Delhi, Capital of India

One road, one-way and one market would be the best way to define Chandni Chowk. The area is a perfect example of religious harmony. It will not be wrong to say that if all religions were flowers they could be weaved together in a garland called Chandani Chowk. Entering Chandani Chowk, the first thing one can see is a Jain Temple. The temple was built for Jain soldiers during the reign of Shah Jahan. Earlier, the temple was a Laskari temple. Later, a Jain soldier put an idol there for his personal worship and a structure came up. Outside the temple, is a hoard of cycle rickshaw pullers who shout and call out Fatehpuri, Balli maran, Town Hall, etc. Earlier, only man- pedaled rickshaws were found there but now battery charged rickshaws are also available in the area.Moving forward from there one can see a red temple behind which is Gauri Shankar Mandir. This temple is made of white marble. The temple is very beautiful. It appears as if the whole temple has been bathed in milk. The combination of red and white gives the temple a magnificent look.Samru Begums Kothi A few steps forward from Gauri Shankar Mandir on the right side was Begum Samrus kothi (mansion). Begum was the daughter of a Muslim from Meerut and was born in 1751. Begum Sahiba had married a Christian called Reinhardt who was known as Samroo. In 1781 Begum converted into a catholic Christian. The mansion no longer exists and has now turned into a big business hub. Near the hub is a Baptist church, which has a gorgeous building.Close to the area is McDonald restaurant, which is always brimming with people. Chandani Chowk is famous all over the world for the fact that it is always packed with people. The market has its own peculiarities, which attracts people. The area, which is now a big open market, was a big chowk at some point. There were a varietyDelhi, Capital of India

New Delhi

Delhi is the symbol of old India and new ? even the stones here whisper to our ears of the ages of long ago and the air we breathe is full of the dust and fragrances of the past, as also of the fresh and piercing winds of the present.- Jawaharlal Nehru

Delhi, the capital of India is the third largest city of the world, exceeded in size by Calcutta and Mumbai. Delhi is situated in north central India and stands on the west bank of Yamuna river. It is bounded on the east by the state of Uttar Pardesh and on the north, west and south by Haryana. The eternal Yamuna has witnessed the glory and the tumultuous history of the 3000 year old Delhi. Delhi is spread over an area of 1483 sq. kilometers, 216 meters above sea level and has a population of around 14 million. The amalgamation of various cultures, traditions, religions has painted Delhi in colour which are brought from all over India. Delhi is a true cosmopolitan city always on the move. Delhi remains the centre of power. Once it was a city of royal power. Then it became the seat of colonial power. Later it was the seat of bureaucratic power. The seat of political power it has always been. Today it is emerging as an important centre for corporate power too. It is a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth, the complexities and dynamism of India. Delhi has always been the hub of activity, art, culture and the history of the whole country and continues to do so.

It is divided into two parts Old Delhi & New Delhi.

Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

'Old' Delhi, the capital of Muslim India between the mid-17th and late 19th centuries, is full of formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The ancient Delhi of the Mughal emperors was surrounded by a wall and was a congested city of narrow bylanes. Though better known as Old Delhi, this area is also called Delhi. Old Delhi , Shah Jahan's seventeenth-century capital ( Shahjahanabad ), lies 2km or so further north.The Delhi Jn rly stn is in Old Delhi, the inter-state bus terminus is slightly to the north, at the Kashmiri Gate. Buses go to all over north and west India from the Kashmiri Gate. Near the Delhi Gate lies the Yamuna on the left and the Aruna Asaf Ali Rd on the right, ending at Ramlila Pavilion, the juncture of Old and New Delhi.

It's a lively area of colourful bazaars, narrow streets and barely controlled chaos. Monuments in sandstone and marble, which stand in assorted states of repair, make Delhi a veritable museum of Indo-Islamic architecture, seen at its best in the frenetic streets of Old Delhi. Old Delhi looks entirely different from the more modern New Delhi and south Delhi areas.

New Delhi

The other Delhi, the imperial city created as the capital of India by the British. In addition to its historic interest and role as the government centre, Delhi is a major travel gateway. In 1911, the British asked Lutyens to give new meaning to city development which is reflected in the architectural designs and sophistication that buildings in Delhi like Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Connaught Place and various administrative buildings like the South and North blocks along the breathtaking view available from Raj Path. The capital of the Indian republic is at New Delhi, the planned city devised by the British. The smooth roads, modern houses and buildings and offices and departments attract tourist. As you come out of the New Delhi rly stn, in front is Paharganj and on the south Chemsford Road which intersect at Connaught Place. New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British Raj, is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings, and has a sense of order absent from other parts of the city.

Central New Delhi

The hub of the metropolis is Central New Delhi, an orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings which was established soon after the imperial capital of British India moved here in 1911. At its hub, the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the west, to the India Gate war memorial in the east. At the north edge of the new capital lies the thriving business centre, Connaught Place, where neon advertisements for Wimpy, American Express, hotels and countless airline offices adorn the flat roofs and colonnaded verandas of high white buildings that curve around a central park to form an almost perfect circle. Most of the airline offices, travel agents, banks and hotels are here. There are a number of cinemas and performing arts centres around Connaught Place, but Delhi's strict licensing laws effectively curtail nightlife. Central New Delhi also has its fair share of more recent high-rise offices and hotels, standing close to pre-British constructions such as the open-air observatory, Jantar Mantar, and a generous smattering of excellent museums covering arts and crafts and the lives of India's post-Independence politicians.

South Delhi

Most of the early settlements of Delhi, including its first cities, are to be found not in "Old Delhi" but in SOUTH DELHI, the area south of Connaught Place and Rajpath. Although the rapid expansion of suburban Delhi is swallowing up the countryside, the area remains littered with monuments from the past, and pockets of almost untouched rural peace make it a fascinating blend of the contemporary, the pastoral and the historic.

Delhi at a glance :Country:IndiaState:

National Capital Territory / Union Territory of Delhi

District:

Delhi District

STD code:

011

Max. Temp.:

46 Degree Celcius

Min. Temp.:

04 Degree Celcius

Winter:

Late Nov.-Early Feb.

Spring:

March to Mid April

Summer:

April end to Aug end

Autumn:

Sep to Nov. end

Best Season:

October to March

River:

Yamuna

Area:

1,483 sq km

Time zone:

GMT+5:30

Population:

13,850,507 (2001)

Density:

9,339.52 sq km

Literacy Rate:

- Total

81.7%

- Male

87.3%

- Female

74.7%

Sex Ratio:

821

Urbanisation Ratio:

89.9%(1991)

Language:

Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and English and most other Indian Languages

Classification:

National capital territory

Chief Minister:

Sheila Dixit

Ruling Party:

Congress

Major Political parties:

Congress, BJP

Gross domestic product:

USD 500 billion approx.(2003)

Major Industries:

Manufacture of razor blades, sports goods, radio and T.V. parts, plastic and PVC goods, textiles, chemicals, fertilizers, soft drinks, hand and machine tools

Major Crops:

Wheat, Maize, Bazra, Jowar, Vegetable and Fruit crops

Performing Arts:

Delhi is a cultural nerve centre of India. The cultural activity is at its best during the season from October to March when a host of dance and music performances from all parts of the country are held. Theatre is equally popular and the local institutions regularly organise scripts & plays.

Handicrafts:

The hand embroidary in silver and gold thread on silk & other fabrics has been done for past hundreds of years. Delhi offers a multitude of objects direct from various part of the country.

Special cuisines:

Delhi offers a variety of cuisines and a large number of restaurants which serve Indian & Mughlai food. Besides speciality restaurant for Chinese, Continental, Mexican and fast food outlets are in plenty.

Accessibility:

As a major entry point for India many major international flights go through New Delhi. It is also extensively connected by air, road and rail with the rest of the country.

Major cities linked:

Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Port Blair, Thiruvanathapuram, Vadodara, Pune.

Domestic airport:

Palam Airport

International airport:

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Importance:

Capital of India, separate state, Second largest metropolitan city in India, Industrial & IT Hub, Education center par excellence. Seat of government and influence

Other Facts :

Delhi has more cars than the other three metros put together. (One million cars, 3.8 million vehicles) Last year 4000 cars were stolen.

There are more cell phones in Delhi (8 lakhs) than in Mumbai.

More than 500 people are murdered every year in Delhi.

More than one woman is raped every day.

Eight houses are burgled every day.

Every day there are 3 kidnappings of women.

Kidnappers demanded more than Rs. 11 crore as ransom in the year 2000.

Delhi together with Gurgaon and Noida contributed Rs. 6146 crore worth of IT software and services exported in 2000 against Karnataka's Rs 4267 crore.

