New
Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the
ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the
capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human
diversity, deep in history,
monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two
contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a
travel hub of Northern India.
Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine
streets passing through
formidable mosques, monuments and forts. You will also discover lively and
colorful bazaars that boast to cater all sorts of good and items at mind-blowing
prices amidst a barely controlled chaotic ambience. The imperial city of New
Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj.
It generates a mesmerizing
charm reflecting well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of
beautifully lined avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings.
Punjabi cuisine and Mughlai delicacies like kababs and biryanis are popular in
several parts of Delhi. Due to Delhi's large cosmopolitan population, cuisines
from every part of India, including Rajasthani, Maharashtrian, Bengali,
Hyderabadi cuisines, and South Indian food items like idli, sambar and dosa are
widely available. Local delicacies include Chaat and Dahi-Papri. There are
several food outlets in Delhi serving international cuisine including Italian
and Chinese.
Historically,
Delhi has always remained an important trading centre in northern India. Old
Delhi still contains legacies of its rich Mughal past that can be found among
the old city's tangle of snaking lanes and teeming bazaars. The dingy markets of
the Old City has an eclectic product range from oil-swamped mango, lime and
eggplant pickles, candy-colored herbal potions to silver jewelry, bridal attire,
uncut material and linen, spices, sweets. Some of old regal havelis (palacial
residences) are still there in the Old City. Chandni Chowk, a three
century old shopping area, is one of the most popular shopping areas in Delhi
for jewelery and Zari saris.[70] Notable among Delhi's arts and crafts are the
Zardozi (an embroidery done with gold thread) and Meenakari (the art of
enameling). Dilli Haat, Hauz Khas, Pragati Maidan offer a variety
of Indian handicrafts and handlooms. However, the city is said to have lost its
own identity and socio-cultural legacies as it went to absorb multitude of
humanity from across the country and has morphed into an amorphous pool of
cultural styles.
Fairs & Festivals
Religious festivals include Diwali (the festival of light), Guru Nanak's
Birthday, Durga Puja, Holi, Lohri, Maha Shivaratri, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha and
Buddha Jayanti. The Qutub Festival is a cultural event during which performances
of musicians and dancers from all over India are showcased at night, with the Qutub Minar as the chosen backdrop of the event. Other events such as
Kite
Flying Festival,Trade Fair at Pragati
Maidan, International Mango Festival and Vasant Panchami
(the Spring Festival) are held every year in Delhi.
In Delhi, exciting events takes place
throughout the year. The festivals have their share of cultural, religious
and state extravaganza.
Lori: Lori is a
winter festival celebrated in January. The festival marks the peak of winter and
celebrated with burning bonfires, singing and dancing.
Republic Day Parade:
A national festival that no tourist should miss. Celebrated on the 26th of
January when India became a Republic. It
is the most spectacular pageant of Delhi. The march past includes military
displays, elephant pageantry, floats representing different states etc.
Garden Tourism Festival:
Delhi Tourism holds the Garden Tourism Festival at the end of February that is
generally spread over three days and generates much enthusiasm amongst the
gardening fraternity. Delhi is ablaze with flowers at this time. It is also a
useful meeting ground for gardening enthusiasts, as well as fun and frolic for
children of all ages.
Holi:
This festival of color is celebrated in March. Men and women stain
each other by throwing colors at. Singing and dancing accompany the joyous
occasion.
Phoolwalon-ki-Sair:
It means the festival of flower sellers. A Festival representative of
communal harmony where large fans decorated with flowers are taken out in a
procession. On this occasion the flower sellers present flowers to the gods and
pray for a better flower season next year.
Mango Festival:
The mango festival is held in Delhi during the month of July. Many verities of
mangos from the 1100 plus verities those India grow are displayed.
Independent Day
Celebrations: Independent Day is celebrated on August 15. Processions
and flag hoisting on the Red Fort mark the celebration.
Dussehra:
It is a ten days festival, celebrated in Sept./Oct., of which nine
days are spent in worship. The tenth day is a celebration of victory of good
over evil. Huge effigies of Ravana, the demon king, are burned on the last day
of festival. The heroic deeds of Lord Rama who destroyed Ravana are enacted in
songs and dance.
