Delhi

Delhi is a city and National Capital Territory in north-central India. The city of Delhi is actually made up of two elements: Old Delhi, to the north, a historic city; and New Delhi, in the south, India's capital since 1947, established in the early 20th century as the capital of British India.

Delhi, one of the largest urban centers in the country, lies along (but mainly on the west bank) the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges River, about 160 km south of the Himalayas. The National Capital Territory includes Old and New Delhi and the surrounding urban areas, as well as adjoining rural areas. To the east, the territory borders the state of Uttar Pradesh, and to the north, west, and south, the state of Haryana. Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political center of India. According to legend, the city was named for Raja Dhilu, a king who reigned in the region in the 1st century BCE. The names by which the city has been known—including Delhi, Dehli, Dilli, and Dhilli

Delhi History

Delhi, the capital city of India, has a long and storied history that dates back thousands of years. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of numerous empires and the passage of various dynasties. Delhi's history can be traced back to ancient times when it was part of Indraprastha, the fabled capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The region saw the rule of various dynasties, including the Mauryas and the Guptas.The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the early 13th century marked the beginning of medieval Delhi. The city was the seat of several powerful sultanates, including the Slave Dynasty, Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, and the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties.

Delhi became a significant center of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, when Emperor Akbar made it his capital. During Mughal rule, the city saw the construction of several iconic structures like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Humayun's Tomb. Delhi continued to be the Mughal capital under subsequent emperors until the British East India Company established control.

After the First War of Independence in 1857, Delhi came under British colonial control, and the British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. New Delhi, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, was built as a showcase of British imperial power and became the capital of British India in 1911. On August 15, 1947, India gained independence from British rule, and Delhi became the capital of the newly formed Indian Republic.Delhi underwent significant urban development and expansion in the post-independence period. It has grown into a major political, cultural, and economic hub in India.

In 1956, the city of Delhi was designated as a union territory and became the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), with its own Legislative Assembly. The Union Territory of Delhi encompasses both historic Old Delhi and modern New Delhi. Today, Delhi is home to a wide range of historical landmarks, including the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Qutb Minar, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence), among many others.

Delh Tourism

Delhi is a popular tourist destination with a multitude of historical and cultural attractions. The city offers a blend of ancient heritage and modern amenities for tourists. Delhi boasts a wealth of historical and architectural landmarks, including the Red Fort, Qutb Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, and the Jama Masjid. The city is also home to the iconic Parliament House and the President's House.

Best Time to Visit in Delhi

Delhi has plenty to see and do throughout the year. Here's a seasonal breakdown so you can plan your trip accordingly:

October to March

Early autumn, gradually transitioning to a cool and pleasant winter, is the best time to visit Delhi. Winters in the capital can be very cold, with lows reaching 2°C in January, but afternoons are generally sunny and pleasant. Enjoy sightseeing, shopping, or just strolling the sunny streets of Delhi. Don't forget to bring woolen clothes, as mornings and evenings can be especially cold. October is also the time for one of Delhi's biggest festivals, Diwali. Visit Delhi during Diwali or Dussehra, and you will be greeted by a beautifully decorated city full of activities. This is also the time when Delhi hosts a number of film, theater, music, and literary festivals.

April to June

It's the start of summer and a time when tourists usually tend to retire. This is the perfect time to have Delhi to yourself and take advantage of off-season hotel prices. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. Late May and June are the hottest months. Remember to bring light cotton clothes, sunscreen, and sunglasses to avoid the heat and enjoy the city views.

July to September

July marks the beginning of the monsoon, and this is when you can enjoy Delhi in all its post-rain splendor. It is in Delhi that the monsoon is most beautiful. This is also the ideal time to enjoy Delhi's lush parks and gardens. Don't forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat.

