Delhi

About Delhi

Delhi – with its tenacious touts and crush of mechanical and human traffic – can be downright confronting and confounding for the first-time visitor. But don’t let petulant first impressions muddy the plus points of this truly multidimensional metropolis. Scratch beyond the gritty surface and you’ll swiftly discover that India’s capital is sprinkled with glittering gems: captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing-arts scene and some of the subcontinent’s yummiest places to eat

A vibrant melting pot, you’ll hear a jumble of vernaculars spoken in Delhi, the most common being Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. In terms of its layout, Delhi encapsulates two very different worlds, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’, each presenting deliciously different experiences. Spacious New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British; rambunctious Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India. Visitors can easily dip into both, spending half the day immersing themselves in history at the dramatic Red Fort, Jama Masjid and medieval-flavoured bazaars of Old Delhi, and the other half reviving themselves over frothy cappuccinos or frosty cocktails at one of New Delhi’s swanky cafés and bars. Furthermore, Delhi’s recent global cuisine revolution means that hungry travellers can now feast on everything from meaty Mughals curries and plump South Indian idlis (rice cakes), to crispy wood-fired pizzas and squishy sashimi.

About Delhi : Delhi, the capital of India, can easily be symbolized with a lotus where each petal represents different era and milestones of the history. Starting from the ages of Mahabharata to the British rule, Delhi has been always the most preferred destination for the power seekers whoever wished to start their legacy in India. The city is thus studded with mementos and edifice carrying reminiscence of the bygone era

Being the third-largest city and capital of India, no wonder, Delhi has gained the position of North India's industrial hub. It presents a nice montage of the modern and ancient life where Old Delhi carries the heritage of the 17th and 19th century and New Delhi boasts of modern city life. Once the capital of Mughals, Old Delhi is adorned with cenotaphs, mausoleums, mosques and forts all narrating the saga of Muslim history. But if you think this is all about Delhi, then you are mistaken, as the splendour of New Delhi is yet to discovered. With the advent of British rulers, a need of new capital was needed and thus Sir Edwin Lutyens came into limelight with a new version of Delhi with imperial architecture and government buildings creating New Delhi. Delhi, combining both Old and New Delhi seem to never lose its charming mystery with the passage of time.

The bustling markets of Delhi need special mention to feel the warmth of the city. From the traditional jewellery and garments to modern electronic goods, Delhi markets are the dream destination of the shopalcoholics. Delhi cuisine is another identity that explores the hidden flavour of Delhi culture. Its said dilwalon ki shahar (city of warm hearted people) loves to steal the heart of people by feeding them. Be it Mughlai Paratha or Shammi Kabab, the heritage of Delhi cuisine dates back to Mughal era. The delicious street foods of Delhi vendors find their mention in the pages of history and on the screens of celluloid.

Once you come and taste the fragrance of this heritage city, it's for sure that you are destined to come here again and again. The warm and melting hospitality of the city will surely steal your heart and you never know when Delhi becomes the most favorite destination of yours in the world.

Delhi Airport

Delhi airport is better known as Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). It is one of the major gateways to India and connects North India to the rest of the world. New Delhi airport caters to both international and domestic travelers. The airport is the busiest in India in terms of daily flight operations and second busiest in terms of passenger volume. It was operated by the Indian Air force in the past and was a part of the Palam Airport, before its transfer to the Airport Authority of India. The management of the airport was passed on to Delhi International Airport Limited, a joint venture led by GMR group, in 2006.

History
Indira Gandhi International Airport came into being as Palam Airport, around World War II. After the independence of India, it came to serve as an Air Force Station for the Indian Air Force, with the passenger operations being carried out from Safdarjung Airport. It was only in 1962 that the passenger operations were shifted to Palam, primarily because of an increase in air traffic. At that time, it had a peak capacity of around 1300 passengers per hour. Later, in the 1970s, an additional terminal was added to the airport, which had spread over an area nearly four times that of the old Palam terminal. In 1986, yet another terminal - Terminal 2, was added and the airport was also renamed as Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

Airport Structure
The Domestic Airport has four terminals, i.e. Terminal 1A, 1B, 1C & 1D. Terminal 1A caters to domestic flights of Go Air, Indian Airlines and Air India Regional. Flights of other scheduled private airlines viz. IndiGo, Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher Airline, Kingfisher Red and SpiceJet, operate from terminal 1D, along with other executive aircraft/ private aviation activities. Since Terminal 1D came into operation, 1B has been closed. As for Terminal 1C, it caters to the arrivals of the airlines operating from Terminal 1A & 1D. The International Terminal (Terminal 2) caters to the airlines flying to major cities across the world. The airport also has a cargo terminal to handle cargo operations and a separate Hajj terminal for catering to the rush during Hajj.

Privatization, Expansion & Up-gradation
Delhi Airport is currently undergoing privatization. GMR-Fraport consortium won the bid for privatization and is currently managing various airport functions, including operations, maintenance, development, design, construction and management of the airport. The consortium will pump in Rs 280 million in investment and the first phase of modernization will be completed by 2010. Terminal 1A and Terminal 2 have been renovated with new washrooms, ceilings, departure areas and the latest security equipment.

