Travel Destination: Delhi
About Delhi
Delhi is a cosmopolitan metropolis and India’s capital. It is home to more than 11 million residents and a major centre for political, cultural and commercial affairs.
Reach Delhi through Indira Gandhi International Airport. There are plenty of taxis, car rental and auto-rickshaws (in the Old City, you may opt for cycle rickshaws and tongas) available to take you to the city centre and go around pretty easily. Buses and Metro rail are good alternatives too or choose conducted tours instead.
Delhi has Old and New parts. Both reflect Indian lifestyle and history. The old part was the capital of Islamic India so mosques, monuments, forts and other aspects of its Muslim past are apparent here. The new part, on the other hand, is a showcase of British influence having been designed by British architects Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens. It has government buildings as well as embassies.
Delhi has three UNESCO Heritage Sites: the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli, South Delhi, which at 73 metres is world’s tallest brick minaret, built by Qutab-ud-din Aibak in 1193; the Red Fort in Shahjahanabad, constructed in 1639 AD during the time of Emperor Shah Jahan; and Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin East which is a Mughal example of architecture similar to that of Taj Mahal’s.
The Old Delhi which is about 1500 acres, used to be a walled place. Although most of the walls are not in existence anymore, some of the gates are still in place. For the most visited historical attractions, go to the Chandni Chowk area where aside from the Red Fort, you can also find the Bhagirath Palace built in 1806, Naughara mansions (18th century Jain mansion), Khazanchi haveli, Haveli of Mirza Ghalib, the largest mosque in the Asia Pacific, the Jama Masjid and St. James Church, which is Delhi’s oldest church built in 1836.
New Delhi is located to the south of the Old City and the seat of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) and Government of India. National institutions are found here as well as wide roads and tree-lined boulevards. Include in your itinerary the North Block, built in 1931 and the location for key government offices; and the Rajpath in Raisina Hill which is an important road in Delhi that leads to The India Gate, a famous monument built for India’s soldiers who lost their lives in the Afghan Wars and World War I. The most important building this side is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential house while the Central Business District is in Connaught Place.
Continue your journey and drop by the Lotus, Laxminarayan (Vaishnavite) and Akshardham (largest Hindu temple) Temples. The mausoleums of Sikandar Lodhi and Ghiyath al-Tughluq are also worth visiting.
When you get tired touring the city and overwhelmed with human traffic, take a breather and relax in Delhi’s parks of gardens. Take your sweet time at Millennium Park in Sarai Kale Khan just behind the Humayun’s Tomb; nearby is Zoological Garden which is in Purana Quila, a good place to go bird watching and picnics; Shalimar Garden is 10-km away from Delhi; Mughal Garden is by the President’s House; Lodhi Gardens adjoins the India International Centre; and Talkatora Garden along Wellingdon Crescent.
Delhi is known for its spicy cuisine which is a mix of Punjabi, Gujarati, Rajasthani and Mughlai. Look for local delicacies Ghantewala halwai, spicy chaat and Gali Paranthe Wali.
As multifaceted and vibrant as its cuisine, Delhi takes you to different journeys between the old and the new. It’s easy to get confused but the best way to explore it is to scratch the surface to discover its true beauty.