
Delhi, one of India's fastest growing cities, has spread far beyond the "seven
cities" created between the 13th and the 17th centuries. It has
sprawled over the west bank of the Yamuna and now straddles the river.
Remnants of the past survive cheek -by-jowl with skyscrapers,
residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. Delhi has some
of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades
offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts from all
over the country. It has speciality restaurants to please the gourmet,
open parks and gardens ablaze with flowers, and in the winter months
particularly, a variety of cultural events. Its many-layered existence
is tantalizing and can entice the curious traveller into a fascinating
journey of discovery.
New Delhi was built in 1911. It was tobe
"conceived with spaciousness and care so that the new creation
would be in every way worthy of this ancient and beautiful city".
Lutyens and Baker planned a city with wide, tree-lined avenues. The
340-roomed Viceregal Lodge, now the Rashtrapati Bhawan, was raised on
Raisina Hill. Nearby are India Gate, a World War I memorial. Parliament
House, the prestigious National Museum and the National Gallery of
Modern Art. On Republic Day, Rajpath witnesses a display of pageantry.
Old
DelhiIn the Old Delhi, you can visit Feroz Shah Kotla,
Shahjahanabad's Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and the Raj Ghat.
Built by Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk is the hub of social, cultural and
religious life of the Capital.
NightlifeApart from
historic forts and temples, Delhi has a very interesting nightlife,
which offers fun and entertainment such as dance clubs, bars, parties,
festivals, shows, restaurants, live music bands and plenty of other
activities. Delhi has witnessed tumultuous times, different rulers and
dynasties but surprisingly its charm and magnificence is still
protected.
ShoppingDelhi's the right place to be
if you wish to experience the rich art and handicraft of India. Shopping
here is a delightful activity as there is a kaleidoscopic range of
things right from handicrafts to jewelry from leather to apparel. The
prime shopping attractions are Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Chandni
Chowk and Janpath. If you wish to shop for wardrobe and

household
furnishings then Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar is the place to be. There
is an underground shopping centre- Palika Bazar popular for a host of
goods available at negotiable price. Dilli Haat is yet another
interesting place where one can catch the glimpse of famous handicrafts
of all the states of India.
Sightseeing
- Rajghat
4 km away from Janpath to the N-East of Feroz
Shah near Delhi Gate at Ring Rd on the bank of Jamuna situated
Rajghat. Jawaharlal Nehru Rd also ends opp. Rajghat. On 31st Jan.
1948, Mahatma Gandhi's last rites was performed here. The memorial
stone of Gandhi is square in shape made of black stone. His last
ward- 'Hey Ram' is inscribed on it. Ordinary people, VIPs, foreign
tourists all come here at Rajghat to pay their homage to him.
- Red
Fort
Another marvel of architecture is the Red Fort
and it could perhaps be singled out as yet another monument, which
should not escape the tourist's eyes. Known as lal qila (lal means
red and qila means fort). It is laid out along the river Yamuna as
an irregular octagon. It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4
Kilometers in circumference and is built of Red Sandstone. The
Mughal King Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi
and the fort was completed in 1648, nine years after the king
shifted to this city. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi
Gate and the Lahori Gate, which faces the famed Chandni Chowk
market.
- Lotus
Temple
Is a very recent architectural marvel of the
Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi.
Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has
rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite
and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for
meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility.
- Birla Mandir
It is another landmark close to
Connaught Place and was built by industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in
1938. The temple is an important prayer site and contains idols of
several deities. Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the
temple, was also a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.
- Akshardham
Temple
The temple is built on the lines of the
Akshardham
Temple
in Gandhinagar (Gujarat). The temple complex promises a unique view
of the Hindu religion and Indian culture. Lying in the wide-open 100
acres of land, amidst luxuriant lawns adorned with water fountains
and carved pavilions, the temple complex stand imposingly on the
banks of the serene River Yamuna. A huge amount of 2 billions have
been spent to raise this grand place of worship. The main monument
is about 141-ft high and houses a striking statue of Lord
Swaminarayan.
- Qutub
Minar
The tallest stone tower of India - Qutub Minar
is one of the most visited spots in Delhi. Built in 1199 by
Qutub-ud-Din, the Qutub Minar is the first Islamic structure built
in India. The construction of this historical tower was commenced by
Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak and completed by his successor and son in law
Iltutmish. Qutub Minar is one of the finest Islamic structures ever
raised in India
- India
Gate
This massive archway was designed and built by
Lutyens, and originally known as All India War Memorial in memory of
the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War I,
the North-West Frontier operations of the same time and the 1919
Afghan Fiasco. The names of all the soldiers are inscribed on the
walls of the gate.
How to reach
- Air
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is a few
km further from the domestic terminal. Domestic and international
airlines connect Delhi with all parts of the country and the world.
- Rail
Delhi is connected to almost every city and town
of the country by rail.
- Road
Delhi is well connected to all major towns and
cities of the country with a network of national and state highways.