Delhi - The Heart of India

Delhi :
Sneaking into Delhi will offer you a panorama of rich Indian heritage, culture and tradition. From the ancient capital of Pandavas - Indraprastha to the modern National Capital Region of Delhi, the city has seen many phases of change, right from the ruling powers to the evolving way of life. On one side, you may find the alleys of Old Delhi, whereas on the other, properly planned Lutyens zone steals your heart. Located on the banks of Yamuna, the city is a home for monuments of national importance including Parliament, Rajghat, Red Fort, Qutub Minar. A thoughtful mix of religions, culture, art and craft, Delhi is an extravaganza, a shopper's paradise in its own right.

Climate :
Summer: 47 °C (Max) - 27 °C (Min)
Winter: 32 °C (Max) - 7 °C (Min)
Rainy Season: June to September, 700 mm rainfall, moderate humidity
Best time to visit: November to March

Main Attractions: Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Akshardham Temple, Chandni Chowk.

Location :
Geographic : Straddling the river Yamuna is the capital of modern India - Delhi.
Famous for: Witnessing various aspects of change in power.

How to Reach Delhi :
By Air : Delhi is an entry point for most foreign tourists as well as a hub for domestic flights.
By Road : Delhi is well connected nationally by various state highways, Chandigarh - five hours, Jaipur - five & half hours, Shimla, 10 hours & Haridwar, 8 hours.
By Railways : Agra, four & a half hours, Calcutta, 18 hours, Jaipur, four hours, Lucknow Six hours.

Attractions :
Delhi, the eighth largest metropolis in the world is located on the banks of the River Yamuna & has its earliest reference in the epic Mahabharata as 'Indraprastha'. For the past 1000 years, it has been the political nerve center & is filled with ancient and medieval monuments as a testament to its importance. The present day modern city, New Delhi, was built to the south of the old city during the 1920's. Since then Delhi has never looked back & has emerged as a world class city, while co-existing with its ancient heritage, a paradox which can be viewed as part of Delhi city guide.
Some of Delhi's prime attractions are -

Red Fort :
Constructed under the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, this massive fort was completed in 1648 lies along the Yamuna River. As part of Delhi tourism one may witness the apex of Mughal planning and aesthetics & the reason why this was chosen to be the capital of the Mughals. Red Fort showcases Mughal art work as a melting pot of Persian, European and Indian art which fused to give rise to what has since been called the Shahjahani style: rich in form, expression and color. Important sections of the Red Fort include: the Diwan-e-Aam, the Diwan-e-Khaas, Nahr-e-Behisht, Zenana, Moti Masjid etc.

Qutub Minar :
Qutab Minar is the world's tallest brick minaret with a height of 72.5 meters & was constructed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The minaret is a fine example of the earliest fusion & consequent rise of Indo-Islamic architecture. It has been built on the ruins & partially by using the debris of 27 ancient Hindu and Jain temples, which were destroyed after the fall of Prithviraj Chauhan's Delhi. In addition to several other places of interest in & around the Qutab complex, the foremost is the Ashokan Iron Pillar, cast thousands of years back; it has withstood the test of time, weather & human assault.

India Gate:
The national monument of India, this grand edifice is situated in the heart of New Delhi & was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Originally built to commemorate 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the British Indian Empire, it is composed of red sand stone and granite.

Chandni Chowk:
Within the remnants of Old Delhi, there is a bustling market with narrow streets, named as Chandni Chowk or Moonlit square. Offering glimpses of Delhi's Past, the location is a must have in the itinerary of every traveler in terms of foodie delights. One can relish richness of Rabri Faluda, Tangy chats, relishing stuffed paranthas or non vegetarian cuisines at Chandni Chowk. Nearby areas of interest are Red Fort, Rajghat, the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi and Jama Masjid, a mosque reflecting the whole world. Cities near Delhi