Delhi Travel Guide

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About Delhi:
Delhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi's history dates back to the first millenium BC, when it was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It is the epicenter of the nation's politics, economy and culture. History is alive and throbbing in Delhi, the capital of India. It is often said that the history of India is the history of Delhi. New Delhi, the capital of India, has always occupied a strategic position in the country's history, as Hindu and Islamic dynasties have ruled from here, leaving their imprint in the form of relics, which recapture those bygonetimes. Delhi, is today, one of the fastest growing cities of India.

Getting there:
By Air : Both domestic and international airlines connect Delhi with all parts of the country and the world. Delhi's Indira Gandhi Domestic Airport is 16 km from the city. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is a few km further from the domestic terminal.
By Rail : Delhi is connected to almost every city and town of the country by rail. Long distance express trains operate from Delhi to every state capital.
By Road : Delhi is well connected to all major towns and cities of the country with a network of national and state highways.

Fact File:
Population: 12.8 million
Area: 1483 sq km
Languages: Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu
Best Time to Go: November-March
STD Code: 011
Nearby Tours: Neemrana fort, Surajkund, Badhkal Lake, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, Kesroli, Mud fort, Sultanpur, Tilyar Lake

Tourist Attractions:
The Red Fort:
The red sandstone walls of Lal Quila, the Red Fort, extended for two km in height from 18 metres on the riverside to 33 metres on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. He never completely moved his capital from Agra to his new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi because he was deposed and imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. The Red Fort dates from the very peak of Mughal power. When the emperor rode out on elephant-back into the streets of Old Delhi it was a display of pomp and power at its most magnificent. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one, however Aurangzeb was the first and last great Mughal emperor to rule from here.

Today, the fort is typically Indian with would-be guides leaping forth their services as soon as you enter. It’s still a calm haven of peace if you’ve just left the frantic streets of Old Delhi, however. The city noise and confusion are light years away from the fort gardens and pavilions. The Yamuna River used to flow right by the eastern edge of the fort, and filled the 10-metre-deep moat. These days the rivers is over one km to the east and the moat remains empty.

Jama Masjid:
The Jama Masjid, the Friday congregational mosque, in Delhi is the largest and glorious mosque in India. It was the last architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan built in the year 1656 AD with the help of 5,000 craftsmen. It was made across the road from the Red Fort. The mosque is also known as Masjid-I-Jahanuma, which means 'mosque commanding view of the world'. The measurement of the mosque is 65 m X 35 m while the courtyard is forms an area of 100 n square. The mosque has the capacity to hold as many as 25,000 devotees.

Qutub Minar:
The buildings in this complex, 15km south of Delhi, date from the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine example of early – Afghan architecture. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73 metres high and tapers from a 15- metre – diameter base to just 2.5 metres at the top. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak are quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets.

India Gate:
India Gate is a majestic high arch, 42 meters high, built as a memorial to the Indian soldiers killed in the World War I. Beneath it burns an eternal flame. From the base of the arch one can get a good view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Lotus Temple:
Baha`i Temple is known as one of the most beautiful architectural temples in India. Popularly called Lotus Temple as it is built in the shape of a Lotus flower and reaches a height of more than 40m. It was completed in 1986 and one can enjoy its exquisite beauty even from a kilometre distance, at night