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.
Festival in Delhi
Republic Day (26th January)
A splendid parade along the city's main avenue, Rajpath, celebrates Republic Day, the day India became a republic country gaining true sovereignty. Marching soldiers, brass bands, tanks and armoury, the multi-hued camel corps, folk dancers, school children, colourful floats and an Air Force fly-past together make it the most extravagant event of the year. The President of India along with invited foreign dignitaries attend the celebration while the President gives away the bravery medals to the people from armed forces and civilians. Each and every part of the country is represented on this occasion celebrating the true harmony of this diverse country, India.
Beating the Retreat (29th January)
Three days after the Republic Day parade, a colorful ceremony 'Beating Retreat' is held at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi reviving the ancient war custom according to which troops stop fighting at the sunset. The sound of bugles sharp at 6 pm and the lowering of the National Flag marks the formal end to the Republic Day celebration. The imposing backdrop of the Rashtrapati Bhawan while the sun in its way to set creates a awe-inspiring ambience in the heart of the city.
Garden Tourism Festival (February)
The ancient Talkatora Gardens, built by Mughal Emperor Babar celebrates extravagant Garden festival every year in the month of February with a colourful display of hundreds of flowers and exotic plants causing a colour riot to the atmosphere. A visual retreat itself, the Talkatora garden spreads a fresh air in the capital during February.
Suraj Kund Mela (February)
The quiet village Surajkund (15 km) comes alive in the month of February hosting the biggest crafts fair in India. The fairs serves as a platform to promote the rich heritage of arts and crafts of India. The artisans from all parts of the country take part in the fair to display their priceless artistry. It is best place where you can shop for some real good handicraft of India. Set in the rural ambience, the charm of the fair increases with the performance of folk dance and music from the different states.
Kite Flying Festival (January)
On the day of Makar Sankranti in January, all the children and kite enthusiasts unite on the terraces and open spaces of the city to fly kites. Different shapes, sizes and colour of kites cover the entire sky with multiple hues showing the immense joy and fun of the Kite festival of Delhi.
Qutub Festival (November-December)
During the month of November-December, a three day cultural festival is organized at the Qutub premises to highlight the magnificent heritage of the Qutub Minar. Imposing sight of the minar at the backdrop adds fervour to the cultural evening showcasing the finest cultural art form of India.
Mango Festival (July)
A unique chance for the mango lovers comes in the sweaty summer as Talkatora Stadium celebrates the International Mango Festival in Delhi. You can indulge yourself by tasting hundreds of varieties of mangoes at this delicious festival. You can even buy a mango tree which is suitable for you garden and learn to nurture and nourish it.
Delhi Book Fair (September)
If you are a book-worm, September is the right time for you to visit Delhi as the city comes alive with the extravagant book fair held at Pragati Maidan promoting all the high profile works and new editions published recently in India. From trade magazines and literature books to the computer software, you name it and you will get it here. The impressive collection of classics and rare books make it a must visit destination for the book lovers.
Attraction in Delhi:
Red Fort:
Located a few kilometers from Connaught Place, the red sandstone ramparts of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33m (108ft) above the clamor of 'Old' Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Moghul emperors. Inside is a veritable city within a city. The Diwan-e-Aam and the Diwan-e -Khas are a peep into the splendid life of the Mughal court. Each carving and the halls hearken to the times when luxurious living was a by word for magnificence. From separate rooms and balconies for women, to swimming pools and natural air conditioning, unique architectural features have been incorporated.
Chandni Chowk
: Leading out of Red Fort is Chandni Chowk - the main street of yore. In Shah Jahan's times, fine mansions flanked its sides with a tree-lined canal flowing down its center. Queens used to serenade here on moonlit nights. Today, you can still find a magnificent bazaar -exuberant and colorful - but overtaken by congestion. You can enjoy a rickshaw ride or navigate the streets on a 3-wheeler autorickshaw. There's a Jain temple at the street's eastern end- near the Red Fort- where animals and birds get medical treatment -perhaps the only one in this part of the world. At the western end is the Fatehpuri Mosque, built by one of Shah Jahan's wives in 1650. In between you can traverse through some of the biggest and wholesale and retail markets. Savor the finest traditional sweets and other Indian fare but only if you are brave enough to try it in these surroundings on your Delhi tour.
Jama Masjid Jama Masjid:
Travel down the arterial road to enter the portal of Jama Masjid. The great mosque of 'Old' Delhi is synonymous with the second largest religion in India and is the largest in India. Named after the Prayer or Juma day, it was built in 1644 by Shah Jahan. Plain and austere, it suffers in comparison with the resplendent Taj Mahal and Red Fort that the same emperor built. Yet, it is a monumental tribute to a living religion that spread over India and most of the world, after its origin in medieval times. Constructed with red sandstone and white marble, the mosque has three great gateways, four towers and two 40m (135ft) high minarets. Proper sartorial etiquette must be followed and you can hire robes at the northern gate. Its courtyard has enough space for 25,000 devotees to gather in prayer.
Humayun's Tomb:
the last monument of the great Mughals within the city also falls on the same arterial road. Built in the mid-16th century by the senior wife of the second Mughal emperor, this is the first important example of Mughal architecture in India. The ramparts overlook a building with high arched entrances topped by an onion dome. The tomb is surrounded by formal gardens in a style that inspired the later magnificent structures, such as the Taj Mahal. The gardens also contain the red-and-white sandstone and black-and-yellow marble tomb of Humayun's wife and, even the tomb of Humayun's barber.
Purana Qila:
is believed to have been built on Indraprastha, the original city of Delhi in historical timelines. It was built by the Afghan ruler, Sher Shah, during the brief interregnum in the Mughal Empire. He completed the fort during his reign from 1538-45. It marks a return to the earlier Afghan style with massive walls and three large gateways. The small octagonal red sandstone tower, the Sher Mandal, inside the fort near the South gate, was later used by Humayun as a library. In 1556, Humayun fell from its stairs and was injured fatally. The Qila-i-Kuhran Mosque, or Mosque of Sher Shah, is nearby and still manages to give a fair idea of its grandeur. There is a small archaeological museum just inside the main gate.
Nizam-ud-din's Tomb:
Across the street from Humayun's tomb lies the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Chishti, who died in 1325 at the age of 92. Other tombs in the vicinity include the grave of Jahanara, Shan Jahan's daughter who cared for her father during his imprisonment by his own son - Aurangzeb. Amir Khusru, the versatile man of culture, who invented the sarod and is renowned for his Sufi poetry, lies buried here. You can also find the graves of Atgah Khan, a favourite of Humayun and his son Akbar. Visit the shrine at around sunset on Thursdays as it is a popular time for worship, and qawwali singers are in full flow after the evening prayers.
Travel to Qutab Minar Delhi:
The superb buildings in this complex were built with the coming of Muslim rule in India. The Qutab Minar soars to a 72m/240ft-high and is built as a tower of victory. Started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi it was completed after 3 generations. This is reflected even in the building materials. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth storeys of marble and sandstone. Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid (Might of Islam Mosque) forms the base. The tower rises to five storeys, gradually tapering from a huge 15m (50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m (8ft) at the top. Each storey is distinct and marked by a projected balcony. The stairs are difficult to climb and entering the Minar is not permitted. Even seeing it from the outside however, is an unforgettable experience.
How to Reach Delhi
Air :
Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Rail :
Indian Railway with their modern and organised network connects Delhi
Bus :
Delhi is well connected by road
