Believed to have been named after Raja Dillu, who ruled the city around 100 BC, Delhi is the Capital of India. Having its origins in Indraprastha - the magical kingdom of Pandavas (relics dating back to 1000 BC have been found near Old Fort or Purana Qila), Delhi gained real significance only in the 10th and 11 centuries with the advent of Tomar and Chauhan Kings.
Marked with several monuments that commemorate Muslim and British invasions, Delhi is now a kaleidoscope of the past, the present and the future. Strategically positioned as an entry point to North and Central India, Delhi played a major role in the Indian political and cultural theatre. A preferred destination for youths from all over India who come here looking for a brighter future, the eclectic mix of Delhi’s population represents ‘Unity in Diversity’ in its true sense.
Places to See
The traditional Old Delhi and modernistic New Delhi present two distinctive faces of Delhi that exist in perfect harmony. Places you must visit at Delhi are:
- Qutub Minar
- Red Fort
- Lotus Temple
- Akshardham Mandir
- Chandni Chowk
- Humayun's Tomb
- Jama Masjid
- India Gate
- Rashtrapati Bhawan
- Rajghat
- Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
- Purana Quila
- Jantar Mantar
- Safdarjung's Tomb
Shopping
The lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi are lined with frenzied variety of particular type of products. Dariba Kalan is famous for its handcrafted silver and gold ornaments while Kinari Bazaar is best for wedding merchandise, specially zardozi work – intricate hand embroidery that use gold and silver threads. Janpath is the best place to find some good bargains for street-smart shoppers while Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan offer handicrafts from all over India. You can visit Dilli Haat to see splendid display of arts and crafts while you can find some rare old books at Daryaganj on Sundays.
Where To Stay
Delhi is the heartthrob of India and millions of vacation and business tourists come and go from the city everyday. Comely hotels and accommodations – ranging from economy to luxury - can be found all over Delhi, depending on the purpose of your stay in the city and your budget. Some of the best hotels at Delhi are:
- The Lalit
- Radisson Hotel
- Imperial Hotel
- Hotel Le Meridien
- Taj Palace Hotel
- Maurya Sheraton
- Jaypee Vasant Continental
- The Oberoi Hotel
- Hyatt Regency
How to Reach Delhi
One can travel to Delhi by air, rail and road. Reaching Delhi is quite easy from all parts of India as it is the Capital of the country.
By Road: Well-connected to all the major cities of India by a network of roads and national highways and roads, you can find several state and private buses including ordinary, deluxe and AC coaches shuttling to and from its three Inter State Bus Terminuses (ISBT), situated at Anand Vihar, Kashmiri Gate, and Sarai Kale Khan.
By Rail: Indian Railways connect Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. The three major railway stations here are New Delhi, Hazarat Nizamuddin, and Old Delhi. State capitals are connected to Delhi by Rajdhani Express trains, while Shatabdi Express trains connect it to major tourist destination nearby. Luxury trains that operate from here include Palace on Wheels, Royal Orient Express, and Fairy Queen.
By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi offers flights to all the major cities of the world and all the major international airlines operating out of here. The domestic Palam Airport offers flights to and from major Indian cities.