The brand new Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport is under construction, predicted to be the third largest terminal in the world (after completion). It will be a two-tier building, with over 160 check-in counters, 74 aerobridges, duty free shops and other exciting features. Being built in place of the older existing terminals, it will be completed before the commencement of 2010 Commonwealth Games. Terminal 3 will be connected to Delhi by an eight lane motorway and the Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System. Terminal 4 and 5 will also be built at a later stage.

Airlines
IGI Airport is serviced by as many as 60 airlines. It serves as the main hub of Indian Airlines, SpiceJet, Air India Regional and IndiGo Airlines, apart from being the second base of Air India and Jet Airways (after Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai). 

Terminal 1 (Domestic Flights)

• Air India Regional (Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Chennai, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kulu, Pathankot, Surat, Udaipur, Vadodara, Visakhapatnam)

• GoAir (Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Cochin, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jammu, Mumbai, Srinagar)

• Indian Airlines (Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Varanasi)

• IndiGo Airlines (Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Vadodara)

• Jagson Airlines (Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Kulu, Pantnagar, Shimla)

• Jet Airways (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Srinagar, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara)

• JetLite (Ahmedabad, Amritsar Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Dibrugarh, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Port Blair, Pune, Srinagar, Visakhapatnam)

• Kingfisher Airlines (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Dharamsala, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Kulu, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Simla, Srinagar, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Varanasi)

• MDLR Airlines (Chandigarh, Jamshedpur, Goa, Kulu, Lucknow, Ranchi)

• SpiceJet (Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jammu, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam)

• Paramount Airways (Chennai)

• Aeroflot Moscow (Sheremetyevo)

• Aerosvit Kiev (Boryspil)

• Air Arabia (Sharjah)

• Air Astana (Almaty)

• Air China (Beijing)

• Air France (Paris)

• Air India (Chicago-O Hare, Dammam, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Jeddah, London-Heathrow, Mumbai, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, Shanghai-Pudong, Tokyo-Narita)

• Air India Express (Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai)

• Air Mauritius (Mauritius)

• American Airlines (Chicago-O Hare)

• Ariana Afghan Airlines (Kabul)

• Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon)

• Austrian Airlines (Vienna)

• Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka)

• British Airways (London-Heathrow)

• Cathay Pacific (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong)

• China Airlines (Taipei-Taoyuan)

• China Eastern Airlines (Beijing, Shanghai-Pudong)

• China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou)

• Continental Airlines (Newark)

• Cosmic Air (Kathmandu)

• Druk Air (Kathmandu, Paro)

• Emirates (Dubai)

• Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)

• Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa, Beijing)

• Finnair (Helsinki)

• GMG Airlines (Dhaka)

• Gulf Air (Bahrain)

• Indian Airlines (Amritsar, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Dubai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kabul, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Muscat, Sharjah, Singapore)

• JALways (Narita)

• Jazeera Airways (Dubai, Kuwait)

• Jet Airways (Abu Dhabi, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Brussels, Dhaka, Dubai, Kathmandu, London-Heathrow, Singapore, Toronto-Pearson)

• JetLite (Kathmandu)

• Kam Air (Kabul)

• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam)

• Kuwait Airways (Kuwait)

• Kyrgyzstan Airlines (Bishkek)

• Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich)

• Mahan Air Tehran-Imam (Khomeini)

• Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur)

• Nepal Airlines (Kathmandu)

• Oman Air (Muscat)

• Pakistan International Airlines (Karachi, Lahore)

• Pamir Airways (Kabul)

• Qatar Airways (Doha)

• Royal Jordanian (Amman)

• Saudi Arabian Airlines (Dammam, Riyadh)

• Singapore Airlines (Singapore)

• Sri Lankan Airlines (Colombo)

• Swiss International Airlines (Zürich)

• Thai Airways International (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)

• Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-Atatürk)

• Turkmenistan Airlines (Ashgabat)

• Uzbekistan Airways (Tashkent)

• Virgin Atlantic Airways (London-Heathrow)

• Xpressair (Kathmandu)

• Air India Cargo (Zurich, Mumbai)

• Air France Cargo (Paris)

• Atlant-Soyuz Airlines (Chartered destinations)

• British Airways World Cargo (London)

• Blue Dart Aviation (Domestic chartered destinations)

• Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)

• Crescent Air Cargo (Chartered destinations)

• DHL Air (Worldwide)

• Etihad Crystal Cargo (Abu Dhabi)

• EVA Air Cargo (Taipei)

• FedEx Express

• Flyington Freighters (Chartered destinations)

• Korean Air Cargo (Seoul-Incheon)

• Lufthansa Cargo (Frankfurt, Munich, Leipzig-Halle, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai-Pudong)

• Singapore Airlines Cargo (Singapore)

• Retiring Rooms

• Left Luggage Facility

• Baggage Wrapping Service

• Infant Lobby

• Banking / Money Exchange Service

• Railway Reservation Counter

• STD / ISD Booths

• Doctors on Call

• Chemist

• Automatic Flight Information System

• Duty Free Shops

• Internet Kiosks

Contact Details
Delhi International Airport (P) Limited
Registered Office: New Udaan Bhawan,
Terminal 3, Opposite ATC Complex,
International Terminal,
Indira Gandhi International Airport,
New Delhi-110 037
Phone :+ 91 - 11 47197001
Fax :+ 91 - 11 47197034
Call Centre :+ 91 124 3376000

