Rai Pitora: Delhi's Hidden 800-Year-Old Secret (And Why You Need to Visit)

Mohit Singh
Jan 8
3 min read

🎧 Download the Pinaak app before you visit – log your trip, share it, and relive the ancient ruins to life. Available free on Android.

What Is Rai Pitora?

Before Red Fort, before Qutub Minar, before Chandni Chowk – there was Rai Pitora.

Built by Prithviraj Chauhan in 1180 CE, this is literally where Delhi began. It's the first of Delhi's famous "seven cities," and the fortification walls you'll touch are the same stones that medieval soldiers patrolled 800 years ago.

The best part? It's near Lado Sarai, costs just ₹50 to enter, and almost no tourists know about it.

How to Get There

By Metro: Saket Station (Yellow Line) → 10-min auto ride (₹30-50)

From Lado Sarai: 10-minute walk through the village lanes

By Car: Off Saket-Mehrauli Road with ample parking

📍 Pro tip: Download Pinaak for turn-by-turn navigation to 100+ heritage sites including Rai Pitora.

What You'll See (The Highlights)

1. Ancient Fort Walls

Run your hands along 800-year-old stone fortifications. This is where Delhi's story started.

2. Heritage Interpretation Center

Interactive exhibits, 3D city reconstructions, and actual artifacts from Prithviraj Chauhan's era. Not your typical dusty museum – this is brilliantly done.

3. Sculpture Garden

Instagram-worthy space mixing contemporary art with historical pieces. Perfect for photos and contemplation.

4. Live Artisan Demonstrations

Watch master craftspeople practice traditional pottery, metalwork, and miniature painting techniques unchanged for centuries.

5. Cultural Amphitheater

Catch Kathak performances, qawwalis, or theatrical shows with ancient ruins as your backdrop (weekends are best).

Must-See Exhibitions

"Layers of Delhi" – How seven cities were built one on top of another, starting right here

"Prithviraj Chauhan: Legend and Legacy" – Rare manuscripts, battle recreations, and the story of Delhi's last Hindu king (through March 2026)

Children's Discovery Zone – Dress-up corners, archaeological dig simulations, weekend storytelling sessions

Insider Tips

✅ Best time: Weekday mornings (10-12 AM) for fewer crowds, or 90 minutes before sunset for golden-hour photography

✅ Visit duration: 2-3 hours

✅ Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and your phone with Pinaak downloaded

✅ Combine with: Lunch at Lado Sarai cafes (Big Yellow Door, Cafe Dori) or Qutub Minar (2 km away)

✅ Photography: Allowed everywhere except certain exhibition halls (no flash)

Quick Facts

📅 Open: Tue-Sun, 10 AM - 6 PM (closed Mondays)

💰 Entry: ₹50 Indians | ₹300 foreigners | Free for kids under 12

🎫 Guided tours: 11 AM & 3 PM daily (Hindi/English)

♿ Accessible: Wheelchair-friendly with ramps

📧 Contact: info@raipitoracomplex.in

Why Download Pinaak?

Before you visit Rai Pitora, download Pinaak for:

✨ Expert audio tours by historians (not generic voice actors)

✨ GPS-triggered content that plays as you walk

✨ 3D reconstructions showing what Rai Pitora looked like in 1180 CE

✨ Offline functionality (no internet needed)

✨ Curated trails based on your interests (architecture, military history, daily life)

✨ Access to 100+ other heritage sites across India

It's the difference between seeing ruins and understanding a civilization.

Make a Day of It

Perfect Delhi Day Itinerary:

10 AM → Explore Rai Pitora (2-3 hours)

1 PM → Lunch at a Lado Sarai cafe

3 PM → Browse art galleries in Lado Sarai

5 PM → Quick visit to Qutub Minar

7 PM → Sunset drinks at Hauz Khas Village

The Bottom Line

While tourists crowd India Gate and Connaught Place, you can stand where Delhi actually began – touching 800-year-old walls, understanding the city's DNA, and experiencing history that most people miss.

For ₹50 and an afternoon, you get:

Ancient fortress ruins
World-class museum exhibits
Live artisan demonstrations
Cultural performances
Peace, space, and perspective

Download Pinaak now, visit this weekend, and discover the Delhi that existed before Delhi.

Ready to Explore?

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