Delhi - " The Capital City Of India " ~ Hello Highways

The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a historic old Delhi and the modern New Delhi. From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from an extensive network of the modern metro system to the Delhi University campus, Dilli has multiple personalities and is considered to be the city with a heart.

The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi houses one of the country's oldest and busiest market – Chandni Chowk.

Take time to explore historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, and Purana Qila if you want to explore Mughal History. Delhi has famous temples scattered all across the city, a few noteworthy ones being the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple.

Central Delhi is the concentration of the country's political power, and the must-visit places here include the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill, the Rajpath, and the India Gate. The best place to visit this area is in the evening, as all the buildings are lit up, and you can see the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate shining brightly.

People in Delhi love to eat, and tourists will find themselves spoilt for choice between the multitude of dishes on offer at every corner of every street. From kebabs and tikkas to Chhole Bhature, Delhi is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and this fact is reflected in the culinary palette of the city.

Delhi is a shopper's paradise with some colorful bazaars and upscale markets. The wide variety of markets in Delhi ensure that travelers go back home with double the luggage they came with!

Best Time To Visit :

While October to March is the best time to visit Delhi because of the cool weather. However, some weeks in late November to January should be avoided because of heavy smog cover. February and March have great weather and relatively clean air to travel outside. Delhi experiences extreme temperatures in the summer and winter seasons. The summer months (April to July) are scorching hot in Delhi as the temperature might rise to 45 degrees Celsius. Temperatures fall a little during the monsoon season (August to September) and certain days can be good for roaming around.

Food :

Delhi is a center of heritage, architecture, history, and power, and what runs through its lifelines is the food here. Like in the case of almost every other thing, in cuisine too, there is nothing that does not find a second home in the capital.

Delhi's food borrows flavors and elements from the past as well as from the various cultures, religions, and livelihoods it sustains. You can try out the finest dining options here with countless choices in terms of cuisine, from Chinese, Continental, Thai, Mexican, Mughal to South Indian, and a subtle dominance of North Indian and Punjabi preparations.

Another equally fine, mouth-watering, and vibrant option that begins to define the food culture here is the street food. Delhi remains unseen until you have experienced the street food here. It'd be a futile effort to try and name the items since there are countless colorful options out their all with simple legacies behind them. Walkthrough Old Delhi lanes to have some of the richest street foods you might ever find.

Places To Visit :

1 . India Gate :

The All India War Memorial, popularly known as the India Gate, is located along the Rajpath in New Delhi. The imposing structure of India Gate is an awe-inspiring sight and is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in France, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This 42-meter tall historical structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is one of the largest war memorials in the country. India Gate is also famous for hosting the Republic Day Parade every year.

Dedicated to 82,000 Indian and British soldiers who died during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, this monument has the names of 13,300 servicemen inscribed on its surface. The premises of India Gate also houses the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which is a kindled structure right underneath the archway. Owing to its rich historical background and astonishing architecture, India Gate has become one of the most popular picnic spots in the city.

India Gate

2.Humayun's Tomb :

As the name suggests, Humayun's tomb is the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Located in the Nizamuddin East area of Delhi, it is the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent. This splendid piece of architecture was commissioned for construction by Humayun's chief consort Empress Bega Begum in the year 1569-70 and is one of the very few structures that used red sandstone on such a massive scale at that time. The design of Humayun's tomb is a typical Mughal architecture with Persian influences and was conceptualized by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. Owing to its magnificent design and illustrious history, Humayun's Tomb was featured on UNESCO's World Heritage List in the year 1993.

The architectural genius of Humayun's tomb is hard to miss. This magnificent tomb sits in the middle of a huge, ornate Mughal Garden and its beauty is only enhanced during the winter months. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, this mausoleum is also home to the remains of many other Mughals, including his wives, son, and descendants of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals.

Humayun's Tomb

3.Hauz Khas Village :

An affluent neighborhood in South Delhi, Hauz Khas has been well known since medieval times. Hauz Khas Village retains the old charm of the place with remnants of Islamic architecture roughly colored by splotches of urbane refurbished upmarket. 'HKV' is known for its electric nightlife with countless cafes, bars, and pubs along with art galleries, and boutiques.

Hauz Khas fort is located in the middle of HKV with a reservoir and a well-maintained park with walkways. The area is dotted with domed structures which are tombs of royalties during the 14th to 16th century. The tomb of Feroz Shah Tughlak, a renowned ruler of the Tughlak dynasty, is at the end of the road.

It has an infectious energy, and you may catch a lot of live events hosted by several cafes during the weekends ranging from stand-up comedy to live jazz. The present status of the village retains the old charm of the place along with an enhanced aesthetic appeal. No matter whether you are a Delhiite or not, you eventually find yourself at the most happening place in the city.

Hauz Khas Village

4 . Qutub Minar :

Qutub Minar is a minaret or a victory tower located in Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi's Mehrauli area. With a height of 72.5 meters (238 ft), Qutub Minar is the second tallest monument of Delhi. Its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate after he defeated the last Hindu Ruler of Delhi. He constructed the basement, after which the construction was taken over by his son-in-law and successor Iltutmish who constructed three additional stories. The fourth and fifth stories were built by Firoz Shah Tuglak.

Qutub Minar

5.Red Fort :

The Red Fort is a historical fortification in the old Delhi area. Shah Jahan constructed it in the year 1639 as a result of a capital shift from Agra to Delhi. Used as the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty, this imposing piece of architecture derives its name from its impregnable red sandstone walls. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region. Today, this monument is home to several museums that have an assortment of precious artifacts on display. Every year, the Indian Prime Minister unfurls the national flag here on Independence Day.

Formerly known as Quila-e-Mubarak or the Blessed Fort, the Red Fort lies along the banks of the river Yamuna, whose waters fed the moats surrounding the fort. It was a part of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad, popularly known today as 'Old Delhi'. The entire fort complex is said to represent the architectural creativity and brilliance of Mughal architecture. With so much history and heritage associated with it, the Red Fort is one of the most popular monuments in India and a major tourist attraction in Delhi. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2007. The Archaeological Survey of India is at present responsible for the security and preservation of this magnificent monument.

Red Fort

6 . Akshardham Temple :

An epitome of Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture, Akshardham Temple is a famous Hindu temple and a spiritual-cultural complex. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, it is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. Akshardham has made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.

The Akshardham Temple is known for its stunning architecture. It has eight ostentatiously carved mandapams while timeless Hindu teachings and flamboyant devotional traditions find their place on the temple's walls. The centerpiece, i.e. Lord Swaminarayan's Murti along with that of 20,000 deities, significant personalities in Indian history, and sages showcase the essence of Indian architecture, traditions, and timeless spiritual thoughts.

Akshardham complex is home to India's largest step well which is a host to the mesmerizing water show; an open garden, Narayan Sarovar, various expeditions, and rituals. The complex is not less than a paradise for spiritual seekers.

Akshardham Temple

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