Delhi Climate

New Delhi, the capital of India, has a hot and humid climate for most of the season. The city climate becomes very hot during the month of June which is followed by monsoon happening somewhere after September. Monsoon in Delhi is quite unpredictable where you can't predict which way they will turn. Delhi monsoon has never been like the one we witness in other parts of India, say for example Mumbai. Winter in Delhi is very chilly which peaks in at the start of November and continues till the month of February. The foggy and chilly weather during winters makes Delhi's climate a tough one to confront with. Delhi is situated on the banks of river Yamuna with Himalayas being in the north of Delhi. This is the main reason behind Delhi's climate being called as the "Continental Climate".

Summer Season: The average temperature of New Delhi during summer ranges from 25º C to 46º C. This goes to show that Delhi summer is very cumbersome and bearing the heat is no child's play. May and June are considered to be the hottest months of the year. Summer in Delhi stays till October before tinge of winter starts to sets in. Summer in Delhi attributes its cause to Rajasthan hot waves called "Loo". These heat waves are immensely hot and one needs to take proper precaution during the season. The arrival of monsoon does bring some relief to Delhi, which comes no earlier than the end of June. Monsoon in Delhi does bring some respite to Delhities but this has still not been much predictable and has been rare at times.


Winter Season: In comparison to summer, winters are short. Winter Season starts from the end of November and continues till February-March. The cold waves from the Himalayan region makes the winters in New Delhi very chilly. Temperatures fall substantially down to as low as 3 to 4º C at the peak of winter. Winters in Delhi get really chilly with bonfires all round the streets of Delhi to beat the cold waves. Delhi is not aloof to the problems of fog and smog. In January, a dense fog envelopes the city, reducing visibility on the streets. It is advisable to take enough precautions while driving during night and morning because fog reduces the visibility to a great extent. Usually though, winter days are pleasant with bright sunlight in afternoons only. 

Monsoon (Rainy Season): The city does not witness much of rainy season. The monsoon lasts from July to September. October sees the end of the monsoon but it is reasonably pleasant. 
                        

Following table gives you an idea of monthly rainfall in Delhi:

Delhi History

Delhi, has seen the rise and fall  of many empires which have left behind a plethora of monuments that the grandeur and glory of bygone ages . A city which traces its history to Mahabharata, the great epic tale of wars fought between  estranged cousins , the Kauravas and the Pandavas for the city of Indraprastha.

 Mughals ruled Delhi in succession starting from Qutab-ub-din to  Khiljis, Tughlaqs . The city of Delhi  passed on to the hands of the British in 1803 AD. It was only in 1911, when the capital of British empire was shifted from Calcutta  to Delhi,  that Delhi got its present prestige. After independence also, a kind of autonomy was conferred on the capital but it largely remained a chief commissioners regime. In 1956 Delhi was converted into a Union territory and gradually the chief commissioner was replaced by a Lt. Governor. In 1991, the national capital territory Act was passed by the parliament and a system of diarchy was introduced under which, the elected Government was given wide powers; except law and order which remained with the central Government. The actual enforcement of the legislation came in 1993.

New Delhi, the capital of India, sprawled over the west bank of the river Yamuna is one of the fastest growing cities in India. It is surrounded on three sides by Haryana and to the east, across the river Yamuna by Uttar Pradesh. Historically, the city has long since been the foremost in political importance with successive dynasties choosing it as their seat of power, between the 13th and the 17th centuries.  Remnants of the glorious past survive as important monuments in different parts of the city.  

The myriad faces of the city are simply fascinating. In some places it remains a garden city, tree lined and with beautiful parks, but in some places it can also be crowded with heavy traffic. Turbaned Sikhs, colourfully  dressed Rajasthani and Gujarati women working in offices, Muslim shopkeepers along Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, Tibetans and Ladakhis in the street stalls along Janpath and Kashmiris in the handicraft emporia around Connaught Place, all add to the cosmopolitan feel of the city. Soaring skyscrapers, posh residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes can be seen along with the ancient historical monuments. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. Old Delhi which looks entirely different from New Delhi area, is about 6 Km north of the city center.

Shopping in Delhi

If you wish to get a glimpse of India's art & craft, a feel of the culture of the country within the purview of the city then Delhi is the place to be in. Delhi with it's innumerable shopping complexes is able to cater to every individuals desire to acquire items that have the essence, the originality of a particular region in India. Although there are shopping complexes in almost every locality in Delhi, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk are the principle shopping areas. Multiple emporia representing every state of the country are to be seen at the famous Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near Parliament Street. Each state emporium has a slice of the best of its crafts under one roof at government-controlled prices. 

