Delhi

Indraprastha, the renowned capital of the legendary Pandavas, boast of an overwhelming history and rich cultural heritage. Nestled in the lap of majestic Yamuna, Delhi presents the soul of India in its true self. A cosmopolitan city, which is a replica of India, houses people from all part of the country. Its highly vivid populace represents the diverse culture of the subcontinent that has gained the accolade as the capital city of a unique nation.

Delhi portrays the new face of contemporary Indian society, where the glorious past is intertwined to the fabrics of modernism. Delhi is a depository of varied cultural rudiments that has been engrossed into the every day life of the city. Among the archaeological ramparts of ancient and medieval India, this seven times destroyed city proudly stands as a living monument of the bygone glory.

Elegantly designed buildings, which reveals the architectural brilliance of the British architect, Edwin Lutyens attributes the magnificence of this cosmopolitan city to a great extent. Among the marvels of architectural excellence the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in the Raisina Hills and its accompanying Mugal Garden stands first among the others. When we speak about Delhi, we cannot avoid writing about JNU. One among the prestigious institutions in India, this university campus has given birth to so many illustrious Indians.

Being the capital city, almost all the industrial icons have their outlets here. There flamboyant office set up and highly qualified executive cadre shows the developing façade of this historic city. Delhi presents the sophisticated facilities of communications and travel. Its spacious roads are akin to traffic jams and the city is better known for its good public transport system.

Today’s Delhi is a perfect blend of tradition, culture, power and politics. One would not get a nice place than this to have a clear picture of Indian society.

History
The city has a great history of centuries that encompass the bravery and valor of the legendary Pandavas and the might and wisdom of the Mauryans kings. A briefing of Delhi’s history would remain incomplete if there is no rendering about the great rule of Prithviraj Chauhan. As the last ruler of Hindu empire, this man helped a lot to mould Delhi in to a vibrant and sprawling city. After him, his kingdom was the strong hold of various dynasties like the Slaves and the Tughlaques.

Later the Mughals coloured it with their great love and affection for art and literature. After the first war of Indian Independence, this historic city began to play a major role in the hands of the enduring British people. It was in 1911, Delhi had been officially recognized as the capital city of British India. This sprawling city has witnessed the rise and fall of so many strong holds of power. Starting from the days of the epic period to the 21st century, Delhi played a significant role in the entire history of the nation.

Neatly compartmentalised into two, the Old Delhi and the New Delhi, this city exhibits unique features. Bestowed with a splendorous history, Old Delhi portrays its Mughal era with its all glory. The tapered lanes of Chandni Chowk, the Juma Masjid, Red Fort reveals the patronage and compassion of the Mughal rulers towards art and architecture.

Culture
Cultural life in Delhi is clothed with colourful festivals and ceremonies. Since the city is a cross section of the Indian society, Delhiites celebrates all most all festivals with much enthusiasm. Delhi Festivals symbolize the ethnicity and custom of the entire nation. The significant Festivals in Delhi are Dussera, Diwali, Maha Shivaratri, Baisakhi, Lohri, Holi, and Christmas.

Diwali and Dussera gains slight prominence among the other festivals. Dussera commemorates the victory of Ram over Ravana. It marks the triumph of virtue against vice. Renowned as the festival of lamps, Diwali is an occasion when the entire city would be glittered with the brightening light of diyas and candles. Although India holds a meager population of Christians, Christmas in Delhi is a spectacular event.

As the capital city of a great nation, Delhi boast of so many important fiestas and ceremonies. Among the various celebrations, Independence Day and Republic Day mark a remarkable significance. During the Republic Day parade, vivid picture of a vibrant democracy can be witnessed in the colourful plots of different states. Most amazing and appealing attraction of the Republic Day parade might be the exhibition of gallantry and valor of the armed forces of India.

Affluent in terms of enriching cultural institutions, famous art galleries and museums, Delhi glistens and glees with various events all through the year. This city has been regarded as the seat of flourishing culture over centuries. A thriving center for upcoming artists, this city proffers enormous opportunities to fortune seekers in cultural fields. Music festivals, art exhibitions, dance recitals, cinema and theater city life is full of enthralling art performances which offers a perfect podium for not only the artists but also the onlookers. An effervescent and inspired center of all art forms, Delhi presents a glittering façade of contemporary art life of India.