Delhi receives 40 per cent of the 20 lakh tourists to the country every year.

Until the 1960's Delhi had 11 soccer grounds but now only has one. In contrast Delhi has seen 14 golf courses added in the last 5 years to the cities landscape.

Cyber crime, tender mafia, Islamic militancy, and economic offenses are on the rise in Delhi while inter-state extortion rackets, kidnappings, robberies, and Sikh militancy are decreasing.

Every decade Delhi adds 40 lakh migrants.

Last year 1842 people were killed on Delhi's roads. The current average is now 6 per day.

Delhi adds roughly 500 000 to its population every year.

Nearly 50 per cent of Multi National Corporations that have entered Indian since the 1990s have chosen Delhi as their base.

Two new restaurants are added every day to the city. But one-third of its population lives in slums and unauthorized colonies.

More than 60 per cent of the effluents channeled into the Yamuna is untreated and the water table in some of its most posh areas has receded to 30 m below the surface.

Read more (history).

Delhi History

The history of Delhi is, in many ways, the history of India. Popular Hindu mythology claims that Delhi was the site of the fabled city of Indraprastha, which featured in the Mahabharata over 3000 years ago, but historical evidence suggests that the area has been settled for around 2500 years. Since the 12th century, Delhi has seen the rise and fall of seven major powers. The Chauhans took control in the 12th century and made Delhi the most important Hindu centre in northern India. When Qutab-ud-din Aibak occupied the city in 1193, he ushered in six and a half centuries of Muslim rule. The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526, despite its inconsistent rule, and was followed by the mighty Mughals from 1526 to 1857. The basis of what is today Old Delhi, including the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, was built during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658). In 1803, the British captured Delhi and installed a British administrator. Delhi was not the capital of India at the time, but it was an important commercial centre and had a population of 150,000 by the start of the 20th century. It is from here that the mughals spread their roots and this is also where the British ruled India from.

Belief has it that Delhi was the capital city of the Kingdom of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Mahabharata . The earliest known settlement in the Delhi area, thought to have stood close to the River Yamuna (near the Purana Qila) between 1000 BC and the fourth century AD, has been identified with the city ofIndraprastha, mentioned in the Mahabharata . Unearthed terracotta pots, coins and jewellery show that Delhi lay on an important trunk route of the Mauryan period, and Ptolemy, who came here in the second century AD, mentions "Dilli".

However, modern Delhi is usually said to have come into being when the Tomara Rajputs foundedLal Kotin 736 AD. In 1180, a rival Rajput clan, the Chauhans, ousted the Tomaras and renamed the walled citadelQila Rai Pithora,the first city of Delhi. Only a few walls of Lal Kot now remain, in the Mehrauli suburb of southwest Delhi, but a stone inscription at the Qutb Minar nearby claims that the stones of the numerous Hindu and Jain temples constructed in Lal Kot were later used to build the Great Mosque in the Qutb complex. Soon afterwards, in the two successive battles of Tarain in 1191, the Rajputs first managed to hold off an invading force from Afghanistan led by Muhammad Ghuri, and then succumbed to it a few months later.

Unlike other invaders from Central Asia who swept into the north Indian plains, Muhammad Ghuri had come to stay and not merely to plunder. He was assassinated in 1206 and his kingdom did not survive long in Afghanistan, but his Indian provinces, palaces and forts remained more or less intact in the hands of his Turkish general,Qutb-ud-din Aibak. This ex-slave, who founded theDelhi Sultanate(or Slave Dynasty - the first major Muslim rulers of the subcontinent), established himself at the site of Lal Kot, and commenced the construction of theQutb Minar. His successor,Iltutmish(1211-27), was arguably the greatest of the early Delhi sultans.

In 1290, another group of Turks came to power - the Khaljis. Inspired byAla-ud-din Khalji(1296-1316), they extended their dominion to the Deccan plateau of central India. His reign, the pinnacle of the Delhi Sultanate, was marked by agrarian reforms, and the establishment in 1303 ofSiri, the second city of Delhi, built in characteristically ornate marble and red sandstone. Near present-day Hauz Khas, it grew into a flourishing commercial centre. Ala-ud-din died a disappointed man, however, as cracks appeared in his dream of empire; the ensuing period of confusion only ended whenGhiyas-ud-din Tughluqproclaimed himself Sultan in 1320.

Ghiyas-ud-din in turn built a city fortress, atTughluqabad, 8km east of Qutb, but Delhi's third city was occupied for just five years from 1321, when the capital was shifted 1100km south to Daulatabad in Maharashtra at great human cost. Apart from the ramparts encompassing the crumbling ruins, and the odd building and tomb, little now remains of this third settlement. Water scarcity drove the Tughluqs back to Delhi in 1327, and as a recompense for the mistake, a new city,Jahanpanah, was built between Lal Kot and Siri by the eccentric Muhammad bin Tughluq to protect the vulnerable open plain. The energies of the next sultan, Firuz Shah, were taken up with suppressing rebellion, as the Sultanate began to disintegrate, but his reputation as an iconoclast is belied by his keen interest in Indian culture and history. Fascinated by the Ashokan pillars of Meerut and Topra, he had them moved to the new capital, the fifth city ofFirozabad, built beside the river in 1354.

The Tughluq line came to an end in 1398, when Timur (Tamerlane), a Central Asian Turk, sacked Delhi. His successors, theSayyids(1414-44), were ousted byBuhlul Lodiwho established a dynasty that left behind the fine tombs and mosques still to be seen in the beautiful Lodi Gardens. As the Lodi sultans became more absolute, they made many enemies among the nobles, especially the governors of Punjab and Sind, who invited Babur (a descendant of Genghis Khan) and Timur, who was seeking his fortune in Afghanistan, to come to their aid. The Lodi dynasty ended when Sultan Ibrahim Lodi died in battle, fighting the brilliant and enigmatic Babur on the plain of Panipat just north of Delhi in 1526. Babur's victory marked the dawn of the Mughal (a derivative of Mongol) dynasty, whose lengthy sojourn in power led to the eventual realization of the dream of an Indian empire that had so eluded the earlier Delhi Sultans. Babur's reign was brief, and he moved his capital to Agra not long after taking Delhi; his Babarnama , a chronicle of the times, makes fascinating reading.

Babur was succeeded in 1530 by his son,Humayun, a scholar and astronomer who moved to Delhi in 1534. All the signs indicated that Humayun's reign would be prosperous, but in 1540, he was driven to Persia for fifteen years by the Afghan KingSher Shahof Ser, who quickly built the fort,Din-Panah, or Asylum of Faith, which still stands on the banks of the Yamuna in the southwest of modern Delhi and is known asPurana Qila. Sher Shah was surrounded by bickering power-thirsty relatives, all of whom were overcome when Humayun returned from Kabul to retake Delhi in 1555. When Humayun died in a fall in 1556, his wife Banu Begum built a sandstone garden tomb for him in Nizamuddin, in the style that was to set the pattern for the development of Mughal mausoleum architecture. His sonAkbar(who could not read or write) took over as emperor, and the capital was moved once more to Agra.

Delhi once again became capital under Prince Khurrum, Akbar's grandson, in 1628, who assumed the titleShah Jahan, "Ruler of the Universe", and began a fruitful and extravagant reign that oversaw the construction of some of the finest Mughal monuments, including the Taj Mahal in Agra. The new walled capital ofShahjahanabad, the seventh city, which is now Old Delhi, incorporated the mightyRed Fortwith its opulent courts and the hugeJama Masjidor Friday Mosque, fringed by bazaars. Shah Jahan was deposed(and imprisoned in Agra) by his ruthless son, Aurangzeb, who ruled from Delhi until 1681, when he transferred the capital to the Deccan plateau until his death in 1707.

For the next sixty years, Delhi's government was controlled by courtiers, and the city fell victim to successive invasions. In 1739, Nadir Shah, the emperor of Persia, swept across north India and overcame Muhammad Shah in the Red Fort, taking away precious booty and wiping out much of the local population. The relatively plain tomb of Safdarjung (near the Lodi Gardens), built in 1754 for Emperor Mirza Khan in the same style as the Taj, yet lacking the marble and rich decoration, demonstrates the decline of Mughal power. Soon after, in 1760, the Hindu Marathas and Jats, in the wake of fading Mughal supremacy, combined forces against the rulers and besieged and looted the Red Fort, but did not take power.

The Mughal rulers were reduced to puppet kings, and theBritish, who had already gained footholds in Madras and Bengal under the guise of the East India Company, moved to Delhi in 1803 during the reign of the Mughal emperor,Bahadur Shah. They swiftly took control, leaving Bahadur Shah with his palace and his pension, but no power. British forces fended off a number of Maratha attacks in the next decade, and faced determined opposition during 1857 when the Indian Mutiny (or "First War of Independence") broke out. Bahadur Shah was proclaimed Hindustani emperor in the Red Fort, and it took much bloodshed before the British regained the city.

