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Delhi Travel Guide

India’s capital city, Delhi is the second most widely used entry point into the country, being on the route of most major airlines. It is well linked by rail, air and road to all parts of the country. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities – among them Shahjahanabad and Qutab Minar – can be seen. Here, museums, art galleries and cultural centers attract the finest exhibitions and performances from India and abroad. Shopping encompasses virtually everything that can be bought in the country; hotels range from the deluxe to the more modest. Most fascinating of all is the character of Delhi which varies from the 13th century mausoleum of the Lodi kings set in a sprawling park to ultra modern chrome and glass skyscrapers; and from imperial India’s Parliament House and the President’s Palace to the never ending bustle of the walled city surrounding Jama Masjid. Delhi also makes the ideal base for a series of short excursions to neighbouring places, all connected by road.

The capital of India, Delhi blends an historic past and a vibrant present. The Imperial city planned for the British by Lutyens is set in parks and shaded avenues. Legend has it that Delhi, then called Indraprastha, was originally founded around 1200 B.C. by the Pandavas, the august heroesof the epic Mahabharata. Present day Delhi is built around the ruins of seven ancient cities.

Delhi is above all an historic city, an elegant capital, content to leave to Calcutta and Bombay the roles of commercial and business supremacy. It is in fact really two distinct cities; the energy and colour and the thronged bazaars and Moghul architecture of Old Delhi contrast with the formal splendour of New Delhi, whose wide boulevards offer ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen’s landscaped city. Delhi has several world-famous luxury hotels, with the comfort and style to ensure relaxation after your journey; from here, set forth to experience the sights and sounds of the city.

The gracious Red Fort, the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), the Qutab Minar complex with its soaring tower - all are waiting to be explored. Allows some time to wander round the inexpensive modern shops and handicraft centres. Magicians and dancing bears entertain crowds in the marketplaces, while fortune tellers may offer glimpses of the future. The heat of the day gives way to balmy evenings; enjoy a meal in one of the many splendid restaurants, the exotic music of sitars and veenas and the subtle rhythms of the tabla accompanying the delicious cuisines from throughout the country. Flights and trains and buses run from Delhi all over north India, so it is always easy to reach the next destination.

Temperature (deg C.): Summer - Max.41.2, Min.21.4; Winter - Max.33.7, Min.6.8.
Languages Spoken: Hindi, English and Punjabi in some parts.
Best Season: September to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Air: Delhi is well connected with major cities by Indian Airlines & 0ther private Airlines.

Rail: Delhi is the headquarters of the Northern Railway and is the most well connected railhead both on broad guage (New Delhi) and meter guage (Delhi Main) railway line with all of the major places in India.

Road: Delhi is at the intersection of several national highways and is well connected by regular bus services from Inter State bus terminal (ISBT), Kashmiri Gate to Agra-203 kms, Allahabad-603 kms, Almora-373 kms, Amritsar -447 kms, Bhakra-354 kms, Bharatpur-190 kms, Calcutta-1490 kms, Chandigarh -238 kms, Corbet National Park-297 kms, Jaipur-258 kms, Khajuraho-596 kms, Kulu-502 kms, Mathura-147 kms, Mussoorie-269 kms, Nainital-318 kms, Shimla -343 kms, Shrinagar-376 kms, Udaipur-663 kms, Varanasi-738 kms etc.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Mughal Monuments: Purana Quila (Old Fort), Kabuli or Khuni Darwaja, Feroz Shah Kotla,Kutub Minar, Tughlaqabad, Nizamuddin Aulia, Humayun's Tomb, Lodi's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar and Red Fort (Son-et-lumiere show) Timings : Summer 1900 to 2000 hrs (Hindi) 2030 to 2130 hrs (English) Winter 1800 to 1900 hrs (Hindi) 1930 to 2030 hrs (English)

British Monuments: India Gate, The Secretariat Complex, Rashtrapati Bhavan & Mughal Gardens, Parliament House, Teen Murti House and Connaught Place (Son-et-lumiere show) Timings : 1800 to 1900 hrs (Hindi) 1930 to 2030 hrs (English) Bahai (Lotus shaped) temple, a marble structure of remarkable beauty

Other Monuments: The Supreme Court, Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, Vijay Ghat, Ladakh Buddha Vihara, Vigyan Bhavan, Diplomatic Enclave.

EXCURSIONS
Badhkal Lake 32 kms, Ballabgarh 36.8 kms, Karnalake 132 kms, Dabchick 92 kms, Dasna 40 kms, Dhanaa 41 kms, Dharudara 70 kms, Hindon 19.3 kms, Hodal 90 kms, Maur Bund 32 kms, Okhla 11 kms, Sardhana 24 kms, Sohna 56 kms and Suraj Kund 18 km