Explore Old & New Delhi

Apart from being the capital of India, Delhi is also the travel hub of northern India. It serves as an excellent base for visiting the colorful state of Rajasthan, and Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, is less than three hours away. If you want to head north to experience the grandeur of the Himalayas or east to the sacred city of Varanasi, Delhi should be the perfect base. Delhi is India's main entry point for overseas visitors, and has two airports, one international named Indira Gandhi International Airport and the other domestic named Palam airport. Buses from different states of India pull into the Inter-State Bus Terminal in Old Delhi and Aanda Vihar Bus Terminal in trans-Yamuna area.Well connected to different places of the country by flight and rail, the city has two main railheads in Old or New Delhi both well connected to Connaught Place, the commercial hub the city, by bus, auto rickshaw and taxi. Delhi has almost all kinds of accommodation available in different parts of the city.

HISTORY:

So different are the colors of life, as we look forward to the future, or backward to the past. Its amazing to explore these difference for life is so different at both the ends. Present seems to be a yard stick to evaluate the past or anticipate the future. Delhi, like any other city in India has its own stories, own rulers, own achievements and own wars of destruction. The old, timeworn streets of Delhi has seen it all.

From Hindu Kings to Muslim incursions, the reins of the city kept shifting from one ruler to another. There was the period of Delhi Sultanate, Slave Dynasty and Khali Dynasty. The soils of the city smell of blood, sacrifices and love for the nation. The old 'Havelis' and edifices from the past stand silent but their silence also speaks volumes of their owners and people who lived here centuries back.

Early Hindu Kingdoms: Archaeological evidences suggest that this area was settled by Ashoka about 2500years ago. Legend also has it that the city was the war ground for famous war that has a mention in great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Since the war was fraught 3000 years ago, the city (Idraprastha) seems to be much older.

Getting on to firmer historical ground, the city was ruled by Tomar Rajputs in 10th century AD. Anang Pal, the Tomara ruler built magnificent edifices like Lal Kot and famous full iron pillar at Qutab Minar. Tomaras were then overthrown in 1155 AD by Chauhans who enlarged and fortified Delhi under the kingship of Prithvi Raj Chauhan.

Mughals: The larger than life Mughal rulers contributed a lot to overall beautification of Delhi. Babur was the first ruler who was followed by Humayun, Afgans, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. The latter Mughals were inefficient and hence the powers were transferred to Britishers.

THINGS TO DO:

Shopping: Shop at some of the best places in Delhi. Some of the best regions to shop in Delhi are Cannaught place, South Ex, Sarojini Nagar, Lajapat Nagar. To purchase cheap yet funky /fashionable products, pay a visit to Janpath that is full of colored materials.

Nightlife: Yes! Delhi indeed boast spectacular nightlife that can fill your nights with fun and frolic. It has some exotic pubs and discotheques which are worth trying.

Metro Rail: Try out the new Metro rail ventured in year 2003. The rail is currently running between Shahdara to Rithala and covers a distance of 22 Km. There are in total 18 stations. The cost for traveling in Delhi Metro ranges from Rs. 6 (minimum) to Rs.14 (maximum) at present.

Adventure Sports: In order to make your life more fun filled, Delhi endorse number of adventure activities like trekking, rock- climbing, parasailing, water sports. All of these activities tend to make your life in Delhi more interesting.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best season to visit Delhi is During the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. The bloom season of February and March make Delhi colourful. This time of the year brings greenery on the face of Delhi.

CLIMATE / WEATHER:

The geographical location of Delhi reveals that this ancient city is located at the west banks of Yamuna river in India . It was once a part of the Aravalies but today Delhi has only the out-skirts to tell the story of the greenery this place, once had. Himalayas are in the North of Delhi.A major proportion of the area of Delhi is plain and on this are located Delhi, New Delhi and Delhi cantonment along with a vast stretch of numerous villages. The land of the plain is mostly fertile.

Delhi is a land locked city.The city has an extreme type of continental climate which is perhaps due to it's distance from the sea. The summers in Delhi are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45 degrees in summers to 4 degrees in winters. The winters are marked by mist and fog in the mornings and often sun is seen in the afternoons. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes winters very chilly. In summers the heat wave is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the hot summer afternoons.

MAP OF DELHI: