Delhi

On the brink of a river bank lies a city; surviving simultaneously in its stories, its histories, its ruins and its past, while weaving new histories and new stories for a country to live by – a city on the banks of exuberance, a city with a legacy, a city that lives – Delhi.

Behind its deceivingly rowdy, wayward appearance of traffic jams, loud horns, cheating rickshaw wallahs, frenzied shopping complexes and lines of bookstores and bhel puri stalls encroaching on the road, is a concealed city rich with a culture dating back to the 6^th century BCE. Amble aimlessly through the narrow secret alleys of a long ago era, take a peek into Old Delhi’s Mughal antiquity, and then try not to look surprised as it abruptly opens out into the present – broad Ashoka-tree lined highways and plush government complexes with its regal air of divine order.

Orientation

Situated on the banks of River Yamuna, Delhi is the second largest city in the country. Delhi is a Union Territory officially called the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is an inland city on the Gangetic plains bordering Uttar Pradesh on the East and Haryana on the South, West and North. It lies about 1400 km from Mumbai and 1460 km from Kolkata.

Weather

Perhaps the best time to visit Delhi is between September and November safely after summer’s capsizing heat, after the monsoon deluge and just before its bitter, foggy winter.

Delhi is alive all the year round, irrespective of the weather. However, for those hailing from the central and southern parts of India, Delhi’s climate may require some getting used to.

Delhi has a relatively dry climate with its extreme temperatures ranging from -0.6°C to 47°C. On an average the annual temperature is about 24°C. Also, Delhi lies in the seismic zone IV and is at a risk of earthquakes. It is prone to heavy rainfall in July and August, and the low lying areas near the river are prone to floods.

Getting There

By Road :	Mumbai – NH 3 – Agra – NH 2 – Delhi (Distance – 1400 km) Calcutta – NH 2 – Delhi (Via Agra, Distance – 1460 km) Ahmadabad – NH 8 – Delhi (Via Jaipur, Distance – 886 km)
By Rail :	Regular Trains are available from all major cities From Mumbai – Rajdhani Express, Amritsar Express, Punjab Mail, Paschim Express From Calcutta – Lal Quila Express From Bangalore – Karnataka Express, Sampark Kranti From Chennai – Grand Trunk Exp, Tamilnadu Exp, Andaman Exp
By Air :	All Domestic Airlines have daily flights to Delhi from major cities

 

Major Attractions

Red Fort: In Shah Jahan’s Walled City of 1638, the Fort guarded the city from Invaders. The 33m high red sandstone walls of the fort stand testimony to the glories of the Mughal rule. As the largest monument in Old Delhi and as a World Heritage site, the Fort is a must visit tourist attraction. It is also the place from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation on the Independence Day, 15^th August.

Qutab Minar: The world’s tallest brick minaret, it is another one of those treasures that the majestic Mughal ruler left behind. It stands at an imposing 234 feet and can be seen from most parts of the city. It was erected in 1200 AD as a victory tower when Qutab-ud-din Aibak returned to Delhi after conquering the last Hindu Kingdom in the country. The tower marked the inception of a flourishing Muslim rule. It stands as one of the greatest masterpieces of Mughal architecture.

Humayun’s Tomb: In 1562, nine years after Humayun’s death, his widow Hamida Banu Begum issued orders for a tomb to be built in Nizamuddin East. Built in the Chahr Bagh Garden style, which is a Persian Layout, it took nearly eight years to complete and was the first of its kind in the subcontinent. There are many more tombs of significant Mughal emperors inside the walled enclosure of the tomb.

Jama Masjid: Built in 1656, during the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the country, with a capacity to accommodate over 25000 devotees. Also called Masjid-i-Jahan Numa (a mosque that commands a view of the world), it is a fine architectural specimen and a national heritage.

Lotus Temple: Built in 1986, it is the last of the seven Bahai temples built around the world. It is structured in the shape of a lotus and made of pure white marble. It offers a serene atmosphere for meditation, and devotees of any faith are welcome.

India Gate: Originally called All India War Memorial it was built in 1931 by Edward Lutyens in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the World War 1 and the Afghan War. The walls of the gate are inscribed with the names of all these soldiers.

Jantar Mantar: In 1724 Jantar Mantar was one of the greatest scientific novelties in the country. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, who was a passionate astronomer, as an observatory. It consists of geometric structures that determine extraterrestrial altitude, and a sundial that traces the course of heavenly bodies.

Museums and Art Galleries: As a city with a past so rich, Delhi boasts of a number of museums and art galleries. Some of the significant ones are National Museum, National Art Gallery of Modern Art, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum, Supreme Court of India Museum, National Philatelic Museum, Crafts Museum, Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum.

Old Fort: Spend an afternoon uncovering the secrets of the Purana Qila. Built by the Afghan Ruler Sher Shah in the 16^thCentury, the fort is a spectacular blend of architectural examples from two great dynasties – the Afghan and the Mughal. The area of the fort is believed to have once been the holy grounds of Indraprastha.

Birla Temple: Built in 1939, it is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Immerse your spirits in the surreal and celestial aura of the temple, and admire the structural beauty of the temple built by Mahatma Gandhi.