Delhi City Guide

Venue - Destination Delhi

As the country’s capital, Delhi is a kaleidoscope that truly represents ‘Incredible India’. It has been described as one of the most elegant cities in the world and has played host to several prominent national and international events. A land ruled by many dynasties, Delhi’s magnificent architecture ans monuments echo its rich heritage while the present-day city blooms with modern lifestyle. It boasts of some of the finest heritage monuments and museums in the country; three of them, the Qutab Minar, the Red Fort (Lal Quila) and Humayun’s Tomb, have been declared as world heritage sites. Enriched with the colours of diverse cultures, Delhi is a tourist’s delight. Be it the intriguing saga of a bygone era, the fascinating monuments, the tantalising cuisine or the warmth and hospitality of its people, Delhi has a lot in store for you. A unique charm that can mesmerise even the seasoned traveller. Delhi is not only one of the greatest capitals in the world; it is also amongst the fastest growing cities in India with booming trade and commerce. From theatre, art exhibitions, light & sound shows to malls and multiplexes, you name it and Delhi has it. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts from across the country. Indian Standard Time is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Climate
New Delhi lies in northern India, almost entirely in the Gangetic plains. New Delhi was once a part of the Aravalies, but all that is left now is the Delhi ridge, the first prominent geographical feature. The second feature is the Yamuna floodplains; New Delhi lies west of the Yamuna river, although for the most part, New Delhi is a landlocked city.

New Delhi and its vicinity have a somewhat exaggerated continental climate due to its distance from the coasts and location with respect to mountain ranges. The temperature varies from 40 degrees Celsius in summers to around 4 degrees Celsius in winters.[4] Delhi has a semi-arid climate with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to October, with the monsoon season in between. Winter starts in November and peaks in January. The annual mean temperature is 25 °C (77 °F); monthly mean temperatures range from 14 °C to 33 °C (58 °F to 92 °F). The average annual rainfall is approximately 714 mm (28.1 inches), most of which is during the monsoons in July and August

Urban Structure
New Delhi is structured around two central promenades called the Rajpath and the Janpath. The Rajpath, or King’s Way, stretches from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate. The Janpath, formerly Queen’s Way, begins at Connaught Circus and cuts the Shantipath at right angles.

At the heart of the city is the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly known as Viceroy’s House) which sits atop Raisina Hill. The Secretariat, which houses various ministries of the Government of India, flanks out of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Parliament House, designed by Herbert Baker, is located at the Sansad Marg, which runs parallel to the Rajpath.

Culture
New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city due to the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural presence of the vast Indian bureaucracy and political system. The city’s capital status has amplified the importance of national events and holidays. National events such as Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi’s birthday) are celebrated with great enthusiasm in New Delhi and the rest of India. On India’s Independence Day (15 August) the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the Red Fort. Most Delhiites celebrate the day by flying kites, which are considered a symbol of freedom.The Republic Day Parade is a large cultural and military parade showcasing India’s cultural diversity and military might.

Religious festivals include Diwali (the festival of light), Durga Puja, Holi, Lohri, Maha Shivaratri, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Christmas and Buddha Jayanti. The Qutub Festival is a cultural event during which performances of musicians and dancers from all over India are showcased at night, with the Qutub Minar as the chosen backdrop of the event. Other events such as Kite Flying Festival, International Mango Festival and Vasant Panchami (the Spring Festival) are held every year in Delhi.

Currency
The currency is the Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paisa.

Language
New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city where one finds people from all over India. Hindi is the official and widely spoken language in Delhi, followed by Punjabi. However, English happens to be the official language for Business and official purposes. Urdu is the common language being spoken in Muslim community. There are sixteen other languages which are spoken by people from different parts of India.