The Central Cottage Emporium in Jawahar Bhavan at Janpath is undoubtedly worth a visit for anything ethnic anc chic. It has almost anything that you might desire to buy. From furniture to clothes, to shoes that are typically Indian, to small gift items that could work as souvenirs, the Cottage Emporium has it all. The quality is absolutely the best and the prices are reasonable enough. In the rustic background of the Crafts Museum at Mathura road, one can pick up great bargains on items like shawls, pottery and paintings. A shopping complex of a similar kind is to be seen in Hauz Khas. Popularly known as The Village; you can find designer labels, authentic jewelry and gift items within the complex. The Hauz Khas Village is a complete experience with its ancient buildings, designer stuff and a list of restaurants. 

For those who are interested in antiques, Sundar Nagar is just the place to be in. Of course for cheaper antiques, it is Chandni Chowk. While in that area, Dariba Kalan, a narrow street, may be visited for gold and Silver. Chandni Chowk is famous for jewelry and saris, so for those who wish to get a feel of the tradition of India, Chandni Chowk is the place to visit. Chandni Chowk is also the place to buy silverware and jewellery. 

Karol Bagh is yet another famous shopping complex in Delhi of similar nature. You can find a variety of Indian clothes, shoes and accessories out here as well as precious jewelry and bridal wear. What's more, this place sells automobiles and related accessories too. 

For casuals, Janpath with its rows of shops, Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar are the places you would like to visit. These places offer variety of novelties, gifts and handicraft items at bargain prices. Sarojini Nagar also has this rather big market of export surplus clothes. Here you will find clothes made for GAP, Van Hausen, Joe Boxer, Levis being sold for a song. All these clothes have been made in India for these designer brands and are sold just because they are surplus. Terrific bargains! 

Dilli Haat, near INA market, developed by Delhi Tourism has on display almost everything that would be very typical to a particular region in India. It has been designed to be an upscale version of a haat (generally a weekly traditional market). Unlike the traditional haat where the market itself is mobile and transient, in this case it is the craftspersons who are ever changing - thus offering a kaleidoscopic view of the richness and diversity of Indian culture and handicrafts.

This market is spread over a six acre spread with imaginative traditional rural architecture and provides an ambience for the market. The stone and brickwork paved paths interspersed with grass patches make browsing and ambling fun. The not too large but diverse food court bring the cuisines of different states together. 

This is a good places to look at or buy handicrafts to do with rosewood and sandalwood carvings, leather wear, fabric, drapery, gems, beads, metalware, and garments is variety of fabrics. You can contact their office at   Phone : +91-11-4629365, 6119055

Delhi also has a very popular underground shopping center called Palika Bazar. This shopping center like most shopping complexes in Delhi has variety of goods on display and at a reasonable cost. However, while shopping here you need to be good at bargaining, as generally the prices quoted are high. 

A recent phenomenon in Delhi has been the steady rise of foreign collaborations in consumer goods areas. With extremely steep prices abroad, foreigners visiting India can pick up items of international brands like Benetton, Ray-Ban, Adidas, and Pierre Cardin at a comparatively lower price. A common sight in South Delhi, rather in Greater Kailash and South Extension is the presence of multi storeyed departmental stores. These stores are complete in themselves in as much that they have on display items of all kinds ranging from cosmetics to clothes to shoes to books to household items. If you wish to buy quality products and do not mind spending a little bit more, then these stores are worth visiting. 

For music, The Music Shop at Khan Market, Rhythm Corner at South Extension, Blues in Defence Colony and Sheilma and Pyramids in Palika Bazar should be visited. Although you will find music available almost everywhere, the quality of music in these shops is better. 

If you want to break a bit out of the ordinary, you might want to spend a little time in the Chandni Chowk area. As mentioned earlier, Chandni Chowk is a big market for silver, and for lot else. Fabrics, woollens go cheap here. Take a diversion to one of the by lanes into Chawri Bazaar and Nai Sarak to see Delhi's big stationary and books market. Take another bylane to get into Parathewaali Gali. This bylane houses the most number of parathawallahs (parathaas are kind of friend flatbread, which could have a variety of stuffings or be without) on one street. Unfortunately as the tastes of people get more and more urban, the parathaa shops are giving way to the more profitable garment shops.  And no visit to this area is complete without sampling a jalebi (a sweetmeat made of flour, fried and dipped in sugar syrup)  at the jalebiwallah at the mouth of the lane to Dariba Kalaan, or visiting Ghantewallah's - a sweetshop more than 150 years old.. Walk forth a little more and you will reach a plethora of colors in Fathepuri's spice market. This market is situated almost at the end of road which leads to Chandni Chowk. All in all, this area represents to some extent Delhi's old worldly charm.

The closing days for the shopping complexes in Delhi is as follows:

• Sundays: Connaught Place, Janpath, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Jor Bagh, Khan Market, Malcha Marg, Nehru Place, Sunder Nagar, Yashwant Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar. 

• Mondays: Defence Colony, INA Market, Jangpura, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, South Extension. 

• Tuesdays: Greater Kailash, Green Park, Hauz Khas, Kalkaji, Safdarjung Enclave, Vasant Vihar, Shahdara, Yusuf Sarai.