The British retained a hold on Delhi while administering affairs of state from their capital in Calcutta. When King George V came to India from England to be crowned as emperor in 1911, it was decided to make Delhi India's new capital . Fervent construction of sprawling bungalows, parliamentary buildings and public offices followed, and in 1931 Delhi was officially inaugurated as the capital of Britain's largest colonial possession.

With India's declaration ofIndependencein 1947, the British, represented in Delhi by the viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, lost all authority, and the democratically elected Congress government came to power withNehruat its head. Independence saw a mass migration of Muslims from Delhi to newly created Pakistan, taking with them a cultural ambience that the subsequent influx of Punjabis have failed to replace. Today, Delhi is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, with spiralling population growth and pollution to match.

Delhi Art and Culture

It is almost impossible to separate Delhi from its Art and Culture. Being the centre of the nation has also made Delhi the cultural capital which not only boasts of many museums and art galleries but also plays host to a lot of events involving visual and performing arts.

Interestingly, the styles and forms of craftsmanship took on the personality of many of the rulers, under their patronage. Around the middle of the 17th century, the mughals ascended the throne and under many of their rulers, Delhi flourished as a centre for art and craft.

Akbar was well known for his contribution to the arts and craft. He built an extensive library of books on many subjects, and his capital city at Fatehpursikri still stands as a monumental example of mughal architecture. Miniature paintings under Akbar were more aggressive and action oriented while under his son, Jahangir, they took on peaceful hues and calmer subjects.

In the ancient days, rulers and common men looked upon craft as a means to better their lives. Thus we have stories about how the mughal rulers imported craftsmen from Persia to weave their favorite carpets. Carpet weavers from Iran and Turkistan were also brought down to India and separate workshops and dwelling established for them, under the rule of Akbar. The mughals also brought in the Islamic style and form to many old Indian crafts. Stone craft, carpet weaving and metal craft are among some of the crafts that evolved a unique style under Islamic influence . This helped evolve a unique Indo-Islamic style of architecture, metal craft and carpet weaving.

Architecture is another area where the mughals left their mark. Monuments like the red fort, the Jama Masjid, the Qutub Minor and some of the city's finest gardens stand testimony to the lasting influence of mughal rule over India.

Delhi saw almost seven generations of mughul rule before the advent of the britishers. Britishers too contributed liberally to the architecture, leading to numerous architectural masterpieces. Old Delhi was the capital of mughul India while new Delhi is the creation of the british raj.

Delhi is unique in that it has representative outlets for the handicrafts of each Indian state. This in it self presents a staggering array of goods, and at very affordable prices. In the last decade there has been a dramatic change in Delhi's markets. Upwardly mobile lifestyle has led to greater sophistication in display and upgrading of various markets in terms of availability of items Delhi- the capital of India, reflects the cultural diversity and religious unity of India. It is difficult to define the culture and religion of India. As there is a continuous inflow of people from all parts of India, the cultural diversity is very prominent. Being an ancient city Delhi has the shadows of its past. It is said that the Delhi is losing its charm but still the glory of the past looms large its life-style. Delhi might be changing with time it has always done so but it has never shelved the past. There are discos for youngsters to swing their body through out the night, but still the Quwallies at the Nizamuddin Shrine floats in the air, the silence of the night is broken by the Prabhat ferries and the singing of Gurbani (the verses from the Granth Sahaib), the bells in the temples still tells about God being every where, the Sunday masses in Churches still attract the otherwise busy residents of India. People take a break from the hurried life during the ancient fairs and festivals like 'Phoolwalo-Ki-Sair which are still oraganised in traditional way.

The city fares well on the cultural front. A range of indoor and outdoor venues host performances of classical dance such as Bharatnatyam and Kathakali; one Sunday a month a classical concert is held free of charge in Nehru Park - but you'll have to be there very early to get in. Check any of the listings magazines we've detailed to see what's on atIndia International Centre, a good place to catch art exhibitions, lectures and films on all aspects of Indian culture and environment. The colossal new IndiaHabitat Centre, theBritish Counciland theartandtheatre auditoriaaround India Gate are all renowned for their innovative shows and high-standard drama in both Hindi and English mediums.

Auditorium (Cultural Centres)AbhimanchNSD, Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road.

Ambedkar Auditorium1, Ashok Rd., Ph:3389182

AIFACS AuditoriumRafi Marg,.Ph:3711315

Air Force AuditoriumSubroto Park Ph:3292834, 3035590.

American Centre24, Kasturba Gandhi Marg., Ph: 3316341

Alliance FrancaiseD 13, NDSE-II, Ph: 6258128

Bipin Chandra Pal Memorial AuditoriumA-81, Chittaranjan Park.

British Council Division17, K.G. Marg., Ph: 3710111/7306.

Chamber TheatreTriveni Kala sangam, 205, Tansen Marg., Near Bengali Mkt. Ph: 3718833.

Delhi Music Society8, Nayaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, Ph: 6115331.

Falaknuma & HansdhwaniPragati Maidan., Ph: 3317824.

FICCI Golden Jubilee AuditoriumTansen Marg., Ph: 3357369.

Gandhi Memorial Hall2, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Ph: 3311049.

Ghalib AuditoriumMata Sundari Lane, Ph: 3236518/2583.

Godrej Pirojsha National Conservation Centre172-B, Lodi Estate, Ph: 4693744.

Hungarian Cultural Centre1A, Janpath, Ph: 3011152.

ICCR AuditoriumAzad Bhavan, I.P. Estate, Ph: 3319310.

India Habitat CentreLodhi Road, Ph: 4691920.

India International Centre40, Lodhi Estate, Max mueller Marg, Ph : 4619431.

ITPOPragati Maidan, Ph: 3371347/1407.

Italian Cultural Centre2 Golf Links, Ph: 4627808.

Japan Cultural Centre32 Feroze Shah Rd., Ph: 3329803, 37122124.

Kamani AuditoriumCopernicus Marg, Ph: 3388084.

Lalit Kala Akademi35, Feroze Shah Rd., Rabindra Bhavan , Ph: 3387241/42/43.

LTG AuditoriumCopernicus Marg, Ph:3389713, Timing : 6:30 pm.

Max Mueller Bhavan3, K.G.Marg, Ph : 3329506.

Mavalankar AuditoriumRafi Marg, Ph: 3719780 / 1849.

Portuguese Cultural Centre70, Lajpat Ngr-III, Ph: 6830094.

Russian Cultural Centre24, , Feroze Shah Marg Ph: 3329102.

Sahitya AkademiRabindra Bhavan ,Ph: 3387064.

Sangeet Natak AkademiRabindra Bhavan , 35, Feroze Shah Rd. Ph: 3387248.

Sapru HouseBarakhamba Rd. Ph: 3319055.

Siri FortAsian Village Complex, Ph: 6493370.

Shri Ram CentreMandi House, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Ph: 3714307.

Studio TheatreNational School of Drama, Bhawalpur House ,Ph:3712821.

Tagore HallICCR, Azad Bhavan, I.P. Estate, Ph: 3319309 / 1386.

Teen Murti AuditoriumTeen Murti House, Ph: 3015026,3015333.

Vigyan BhavanMaulana Azad Rd., Ph: 3022182.

AIFACS AuditoriumRafi Marg,. Ph:3711315.

Akshara Theatre11B, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Ph: 3364326 / 1075, 3732083.

American Centre24, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Ph: 3316841.

Alliance FrancaiseD 13 NDSE-II, Ph: 6258128.

Australia -India Council (AIC)1/50 G, Shantipath, Ph: 6888223 / 5556, Fax: 6882732.

British Council Division17, K.G. Marg., Ph: 3711401.

Chamber TheatreTriveni Kala sangam, 205, Tansen Marg., Near Bengali Mkt., Ph: 3718833.

Hungarian Cultural Centre1A, Janpath, Ph: 3011152.

ICCR AuditoriumAzad Bhavan, I.P. Estate, Ph: 3319309/10, 3312463.

India Habitat CentreLodhi Road, Ph: 4691920 / 21.

India International Centre40, Lodhi Estate, Max mueller Marg, Ph : 4619431.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for ArtsCV Mess, Janpath, Ph: 3389216

Iran Culture House18, Tilak Marg, Ph: 3383232.

Israel Cultural Centre3, Aurangzeb Road, Ph: 3013238.

Italian Cultural Centre50 E, Chandragupta Marg, Ph: 6871901.