Qutab Festival of Classical
Music and Dance: The festival is staged around Sharad Pournima in the
month of October at the Qutab Minar complex. Evocative melodies and graceful
dances are presented by various prominent artistes of the
country.
Diwali: Diwali,
the festival of lights and fireworks is celebrated throughout the country during
Oct-Nov. People illuminate their houses with rows of earthen lamps to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. At night crackers are burst to
celebrate the return of Lord Rama from exile.
Flower Shows:
Delhi also conducts various flower shows in the winter months. Rose Show,
Chrysanthemum Show and Delhi Flower Show are among them.
Urs Of Hazarat Nizamuddin
Aulia: a Muslim saint of the 14th century, is celebrated
in November or December at his tomb at Nizamuddin. This is celebrated with a lot
of pomp along with the accompaniment of quawalis and a wide array of sweet meat
and kababs.
Christmas: like
elsewhere in the world is celebrated in Delhi with a lot of gaiety and
festivity. Special services are held at the churches.
International Trade Fair:
Quiet apart from religious events that take up the Delhi calendar, there
are also other regular events that are hosted in Delhi like the International
Trade Fair that is held annually at the Pragati Maidan. The Pragati Maidan also
hosts a variety of events at regular intervals. This is also one of the largest
Trade Fair Complexes in Asia.
Delhi Horse Show:In winter Delhi plays host to a number of events like the DELHI HORSE
SHOW that is held in November or in December outside the walls of the Red Fort.
The vintage car rally is also held in the same period and this is a show one
should not miss. It displays a good number of cars left from the period of the
British Raj.
Surajkund Crafts Mela:
Then there is also the SURAJKUND CRAFTS MELA where the villagers from the
adjoining villages bring out their handicrafts and also to display their skills.
A variety of rural entertainment’s add colour to the impressive fair.
National Events and
Holidays
Delhi's association and geographic proximity to the capital, New Delhi, has
amplified the importance of national events and holidays. National events such
as Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi's birthday) are
celebrated with great enthusiasm in Delhi. On India's Independence Day (15
August) the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the Red Fort. Most
Delhiites celebrate the day by flying kites, which are considered a symbol of
freedom. The Republic Day Parade is a large cultural and military parade
showcasing India's cultural diversity and military might.
Places of Tourist interest in
Delhi
Delhi's
culture has been influenced by its lengthy history and historic association as
the capital of India. This is exemplified by the many monuments of significance
found in the city; the Archaeological Survey of India recognises 175
monuments in Delhi as national heritage sites. The Old City is the site
where the Mughals and the Turkic rulers constructed several architectural
marvels like the Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque) and Red Fort.
Three World Heritage Sites—the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and
Humayun's Tomb—are located in Delhi. Other monuments include the India
Gate, the Jantar Mantar (an 18th century astronomical observatory)
and the Purana Qila (a 16th century fortress). The Lotus Temple,
Laxminarayan Temple and Akshardham are examples of modern
architecture. Raj Ghat and associated memorials houses memorials
of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable personalities. New Delhi houses several
government buildings and official residences reminiscent of the British colonial
architecture. Important structures include the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the
Secretariat, Rajpath, the Parliament of India and Vijay Chowk. Safdarjung's
Tomb is an example of the Mughal gardens style.
The Red Fort
THE RED
FORT more popularly known as The Lal Quila (Lal ie. red and Quila ie.fort),
stands strong on the banks of the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon. It
is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumferance and is
built of Red Sandstone. The Mughal king Shah Jahan (popular for building the
Taj Mahal of Agra) 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.
Puarana Qila
It is believed that the Pandavas had
built their capital, Indraprastha at the place where the old fort stands
today. This fort, now in ruins, was the seat for administration for many
emperors. The legendary Prithviraj Chauhan ruled from here till he was
defeated by Abdali in the battle of Panipat. A new light & sound show is
held by the Department of Delhi Tourism every evening. Timings and Tickets
are available from the tourist office.
