The past few years have seen impressive developments during the preparation for the common wealth games, epic new infrastructure which includes a 160 acre games village and the all gleaming new metro connecting all over Delhi.
However, if you look past the less appealing aspects of Delhi, Delhi airport arrivals have been the most from different countries. You'll find it studded with glistening jewels. India's capital, like a subcontinental Rome, is peppered with ruins and monuments, remnants of lost dynasties. There are great museums, temples and mosques, as well as a vibrant cultural scene to satisfy even the most voracious vulture. Plus, shopaholics, you've arrived: all of India's riches, from gorgeous shawls to jootis from Jaipur, glitter in Delhi's bazaar.
That is far from the end of Delhi's sensory overload. From piled-high pizzas to delectable south Indian dosas, expect some of the best food on the subcontinent (savory crepes) and the famous dilli-ka-chaat (Delhi street cuisine), which, like the city itself, mashes up all the flavors in one bite.
Places to visit in Delhi & Around
- Rajpath
Every 26th of January, Rajpath hosts a large republic day parade, as well as the pounding of the retreat on the 29th.Between 1914 until 1931, when the British transferred their capital from Calcutta to Delhi, Raj appointed English architect Edwin Lutyens to design New Delhi. His ideas were meant to enshrine the British Empire’s might in stone.
- Humayun Tomb
This is the most magnificent sight in Delhi. This mausoleum, built in the middle of the 16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of the second Mughal emperor Humayun, is a superb example of early Mughal architecture. The top Persian architecture has been brought to Delhi, but the two-tone combination of red stone and white marble is wholly local, demonstrating how the civilizations complement each other.
- Old Fort
With the massive walls and striking gateways, Old Fort was built by afghan ruler Sher Shah during his reign ( 1538-45) before the emperor Humayun regained the control of India. Entering from the south gate you will come across the graceful red sandstone tower, the Sher Mandal which was later used by Humayun as a library.
- Gandhi Smriti
On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by Hindu zealots at this heartbreaking memorial. Gandhi's final steps are commemorated with concrete footsteps that lead to the location where he died, which is marked by a modest pavilion known as the martyr's column. Photographs, paintings, and dioramas illustrating scenes from Gandhi's life can be found in the spectacular interior museum.
- Crafts Museum
Opposite Old Fort, is this tree shaded treasure trove of museum. The galleries of this museum contains more than 20,000 exhibits from around India, including woodwork, metal ware, old silver jeweler, tribal masks, terracotta figures, paintings, and rich colored textiles. - National Zoological Garden
This is India's largest zoo, and it is popular with families and courting couples. There are white Bengal tigers, Himalayan black bears, rhinos, hippos, wolves, elephants, giraffes, and other stunning birds at this zoo.
- Lotus Temple
This magnificent structure is designed to resemble the sacred lotus flower.It has 27 perfect white marble petals and was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariburz Sahba in 1986. The Bahai philosophy is around universal peace and the elimination of prejudice, and adherents of all faiths are welcome to pray or meditate silently according to their own religion.
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