Delhi, the capital of India, is also the travel hub of northern India. It's an excellent base for visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal, and the Rajasthani Colour of Jaipur, is less than five hours away. If you're heading north to the Himalaya or east to the ghats of Varanasi, you'll probably pass through Delhi. So you might as well grit your teeth, hold your breath and dive on in.


If you are around Taj Mahal, how can you skip Delhi, the national capital of India? Delhi is just three hours drive from Agra and it gives you the glimpse of the transition that India has gone through. Since Medieval time, Delhi has been the seat of power, a symbol of supremacy, which every ruler has tried to occupy and thus Delhi has kept a record of all those change in the form of forts and monument that speak in silence.

A Brief History of Delhi
Delhi, where empire rose and fell before the dawn of history, where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared, a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life of India. The eternal Jamuna bears witness to the glorious and tumultuous 5,000 year old history of Delhi. A history which begins with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas and the transformation of this barren gift of the Kauravas into an idyllic haven.

A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here-- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. but, combined and integrated into one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway. There have been at least eight cities around modern Delhi, and the old saying that whoever founds a new city at Delhi will lose it has come true every time -- most recently for the British who founded New Delhi in 1911.

Climate & Location
Delhi is situated on the banks of river Yamuna in the northern part of India. Once a part of the Araviles, today Delhi has only the Ridge area to tell the story of the greenery this place once had. Himalayas are in the north of Delhi.

The capital of India is a land locked city. The distance from the sea gives Delhi an extreme type of continental climate. The summers in Delhi are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45 degrees in summers to 4 degrees in winters. The winters are marked by mist and fog in the mornings and often sun is seen in the afternoons. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes winters very chilly. In summers the heat wave is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the hot summer afternoons.

Best Season To Visit
The best season to visit Delhi is during the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. The bloom season of February and March make Delhi colorful. This time of the year brings greenery on the face of Delhi.

Places to visit in Delhi
Rajpath & India Gate
Flanked by ornamental ponds and lawns, Rajpath is host to the Republic Day Parade. The two secretariat buildings and Rashtrapati Bhawan on the Raisina hills are located on the two sides of this immensely broad road. Previously the Boat Club, besides the Rajpath, was host to many demonstrations and Rallies.

India Gate is towards the eastern end of Rajpath . India Gate is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the unknown soldier. India Gate is surrounded by green grass lawns and trees.

Parliament House
This circular shaped colonnaded building houses the two Houses of Parliament- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Its domed Central Hall is 90 feet in diameter.

Rashtrapati Bhavan
A must visit are the colonial architectural grandeur, the exquisitely designed Rashtrapati Bhavan was completed in the year 1929 to serve as Viceroy's residence. The palace like building is a blend of Mughal and Western architectural styles. Another attraction over here is the lovely Mughal Garden, occupying 130 hectares of the area and is open to the public in February.

Chandni Chowk
One of the main markets of Delhi, Chandni Chowk was once lined with beautiful fountains. But today the place is very crowded and congested. Chandni Chowk is located opposite the Red Fort. The Area has got the Digamber Jain Temple which houses the Birds hospital. On one end of Chandni Chowk is the Fatehpuri Mosque which was erected by the wives of Shah Jahan. Opposite the old police station or the Kotwali is the Sunheri Masjid from where Nadir Shah ordered his troops to plunder and massacre Delhi.

Old Delhi
The Old Delhi or the walled city served as the capital for many emperors. Today, the remains of that historical city are the gates like - Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate.

Forts & Monuments in Delhi
Red Fort
Delhi's most magnificent monument, the Red Fort, was built by Emperor Shah Jehan, in 1638 A.D. Enclosed in this glorious Fort is Diwan-i-am, the hall meant for public audiences; Diwan-i-Khas, where private audiences were granted; Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment of the royal ladies; the Pearl Mosque, a lovely, ornate dream in white marble. The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from this age old Fort, on the auspicious day of India's Independence.

Qutab Minar
The Qutub Minar made of red sandstone rising to the height of 72.5mts is an architectural marvel of the 13th century. Also a must is the visit to Ashoka Pillar dating back to the 5th century. Though made of iron it has with stood the weathers of time. A very interesting belief is assigned to this pillar- Stand with your back to the pillar, and if you can hold your hands around it, then make a wish and it will surely come true.


Humayun's Tomb
Built by the wife of Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid 16th century, this red sand stone structure is considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. The structure is one of the best example of Mughal Architecture. Humayun's wife is also buried in tomb.

Old Fort
It is believed that the Pandavas had built their capital, Indraprastha here. The legendary Prithviraj Chauhan ruled from here till he was defeated by Abdali in the battle of Panipat.

Safdarjung Tomb
The Safdarjang tomb is besides the of Safdarjang airport. This tomb was built by the Nawab of Avadh for his father. The structure is one of the finest example of architecture of its time and tells a saga of the last remnants of a dying empire.

Jantar Mantar
Few minutes walk from Connaught Place is a strange collection of Solomon colored structures. These were built by Maharaja Jai Singh and is actually an observatory. Though not as large as its compatriot in Jaipur Jantar Mantar at Delhi also an attraction for the tourists. The astonishing part of these observatories is that they can calculate many astronomical movements very accurately.

Religious Places in Delhi
Jama Masjid
One of the Architectural gift given by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three gateways, Four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. From here you can have a birds eye view of Delhi.

The Bahai Temple
Completed in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
A magnificent and spacious bungalow in Delhi owned by Raja Jai Singh Amber (Jaipur) who commanded great respect and honour in the court of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb now enjoys the status of a holy shrine called Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The eighth Guru Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as guest of Raja Jai Singh. Since then it has become a place of pilgrimage for both, Hindus and Sikhs. They pay their respect to the memory of Guru Harkrishan, nominated as successor by the seventh Guru, Sri Har Rai. He passed away on October 6, 1661 A.D. When only a little over five year old, he had been tried and tested as a perfect fearless and fully illuminated soul.

ISKCON Temple
Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Currently the main attraction of the temple are the Robort who enact and preach the Gita.

Shopping in Delhi
Infused with history, the city also sets forth some market area that represent the bazaars of the medieval times. It is one city where you have the opportunity to peek into the exquisite craftsmanship of the country. Alongside it, you can also feel the culture perhaps at every corner of the city. One could find shopping complexes almost in all the chief areas of Delhi, the most popular being Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk.