Tourism Places In Delhi

Delhi is an international metropolis with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history that goes back to antiquity. Delhi offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the city. In Old Delhi, you'll come across many mosques, forts, and other monuments that depict India's Muslim history. The important places in Old Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the last two being modern structures constructed after India's Independence in 1947. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It is a spacious, open city that houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest. Notable attractions in New Delhi include the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India's leading industrial families; the Humayun's Tomb, said to be the forerunner of the Taj at Agra; the Purana Quila, built by Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri; Tughlaqabad, Delhi's most colossal and awesome fort; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha'i Temple.

Delhi, Capital of India and the third largest city in India, lies at an altitude of between 700 and 1,000 feet (213 and 305 metres) and covers an area of 1,485 square kilometres. Situated on the Yamuna River (a tributary of the Ganges River) Delhi is bordered on the east by the state of Uttar Pradesh and on the north, west, and south by Haryana. It generally has been presumed that the city was named for Raja Dhilu, a king who reigned in the 1st century BC , and that the various names by which it has been known (Delhi, Dehli, Dilli, and Dhilli) have been corruptions of this name

Delhi is surrounded by a high stone wall, erected in 1638, and is approached through seven arched gateways, including the Delhi Gate in the south, the Ajmer Gate in the east, and the Kashmere Gate in the north. Within the walls is a maze of congested narrow streets, alleys, busy bazaars, and some of the nation's most spectacular Indo-Muslim architectural features.

The region has a tropical steppe climate. The general prevalence of Continental air leads to relatively dry conditions with extremely hot summers. Monthly mean temperatures range from 14.3'C in January (minimum 3'C) to 34.5'C in June (maximum 47'C). The annual mean temperature is 25.3'C (WMO, 1971). The main seasonal climatic influence is the monsoon, typically from June to October. The mean annual rainfall total is 71.5 mm. Maximum rainfall occurs in July (211. mm). The heavy rains of the monsoon act as a "scrubber". North-westerly winds usually prevail; however, in June and July south-easterly predominate. Wind speeds are typically higher in the summer and monsoon periods; in winter, calms are frequent (20 per cent of the time)

History

The name Delhi, first recorded in the 1st century BC, was applied to a succession of cities built on this site before the present city was founded in 1638 by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. The first was built in the 12th century AD by the Cahaman ruler Prithviraja. It was captured by Muslims in 1193 and became capital of a Muslim empire in India under Qutubuddin Aybak, builder of the Qutb Minar tower. Muslim control ended with the capture and destruction of Delhi in the late 14th century by the Turkish conqueror Tamerlane. Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty in India, restored Delhi to capital status in 1526, and his son Humayun built a new city here. In 1540 it was seized and destroyed by the Afghan invader Sher Shah, and it was replaced by another new city. Akbar, the son of Humayun, recaptured Delhi but moved his capital to Agra and allowed Delhi to fall into ruins. It was rebuilt in its present form and restored as the Mughal capital by Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan in the 1600s. Delhi remained the Mughal capital until 1739, when it was conquered and looted of its treasures, including the famous Peacock Throne, by the Persian ruler Nadir Shah. About 1771, the Marathas gained control and remained in power until British forces seized the city in 1803. Delhi came under British rule after 1857, and in 1911 they decided to make it their capital.

After india gained independence in 1947, Delhi became the Capital of india. Subsequently Delhi was made a Union Territory on November 1, 1956. With the 69th Constitutional amendment, Delhi got a Legislative Assembly when the National Capital Territory Act was enacted in 1991. Following state assembly elections in Delhi, Mr. Madan Lal Khurana became the first Chief Minister of Delhi.

Society and Culture

Delhi is not a place in seclusion; it is by nature a homogenous city, which is ready to assimilate all incoming influences—whether they are people, culture, or the languages. Delhi has attracted people from all parts of the country leading to the establishment of different cultural pockets. Punjabis are the most dominant section here. Languages commonly used are Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English.

Delhi's cultural life has been influenced considerably by the cosmopolitan character of its population, which comes from different parts of India and the world and possesses varied cultural backgrounds. Much has been borrowed and adapted from Western culture, a process accelerated since independence by the influence of the modern mass media. Television, however, has also facilitated a greater awareness of regional and national interests. Although the cultural activities of earlier days--such as dancing, music, and poetry forums (musha'ira)--have been yielding place to the cinema, the cabaret, and clubs, there are also theatre groups and institutions that have fostered indigenous literature and fine arts. Many of India's major cultural institutions--including the national academies of music, dance, and drama; of art; and of letters--are located in Delhi, as are numerous libraries, archives, and museums.

Delhi is home to numerous fairs and festivals. In addition to a variety of trade and book fairs, the city hosts an annual film festival. The many religious groups in Delhi contribute to an ongoing succession of religious festivals and celebrations.

Delhi is a city of gardens and fountains, notable examples being the Roshan Ara Gardens and the meticulously planned and laid out Mughal Gardens. Many park and garden areas have grown up around historical monuments, such as the Lodi Gardens (around the Lodi Tombs) and the Firoz Shah Kotla Grounds (around Asoka's Pillar). Among the major recreation areas are the Delhi Ridge and the Yamuna riverfront

Delhi's population has increased some 25-fold from the 240,000 inhabitants it had in 1911. The highest growth rate occurred between 1941 and 1951--mainly because of the influx of a large number of refugees into the city at the time of independence--and the population has since grown steadily. Much of the increase continues to be from immigration.The great majority of the population is Hindu; Muslims constitute the largest minority, followed by smaller numbers of Sikhs, Jains, Christians, and Buddhists.

Apart from the national festivals celebrated in Delhi, the occasions celebrated with much zest are Lohri (in January); Republic Day (January 26th - a spectacular parade down Rajpath, by the Defence Services and programmes displaying India's rich cultural heritage); the Delhi Rose Show (in January at Safdarjung's Tomb); the Delhi Flower Show (in February at Purana Quila); Urs (April/May and November/December - at Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia's tomb); Phool Walon ki Sair (September/October - a festival of flower sellers) and Dussehra (October)

As lndia's capital city and the most prosperous state with a per capita income of 11,650, Delhi has become a nucleus of trade, commerce and industry in the northern region. Government office complexes are a major source of employment and the city is also home to important medical, agricultural and educational institutions. Delhi is often categorised as a "service town"; however, industry is rapidly expanding. There was a 57 per cent increase in industrial units from 26,000 in 1971 to 41,000 in 1981, despite the introduction of planning restrictions on large industry.

Engineering, clothing and chemicals predominate, although electronics and electrical goods are gaining in importance. Most industries are located in the west south and Southeast of the city. North-westerly winds often drag pollution from western industrial areas across the city. It has been recommended that all future industrial development is limited to the south-east to avoid such problems and the Okhla industrial estate has recently been built in this area. Increasing industrial productivity combined with rapid urbanisation mean that there is a greater demand for energy in Delhi than can be supplied; therefore, industry cannot generate at full capacity. Delhi has two major thermal power plants (Baderpur and Indraprastha).

Trade, banking and commerce are also assuming increasing importance, although not on the scale of Bombay. This change from 'service town' commercial centre will continue to have an important influence over land-use changes and population.

Delhi is well connected by air and railways:

Railway Route Per '000 Sq. Km. of Area : 84 Km. Airport : Indira Gandhi International Airport

Tourist Centres

Among the places of special interest to tourists in Delhi are the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Coronation Durbar Site, Raj Ghat, Jantar Mantar, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Secretariat Building, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Nehru Museum, Rail Transport Museum, International Dolls Museum, Crafts Museum, Dilli Haat, Gandhi Darshan, Purana Qila, the Zoo, Safdarjung's Tomb, and Bahai House of Worship.

Hotels of Delhi

The State has hotels of star and non star category catering to the needs of the tourists visiting Delhi. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafés which cater to the needs of all segment of travelers.