DELHI- LITTLE INDIA

Delhi is the capital of India. Spread over 1484 square kilometres and home to 24 million people, making it the second most populous city In India. Delhi is a multicultural city; you will find people from all over India. Delhi is one of the places where New meets Old, the city is divided into two parts Old and New. The New city is much less densely populated than the old. In the New city much of the lands are devoted to parks and broad streets. The streets are straight and un obstructed. In the old part the streets are narrow, twisting and irregular. Delhi is one of the Greenest capital cities in the world.  The literacy rate of Delhi is 86 %.

Delhi is a multi cultural city 80.5 % people are Hindus, 13.4% Muslims, Christians 3.4 %,, Sikhs 1.9%,Bhudhists 0.8 %  , Jains 0.4 %, Others 0.7 % .

History of Delhi

The city of Delhi has been historically one of most important cities of India. The ancient city of Delhi Indraprastha was founded 5000 years ago by the heroes of the great epic Mahabharta, the longest poem in the world. 15 dynasties ruled by 100 plus rulers.  Delhi is known as the seven cities of Delhi which developed by different rulers in different time.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DELHI

Delhi has an extreme climate it is very hot in summer (April - July) and cold in winter (December – January). The best time to visit Delhi is from September to March. In summer adequate precautions need to be taken, to avoid the intense heat, such as wearing light cotton clothing, wearing a hat or sunshade while going outdoors and drinking plenty of liquids.  In winter wearing warm and woollen cloth will protect you from the cold. The average minimum and maximum temperature is given below.

Winter:  September to November is nice weather not too hot not too cold. Mid December to end of January Delhi is very foggy and temperature can drop down 5 degree. January and February is again perfect weather to travel in Delhi.

Summer: April to June is the hottest and humid months of Delhi and temperature can go up 45 degree.

Monsoon: July to August is the rainy season for Delhi.

PLACES TO VISIT IN DELHI

SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARSHAM TEMPLE

World’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple. It measures 356 ft (109m) long, 316 ft (96m) wide and 141 ft (43m) high, covering an area of 86,342 sq ft. The traditionally styled complex was inaugurated on 06^th November 2005. More than 300,000,000 volunteer hours went into making the complex; over 8,000 volunteers from across the world participated in building it. Built from intricately carved sandstone and marble. http://akshardham.com/.

QUTUB MINAR COMPLEX

Qutub minar was built by the first Islamic ruler Qutab-ud-din-Aibak in the year 1192. Qutub minar is world’s tallest rubble masonry and world heritage site. It is situated within the complex, which has been the centre of the first city of Delhi since the first Muslim ruler stepped here. The Qutub complex was originally a site with 27 Hindu and Jain temples, these temples were destroyed by the Islamic invaders to obtain stone and raw material for their mosques and other buildings.

HUMAYUN'S TOMB

The final resting place of 2^nd Mughal emperor Humayun. Located in the eastern part of Delhi. The Humayun’s tomb is the best preserved Mughal monument and the first example of Mughal architecture in India. After a century from its construction Humayun’s tomb inspired the construction of one of the most visited monument of the world Taj Mahal. Humayun’s tomb was built by the widow Hamida Banu Begum, who commenced the construction of a mausoleum for her deceased husband in 1565, nine years after his death.

LODHI GARDEN

Lodi garden is a historical landmark and park extending over an area of 90 acres in the heart of New Delhi. The garden containing the tombs of Mohamad shah and Sikandar Lodi, the rulers of sayid and lodi dynasties of 15^th century. The park developed during British periods, the park was inaugurated by Lady Willington in the year 1936. Inside there are various gardens like Rose garden, bamboo garden and herbal garden and also having an excellent collections of trees.

JAMA MOSQUE

Jama Masjid or Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa means a world’s reflecting mosque, located in the central heart of Old Delhi on top of the large hill. The mosque was built between 1644 and 1658 by the Mughal emperor Shah jahan and also this is the last architectural work of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The great mosque is the largest mosque in India, capable of holding 25,000 devotees.

GANDHI MUSEUM

Gandhi Smiriti is the sacred place where Mahatma Gandhi’s epic Life ended on 30^th January 1948. Mahatma Gandhi lived the last 144 days of his life. It was originally a house of Indian business tycoons, The Birla family. The house was acquired by the Government of India in 1971 and was converted into a National memorial of the Father of the Nation. The preserves include the room where Mahatma Gandhi lived and the prayer ground where he held a mass congregation every evening. It was here where the assassin’s bullet felled Gandhiji. The building and the landscape has been preserved as they were in those days.

LOTUS TEMPLE

Baha’I house of worship was built during 1980-1986 costing Indian Ruppes ten million. The temple is a Half floating Lotus set amidst pools and gardens. The temple has no idols of the deities and God. This is the only Bahai temple of worship in Asia.