Delhi Information

Delhi – with its tenacious touts and crush of mechanical and human traffic – can be downright confronting and confounding for the first-time visitor. But don’t let petulant first impressions muddy the plus points of this truly multidimensional metropolis. Scratch beyond the gritty surface and you’ll swiftly discover that India’s capital is sprinkled with glittering gems: captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing-arts scene and some of the subcontinent’s yummiest places to eat.

A vibrant melting pot, you’ll hear a jumble of vernaculars spoken in Delhi, the most common being Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. In terms of its layout, Delhi encapsulates two very different worlds, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’, each presenting deliciously different experiences. Spacious New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British; rambunctious Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India. Visitors can easily dip into both, spending half the day immersing themselves in history at the dramatic Red Fort, Jama Masjid and medieval-flavoured bazaars of Old Delhi, and the other half reviving themselves over frothy cappuccinos or frosty cocktails at one of New Delhi’s swanky cafés and bars. Furthermore, Delhi’s recent global cuisine revolution means that hungry travellers can now feast on everything from meaty Mughals curries and plump South Indian idlis (rice cakes), to crispy wood-fired pizzas and squishy sashimi.

About Delhi : Delhi, the capital of India, can easily be symbolized with a lotus where each petal represents different era and milestones of the history. Starting from the ages of Mahabharata to the British rule, Delhi has been always the most preferred destination for the power seekers whoever wished to start their legacy in India. The city is thus studded with mementos and edifice carrying reminiscence of the bygone era.

Being the third-largest city and capital of India, no wonder, Delhi has gained the position of North India`s industrial hub. It presents a nice montage of the modern and ancient life where Old Delhi carries the heritage of the 17th and 19th century and New Delhi boasts of modern city life. Once the capital of Mughals, Old Delhi is adorned with cenotaphs, mausoleums, mosques and forts all narrating the saga of Muslim history. But if you think this is all about Delhi, then you are mistaken, as the splendour of New Delhi is yet to discovered. With the advent of British rulers, a need of new capital was needed and thus Sir Edwin Lutyens came into limelight with a new version of Delhi with imperial architecture and government buildings creating New Delhi. Delhi, combining both Old and New Delhi seem to never lose its charming mystery with the passage of time.

The bustling markets of Delhi need special mention to feel the warmth of the city. From the traditional jewellery and garments to modern electronic goods, Delhi markets are the dream destination of the shopalcoholics. Delhi cuisine is another identity that explores the hidden flavour of Delhi culture. Its said dilwalon ki shahar (city of warm hearted people) loves to steal the heart of people by feeding them. Be it Mughlai Paratha or Shammi Kabab, the heritage of Delhi cuisine dates back to Mughal era. The delicious street foods of Delhi vendors find their mention in the pages of history and on the screens of celluloid.

Once you come and taste the fragrance of this heritage city, it's for sure that you are destined to come here again and again. The warm and melting hospitality of the city will surely steal your heart and you never know when Delhi becomes the most favorite destination of yours in the world.

Brief
This is the capital city of India, and can be called as a major gateway to India. Delhi is one of the most important metropolis in India,as it is the city of power. It has a very good combination of both modern, as well as ancient culture. It is also known as the Headquarters of Indian politics, as most of the heads of the Indian government and other political parties, reside here, including the Prime Minister, and President of the country. In these 3000 years of its existence, there has been the origin of seven more cities ,where the traditional Indian capital is. Strategic location, mixture of modern and Indian culture, rich history, medieval market, beside the modern ones etc are the main reasons for choosing it, as the seat of power. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. 

History
Down the ages, the region in and around modern Delhi, saw Lalkot built in the mid-11th century; Siri established by Allauddin Khilji; Tughlakabad and Ferozabad built by the Tuglaks, followed by the city of the Lodis; and then came Shahjahanbad, the capital of the Mughals under Shah Jahan. New Delhi also reflects the legacy, the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi, is the distinction, between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the past of the city.

Culture
The throbbing presence of Delhi, pulls one out of the reflections of a mute past. The divisions in the Walled City and New Delh,i also mark their varied lifestyles. The Walled City, is all about traditions, whereas New Delhi, in contrast, is a city living up to contemporary international standards.

Climate & Geographical Location
It is extremely hot and dry in summer and cold and pleasant in winter. Standing on the west bank of the Yamuna river, at the narrowest point between the Aravalli hills and the Himalayas is Delhi.

How to Reach
New Delhi is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, New Delhi has two terminals, one for domestic and the other for international flights. 4.5 km apart ,the two are linked by coach services. The Indira Gandhi International Airport connects Delhi , to the world. On the domestic front, it is well connected with all state capitals and major metros all over India. By rail, Old Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizammuddin stations ,connect Delhi to all parts of the country. All these 3 stations ,are located at a distance of maximum 5 km from each other. By road, Delhi is connected by National Highways ,to all the parts of the country. It is also linked by bus services of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and state roadways ,of neighbouring states to all important cities and destinations in North India. Delhi is well connected by road ,with many major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Shimla, Nainital, Agra, Ajmer, Gwalior etc.

Tourist Places

Raj Ghat
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here in 1948. This sprawling site, on the banks of the Yamuna, is marked by a brick platform, flanked by an eternall flame, surrounded by lush green lawns and imposing boundary walls of concrete.