ITPOPragati Maidan, Ph: 3371347/1407, Italian Cultural Centre, 2 Golf Links, Ph: 4627808.

Japan Cultural Centre32 Feroze Shah Rd., Ph: 3329838.

Kamani AuditoriumCopernicus Marg, Ph: 3388084.

Kathak KendraBahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, Ph: 3385065/8681.

Lalit Kala Akademi35, Feroze Shah Rd., Rabindra Bhavan , Ph: 3387241/42/43.

LTG AuditoriumCopernicus Marg, Ph:3389713.

Max Muller Bhavan3, K.G.Marg, Ph : 3329506.

National School of DramaBahawalpur House, Ph: 3382821.

NSD Repertory CompanyRabindra Bhavan, Ph: 3383420.

Portuguese Cultural Centre13, Sunder Nagar, Ph: 4602695.

Russian Cultural Centre24, , Feroze Shah Marg, Ph: 3329102.

Sahitya AkademiRabindra Bhavan ,Ph: 3386626.

Sahitya Kala Parishad18 A, Satsang Vihar Marg, Special Institutional Area (near JNU), Ph: 6867636/7.

Sangeet Natak AkademiRabindra Bhavan , 35, Feroze Shah Rd. Ph: 3387246.

Siri FortAsian Village Complex, Ph: 6493370.

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra1, Copernicus Marg, Ph: 3386428 / 9.

Shri Ram CentreMandi House, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Ph: 3714307.

Studio TheatreNational School of Drama, Bhawalpur House ,Ph:3712821.

The Japan Foundation10, Jor Bagh, Ph: 4652962/3.

Triveni Kala Sangam205, Tansen Marg, Ph: 3718833.

Cinemas

After gloriously hyped releases, Bollywood movies make their way to the capital where there is passionate enthusiasm for burly heroes and red-lipped maidens. If you're interested in enjoying a classic Indian experience, the best cinemas to head for are the Regal, Odeon and Plaza in Connaught Place. All show popular films with the compulsory goodies and baddies, a generous dose of manly courage and shy love, much singing and dancing, and happy endings. An alternative branch of Bollywood has recently emerged, producing films in English that ooze attitude, with sex scenes and lots of designer wear. Suburban cinemas, such as the Priya in Vasant Vihar, the Chanakya in Chanakyapuri and the PVR Anupam in Saket, provide a diet of relatively recent Hollywood films (in English, with Hindi subtitles) with digital surround sound and superb popcorn. In addition, many of the cultural centres we've listed run international film festivals.

Delhi Map

Delhi Weather

Delhi is situated on the banks of river Yamuna in the northern part of India. Once a part of the Aravalies, today Delhi has only the Ridge area to tell the story of the greenery this place once had. Himalayas are in the North of Delhi.

The capital of India is a land locked city. The distance from the sea gives Delhi an extreme type of continental climate. The summers in Delhi are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45 degrees in summers to 4 degrees in winters. The winters are marked by mist and fog in the mornings and often sun is seen in the afternoons. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes winters very chilly. In summers the heat wave is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the hot summer afternoons.

The best season to visit Delhi is During the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. The bloom season of February and March make Delhi colourful. This time of the year brings greenery on the face of Delhi.

ANNUAL TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL CHARTMONTHSMAXMINRAINFALLJanuary

21

07

25

February

24

10

22

March

30

15

17

April

36

21

07

May

41

27

08

June

40

29

65

July

35

27

211

August

34

26

173

September

34

25

150

October

35

19

31

November

29

12

01

December

23

08

05

Distance from Delhi

Important distances from DelhiPLACESIn Kms.PLACESIn Kms.Agartala

2584

Agra

203

Ahmedabad

915

Aizawl

2462

Ajmer

389

Akola

1158

Aligarh

131

Allahabad

628

Ambala

192

Amritsar

447

Asansol

1207

Aurangabad

1209

Bakhtiyarpur

1063

Bangalore

2061

Barauni

1126

Bangalore

2061

Barddhaman

1310

Bareilly

254

Belgaum

1753

Bellary

1866

Bhagalpur

1250

Bhavnagar

1102

Bhopal

744

Bhubaneshwar

1745

Bikaner

460

Bilaspur

1296

Calcutta

1461

Chandigarh

238

Chennai

2095

Chittardurga

1994

Coimbatore

2401

Cuttack

1720

Dehra Dun

235

Dhanbad

1188

Dhule

1066

Dhule

1066

Dibrugarh

2398

Dimapur

2233

Dindigul

2441

Durgapur

1247

Ganganagar

409

Gangtok

1598

Gaya

1030

Ghaziabad

19

Ghazipur

825

Gorakhpur

763

Gulbarga

1691

Guntur

1798

Gurgaon

30

Guwahati

1959

Gwalior

321

Haldia

1512

Hassan

2130

Hissar

164

Hubli

1837

Hyderabad

1499

Imphal

2443

Indore

807

Jabalpur

814

Jaipur

258

Jaisalmer

793

Jalandhar

364

Jammu

583

Jamnagar

1217

Jamshedpur

1321

Jhansi

424

Jodhpur

589

Jorhat

2262

Kakinada

1848

Kandla

1096

Kanniyakumari

2742

Kanpur

408

Kochi

2594

Kohima

2298

Kolhapur

1650

Kota

500

Kozhikode

2416

Krishnagiri

2152

Kurnool

1709

Lucknow

497

Ludhiana

305

Madurai

2507

Mangalore

2290

Meerut

65

Moradabad

158

Motihari

965

Mumbai

1407

Muzaffarnagar

116

Muzaffarpur

1021

Mysore

2200

Nagpur

1012

Nanded

1390

Nashik

1222

Nellore

2022

Nashik

1222

Nellore

2022

Panaji

1912

Paradwip

1713

Pathankot

476

Patna

1015

Pondicherry

2357

Porbandar

1309

Pune

1417

Purulia

1246

Rajpur

1176

Rajkot

1131

Rajeswaram

2662

Ranchi

1162

Ranippettai

2280

Raurkela

1384

Rohtak

71

Sagar

616

Saharanpur

187

Salem

2264

Sambalpur

1438

Shahjahanpur

329

Siliguri

1484

Shillong

2059

Shimla

343

Shivpuri

433

Silchar

2285

Solapur

1533

Srinagar

876

Surat

1170

Thane

1364

Thanjavur

2452

Thiruvananthapuram

2814

Thrissur

2515

Tiruchchirappalli

2398

Tirunelveli

2661

Tirupati

2062

Tuticorin

2641

Udaipur

663

Ujjain

776

Ulhasnagar

1355

Vadodara

1028

Varanasi

780

Vijayawada

1766

Vishakhapatnam

1880

Warangal

1862

Delhi Lifestyle

Delhi shares its borders with Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, which influence the life-styles and language of the people. Characteristics of its geographical location, its inhabitants are a race blend of tradition and intellect. They are extremely receptive to modern ideas, inventions and the fantasies of the modern social ethos. People belonging to various religious sects, castes and lingual groups live marvelously with each other, with their socio-economic status taking a back seat. Migrations from various parts of India has led to diverse culture coming together in various parts of Delhi. Durga Puja in Delhi celebrated with same enthusiasm as Id is celebrated. The Guru Purab and Christmas carry the same colour as Dewali or Buddha Purnima. The amalgamation of various cultures, traditions, religions has painted Delhi in colour which are brought from all over India.

Today Delhi is a crowded and extremely polluted modern city, which has ancient, crumbling structures cropping up unexpectedly in every area. Although sixty percent of Delhi-ites are born elsewhere, the city'spopulationhas grown over forty percent in the last decade and now stands at around fourteen million. Rapid growth has seen Delhi spilling into the surrounding states, creating satellite developments such as Gurgaon to the south. The city has been attracting its fare share ofindustrial developmentin the last two decades, with an influx of technocrats, specialists and fortune seekers to match. In a heady atmosphere of optimism, around 9000 new industrial units sprang up every year during the 1990s. Despite this new-found affluence, a staggering third of the city's population lives in the notoriousjhuggies- slums often seen clinging to the edge of new developments. With a daily average of around 200 major incidents of crime , including mindless cases of murder accompanying simple robberies, Delhi has gained the dubious reputation of being the crime capital of the country. The poor aren't the only perpetrators ofcrime- the city's nouveau riche young, burdened with more money than sense, have been responsible for some of the most notorious recent cases.

Today, very few city residents can lay claim to being 'real' Delhi-wallahs, and most of the population of New Delhi comprises Hindu Punjabi families originally from Lahore. In the past decade its population has increased by 50%, largely due to rapid economic expansion and increased job opportunities. The downside of this boom is increased overcrowding, traffic congestion, housing shortages and pollution.

