Travel-India

Delhi

Delhi is a vast and vibrant historic city in Northern India. Spread over 1484 Sq Km, Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the region and hence is known as ‘The City of cities’.

One of the world’s most populous cities, Delhi is home to a vast population of 1.68 crores as per 2011 Census and is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India where people from all religions and cultures live in peace and harmony.

Delhi is beautifully and densely dotted with magnificent and heritage monuments maintaining its old world charm, beautiful gardens, numerous places of worship reiterating its cosmopolitan flavour and a number of places to simply hang out!

Of the monuments, around 1200 are recognised by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) as heritage buildings, 175 are marked as national heritage sites and three – Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb – are given the status of World heritage sites.

Over ages, Delhi has evolved into a rich melting pot of different lifestyles and diverse cultural traditions, the evidence of which is seen in the panorama of various fairs and festivals celebrated in the city with immense zeal and passion round the year.

Seasons of Delhi

Delhi has extreme climate and sees hot and sultry summers and shorter but chilly winters.

Summers commence a little early around mid-March and weather becomes hotter day by day with temperature soaring and reaching uptil mid 40s during May and June accompanied by violent dust storms called ‘loo’.

End of June sees little respite with monsoon reaching Delhi reducing the temperature to mid-30s but bringing along humidity which leads to discomfort.

Weather begins to get better in October and the winter finally sets in November. Winter is unarguably the best season in Delhi. Cool temperatures and sunny days not only make it conducive to go out for day outings exploring the capital but also brighten up the mood of the people.

However December and January see extreme winter and foggy days with sharp dip in temperature.

It begins to get better with the onset of Spring which lasts only a few weeks in February and March. This is when everything comes to life with trees reviving to lush green and flowers blooming adding harmony and colours to life.

And then begins the vicious cycle of seasons as its time of summers to set in again.

Festivals of Delhi

To begin with, each year on 13 January, Punjabis celebrate the festival of Lohri with cheer and enthusiasm marking the end of chill of the winters and welcoming the onset of pleasant weather.

The celebration continues the next day with different rituals and traditions under various festival names almost throughout the country. On 14 January, where North India celebrates the change in weather in form of Makar Sankranti, South India does the same by celebrating Pongal and the state of Assam in north-east celebrates it in its own style and calls it Bihu.

Soon follows the celebration of the Republic Day on 26 January when a spectacular display of India’s diverse culture and might is staged by various states and the country’s Armed Forces in form of beautifully created tableaus and an impressive parade by the contingents of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and school students marching on the martial tunes being played by the Brass bands of all the three services and paramilitary forces.

An impressive fly past by the latest acquisition of the air force to showcase the might of the country also forms part of the celebrations. Air Force helicopters shower flower petals on the spectators watching the parade.

The month of February sees the celebration of the onset of spring in the form of the colourful and aromatic Annual Garden Festival when the numerous gardens in the city make a magnificent and colourful picture with flowers in full bloom and the gates of the Mughal gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan are opened to the public.

The next comes, the joyful festival of Holi followed by Baisakhi in mid-April and Akshaya Tritiya and Buddha Poornima in May.

Delhi once again comes alive with celebration of India’s Independence Day on 15^th August. Few days down comes Ganesha Chaturthi, considered to be an auspicious day by Hindus.

In September, a unique festival of flowers called ‘Phoolwaalon Ki Sair’ is held near Mehrauli in South Delhi.

On 2^nd October, the nation remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. The months of October and November have a festive aura about them with various festivals spread through like Navratri, Dussehra, Dhanteras, Diwali, Goverdhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj.

Then the people of Delhi take a breather after an array of grand festivities and are cocooned through the winters till the cheer of Christmas and New Year eve tempt them enough to brave the chill and party out with friends and family.

Besides the numerous festivals, Delhi has endless cultural programmes, exhibitions, film shows, workshops, music and dance festivals etc. to keep it alive round the year.

Bazaars of Delhi

Also, the city serves as a perfect place for those interested in shopping. New Delhi being the capital of India several state Emporia, representative outlets for arts and handicrafts from most Indian states. One can choose from a variety of items like jewellery, handicrafts, silverware, leather items and range of silks.

One of the most popular and must-visit shopping areas is Chandni Chowk, a 17^th century market popular for jewellery and zari sari shopping. Not to miss in Chandni Chowk is ‘Paranthe-wali gali’. Paranthe-wali gali is popular since 1870s for the incredibly wide variety of paranthas it has to offer.

Maintaining the age old tradition, almost every Prime Minister of India visits the Paranthe wali gali atleast once during his tenure.

Behind Jama Masjid lies the fabled Meena Bazaar and for those looking for antiques and jewellery, Sunder Nagar market is an ideal place to shop.

Close to Meena Bazaar is the Cotton Market known for quilts, pillows and mattresses. A little beyond is the cycle market popular for the best range of bicycles, tricycles and their accessories.

Towards the west of Jama Masjid is the Chawri Bazaar, a wholesome market for paper products ranging from paper reams and wedding cards to wallpapers.

Not very far from here is Asia’s largest spice market, Khari Baoli, where you will witness colourful mounds of all Indian spices alongwith exotics from beyond like sultanas from Afghanistan and raisins from California.

One of very interesting bazaars around is Kinari Bazaar where one can find anything and everything needed for a beautiful, colourful splendid Indian wedding… right from traditional Indian wedding costumes to smallest of the accessories like bride’s kaleeras and groom’s sehras, without which certain rituals cannot be performed. And to make it even more convenient, one can hire the dresses too for a nominal rent.

No Indian wedding is complete without flowers. So to order or buy those, one does not need to go very far. Close to the Read Fort is a flower market where one can soak in the lovely fragrance and warm up eyes on fresh marigolds, roses, jasmines and orchids.

Old Delhi, which was once Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s capital city Shahjahanabad, is a vault of Mughal arts and crafts where many of the ancient skills like Zardozi (fine embroidery in gold thread), Mughal miniature paintings and blue pottery, are still practiced today.

Today, New Delhi, being the capital of India, is clearly the most important political, cultural and commercial city in India.

With world class amenities like Indira Gandhi International Airport, the best of the hospitals with latest technologies & facilities and world class metro rail to move around the city, Delhi today intrigues one and all with its perfect blend of alluring old-world charm and the ultramodern lifestyle.

How to Reach Delhi

Delhi being the capital of the country is best connected with other states and cities by road, rail as well as air.

By Air

Delhi Airport is called Indira Gandhi International Airport. It has three terminals T1, T2 and T3. T1 is the old airport, basic but efficient. T2 and T3 are 7 km apart and equipped with all modern facilities. IGI is well connected with most local cities and countries.

By Rail

Delhi has various railway stations, New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Nizammuddin Junction being the most important and best connected.