Qutab Minar
It was built by a muslim king,Qutub - ud - din in 1199 A.D. and a part of
which he could not finish was completed by Itutmish, another muslim king. It
is situated in the southern part of the capital. The height of the tower is
about 72.5 meter high and there is a mosque at its base. In front the Qutub
Minar there is an iron pillar which is believed that it was built in 5th
century. The uniqueness part of the pillar is that it has not caught rust
ever since it was built. Due to some precaution the Tourists are not allowed
to climb the Qutub Minar i.e. to the tower.
India Gate
INDIA GATE primarily a memorial to
the unknown soldier was Designed by Lutyens. The 42 metre high structure is
a war memorial in honour of the soldiers who died during the second world
war. The imposing structure from where stretch massive lush green lawns has
an eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) to honour the memory of the unknown
soldiers. India Gate prominently located in the vicinity of Rastrapati
Bhavan is a major crowd puller during the hot summer evenings of Delhi by
virtue of its lush green lawns.
Bahai's House Of Worship (LOTUS TEMPLE)
IT is Completed in 1986, the
Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are
free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their
own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus
temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the
temple is flood lit.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
The
house that houses the President of India and the house that boasts of having
welcomed the most powerful men in history. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was
designed by Edwin Lutyens and built in 1931, to be the central point of the
British power in Delhi. Originally called the Viceroy's House, the
Rashtrapati Bhavan covers an area of 4.5 acres of land. It has 340 rooms, 37
salons, 74 lobbies and loggias, 18 staircases and 37 fountains.
The most
magnificent room in the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Durbar Hall, which lies
directly beneath the main dome. All important Indian State and Official
ceremonies are held here. To the west, is the famous and beautifully
landscaped Mughal Gardens, designed after the terraced gardens the Mughals
built in Kashmir. The garden is famous as the 'Butterfly Garden' for the
numerous butterflies that visit the varied flowers.The garden is open to the
public in february.
Rajghat
The simple square platform of black marble on the banks of the river Yamuna
marks the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. His last words ' Hey Ram
are inscribed on this platform which is surrounded by a serene garden.
Humayun's Tomb
Built by the wife of Humayun,
Haji Begum in the mid 16th century, this red sand stone structure is
considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. The structure is one of the
best example of Mughal Architecture. Humayun's wife is also buried in the
red and white sandstone, black and yellow marble tomb. The entry in the
complex is free on Fridays.
Parliament House
A marvellous piece of architecture
where the bicameral legislature of India meets for its sessions. Lok sabha,
the lower house and Rajya Sabha the upper house. Close to Rashtrapathi
Bhavan, is a domed almost circular structure almost a kilometer in
circumferance, and was designed by the famed architect Lutyens. It is the
seat of the Indian Parliament and during the sessions of Parliament there is
a flurry of activity in and around the structure.
Jamma Masjid
One of the Architectural gift
given by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in
Delhi but in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three gateways, Four
angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. You can enter the mosque but take
precaution to take off your shoes and make sure that you are properly
dressed before entering. One can also go to the top of minarets. From here
you can have a birds eye view of Delhi.
Jantar Mantar
Set within the a garden of stately palms, it was built by
Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1719. He had been entrusted with the task of
revising the calender and correcting the astronomical tables then in use. He
made daily astral observation for seven years before embarking on these
stone constructions. He discarded the usual instruments of brass and built
these massive ones in masonry which are used to the movements of stars. This
observatory, together with the one at Jaipur, are the finest examples
anywhere of observatories modelled on the general pattren laid down by
Ulugh Baigh of Samarkand in the 14th century. The observatory is conceived
with perfect stability and is adjusted to the meridian and latitude of the
location.
Safdarjung's Tomb
The Safdarjung tomb
is besides the of Safdarjung airport. This tomb was built by the Nawab of
Avadh for his father. The structure is one of the finest example of
architecture of its time and tells a saga of the last remnants of a dying
empire.
Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
West of Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir is a large
modern and colorful temple also known as Birla Mandir after its sponsors,
the famous industrial house of India. The main shrine is dedicated to Lakshmi (the Hindu goddess of wealth) with some smaller shrines to Hanuman
(the monkey god), and Ganesh (the elephant-headed god). The walls of the
temple are decorated with many symbols and quotations from the ancient
sacred scripture.