Delhi Festival

There is perhaps not a single day in the Indian calendar when in some part of the vast country a festival is not celebrated or a fair held - replete with rituals, colour, music, feasting, pageantry, fun and frolic. Many of the festivals are subject to the lunar calendar. The Islamic festivals are celebrated according to the Muslim or the Hijri calendar. Therefore the times the festivals are held can change from one year to the next. Delhi , being a metropolitan city, is a melting pot of cultures, traditions and festivals of the country. A whirling dervish of people, culture and religion, Delhi offers a feast of festivals for every imaginable taste. This city celebrates harvests, seasons and celestial mangos, worships holy books and sacred stories, burns the devil and pays homage to light, and throws birthday parties for the founders of Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Hare Krishna, Sikhism - and India. In fact , all major Indian festivals are celebrated here by different communities. The seat of empire for centuries, royal patronage ensured that Delhi remained the cultural epicentre of the country, attracting the best of painters, musicians and dancers. Delhi Tourism puts on display this rich and diverse cultural heritage by holding a series of festivals during the year. The scattered citadels of erstwhile

dynasties which co-exist with high rise residential localities and crowded commercial complexes, form the picturesque backdrop for the haunting melodies and graceful dances rendered by leading artists during the festivals organised by Delhi Tourism, amongst which some of the popular ones are theRoshanara and Shalimar Bagh Festivals. These festivals mirror the multiplicity of cultures and reflect the fusion of regional diversities which constitutes modern blend most harmoniously into a whole.

Religious celebrations are a large part of Delhi's multicultural social life, and it's worth trying to take time out to enjoy the city's fanfare traditional dances and vibrant costumes. The city is a host to several secular festivals, when performers gather for music, dance and drama events.Festivals in DelhiLohri (January)The climax of winter is celebrated with bonfires and singing in this Lohri festivities. Traditionally, Lohri marks the end of winter.

Republic Day(January)Republic Day falls on 26th January. It is the most colorful of the city's festivals events and also the biggest crowd-puller. Hundreds of thousands people line the route from Rajpath to the Red Fort to watch the pageant of soldiers, camel crops, armored regiments, brass bands, folk dancers, school children, war veterans and elaborate floats representing the cultural diversity of India. The two hour long parade is usually rounded off with a much-awaited spectacular fly - passed presented by Air Force squadrons. A special display of folk dances also takes place at theTalkatora Stadium.Beating the Retreat (January)On 29th January, the departure of the British is marked by a colourful ceremony with marching bands from the armed forces, set against the imposing backdrop of the Rashtrapti Bhawan, the secretariats and the setting sun. A rehearsal is generally held on 28 Jan, for which tickets are also available.

Id-Ul-Fitar(January)Id-Ul-Fitar is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion for feasting and rejoicing.

Martyrs' Day (January)Martyrs' Day on 30 Jan. commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's and others' efforts for India's independence. Participants gather at Raj Ghat for prayers and music.

Sikh Festival (January)Sikh Festival is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and is celebrated throughout the city.

Kite-Flying Festival (January)The colourful kites cascade the horizons of Delhi on Makar Sankranti ,from the green lawns of Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, this extravaganza attracts national as well as international participants.

Basant Panchami (January- February)The biting winter winds during the end of January-early February, brings along the Hindu festival of Basant Panchami as welcome to the spring. This is the season when the prestigious Mughal gardens behind Rashtrapati Bhavan are opened to public for a month.

Thyagaraja Festival (February)An enthusiastic display of south Indian music and dance,is held opposite Jawaharlal Nehru University in Vaikunthnath temple.

Garden Tourism Festival (February)Delhi is one of the greenest capitals in the world, with a long tradition of laying out of gardens, which dot the city. It is this tradition that Delhi Tourism keeps alive by holding theGarden Tourism Festivalat the Talkatora Garden in February which is generally spread over three days and generates much enthusiasm amongst the gardening fraternity. This is not only a visual feast since Delhi is ablaze with flowers at this, but also a useful meeting ground for gardening enthusiasts, as well as fun and frolic for children of all ages because it is based on particular themes.Highlights include an on- the- spot painting competition for children , varieties of flower arrangements, cultural programmes , stalls of rare plants , amusement park, puppet / magic shows , tourism pavilions of different states of India and martialarts display. In addition , craftsmen from various parts of the country display and sell their products here.

Thyagaraja Festival(February)This festival of southern Indian music and dance is held in Vaikunthnath Temple across from Nehru University.

Suraj Kund Mela(February)Suraj Kund Mela is the popular Crafts Fair held at Suraj Kund that is set in a rural ambience, with folk dancing, music and food from the different states.

Delhi Flower Show(February)Delhi Flower Show An international horticultural exhibition of flowers, including hybrids is held on the grounds of the Purana Qila.

Holi (March)Holi, the festivals of colors, marks the onset of spring. On the eve of this exuberant Hindu spring festival, bonfires burn all over the city, symbolizing the destruction of the devil Holika. The next day, in celebration of the arrival of spring, people pelt one another with coloured paint.

Maha Shivratri (March)Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 'Amavasya' night of 'Phalguna'. It is said , that on this dark night Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandava Nritya',( cosmic dance). He is worshipped at temples with all night vigils and prayers and unmarried women keep day-long fasts so that Shiva may grant them good husbands.

Shankarlal Sangeet Sammelan (March)Shankarlal Sangeet Sammelan, a festival of Indian music. Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, 1 Copernicus Marg.

Muharram (March)Muharram is an Islamic New Year festival that commemorates the martyrdom of Muhammad's grandson, Iman Husain.

Amir Khusrau's Anniversary (April)Amir Khusrau's anniversary is celebrated in April, with a fair in Nizamuddin , prayers and 'qawwali' singing. The event also observed as the National Drama Festival, staged mostly at the Rabindra Bhawan.

Baisakhi (April)At the onset of summer, when the sun gets fierce in the mid of April, north India, celebrates the Hindu New Year as Baisakhi... This is also the beginning of the harvesting season.

Buddha Jayanti (May)The first full moon night in May i.e the month of Vaisakha is celebrated as Buddha Purnima, not just to commemorates Lord Buddha's birth, but also his 'Enlightenment' and gaining 'Nirvana'. . Prayer meetings are held at Buddha Vihar, Ring Road and Buddha Vihar, Mandir Marg.

Mahavir Jayanti (May)The birth of Lord Mahavira, who founded Jainism, is celebrated around this time of the year with prayers and processions.

Sikh festival (June)In June, martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sikh festival, is held throughout the city.

International Mango Festival (July)To celebrate the advent of the king of fruits, Delhi Tourism holds the Mango Festival in the month of July. Mentioned in the Vedas and Upanishads, the mango is considered auspicious and a symbol of life and joy forever. The largest producer of mangoes, India grows more than eleven hundred varieties of mangoes in different parts of the country. The Mango Festival is the place to discover the magic of mangoes in all their immense variety. Often the Talkatora stadium is a host to this peculiar event, where over five hundred different types of mango are on show, Tourists can enjoy the taste for free and view a cultural programmes . It draws people from the country as well as businessmen, both from home and abroad.

Independence Day (August)15th August is celebrated in the city as Independence Day to mark the Indian independence from the British rule in the year 1947. The Prime minister of the nation addresses the nation from the Red Fort and many people gather to hear the Prime Minister's address.

Janamashtami (August)In August, the festival Janamashtami, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

Gandhi Jayanti (October)On 2nd October, this solemn celebration honours of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, the site of his cremation.

Phoolkwalon-ki-Sair (October)In early October, a festival specific to Mehrauli, in Delhi, takes place. This is the Phulwalon-ki-Sair or the Flower Sellers Procession, which originated in the 16th century.

The highlight is a procession of people carrying decorated floral fans, which are blessed at the shrine of the 13th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Utb-ud-din Bakhtyar Kaki and at the Hindu temple of Jogmaya, both in Mehrauli. The procession ends with a formal ceremony at the Jahaz Mahal, a 16th century pleasure resort by the side of a lake.

Qutub Festival (October)Musicians and dancers perform at night by the city's 12th century landmark, the Qutub Minar which is the venue for the Qutub Festival held in October . This festival organize by the Delhi Tourism provides tourists a glimpse of the cultural grandeur of India. Here cultural events are held where veterans of Indian classical music and dance and folk musicians give spectacular performances.

Dussehra (October- November)Also in October is Dussehra, commemorating the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana. A month - long Ram Lila dance festival is organized by the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, similar presentations of the Ramayana are organized in different parts of the city. It concludes with the burning of giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran & his son Meghnad.

Navratri (October- November)Navratri is a Hindu festival, that is celebrated throughout the city.

Guru Nanak Jayanti (November)The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is celebrated with great devotion.