Rashtrapati Bhavan
The official residence of the President of India, it stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath, from India Gate. This palace-like building, is an interesting blend of Mughal and western architectural styles, the most obvious Indian feature being the huge copper dome. Attached is a Mughal garden which remains open to the public, only in February and early March. Prior to Independence this was the viceroy's residence.

Sansad Bhavan
Although a large and imposing building, Sansad Bhavan, the Indian parliament building, stands almost hidden and virtually unnoticed,at the end of Sansad Marg. A circular colonnaded structure, its relative physical insignificance in the grand scheme of New Delhi, shows how the focus of Power has shifted,from the viceroy's residence, which was given pride of place during the time of the British Raj, when New Delhi was conceived.

Bahai Temple
Lying to the east of Siri Fort, is the Bahai Temple shaped like a lotus flower. Completed in 1986, it is set amongst pools and gardens, and adherents of any Faith, are free to visit the temple and pray, or meditate silently, according to their own religion. It looks spectacular at dusk, particularly from the air, when it is floodlit, but is rather disappointing close up. The temple lies just inside the Outer Ring Road, 12 km southeast of the city centre.

Red Fort
The red sandstone walls of Lal Qila, the Red Fort, extends for 2 km, and vary in height from 18ms on the riverside, to 33ms on the city side. Started by Shah Jahan in 1638, the construction of the massive fort was completed in 1648. But he was never able, to move his capital from Agra to this new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi, for he was imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. Dating from the very peak of Mughal power, the Mughal reign from Delhi, was a short one. However Aurangzeb was the first and last great Mughal emperor to rule from here.

Chandni Chowk
This main street of Old Delhi, is the colourful shopping bazaar, known as Chandni Chowk. A very sharp contrast to the open, spacious streets of New Delhi. At its eastern end is a Digambara Jain Gurdwara (temple), with a small marble courtyard, surrounded by a colonnade. There is an interesting bird hospital here, run by the Jains.

Jama Masjid.
The largest in India, and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid is the great mosque of Old Delhi. It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Broad flights of steps, lead up to the imposing gateways. The Eastern gateway was originally, only opened for the emperor, but is now only open on Friday and Muslim festival days. So large is the mosque's countryard, that it can hold 25,000 people.

Connaught Place
A business and tourist centre, it's a vast traffic circle, with an architecturally uniform series, of colonnaded buildings around the edge, mainly devoted to shops, banks, restaurants and airline offices. Willing to shop, you can have any and every thing at your disposal. Its spacious, but busy, and the people will be willing to provide you with everything imaginable, from an airline ticket to Timbuktu, to having your fortune read. The outer circle is known as Connaught Circus.

Jantar Mantar.
A short stroll down Sansad Marg, from Cannaught Place, this strange collection of salmon -coloured structure, is one of Maharaja Jai Singh II's observatories. The ruler from Jaipur constructed this observatory in 1725 and a huge sundial known as the Prince of Dials dominates it. Other instruments, plot the course of heavenly bodies and predict eclipses.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple
To the west of Connaught Place, the industrialist B.D. Birla, erected this garish modern temple in 1938. Its dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune and is commonly known as Birla Mandir.

India Gate
This 42ms high stone of triumph, stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers, who died in the campaigns of WW I, the NorthWest Frontier operations of the same time, and the 1919 Afghan fiasco.

Qutb Minar
One of the earliest Muslim monuments in India, it was erected in (c.1230) by Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate. Built in the early 13th century, a few kilometres south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower is covered with relief work and has a symbolic function, its a Victory Tower, for glorifying Islam's victory against idolators. The highest monument of India, Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak, to 14.32 m at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings. An indoor staircase leads to the outside galleries, from where the muezzin calls for prayer. The monument is decked out with huge strips of Koranic verses. The surrounding archeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Moslem art built in 1311, and two mosques, including Quwwatul-Islam, the oldest in northern India, made from materials from about twenty Brahmin temples.

Others

CORONATION DURBAR SITE - This is a sobering sight for people interested in the Raj. Standing in a desolate field, this lone obelisk is where, in 1877 and 1903, the great theatrical durbars, featuring the full set of Indian rulers paid homage to the British monarch. 

FEROZ SHAH KOTLA - Between the old and new Delhis, lies the Feroz Shah Kotla, erected by Feroz Shah Tuglaq in 1354, the ruins of Ferozabad, the fifth city of Delhi. In the fortress-palace is a 13m high sandstone Ashoka pillar, inscribed with Ashoka's edicts.

MOTI MASJID - Built in 1659 by Aurangzeb, for his own personal use and security, the small and totally enclosed Pearl Mosque, made of marble, is next to the baths. One curious feature of the mosque is that, its outer walls are oriented exactly to be in symmetry with the rest of the Red Fort, while the inner walls are slightly askew, so that the mosque has the correct orientation with Mecca. 

NIZAM-UD-DIN'S SHRINE - Close to Humayun's tomb, is the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Chishti. His shrine, with its large tank, is one of several interesting tombs here. Its worth visiting the shrine at around sunset on Thursday, as it is a popular time for worship.