National Museum
One of the finest museums in the world, the National Museum is a treasure
house of a wide range of exhibits from over 5000 years of Indian culture,
including exquisite Mughal miniature paintings and artifacts from the
ancient Indus Valley Civilization dating back to 2000 BC.
LODHI TOMB
The
old Lady Willington Park, now known as Lodhi Garden, is dotted with
monuments of Sayyid and Lodhi Periods, which include tombs mosques, and
bridge .
The tombs of Muhammad Shah and Sikandar Lodhi are the good examples of
octagonal tombs. Shish and Bara Gumbad are square tombs with imposing dome,
turrets on corners and facades giving false impression of being double
storeyed.
It is a favourite point for early morning walkers from the posh south Delhi
colonies.
Azad Hind Gram
Azad Hind Gram Tourist
Complex at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and to create quality leisure space and wayside
amenities for the citizens.Located within two kilometers of the Delhi
Haryana border on NH-10, the architecture of the project is inspired by the
language of North Indian achitecture and the traditions of Indian
craftsmanship.
Akshardham Temple
Swaminarayan Akshardham
reflects the essence and magnitude of India's ancient architecture,
traditions and timeless spirituality.
The main monument, depicting ancient Indian "vastu shastra" and
architecture, is a marvel in pink sandstone and white marble that is 141
feet high, 316 feet wide and 370 feet long with 234 ornate pillars, over
20,000 sculptures and statues of deities, eleven 72-foot-high huge domes (mandapams)
and decorative arches. And like a necklace, a double-storied parikrama of
red sandstone encircles the monuments with over 155 small domes and 1,160
pillars. The whole monument rises on the shoulders of 148 huge elephants
with 11-feet tall panchdhatu statue of Swaminarayan presiding over the
structure.
City Centre(Connaught
Place)
Recently renamed Rajiv Chowk,'CP' was intended
to be the shopping arcade of the 'new' capital of Lutyen's Delhi in the mid
1930's, and is located right in the heart of Delhi; it is her epicenter,
designed as a set of concentric circles. CP is an architectural splendor
with its colossal white old colonial style buildings.
Famous For: The most popular of the radial roads
leading off from City Centre is Janpatha treasure trove for shoppers,
especially bargain hunters there are scores of Tibetan stall and other shops
selling all manner of craft item, handcraft,curios,besides a few book stall
and snack joints, ethnic wear, kohlapuri chappals, Rajasthani paintings and
brassware another absolute treat for the shopper is the govt run Central
Cottege Industries Emporium where you are offered a wide and rare collection
of Indian artifacts from different corners of the country. Another place to
visit is the underground Palika Bazaar an air-conditioned shopping centre
with stalls of ready-to-wear,costume jewellery,accessories,books and a lot
of odds and ends.
Karol Bagh
Chandni Chowk
The Zoo
The
Delhi Zoo is located near the Purana Qila on the Delhi-Mathura road. Delhi
Zoo has many animals which includes the rare and exotic white tigers. This
place is particularly popular among the children.
Chattarpur Mandir
A complex of temples called Chattarpur mandir
is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Build in South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area
with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples
through the year, during the navratras devotees come from near and far.
During the festivals there are special bus services to these temples.
Holi:
This festival of color is celebrated in March. Men and women stain
each other by throwing colors at. Singing and dancing accompany the joyous
occasion. 
International Trade Fair:
Quiet apart from religious events that take up the Delhi calendar, there
are also other regular events that are hosted in Delhi like the International
Trade Fair that is held annually at the Pragati Maidan. The Pragati Maidan also
hosts a variety of events at regular intervals. This is also one of the largest
Trade Fair Complexes in Asia. 
National Events and
Holidays
Recently renamed Rajiv Chowk,'CP' was intended
to be the shopping arcade of the 'new' capital of Lutyen's Delhi in the mid
1930's, and is located right in the heart of Delhi; it is her epicenter,
designed as a set of concentric circles. CP is an architectural splendor
with its colossal white old colonial style buildings. 