Food
A land of multiple cuisines with a variety of delicious food, Delhi stands at the top of the menu cards of the visitors. From the roadside dhabas to star hotels, this metropolitan city proffers mouthwatering and aromatic varieties of foodstuffs. Delhiites are considered as very fond of eating. So each festival and celebration is marked with an array of good food. This is probably one of the reason for considering Delhi as the restaurant capital of India.

It would be amazing to find that this city encompasses all types of restaurants serving both traditional and continental food varieties. All most all the star hotels in the capital provide Mughalai and Tandoori dishes as their special items. Exquisite varieties of Mughlai are the specialty of the restaurants in Karol Bagh, Pandara Road Market and Connaught Place.

Vegetarians also have their own places in the homes of the Delhiites. Exceptional would be the apt word as one can say about these traditional recipies. None of the restaurants or hotels can offer such tasty foods that have been prepared by the old gharanas. Among the favourite dish, Cholle Bhature outshines all other Punjabi varieties. Chandni Chowk is the area where one can find an array of restaurants that serves traditional foodstuffs. In this era of fast foods, Chandni Chowk stands as an alluring exception, which steadfastly follows the traditional cuisine of India. Do not forget to visit Ghantewala, the oldest sweet shop in the capital city. At the Ghantewala Halwai, namkeens, sohanhalwa and barfis are really fantastic.

Any mention of food in Delhi can't be complete without street food which offers all kinds of chats, sweets, and snacks in a considerably low price. A host of outstanding confectioneries, cakes, pies and minces of some of the restaurants like Wenger’s in Connaught Place are renowned for their peculiar taste. Sweet lovers can try their luck in the Bengali hotels like Annapoorna where multiple varieties of dishes are available. Do not forget to have a try a paan after your delicious meal.

Eating and dining out has become a way of life to the Delhiites. Each restaurant in the city has their own peculiar foodstuffs with rich, aromatic and delicious fragrance that grabs people tremendously.

Nightlife
Recent years have shown a drastic development in the nightlife of Delhi. Confusing to state whether it’s a positive change or not, this has become a way of life to the Delhiites. Bars and hotels that provide hot music and discotheques are gaining momentum rapidly. People are seeking solace from their busy day life in these most modern recreational activities.

Nightlife in Delhi is definite to allure every visitor with its stunning attractions like live music shows, dance floors and high class bars. Most popular clubs that provide these amenities are Djinns, Ghungroo, Pepper's, Fireball and Annabelles. Majority of the pubs and nightclubs of Delhi are placed in, Basant Lok South Delhi and Defence Colony areas.

Apart from these bars and pubs, Delhi’s star hotels also provide best facilities to enjoy the gripping nightlife. Those who prefer to be in a tranquil ambience, restaurants in the near vicinity of the India gate would be the idyllic location. With a wide range of entertaining facilities, the bars and the pubs of New Delhi poses to be the just right place to fly one’s striking moods.

Shopping
Delhi seems to be a delightful place for the shopping buffs. An extensive range of objects is in offer in the various markets scattered in and around the city. Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh Connaught Place and Baba Kharak Singh Marg are the most acquainted places of shoppers where the emporiums sells lovely handicraft items of almost all the states. Widest choices of artifacts and affordable prices are the main advantage of shopping in Delhi. Among the objects silver ware, leather goods, handicrafts, carpets, precious stones, jewelry, hand printed cotton and silks are the hot favourites of the visitors.

Delhi is not just a mishmash of arts and crafts from other parts of India. It holds it’s own gamut of customs. Delhi is the exquisite center of Kundan and Meenakari Jewellery, which shows complicate patterns and glittering outlook. These artforms has been a flourishing trade since from the days of the Mughal emperors. Dariba Kalan in Chandini Chowk area would fetch you with the splendid collection of latest and traditional jewelry forms.

Apart from the ordinary artifacts, the city has an amazing collection of ornamental saris, which are the hottest bridal wares now a days. Other fascinating attractions are musical instruments, miniature paintings, wood and ivory carvings, decorated pottery items and so on. There would be an endless list, so the better option is to stroll around the market places and make you familiar with the artifacts on display.