PURANA QUILA - Just South-east of India Gate and north of Humayun's tomb and Nizamuddin train station is the Purana Quila. This is the supposed site of Indraprastha, the oiginal city of Delhi. 

RAJPATH - Rajpath or the Kings- way is another focus of Lutyens New Delhi. Immensely broad, it is flanked on either side by ornamental ponds. The Republic Day parade is held here every 26th January, and millions of people gather to enjoy the spectacle. 

SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS - The north and south Secretariat buildings, lie on either side of Rajpath on Raisina hill. These imposing buildings, topped with chhatris (small domes), now house the ministries of Finance and External Affairs respectively 

Temples in New Delhi

Being the seat of power of consecutive dynasties, the city has gained a majestic legacy of architectural edifices in the form of temples, monuments. Delhi as the capital city of India is looked upon as a complete confluent of the tradition and the modernization. Delhi gets the distinction of treasuring some of the splendid temples of India. The city comprises of old ancient temples as well as unique creation of modern era. Chattarpur Mandir, Isckon Temple, Lotus Temple, Kali Bari Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Kalkaji Mandir, are most renowned pilgrimage center visited daily by thousand of devotees and tourist. 

Famous Temples of Delhi 

Akshar Dham 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. 

The other attractions of the complex are three exhibition halls spaced around two huge ponds, where one is a venue for light-and-sound show. The three halls are "Sahajanand Darshan", "Neelkanth Darsdhan" and "Sanskruti Vihar". "Sahajanand Darshan" is where life of Swaminarayan is displayed through robotic shows, while "Neelkanth Darsdhan" has a huge I-Max theatre screening movie based on the life of the Lord. Another amazing presentation is "Sanskruti Vihar" with 12-minute boat ride experience of India's glorious heritage. 

The sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham complex spread over 30 acres on the banks of the Yamuna near Noida Mor in East Delhi.
 

For visitors, entry to the complex is free. However, those who want to visit exhibition halls and theatres, Rs.125 is to be paid and for children and senior citizens the charges are Rs.75. "Over 6,000 visitors could easily witness the shows and enjoy boat-rides everyday, while over 25,000 people can visit the temple. We have deployed almost 140 guides who will facilitate visitors during their visit. It requires at least four hours to visit the entire complex thoroughly and see all the shows," said a temple management committee member, adding that the opening ceremony would be telecast live on Aastha channel. Elaborate security arrangements have also been made for the entire complex. Besides installing close circuit television cameras it has also deployed hundreds of its own security personnel. 

The Rs.400-crore cultural complex, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), will be popularised by its builders as "a place for cultural education and entertainment". The temple complex has drawn inspiration for its architecture from the historic temples of Badrinath (Uttaranchal), Somnath (Gujarat) and Konark (Orissa). It is the second Akshardham complex in the country after the one at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. 

Even as last-minute preparations are now on for the inauguration, curious visitors have started coming in for a look or for offering "puja" and "abhishek". 

At the heart of the complex is a palace-like monument built of at least 12,000 tons of pink sandstone and white marble brought in from Rajasthan. Topped with a series of domes, it stands 129 feet high, 275 feet wide and 315 feet long. Almost every square inch of the exterior has been exquisitely carved with statues and motifs of Hindu deities and Indian flora and fauna. 

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 83-year-old spiritual leader of the Swaminarayan sect that has over 10 lakh followers across the globe, has closely monitored every detail of the complex. It took over 7,000 builders, masons and polishers to build the complex in record time. The place is built to withstand major quakes "and to last at least a thousand years". 

The complex also has two huge exhibition halls; one will take visitors on a visual journey through India's cultural heritage, while the other "will depict Indian moral values through a light-and-sound show". The complex also boasts of an Imax cinema, a canteen big enough to accommodate 5,000 people at one sitting, a research centre for "social harmony" and meditation gardens dotted with fountains and bronze sculptures.
 

Lotus Temple / Bahai Temple

Bahai Temple also known as Lotus Temple due to its lotus shape was completed in 1986. Followers of any faith are free to visit the temple and meditate silently according to their own religion. The visitors are often attracted by the exquisite structure of lotus form of the temple, and are captivated by the edification of the Bahai Faith- oneness of God, oneness of religions and oneness of mankind. 

The maximum number of visitors the Temple has received in a single day has been 150,000. 
The Bahai House of Worship is closed every Monday. Parking is also free. 
Visiting hours: summer 1 April - 30 September - 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
winter 1 October - 31 March - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
Prayer Session Timings: 1000 hrs - 1015 hrs (15 minutes), 1200 hrs - 1215 hrs (15 minutes), 1500 hrs - 1515 hrs (15 minutes) and1700 hrs - 1715 hrs (15 minutes) 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple 
This temple also known as Birla Mandir was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. Built on Aravalli Ranges in the west of Connaught Place the temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna. This beautiful shrine is one of the largest temple complexes in India. In recent times the major fascination of the temple is the Robert who preach the Gita. 
All Hindu festivals are celebrated with enormous enthusiasm. But the celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami and Deepawali attract a huge crowd to the temple. 