Martyrdom of Guru (November)Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji celebrated in November throughout the city

The International Trade Fair(November)The International Trade Fair starts on the 14th of November every year. Held at the Pragati Maidan it is a major event for the business community. Corporate houses from all over the world show their wares and business deals are finalised in a big way. The fair is also a major tourist attraction and is popular with many.

Pragati MaidanPragati Maidan is also host to many other fairs that include the Auto Expo and the Leather Fair. Throughout the year Pragati Maidan is the venue for fairs and exhibitions. The Shakuntalam theatre is located in Pragati Maidan and regular film shows are held here.

Diwali(October- November)This important Hindu festival celebrates the victory of good over evil as depicted in the epic Ramayana in the homecoming of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana. In the evening, public buildings and homes are lit up with candles or oil lamps. Fireworks add noise and colour to this festival of lights. The festival of lights is preceded by several Diwali Melas, where food, handicrafts and a variety of earthern lamps and candles are sold.

Guru Purab (November - December)Guru Purab is the celebration of the birth of first of the ten Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak. 'Nagar Kirtans' are taken out through the streets and in the Gurdwaras, 'Granthees' recite verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.

Indian Dance Festivals(December)In December, the India International Centre hosts frequent performances of classical Indian dance and music. 40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodi Estate. Another dance venue is at the Hauz Khas Village, 10km south of Connaught Place. The Trevani Theatre Complex is a popular venue for year-round student and professional dance and theater performances. 205 Tansen Marg, between Bengali Market and India Gate.

Christmas (December)On 25th of December the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated in India, with the traditional exchange of greetings and gifts. All major hotels and restaurants in the capital host special Christmas eve entertainments, while the midnight mass and other services are organized by the churches.

New Year's Eve (December)The culmination of the Indian festive spirit is celebrated on the 31st of December, with most hotels and restaurants offering special food and entertainment packages.

Festivals

In addition, Dilli Haat offers tantalising flimpses of the vast storehouse of Indian culture by holding regional festivals at its open air theatre. These are held from time to time throughout the year. These festivals reflect the immerse diversity, the colour and the vibrancy of this ancient land, ranging as they do from the Pongal and the Onam festivals from South India; Ganesh Chaturthi from Maharashtra; Basant Panchami from North India and Bengal; Teej, the swing festival with which Rajasthani women in particular, welcome the monsoon Baisakhi, celebrated in various forms all over India, including Assam where it is known as Rangoli Bihu; and Diwali, the auspicious festival of lights. Many more regional festivals from all over India are held at the popular Dilli Haat and are advertised periodically.

Delhi Language

Delhi is very much a mini India, attracting people from all parts of the nation. A perfect example of cosmopolitan culture. Languages commonly used are Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English.

Gardens, Parks & Picnic Spots

Ajmal Khan ParkNear Karol Bagh, spread over an area of five acres, has musical fountains run by Delhi Tourism that provides a refreshing getaway from the bustle of the city. The scintillating lights synchronised with music, and the cascading water turn this complex into a quiet heaven, particularly during the heat of summer. The musical fountain is in operation for two hours every day after sunset except on Tuesday.

Buddha Jayanti ParkGood picnic spot. In commemoration of 2,500th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Get there from the Ridge Road, Shankar Road or Sardar Patel Marg.

Children's ParkNear India Gate, has swings, slides and an aquarium.

Deer Park

A paradise for morning walkers, has huts for staying and is approachable from Hauz Khas Village, Safdarjang Enclave or near the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association courts side.

Dhaula Kuan ComplexNear Dhaula Kuan. It has an artificial lake, hanging bridge, playground and waterfalls. A cooling experience especially during the summer.

IdhahGreen area around the Idgah in Hauz Khas Enclave.

India Gate LawnsBeautiful lawns over a large area, a popular evening location. Ice cream and other snacks available from mobile vendors.

JahanpanahIdeal place for bird lovers in Chirag Delhi. It also has well developed forests.

Kalkaji District Park

With lakes and beautiful terraced gardens a quiet spot near the Nehru Place office complex.Kalindi KunjNear the NOIDA border near Apollo hospital, a good getaway with fountains and colourful lights during the night.

Ladakh Buddha ViharA closed area next to ISBT on Ring Road.

Lodhi GardensAnother picnic spot and a joy for morning walkers with lots of greenery and trees. Access from Lodi Road and near Khan Market.

Mughal GardensLocated in the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex, it is open to the public only during February and March.

MehrauliOn the outskirts of Mehrauli near Qutab Minar, the Phool Walon ki Sair is held there in October every year.

Mahavir GardensLocated on the Ridge it is named after the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavir.

NDMC Lake ParkHas a musical fountain and is located near the Safdarjang Flyover in Lakshmibai Nagar.

Nehru ParkNear the Ashok Hotel in the Chanakyapuri, it is spread over an area of 85 acres landscaped. Popular picnic spot.

Okhla DamNear the Yamuna Canal it has facilities for fishing. Close to the Holy Family Hospital it is a picnic spot.

Rose GardensThere is one at Shantipath in the Diplomatic Area, Chanakyapuri and another in Hauz Khas opposite Safdarjang's Tomb.

Yamuna Water FrontSouth of Rajghat, it is a 4 kilometre long boulevard with green lawns and a floral clock.

Zoological GardenDesigned by the West German zoo specialist, Hergenbeck it is between Purana Qila and Humayun's tomb. Closed on Fridays, it is a good picnic spot.

Other Adventures

Appu Ghara Mini-Disneyland in New Delhi is a crowd puller for the residents of the capital as well as those of neighbouring towns. Children will have a time of their life over here, while enjoying the various rides like the Roller Coaster, the Big Splash, Dodgem Cars, the Eerie Tunnel, Giant Wheel, Columbus Jhoola - a ship high up in the sky, the Speeding Cup, a Cable Car, a Saucer that works on centrifugal force and lots more.

Joggingis popular at Lodi Gardens in South Delhi and Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri

Jain Bird Hospitallocated opposite the Red Fort is a great family outing. All children will enjoy visiting this bird hospital, not only will they further learn to appreciate animals as a whole but it will give both you and your children further insight into the species found in the area. You will find the hospital in the courtyard of the Digambara Jain temple. The birds are cared for until they are well enough to be released. In the Jain religion, any living thing is sacred.

Bird Watchingin Delhi is a pleasant pastime and can be done at the Ridge and the green areas surrounding the cities historic monuments. In winter, the Delhi Zoo is transformed into a small bird sanctuary with migratory birds halting by its artificial lakes. Painted Strokes, Pintail Ducks, Bar headed Geese and spot bill ducks are among the migratory birds which can be seen here. Delhi's tree - lined avenues are also reach in avian life. So are the forests of Ridge, which harbour more than 100 species of birds, from peacocks to predators. The Ridge is accessible through narrow paths that lead off Sardar Patel Marg.

Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complexat Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and to create quality leisure space and wayside amenities for the citizens. Located within two km of the Delhi Haryana border on NH-10, elaborate mosaic domes surround a museum and a memorial and are the focus of the complex which offers the facilities of extensive plazas, an amphitheatre, tourist information centre, souvenir and garden shop, food kiosks, a restaurant and convention facilities.

Water Parkcan be found at the Village Club in the Fun "n" Food Village where you and your kids can enjoy the longest water slide in the country, a 400 ft water channel, called the "Lazy River as well as an artificial sea-like pool, which generates waves worth body skiing. There is also Aqua Shoot comprising of two fast racing slides as well as a "Super Slide" which is the first slide of its type in the world. For tiny tots, a kid's pool has been provided which contains a Frog Slide and different types of floating toys. Open everyday, seven day's a week. The Fun "n" Food Village is free entry to blind, physically handicapped children and senior citizens. All other visitors pay a minimal fee for entry.

WalkingWalk the bazaars as the narrow windy streets in the bazaar are themselves a novel experience. Your kids will be fascinated by the colour and the many oddities on sale.

Jantar MantarObservatory This "larger than life" stone observatory was built 450 years ago by the Maharaja of Jaipur. There are plenty of stairs at the Jantar Mantar, making it the perfect place to satisfy the need for younger kids to simply run around (not always easy to find the space in Delhi) plus its educational and the older kids and parents will be fascinated by the discoveries you'll make here. The various abstract structures within the Jantar Mantar are, in fact, instruments that were used for keeping track of celestial bodies. Nevertheless, the Jantar Mantar is not only a timekeeper of celestial bodies: it also tells a lot about the technological achievements under the Rajput kings and their endeavour to unravel the mysteries pertaining to astronomy.

