Delhi is the
emblem of India’s past and present. It is almost 3000years old, great Pandavas
of the Mahabharata ruled their domain (from 1000 BC to 4 AD) near the river
Yamuna close to Old Delhi in the Aravalli region. It was then known as
Indraprastha centered on the old fort. To the north, south and west of it is
the Aravalli Mountains and river Yamuna with its turbulent flow lay to the
east. Rulers even came from other parts of the world and ruled the area
centering their capital at Delhi. The Surya Kund of Delhi remains as the
memento of Rajput kings. Dislodging of the Union Jack, Indian National Flag was
hoisted on 15th August, 1947, at Red Fort after 200 years of British
rule. On 1st November, 1956, Delhi went under Central rule. Today New
Delhi is the capital of India. Delhi was mainly dominated by Urdu speaking Muslims
before Independence.
On 26th
January, the capital decks up with festivals. Groups of folk dancers come from
all the states and participate in the grand show. Visitors, invitees and
tourists from all over the world come to Delhi on this day to observe the grand
occasion at Gateway of India. Another
attractive festival of the city is Dussera or Ramlila. It continues for 10days
in October at Ramlila Maidan firework, cultural functions and lights make Delhi
a city of festival. The effigy of Ravana is burnt and it tinges the sky red.
The third
largest city in India, Delhi has been developed in two parts. To the west of
Red Fort, Old Delhi in the Mughal period of Shahjahanabad is encircled by high
walls. It is very shabby and overcrowded city with lanes and by lanes. Though it
is known as Old Delhi people call it Delhi. When Delhi became the capital of
India, the statues of British all over Delhi was replaced. The most
sophisticated and one of the biggest commercial complexes of New Delhi is
Connaught place, developed and designed by Robert Tor Russel, and the outer
ring of Connaught place is Connaught circle. They have been renamed as Rajiv
Chowk and Indira Chowk respectively in 1995. Mercantile firms, shops and
establishments, hotels, national and international air offices, banks and
tourists and travelling agents’ offices are all located at Connaught place in
New Delhi. Janpath is one of the busiest roads in New Delhi. Janpath meets
Rajpath further south. To the east of Rajpath is India Gate and to the west are
Parliament house and Rashtrapati Bhavan. On the way housing various foreign
consulates and embassies, there is the Diplomatic Enclave Chanakyapuri. However
historical Indo- Islamic styled buildings like the Red Fort and Juma Mosque and
Chadni Chowk, all are in old Delhi. Below the ground is air conditioned
Connaught place. Few places of
attraction in Delhi such as Lotus Temple, The India Gate, Qutub Minar, Jantar
Mantar, Nehru Museum etc.
Demography-
The main
languages of Delhi are Hindi, Punjabi. English is equally in the use. In Delhi
we find different religion people. People over here are engaged in different
professions such as IT sectors, engineers, BPO, government jobs etc. the
literacy rate in Delhi is 81%.
Climate-
The best
season to visit October, November, February and March. However winter is severe
and long – from November to early March. The temperature varies between 23-7C. The
temperature comes down below to 3-4C in December- January with cold wind. Lowest
temperature recorded was 1.4C in 1947. Accompanied by chilling wind and sufficient
woolen garments are required here.
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