Delhi

Introduction

Delhi is the capital of India.Delhi stands at the western end of the Gangetic plain, bordered on the eastern side by the state of Uttar Pradesh, and on the other three sides by the state of Haryana.Delhi is the largest city. The city consists of two parts Old Delhi and New Delhi. 'Old' Delhi the capital of Muslims India between the mid 17th and late and late 19th centuries, is full of formidable mosques,monuments and forts. Its a lively area of colorful bazaars, narrow streets and barely controlled chaos.The city is expensive but easy to nvigate.The hub of New Delhi is Connaught Place.Delhi is a major travel gateway. The city of Delhi covers most of the Delhi Union Territory, which is federal district similar to Washington DC,Canberra.In 1911, the British asked Lutyens to give new meaning to city development which is reflected in the architectural design and sophistication that building in Delhi like Parliament House,Rashtrapati Bhavan,India Gate. And various administrative buildings like the south and north blocks along the breathtaking view available from Raj Path.

History

Humayun his son built a new city Din Panah, however in 1540, the Sher Shah Suri drove Humayun out of the country razed Din Panah to the ground and built the sixth city of Delhi Sher Shahi. The 'Old Fort' was the establishment he created.The Mugahl soon reestablished themselves, however Delhi was no longer the capital.From the 12th and 17th centuries, the rulers of successive dynasties established seven "cities" in different parts of Delhi. The first one was the foundation of Qutub Minar in 1199 followed by Siri in1920, Tughlaquabad, Jahanapanah, Firuzabad, Purana Quila and Shahjahanabad.During this period, some of the most outstanding monuments were built which stand as past glory of the Afghan and Mughal architecture. The Qutub Minar built in 1199 rises to a height of 72.5 metres from a base of 14.32 metres; Humayun's Tomb begun in 1564 is one of the finest examples of garden Tomb, the Red Fort - an imposing citadel built in the 17th century and Jami Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

Main Tourist and Historical Places  India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Pragati Maidan, Bangla Sahib, Jama Masjid, Connaught Place, chandni Chowk, Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Gardens Lodhi Garden, Mughal Garden, Shalomar Garden, National Zoological Park and Parks in Delhi.

Delhi at a glance

Festival

There are many festivals which are celebrated in Delhi few of them are :-

International Mango Festival :- 
Held during July , it draws people from the country as well as businessmen, both from home and abroad.

Lohri :-
In this festival, the climax of winter is celebrated with bonfires and singing. Traditionally, Lohri marks the end of winter.

Baisakhi :-
The Hindu New Year is celebrated on Baisakhi in mid-April. It is also known as the beginning of the harvest season.

Guru Purab :-
Guru Purab is the celebration of the birth of first of the ten Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak. 'Nagar Kirtans' are taken out through the streets and in the Gurdwaras, 'Granthees' recite verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.

Holi  :
Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, Holi has several traditional links with legends. Holi announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. Young and old alike are drenched with colors. On Holi, people are suddenly caught unawares with colors being poured from the terraces and roofs of houses, bursting balloons, or long pistons squirting colored water. People in small groups are seen singing, dancing and throwing colors on each other. They also eat food laced with bhang, an aphrodisiac that leaves one feeling light and happy.Usually people burn the Holika tree on the eve of Holi.

Diwali  : 
A family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November). Deepawali or Diwali, the most pan-Indian of all Hindu festivals, is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word Deepawali literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. Houses across the country are scrubbed till they are spotlessly clean, and whitewashed with fresh white paint. To enhance their new look, they are decorated with bright paper lanterns, diyas and flowers, while the girls of the house embellish the aangan (courtyard) and walls with traditional aesthetic designs and patterns called rangolis. New clothes are bought and the family gathers together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and light up their homes. Crackers and fireworks illuminate the sky and people pray for a prosperous coming year.

Raksha Bandhan  : 
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the fifteenth day of Shravan, in July / August. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in some parts of India as a festival to honour the sea god Varuna, where coconuts are offered to the sea Because of its three eyes, the coconut represents the three eyes of Shiva. As a mark of auspiciousness, coconuts are also broken at shrines and temples. However, at most places, it celebrates the love of a brother for his sister. On this day, sisters tie rakhi on the wrists of their brothers to protect them against evil influences. In some places, before tying the rakhi, barley saplings are placed on the ears of the brother.
This is also the day set apart for Brahmins to change their sacred thread they wear.

Best Season

For Sightseeing, the best season to visit Delhi is between October to March.

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