Delhi is one of India's fastest growing cities, sprawling over the West Bank of the river Yamuna, straddling the river. With 15 million residents, it is the third largest city in India after Mumbai and Calcutta. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi.
Old Delhi is centred on the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jehan between 1636 and 1658. The streets of Old Delhi are narrow & bustling. The beauty & serenity lies inside the courts of the main buildings. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country.
New Delhi was proclaimed the capital of India by the British architect Sir Edward Lutyens and is tree-lined & spacious.
The best time to visit Delhi is between October and March, and with the summers being incredibly hot, definitely to be avoided from May to July.
Delhi was chosen as the site for the Commonwealth Games of 2010, which has led to a spate of development work, like the construction of flyovers and an underground rail network. The New Delhi Metro opened on Christmas Day, 2002, in the urban area.
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The Red Fort (Lal Quila) ~ So called because of the red stone with which it is built, this is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. From these ramparts the first Prime Minister of India, pandit Jawharial Hehru, announced that India was free from colonial rule.
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Jama Masjid Mosque ~ A fine example of Moghul architecture.
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Dilli Haat ~ Traditional weekly village market, selling crafts, food and offering cultural activities.
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Raj Ghat ~ The remains of of Mahatma Ghandi were cremated on this spot on the west bank of the River Yamuna. A simple open platform is set in a garden with fountains and exotic trees.
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India Gate ~ Memorial gate, designed by Edward Lutyens, to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed in WWI.
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Old Fort (Purana Quila) ~ The walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a moat fed by the River Yamana. Notable buildings that have survived within the fort are the Sher Mandal and the Quila-i-Kholina Mosque.
- Bahá'í House of Worship ~ Known as the "Lotus Temple", this is one of the most famous landmarks in Delhi.
