An Introduction

Delhi is the capital of India that combines two different worlds- the Old Delhi and the New Delhi. The city is house to several cultures and is a major hub for the political activities of India. The central or Union government of India function from Delhi and it has the Parliament house of the country. The Prime Minister and the President of the country reside in Delhi and the annual memorable event celebrations of the Republic Day and the Independence Day take place here. The citizens of the city are proud of the city and often regard it as ‘Dilwalon ki Dilli’ (city of large hearted people) in Hindi.

History of Delhi

The historians have proved that the city was inhabited since the 6th century BC and was called Indraprastha during the times of Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’. And later Delhi was the capital of the Islaamic or Mughal rule in India which gave several archaic monuments to the country. In 1857, the last ruler of Mughals Bahadur Shah Zafar was held captive by the British ending the 331 year rule of the Mughals in India. Earlier Delhi was only confined to the area which is known as the Old Delhi now but with time Delhi has spread to a larger area.

Tourist Attractions in Delhi

Delhi is the home to many attractive tourist destinations but the most popular ones are mentioned below-

Red Fort

The red sandstone monument built during the Mughal rule in India glorifies Delhi. The Prime minister of India hoists the flag of the nation on the Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort as this was the venue where the first Prime Minister hoisted the tricolor flag of India. The large defensive walls and beautiful gardens with several palaces inside the fort complex attract many tourists throughout the year. It is also a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

Jama Mosque

The largest mosque in India with a capacity to accommodate around 25000 people. It has a huge domed structure supported by pillared arches. The Jama Mosque was built by Shah Jahan in the Islaamic architectural style. Built using red sandstone and white marble inscriptions, the mosque is also one of the oldest in India.

Qutub Minar

The World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar and its monuments are the oldest ones in Delhi. The minaret is a 73 meters high minaret which is the second highest brick minaret in the world. In this complex is the millennia old iron pillar which is a metallurgical wonder as it is rust proof. Besides this there is a mosque at the foot of the Qutub Minar.

Humayun’s Tomb

Another World Heritage Site monument of Delhi is the Humayun’s Tomb. The tomb was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the memory of his father Humayun. The architects and historians believe that the tomb was the inspiration behind the design of the Taj Mahal. The tomb is built with red sandstone in the Islaamic architectural style.

India Gate

This memorial arch was built in the memory of the 82,000 Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the First World War. Sir Edwin Lutyens who was a leading architect during that time was the one who designed this famous memorial arch. On one end of the Rajpath is the India Gate and at a distance from it is the ceremonial axis.

Lotus Temple

An architectural marvel in Delhi, the Lotus Temple is a hall temple of the Baha’i’s with a huge meditation hall. The temple is built in the shape of a huge Lotus flower with large petals which look like its blooming. Has a total 9 gates and is surrounded by lush green gardens spread in a large area.

Akshardham Temple

The Akshardham Temple is also known with the name of Swaminarayan Temple. The temple was opened in 2005; it is a spiritual centre and is built in a complex which covers a total area of around 90 acres. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu with several super impressive features like the decorated pillars, life sized elephants, large hall, Bharat Upwan, Yogi Hraday Kamal, Narayan Sarovar, Premvati Ahargruh, etc.

Languages Spoken in Delhi

The most common languages which are spoken in Delhi are Hindi, English and Punjabi.

Famous Festivals in Delhi

Diwali, Dusshera, Navratri, Durga Puja, Janmashtami and Holi are the most celebrated festival of Delhi.

Cuisines of Delhi

The famous cuisines which taste the best in Delhi are Chaat, Kebabs, Butter Chicken, Naan, Dahi Bhalle, Parathe, rolls and Chhole Bhature. The famous sweet dish delicacies of Delhi are Rabdi Faluda, Kulfi, Sohan Halwa and Jalebi. So, do enjoy these delicacies when you are in Delhi.

Climate in Delhi

Delhi has a typical humid sub tropical climate. It turns very hot during peak summers and cold during the winter nights. The best time to visit in Delhi is from the months of August to March.