Chhatarpur Temple 
Chhatarpur Temple is located at a distance of 4 kms. from Qutb Minar is one of the most holy pilgrimage of Hindus. Spreading over a vast area in peaceful atmosphere, the temple represents an excellent example of modern temple architecture that manifest prodigal use of marbles. The main Deity in the temple is Goddess Durga, while one can also worship Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi or Ganesh in contiguous temples. 
During Durga Puja days, the plethora of devotees overflows Chhatarpur temple. It is a religious belief of devotees that by tying a thread on a tree located in the temple premises one gets rid of all ailments and troubles. 
Navratras: During the 9 days of Navratra festival of the Hindus, the shrine is visited by countless number of devotees to offer their prayers to Goddess Durga. 

Kalkaji Temple 
Situated near the commercial complex of Nehru Place, Kalkaji temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kalka Devi. The Kali Temple in Kalkaji has a history of 3000 years. It is said that the oldest persisting section of the temple dates back to 1764-1771. Devotees also visit the shrine for worship and meditate. Timing of Aarti: every day at about 7 p.m. 

Iskcon Temple 
The Iskcon Temple is a conglomerate of temples perched on the hilly side in south of Delhi. Dedicated to Lord Krishna the temple was constructed in 1998 and has a largest number of Hare-Rama Hare Krishna followers. It is an idle place for finding relief and amity. Chanting mantaras of Hare Rama and Hare Krishana with the disciples is indeed an enchanting experience. 
Iskcon Temple also organizes animation shows on the life of Lord Krishana, it also comprised o f a library, a restaurant Govinda facilitating pure vegetarian cuisine. 

Hanuman Temple 
The Ancient Hanuman Temple of India is situated on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi, dating back to the time of Pandavas. The main Deity of the temple is Lord Hanumana. 
On every Tuesday special aarti is performed in the temple, with thousands of devotees paying their payers. 

Beside these there are number of other temples famous among the devotees like Kali Bari Mandir located near Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Sri Digambar Lal Jain Mandir, Sheetala Devi Temple, Shirdi Sai Temple (Lodhi Estate), Buddhist Temples-Buddha Vihara, Mandir Marg

Travel Tips for India Travel

General Travel Information for traveling in India Travel in India will be a more comfortable experience if you keep a few things in mind. To start with, travelers must have a valid passport and a visa to enter India. Visas, which are of several types, have to be obtained prior to arrival in India. Relevant and detailed information can be obtained from the Indian consulate or embassy in your country. Travelers must also provide an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever if they arrive from an infected area. Avoid drinking tap water in India, for more than 80 percent of diseases in India are related to contaminated water. Distilled water is readily available these days.

Travel Insurance Policy for India

A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is a good idea. There are a number of policies available, so check the fine print carefully. Some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous activities' which can include scuba diving, motorcycling or even trekking. You may prefer a policy that pays hospitals or doctors directly, rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later. Check that the policy has ambulance and emergency flight home cover

Customs
Visitors are generally required to make an oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They are also required to obtain the currency declaration form from the customs. They should fill in the disembarkation card handed over to them by the airline authorities during the course of the flight. There are two channels for clearance at the international airports. Green Channel is for passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage. Red Channel is for passengers with dutiable articles, unaccompanied baggage, or high-value articles to be entered on the tourist baggage re-export form. Dutiable articles, unaccompanied baggage, or high-value articles must be entered on a tourist baggage re-export form (TBRE). These articles must be re-exported at the time of departure. A failure to re-export anything listed on the TBRE becomes a payable duty levied for each missing item. The following duty-free possessions are permissible-clothes and jewellery; cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars; a portable musical instrument; a radio or portable tape recorder; a tent and camping equipment; fishing rod; a pair of skis; two tennis rackets; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 95 liters of liquor; and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20).

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques a tourist can bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency brought in, but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes, and travelers' cheques up to US $1,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travelers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc., in convertible currencies that tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized moneychangers and banks. The encashment certificate issued by them is required at the time of reconversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Exchanging of foreign currency other than banks or authorized moneychangers is an offense under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act 1973.

Tipping & Gifts 

Tipping & Gifts: In India Gifts & Tipping is very common, Some suggested amounts for tipping are:
Chauffers/ Reps for transfers and sightseeing tours Rs. 150 - 250
Bell boy / potter Rs. 50 - 75
Drivers/ Guides for half day/ Full day sightseeing trips Rs. 150 - 250
Drivers/ Guides for long trips spread over many days Rs. 150 - 200 Per traveller/ day
(The above amounts are mainly indicative. It is often customary to pay higher sums depending upon the quality of service.)

General important Tips in India

Carry your passport with you at all times. If you ever find yourself in a sticky legal predicament, contact your embassy. Always keep your luggage with you, and don't leave it around for it is easy for anyone to slip drugs in. Drug trafficking is a punishable offence by law and can put you behind bars. Carry a waterproof laminated card mentioning your name, address, blood group, and any other important personal or medical information. 
Beware of pickpockets and don't carry too much cash at anytime. Always rely on your common sense and should anything seem suspicious to you, keep out of it and report to the police if necessary.