Delhi is a colorful and impressive metropolis, where many travelers dream of getting. Founded 5,000 years ago, this settlement quickly became a center of commerce and began to develop rapidly, moving from one ruler to another and receiving an amazing layering of cultures and traditions. Here come those who are interested in ancient monuments of architecture, there are more than 60 thousand of them in the city, and those who prefer colonial buildings, in this regard, the metropolitan part of New Delhi is considered unsurpassed. In addition, modern Delhi is the country's scientific and cultural center.

Delhi is the fourth most populated city in the world, and it was founded in the 12th century by the heroes of the Mahabharata in place of seven cities. Today it is customary to divide it into New Delhi, where modern and colonial buildings, shopping centers, parks, entertainment for every taste, theatres, and the Old Town are concentrated, dirty, with narrow tangled streets, noisy bazaars, slums, and also standing against this background. Magnificent ancient mosques and mausoleums.

New Delhi is a multinational city, like many capitals. The local population professes all religions known to the world, so mosques here easily adjoin to Hindu temples, and the domes of Christian cathedrals look rather fanciful against the backdrop of the Buddhist wall. Fashionable modern New Delhi with its shopping centers, luxurious mansions, expensive cars and restaurants of original cuisine contrasts with the ancient monuments of the Old City.

Attractions in Delhi:-

Lotus temple: - This building is the main temple of the Bahi’s young faith. It was built in 1978-1986. The temple was built of white marble. The building is a blooming lotus flower with 27 petals. The dimensions of the central building, designed for 1300 people, are as follows: diameter - 75 meters, and height -31.

The author of the Lotus Temple project was Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba. He was inspired by the architecture of the Opera House, located in Sydney, which was built according to the style of structural expressionism.

Jama Masjid Mosque: - The building of the Delhi Cathedral Mosque is the largest among buildings of similar purpose in the whole country. In its courtyard can fit up to twenty-five thousand parishioners.

Construction began during the reign of Shah Jahan (which was built by the Taj Mahal), completed - in 1656. A unique copy of the Koran, written on the skin of a deer, is stored in the Jama-Masjid mosque. When visiting this attraction, do not forget that it is a functioning mosque - so that while the parishioners are praying, Gentiles are not allowed inside.

Kutab Minar: - Kutab Minar is a popular attraction of the Indian capital, the tallest brick minaret, which was built under several generations of Muslim rulers. Estimated years of construction work - 1191-1368.

The building corresponds to several different styles, it is a unique monument of Indo-Islamic architecture of the Middle Ages. In height, the minaret reaches 72.6 meters, the diameter of the base - 14.74, and in the upper part of the building - 3.05 meters. Kutab Minar Minaret is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Red Fort: - The Red Fort is a defensive structure that was built during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan (the era of the Mughal Empire), in 1639-1648. The material for the construction of the fort was a red stone, three thousand people could be here at the same time. The shape of the building in the plan was an irregular octagon - from the Red Fort, this dynasty went the tradition of erecting buildings of such a characteristic style. The building material was brick, faced with red marble and ceramics. The fortress wall has a length of around 2.5 km and a height of 16 to 33 meters.

The Red Fort played an important role in significant events for India - in 1783 it was occupied by Sikhs, and in 1857 by sepoys. Every year during the celebration of Independence Day, it is from the walls of the Red Fort that the Prime Minister of the state makes an appeal to the people. The entrance to the fort is through the Lahore Gate located on the east side. After sunset, the time of light-sound performance.

Humayun's Tomb: - The tomb of Humayun (1565 - 1570) is a masterpiece of Mughal architectural art; here in the mausoleum lies the body of Emperor Humayun. They built the building according to the order of the widow of this ruler - Hamida Banu Begum. The work was managed by architects Said Muhammad and his father, Mirak Giyathuddin. The latter, in all probability, during the construction of this mausoleum was inspired by the buildings of the Timurids period in Samarkand.

Humayun's tomb was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jantar Mantar Observatory:- Jantar-Mantar is an ancient observatory. There are five similar buildings in the country - they were built during the Sawai Jai Singh II Maharaja, in 1724. The task of this structure is to help verify the calendar, perform astronomical calculations, and calculate the movement of celestial bodies. The observatory has thirteen architectural instruments for astronomical purposes.

