Delhi Holiday
Delhi is the hustling, bustling, colourful and beautiful heart of India, with its humid climate and exciting history the metropolis is a must see when visiting the jewel in the crown of the former empire.
The Hindu word Delhi actually refers to the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi that covers three municipal corporations encompassing the areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The history of Delhi has been one of ever changing excitement and conquest. The area has been the capital of seven empires over the ages and has over 60,000 recognized historical temples and monuments.
Emerging from it's colourful past, the Delhi of today is a very cosmopolitan area, containing numerous cultures and ethnicities each represented in their own way and free to explore and teach their beliefs.
When visiting the area it is impossible to escape the natural beauty of the landscape and people living in harmony with modern buildings and rapidly growing industrial expansion.
You are drawn in by the countless Mughal, Afghan, Hindu and British pieces of architecture, each bringing their own take on the beauty of India.
Delhi contains two world heritage sites which are a must see for any traveller to the region, the 72.5 metre high Qutab Minar and Tomb of Monuments. The Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. There are also other famous landmarks including the Delhi Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Raj Ghat and Laxminarayan Temple.
The Delhi Fort which is also known as the Red fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations standing at the eastern edge of Shahjahanabad. It gets its nick name from the massive walls of red sandstone that cover its eight sides. The wall surrounding the fort is 1.5 miles long.
India Gate, was completed in 1931 and was built to commemorate the some 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars. The 42 metre tall gate is located in Rajpath.
The area also boasts one of the world's largest mosques, Jama Masjid. The elaborate building is fronted by a large square and tourists are encouraged to attend between prayer schedules.
There is no shortage of entertainment while in India and for those with an adventurous streak and elephant ride through the jungle can offer a once in a lifetime opportunity. However, in the city itself there are many dance clubs and discotheques many of which are located inside hotels. There are also malls (shopping centres) and numerous modern restaurants in the city catering for the tourist palate. Often traditional dishes such as curries can be too hot for western tastes.
Transport in the NCT is regarded as the best in India, although many roads are still jammed with traffic in the early morning. There are government owned buses and private buses to help with transportation although taxes and auto-rickshaws (miniature taxis) provide a more secure and efficient way of travel for visitors. But beware, it is often typical that the general rate in an auto-rickshaw will double after 11pm at night.
There is also a metro system with two lines running from east to west and north to south.
Overall a visit to Delhi will not only open the eyes, ears and tastebuds. It will make such a lasting impression, that one trip to India is simply never enough.
