DISCOVER DELHI
Delhi is the heart of India, a pulsating capital, the epicenter of power, a city steeped in history. It has a history that spans over several millennia. Situated at the nerve center of the ancient Asian trade route, Delhi has accumulated extraordinary wealth, but repeatedly lost it to successive foreign invaders who have come knocking at the door.It is said that there is a monument anywhere within a stone’s throw of Delhi. And this would not be a false claim considering the number of rulers and dynasties who have established their capitals here.
The walled city of Old Delhi was at one time Shahjahanabad the capital of the Mughals, while the heritage sites dotting South Delhi from Siri Fort, to Hauz Khas, Mehrauli, and Tughlakabad are mute witness to the various smaller Muslim rulers who preceded the Mughals.
New Delhi with Lutyen’s architecture, on the other hand, is stamped by the mark of British rule, while the concrete suburbs rapidly progressing in all directions are the ultimate submission to modern India’s tryst with its global destiny.
The population of Delhi is cosmopolitan in nature. The lure of a better life has brought the population of this city to a burgeoning 14 million. The country’s finest museums, whether it is the National Museum, the Crafts Museum, the Rail Museum or the Museums of Natural History and Science, are all in Delhi. Boutiques and shopping arcades overflow with goods. Every State of the country has its own emporium in Delhi where you get select handicrafts, textiles and jewellery of that particular region. There are restaurants galore for the gourmet to pick and choose from, well laid out parks and gardens which burst into myriad colours every spring. Delhi is renowned for its tandoori or barbecued meats and fish, as well as the rich Mughlai cuisine, which also goes by the name of "North Indian food". Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer and Daal Makhni are signature dishes. Apart from this, its cosmopolitan character ensures that all other cuisines including Chinese, Continental, Italian and Thai, as well as fast foods are commonly available.A wide range of accommodation is available in this city ranging from the International standard 5-star hotels, to medium range hotels, right down to budget guest houses that have mushroomed all over the city especially near the airport and railway stations.
A note for the traveler:
Always drink mineral water and check that the bottle is sealed on buying.
Eat at restaurants where the turn over is high and the food is hot.
Avoid all touts and agents; book through authorized tourist agencies.
Ask taxi drivers and auto drivers for printed fare charts.
Look after your bags and purses particularly is crowded areas. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you, credit cards are accepted in most stores these days and are safer to carry.