How to Reach Delhi

Delhi is considered an administrative, financial, and IT hub, with the NCR (National Capital Region) prominent around Noida and Gurgaon. The capital of India is constantly growing and attracting tourists from all over the world. The city is also frequented by politicians from different countries. If one is planning to visit this beautiful historical city, one should not worry about how to get there. Since Delhi is well connected by air, rail, and road, one can easily reach there by any means of transport as per his convenience.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport, India's largest airport, is located in west Delhi. All major cities in the world are connected by Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, commonly known as New Delhi Airport. Flights to the country's major cities are accessible from the same terminal. It offers great amenities such as cafes, shopping malls, coffee shops, duty-free shops, restaurants, internet cafes, and more. You can plan your trip from any part of India and have a hassle-free travel experience.

By Road: The state's bus service provider, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), operates the largest fleet of CNG buses. These eco-friendly buses connect the city with other neighboring towns via road routes. The three main bus terminals in Delhi are the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminal, and Anand Vihar Bus Terminal, which operate buses for several routes. The city has a good network of private and government transport services, providing regular bus services to and from various areas of the city. Private taxis can also be hired to travel in and around the city.

By Rail: As the headquarters of the Northern Railway, Delhi is considered a major railway hub, according to the railway map of India. There are two main railway stations in the capital: New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station, which connect the city with other important cities in the country. There are also alternatives like Nizamuddin station, Sarai Rohilla station, and Anand Vihar station.

New Delhi Railway Station provides access to Rajdhani Expresses connecting metropolitan cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, and Indore. Trains to Delhi from various states and cities in India remain booked throughout the year. Therefore, you must book your tickets in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Delhi's neighboring cities like Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad are well connected with the excellent technology of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) Metro Rail.

Top Tourist Attractions of Delhi

Delhi has been the center of power in India for centuries, whether during the Mughal period or the British colonial period. It is currently the capital of India and is filled with great and magnificent monuments built by the greatest kings the world has ever seen. Let's take a look at the top 10 monuments that should definitely be on your travel itinerary when visiting Delhi:

Red Fort

The crowning glory of Delhi is the great fortress called the Red Fort, owned by the Mughal dynasty. This monument, located in Old Delhi, is the largest of all the city's monuments and is home to a museum that displays ancient archeology, stories of martyrs and wars of Indians, etc. This monument was built using red sandstone, which is why it is called the Red Fort. Like any Mughal fort, it has features like Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, several gardens, etc. in its complexity. One can witness the sound and light show held here every evening to depict the glory of the Mughal era.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and one of the most peaceful places to visit in Delhi. Jama Masjid is known for its grandeur and stunning views from its minarets.\This is a place of worship that is deeply revered in the Muslim community, and they come here to present their requests, or 'arziyaan', in the hope that 'Allah' will grant their wishes. The majesty of the mosque is such that it can accommodate 25,000 people praying at the same time.

Qutub Minar

Qutb Minar A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutb Minar is a 73-meter-high victory tower built in the 12th century. It is adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions.

India Gate

This war memorial is a symbol of India's valor and sacrifice. It is surrounded by lush lawns and is especially beautiful in the evenings when it is illuminated.

Humayun’s Tomb

This magnificent Mughal-era tomb is often considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal. It is known for its beautiful gardens and architectural elegance.

Jantar Mantar

This is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of the Amber region of Rajasthan. This observatory was built by Jai Singh because he was tasked by the then Mughal ruler to revise the ephemeris tables and calendars and also because he himself was interested in the subject of astronomy. There you can find huge architectural and astronomical objects that allow you to study the movements of the planets, sun, and moon. Viewers will definitely be fascinated when watching them.

Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahá'í House of Worship, is a modern architectural marvel designed in the shape of a lotus flower. It's a place for meditation and reflection.

Rashtrapati Bhawan

The Presidential Palace of India, or Rastrapati Bhawan (as it is known in Hindi), is one of the most majestic and splendid structures in Delhi. It was originally built as the viceroy's residence during British rule. A very famous tourist attraction in Rasthrapati Bhawan is the Mughal Garden, which has many varieties of flowers. It is open to tourists from February to March every year. Events of national importance are held here, like the inauguration of the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the Arjuna award, etc.

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is masterpiece of modern temple architecture, the Akshardham Temple is known for its intricate carvings, exhibitions, and the mesmerizing Yagnapurush Kund musical fountain show.