Lakshmi-Narayan Temple:- Another name for the temple is Birla Mandir. This Hindu building dedicated to the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi and one of the forms of manifestation of Vishnu - Narayan, was erected in the 1933-1939s. The rich Birla family financed the construction - they were industrialists and philanthropists. The decoration of the building - white and pink Nagar style marble - is the work of more than a hundred stone carvers. Masters in these original reliefs depicted events from Hindu legends. The height of the highest multi-colored dome in the temple is forty-eight meters. Interior - colorful frescoes and marble figures. Around the temple, there is a beautiful garden with an area of ??more than three hectares, in which there are a fountain and a cascading waterfall.

The temple was opened by Mahatma Gandhi himself, who first made a demand for free access to him by representatives of all faiths and any caste.

Akshardham Temple Complex: - Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple on the planet, covering an area of ??approximately 0.42 square meters. He was listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The complex houses the temple building, which has a skillful carving decoration on the outside, as well as high-tech displays, a cinema, a musical fountain, gardens, and restaurants.

The temple complex was erected for five years - from 2000 to 2005. The work involved seven thousand craftsmen from all over the state. The temple’s construction is forty-two meters high, ninety-four wide, and one hundred and six long. The temple has nine domes, two hundred thirty-four columns, and approximately 20 thousand figures.

Foods in Delhi:-

The capital has always been not only a center of attraction for residents of other regions of the country but also a point of intersection of trade routes, therefore, its culture was influenced by the culture of different peoples of India and foreign habits.

You can eat in Delhi everywhere: carts with street food, home cafes and expensive restaurants are at every step. The runaway price is also incredible: from a few rupees in a diner to a couple of thousand - in a fashionable place.

The basis of local cuisine is rice, vegetables, beans, fruits, and milk. And, of course, spices. Many Indians are vegetarians, but this does not mean that they do not eat meat in Delhi. Lamb, bird, and goat are often found here. Pork is served very rarely, and beef is not cooked at all, since the cow is a sacred animal of Hindus, and Muslims do not eat pork.

Shopping in Delhi:-

In any of Delhi's many markets, you can buy anything you want. But most often tourists choose clothes: bright saris, light harem pants, thin shirts, Kashmiri shawls from pashmina, silk dresses and silk in a cut. Highly appreciated Rajasthan cotton, juicy in color, with a spectacular pattern, and a mixture of silk and cotton - “Khimar”. Handmade carpets embroidered with gold and semiprecious stones look luxurious. Needleworkers will appreciate sets for embroidery: threads, stones, beads, sequins, lace.

In Delhi, it is impossible to get past Ayurvedic preparations and oils, cosmetics and henna, spices and so-called “masala” (mixtures that enhance the taste of dishes), Indian sweets, tea, and coffee. The interior decoration will be wooden or stone figures of Indian gods, elephants, etc.

A great gift for loved ones is jewelry made of quality silver or local bright yellow gold, which, alas, often contains impurities. Products in the style of Bidri are very beautiful, as they call the pattern of silver wire on dark metal. In this technique, bracelets, earrings, pendants, as well as decorative dishes and figurines are made. The old city is famous for its bazaars, the most popular is the Chandi Chowk market.

Best Time to Visit Delhi:-

Delhi has a pronounced continental climate with hot, almost 6-month summers, short warm winters and monsoon seasons between them. Rains pour heavily from July to September, the rest of the year there are almost none, and by the winter they completely stop. There is never frost and snow, but in the New Year period, a warm jacket and jacket may be required. It is best to come to the capital in March, April, and October when the weather is pleasant, sunny, dry, but not stuffy.

How to Reach Delhi:-

By Air: International Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport

By Road: Cabs and Taxis are the most convenient mode of transport, especially if you arrive late at night.

By Train: There are two railway stations in Delhi. Old Delhi and New Delhi Railway Station.

By Public Transport: Delhi and NCR are well connected with public buses and Metro as well, in which Metro would be the good option to safe, cheap and fast travel.