Sound and Light Showat Purana Quila The historic Purana Qila, which has stood witness to Delhi's rejuvenation, periods of anarchy and the rise and fall of empires, is the venue for the spectacular sound and light show which brings alive the history of the capital. The viewer is transported back in time to where Delhi, the great empire rose and fell; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life force of India. Although the younger kids may not understand the theme that much, the show never fails to impress all ages.

Musical Fountainat Ajmal Khan Park is spread over an area of five acres and provides a refreshing getaway from the bustle of the city, that your kids are bound to enjoy. The musical fountain is in operation for two hours every day after sunset except on Tuesday.

Boating Delhi Tourismhas provided paddleboats on various bodies of water in the heart of the city. These include the lakes near India Gate, Purana Qila- Prasad Nagar Lake and Naini Lake in Model Town. A variety of fibreglass boats have been acquired by the Corporation and can be hired at reasonable rates. Special training programs in kayaking and canoeing are organized at the latter too.

Camel Safarian ideal trip for those with time to spare and with the desire to experience the subtle sunset shades of the desert and the solitary magic of the rolling golden sands. Camel safaris are available in the Thar desert, and range from one to fifteen days duration. The best safaris are in the heart of the Thar, in the Jodhpur, jaisalmer and Bikaner region, and will pass tiny villages and remote trading posts. Another popular area is the Shekhawati region. The safari organisers attempt to recreate the atmosphere of the old caravan journeys; music, traditional food and campfire hospitality are all part of this unique experience. Staff are available for assistance, and all necessary equipment is provided.

Horse Ridingis a wonderful pastime for the whole family and the following establishments have horses for hire as well as lessons for beginners. The Delhi Riding Club located on Safdarjung Road or if you have kids with you try the Children's Riding Club. The other place for horse riding is the Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited 2, Safdarjung Road, ND-11.

Roller Skatingcan be done at the Talkatora Skating Rink or in some parks in the city.

Delhi Religious Places

Places of Worship

Central New DelhiBangla Sahib Gurudwara, Delhi's principal Sikh temple.This was the royal palace of Raja Jai Singh. He dedicated this palace, to the sacred memory of Guru Harkishan, the eighth Guru of the Sikhs. This gurudwara also has very warm and welcoming atmosphere like all Sikh places of worship - efficient shoe deposit which is free of cost, genuinely devoted guides available at the entrance, devotional shabads sung constantly from sunrise to 9pm, free food served three times daily, and prasad.

Colonial churchesNo British governmental centre could be complete without a church, and in 1927 work began on the Church of the Redemption, east of Parliament House. Designed by Russell's successor, Henry Medd, the robust structure owes more than a passing nod to Lutyens with its high curved vaults, and subtle yet dominant domed tower - it appealed so much to the then-viceroy, Lord Irwin, that it became known as "Viceroy's Church". The exterior is plain and boldly linear, while within, high rounded arches and shafts of strong light streaming through crescent windows impart an overwhelming sense of space. A company of angels looks down from the curved roof above the altar.

Birla Mandir

Lakshmi Narayan Temple, popularly known as Birla Mandir, is a large Hindu temple. This enchanting temple is located in the west of Connaught Place and was build by wealthy industrialist G. D. Birla in 1938. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. It has well crafted gardens. People of all faiths can enter and worship but one must walk barefoot into the courtyard and further on.

Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

Digambara Jain temple and Jain Bird HospitalDelhi's oldest Digambara Jain temple, directly opposite the entrance to the Red Fort, at the east end of Chandni Chowk, was built in 1526, but has been modified and added to ever since, and remains a haven of tranquillity amid the noise and chaos of the main street. Though not as ornate as the fine temples in Gujarat and Rajasthan, it does boast detailed carvings, and gilded paintwork in the antechambers surrounding the main shrine to Parshvanath, the twenty-third tirthankara. You'll have to remove your shoes, and hand them over with your bags and all leather articles to a kiosk before entering.

Gauri Shankar templeTucked behind fragrant mounds of marigolds, roses and jasmine blossoms sold on Chandni Chowk just west of the Jain temple, the large marble Gauri Shankar temple, dominated by its eight-hundred-year-old lingam, is Delhi's holiest Shiva temple. Devotees enter up a narrow flight of marble steps, flanked by pillars carved with chains and bells, that opens onto a spacious courtyard, always a scene of animated devotional activity. Inside, offerings for sale include bilva (wood apple) leaves, chandan (sandalwood paste), marigolds, red powder, rice, and cotton threads. The main sanctuary holds bejewelled statues of Gauri (Parvati) and Shankar (Shiva) standing beneath a silver canopy, and the ancient brown stone lingam resting on a marble yoni encased in silver and draped with silver serpents. Shrines to other deities line the south wall.

Jama MasjidJama Masjid is the largest mosque in India, and stands across the road from the Red Fort. Started in 1644 and completed in 1656, it is the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. More than 5000 workers were employed to complete it.. Built of red sandstone, the structure is 200 ft. in length and 120 feet in width and the center portion of the dome that measures 201 feet high, is flanked by two minars measuring 130 feet each. These minars are built in alternate strips of red sandstone and white marble, each containing 130 steps..Its spacious courtyard holds thousands of the faithful who offer prayers. This Mosque has three gateways, Four angle towers and two 40 m. high minarets. You can enter the mosque but take precaution to take off your shoes and make sure that you are properly dressed before entering. One can also go to the top of minarets and can have a birds eye view of Delhi.

In the biggest Jama Masjid in India, it has a great treasure kept in the N-East corner of the white shrine a hair of the beard of Hazrat Mahmmad, his used chappal, a chapter of Quran (original), the canopy of his tombstone and the foot print of Mahmmad on the stone.

South Delhi

The Baha'i TempleSituated atop the Kalkaji hill, this distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble, surrounded by a landscaped garden, has been dubbed the 'Taj Mahal of the 21st century. Completed in 1986, this temple dedicated to the Lord Krishna is built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers This elegantly built complex of temples is one of the largest temple complexes in India.Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.

The graveyard of MahmoodThe oldest graveyard of India lies at 4.08 km to the west of Kutub on way to Palam. It is built in 1229 in Hindu-Muslim sculptural combination. Mahmood the son of Iltutmis is laid here at rest. Very few tourists come here to visit due to no publicity.

Khirki-ki-MasjidFiroz Shah's Khirki-ki-Masjid, "The Mosque of Windows", famous for its heavy stone lattice windows, lies in the middle of one of South Delhi's villages close to the site of Jahanpanah, Delhi's fourth city, 4km east of Qutab Minar and 13km south of Connaught Place.

Moth-ki-MasjidThe Moth-ki-Masjid, built during the reign of Sikandar Lodi (1488-1517), is now all but abandoned, isolated in a rural setting within the rapidly spreading suburbs of south Delhi, 2km from Hauz Khas off the Delhi-Mehrauli Road.

Quwwat Ul Islam MosqueThe contruction of the mosque was begun in 1193 AD by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak of the Mamluk(or the slave) dynasty and completed in 1197 AD. A massive stone screen of lofty five arches was put up in front of its prayer hall, which imparted an Islamic character to the building. The screen is beautifully carved with borders of inscriptions and geometrical and arabesque designs. Subsequently, the mosque was enlarged by two later rulers, Shansuddin Iltutmish (1211 - 1236 AD) and Alauddin Khalji (1296 - 1316 AD). The screens of these two sultans are carved with purely islamic motifs abounding in geometric patterns. This mosque is also known as the Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam), as this is the earliest mosque in the country that has survived the blow of time. It consists of a rectangular courtyard, 43.2 sq metres by 32.9 sq metres, enclosed by cloisters which were erected by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak, with carved columns and other architectural members of twenty similar Hindu and Jain temples.

Iron PillarThe seven-metre-high pillar stands in the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and has been there since long before the mosque's construction. This temple displays a number of relics that has enabled historians to determine its origin. For instance, an inscription in sanskrit of six lines clearly indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, possibly in Bihar and was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who ruled from 375 to 413. It is supposedly built in the same era. There's even a hole on the top where there might have been a sculpture of Garuda, Vishnu's celestial vehicle. The inscription does not tell us that how it was made. The quality of the iron used for constructing the pillar is exceptionally pure and has not rusted even partially after 2000 years. It is said that if you can encircle the pillar with your hands whilst standing with your back towards it, your wish will be fulfilled. But the pillar can't be encircled any longer, since the ASI has protected it with a railing. Chattarpur Mandir this entire complex of temples is called Chattarpur Mandir and is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, built in South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples through the year, during the navratras, devotees come from near and far.

