present-day Delhi. And that, for us, is one of the best things about exploring Delhi.

A Place of Worship for All Religions – Bahá’í Lotus Temple

Now we move a little away from Connaught Place zone and move towards South Delhi. The Baha’i House of Worship (commonly known as Lotus Temple) is one of Delhi’s most recognisable modern landmarks, but it also has a very distinct spiritual identity. The Baha’i House of Worship welcomes people irrespective of their faith and is meant for prayer and reflection.

The weather changed dramatically just as we reached. Delhi’s monsoon clouds rolled in and the temperature and humidity seemed to drop. It became windy all of a sudden. Against that dramatic sky, the white marble petals of the Lotus Temple looked even more striking. For a few minutes, it honestly felt less like we were in Delhi and more like we had suddenly landed somewhere with hill-station weather.

And for anyone who enjoys photography, the Lotus Temple is hard to ignore. The architecture, the symmetry and the changing light make it one of those Delhi landmarks that you can photograph again and again.

Ending at Swaminarayan Akshardham

Our final destination on The Soul of Delhi was Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. By the time we reached Akshardham, the monsoon had properly arrived. We got to see the temple complex against a rainy Delhi sky, which made for a rather memorable end to the day. Akshardham is enormous and visually impressive, with its detailed sandstone architecture and elaborate carvings.

Photography and videography are restricted inside the complex, so our experience here was mostly about taking in the architecture from outside and experiencing the divine vibes rather than recording every moment. Sometimes it’s a big relief even for seasoned travel bloggers like us.

And after starting our day with prayers at Bangla Sahib, ending it at Akshardham felt like a fitting full stop to the circuit.

Is This a New Delhi Tour?

Not exactly. And that’s actually what I find interesting about the initiative. The five destinations included in The Soul of Delhi are already well-known. Delhiwalas have probably visited at least a few of them. But visitors coming to Delhi for the first time may not always know how to connect these places or understand their importance beyond simply taking a photograph and moving on.

That is where a Delhi Spiritual & Heritage Circuit can make sense. Instead of thinking of Bangla Sahib, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Lotus Temple and Akshardham as five unrelated attractions, the circuit gives visitors a theme around which they can plan a day.

It also presents a side of Delhi that is sometimes overshadowed by the Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar and other conventional tourist attractions.

Our Fam Trip With Delhi Tourism

Our visit to The Soul of Delhi was part of a familiarisation trip for media representatives and social media creators organised by Delhi Tourism. The programme was designed to introduce the newly curated circuits and give creators an opportunity to experience the destinations and their stories first-hand.

So, to clarify, this was not a regular ticketed tour that we booked as visitors.

The new circuits are essentially curated routes connecting these destinations. You can visit the individual places on your own and plan your itinerary around the circuit. For information about any organised Delhi Tourism tours or bookings, it is best to check directly with Delhi Tourism before planning your visit. That flexibility is actually a good thing because you don’t necessarily need to wait for a group tour to discover these places.

Should You Explore Delhi’s Spiritual Places?

Absolutely. Delhi is a city where different faiths, communities, dynasties and architectural traditions have lived alongside each other for centuries. You can see that diversity within a surprisingly small geographical area. A visit to the spiritual places of Delhi is therefore not just about religion. It is also about architecture, history, culture and understanding the city itself. The four new Delhi Tourism Spiritual and Heritage Circuits take that idea and turn it into something easier to explore.

We experienced Circuit #1 – The Soul of Delhi, but there are three more routes covering another 16 destinations. That gives us a pretty good excuse to get back on the road and explore the remaining circuits soon.

For visitors coming to Delhi, especially those who have already seen the usual tourist attractions, these circuits could be a good way to discover another side of the capital. And for us Delhiwalas? Well, Delhi has a funny habit of making us feel like tourists in our own city. This was one of those days. And perhaps the best part is that there are still three more circuits waiting for us. The Soul of Delhi was only the beginning.