Nizam-ud-din ShrineThe tomb of the famous sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya built on the way from Humayun's tomb. Inside the premises of the shrine is a tank which is surrounded by many other tombs. It is said that there was a controversy between the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint over building this tank. The saint had said that the city of Tughlakabad will never flourish and so did it happen. The shrine also has the tomb of Amir Khusru and the grave of Jahanara , the daughter of Shah Jahan. It is worth visiting the shrine at around sunset on Thursdays , as it is a popular time for worship , and qawwali singers start performing after the evening prayers.

Gurudwara SisganjGuru Tegh Bahadur Sahib embraced martyrdom in Delhi on November 11th, 1675. Bhai Jaita and his associates brought his head to Chakk Nanaki. The cremation of the head (sis) of Guru Sahib was held at the site of the present gurudwara on November 17th, 1675. The trunk of the tree under which the Guru was martyred and the well where he took his daily bath while in prison are preserved here to this day.

Hazrut Nizamuddin AulinOriginally built in 1325, but added to during the following 2 centuries, the tomb of the saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Aulia (along with a few prominent others, including the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan) is one of the holiest Muslim pilgrimages in India. It is certainly one of Delhi's most fascinating attractions, not least because the only way to get here is to traverse the narrow medieval lanes of old Nizamuddin on foot. The entire experience will transport you back even further than a foray into Shahjahanabad. This is not for the faint-hearted (or perhaps the recently arrived), however -- the lanes are claustrophobic, you will be hassled by hawkers (perhaps best to purchase some flowers as sign of your good intentions upfront), and the smells are almost as assaulting as the hawkers who bar your way. Once there, you will almost certainly be pressured by a sheikh into making a heftier donation (some Rs 100/$2.10) than is strictly necessary -- a far cry from the sacred Dargah in Ajmer. This would in fact be a three-star attraction if it weren't for the sense that outsiders are not really welcome (though many have reported otherwise) -- note that the main structure is a mosque, Jam-at Khana Masjid, and is closed to women. Best to dress decorously (women should even consider covering their heads), pick up some flowers along the way, get here on a Thursday evening when qawwals gather to sing the most spiritually evocative devotional songs, and just sit and soak up the medieval atmosphere.

Delhi Sports Facilities

Sports Stadium

Built for the 10th asiad held in 1982. The best known are the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium with a seating capacity of 75000, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (capacity 25000), the Yamuna Velodrome (capacity 2250), the Talkotra Indoor Stadium and the Tughtaqabad Shooting Range.

Sports & Recreation

Adventure ActivitiesFrom time immemorial Delhi has attracted people with a penchant for adventure for which Delhi Tourism now provides avenues.

Rock Climbing- Equipment and training is provided to aspiring rock climbers in and around Delhi from October to March.

Trekking- India is the ultimate destination for a trekking holiday, offering everything from short and easy excursions that kids can handle to the long challenges of the snowy peaks. To take a trek in India is to rediscover the awesome majesty and beauty of nature around us. Trekkers are reminded that it is forbidden to enter Restricted and Protected Areas without the correct documentation. Please consult the Tourist Office before departure or local tourist offices on arrival in India to ascertain what restrictions may apply and what documentation may be required. Delhi Tourism's infrastructural network and trained outdoor staff help you to choose from the endless trekking options India offers - ranging from some of the world's highest mountains, greatest deserts, rivers, lakes, sea beaches and rain forests.The trekking season varies from region to region; check with the Tourist Office for further information. In general, the season runs from April to June and September to November.

Water Sports- A multi-sports and leisure complex has been created by Delhi Tourism at Bhalswa Lake, situated at Delhi's northeastern edge. This offers facilities for boating in pedal boats, kayaks, canoes and speed boats. Keen anglers can also indulge in fishing. Hovercraft and water scooters have been introduced for the first time in Delhi at this lake. Pedal boats at reasonable rates are available at the Hari Nagar, India Gate, Purana Qila, Prasad Nagar and Naini Lakes. Special training programmes in Kayaking and canoeing are organised at Prasad Nagar Lake and Naini Lake.

Parasailing- For the truly adventurous, parasailing is available at Kanwar Shikha near Sohna in Haryana, about 60 kms from Delhi. Soar like an eagle under the watchful eyes of professional instructors.

Adventure Club- Open to all Indian national above the age of ten years, this club promotes adventure activities. The club provides special packages in all adventure activities - parasailing, mountain expeditions, trekking, rock climbing, adventure camps and water sports, including river rafting in the Ganga. Delhi Tourism has also established a water sports club.

BallooningWhat better experience could you offer your kids and what a brilliant way to escape the throng of humanity that is ever present on the ground? The Balloon Club of India on 8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg is a wonderful way to view the surrounding area. Balloons generally hold from one to ten people and can rise to heights of over 800 feet. THe other place to contact regarding this sport is Wanderlust located opposite the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi.

Bike Safarisare an excellent way to discover Delhi and its surrounds and a good way to keep burn your kid's energy.

Bungee Jumping Wanderlust Travelshas set up a mobile crane for bungee jumping in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. This is a great activity for those brave folk out there. If you are not up to it yourself, you can get some photos of those who are mad enough to give it a go.

FishingThis is a wonderfully relaxing pastime and if you enjoy this sport or want to try your hand at it, pop down to the Badhkal Lake, Surajkund, Okhla located on Mathura Road (closed on Mondays).

Fun "n" Food Villagepresents reflections of past traditions and is an attempt to promote Indian culture and traditional arts and crafts. It offers variety of amusement rides catering to all age groups and provides an opportunity to meet artisans and craftsmen who display their talents and exhibit their creations before the public. There is also an open-air Theatre, amusement rides and an animal parade worth seeing. Open everyday, seven day's a week. The Fun "n" Food Village has free entry to blind, physically handicapped children and senior citizens. All other visitors pay a minimal fee for entry.

Ice GamesAppu Ghar has now introduced ice games at Oysters, where four acres of the Water Park are blanketed with ice for winter sports. These include sledding, skiing, ice boating, where one can row through a river full of icebergs and go bowling on ice. Amusements for the grown ups are also available over here such as Rain Dance, Ice Dance all to the tune of fast music and according to the seasons in Delhi. This water park is the best place to cool down the sultry summer heat. Entry to the park is from Gate No. 4 at Pragati Maidan and you can visit the park on Mondays to Saturdays from 1.30 to 9.30pm and on Sundays from Noon to 9.30pm.

Water SportsA multi-sports and leisure complex has been created by Delhi Tourism at Bhalswa Lake, situated at Delhi's north-eastern edge. This offers facilities for boating in pedal boats, kayaks, canoes and speed boats. Keen anglers can also indulge in fishing. Hovercraft and water scooters are also available here. Pedal boats at reasonable rates are available at the Hari Nagar, India Gate, Purana Quila and Naini lakes. Special training programmes in kayaking and canoeing are organised at all the lakes. Call the Tourist Department for more information.

White Water Raftingor River Running is a fairly young sport in India and is really only safe for the bigger kids among you. The snow-fed mountain rivers that run down from the mighty Himalayas make northern India one of the best regions in the world for this sport.

Some adventure activities organized by Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation are :

Rock climbing is organised at Lado Sarai near Qutab Minar.

Para Sailing on special demand is done at Dhauj in Haryana.

Cycle Tours : The forest around the rock climbing area can be explored on bycycles and walking towards of the Mehrauli Woodland are an eye opener as the entire area has a large number of monuments dating back some eight to nine century.

ADVENTURE SPORTS

Delhi Tourism

Adventure Tourism Division, Coffee Home Annexe, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Ph.: 3363607 Kayaking & Canoeing; Hovercraft, Motorboat, Waterscooter Rides, Pedal Boating, Roving Boats at Bhaleswa lake, Timings: 10 am to 6 pm. daily. Parasailing including training at Sohna, Haryana.

BALOONING

The Balooning Club of India8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Ph.: 3317977

BOATING

Badhkal Lake & Surajkund Lake Haryana Tourism, 3324910 Defence Service Sailing Club, Okhla

BOWLING

First Bowl

32, Milestones Complex, Delhi-Jaipur Bypass, Gurgaon Ph: 8-322528

Leisure Bowl

Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Vasant Kunj, Ph.: 6895247, 6894229

Little paradise

12/7, Mathura Road, Faridabad, Ph.: 8-278469

Qutabowl

Qutab Hotel, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, Ph.: 6862711

CYCLING

Yamuna Velodrome

Indraprastha Estate, Ph.: 3731613

FISHING

Badhkal Lake

Surajkund

Okhla

Delhi-Mathura Road, Mon. closed

FLYING

Delhi Flying Club

Safdarjung airport, Ph.: 4618271/4699596

GLIDING

Delhi Gliding Club

Safdarjung airport, Ph.: 4636052, Timings: daily 1 pm till sunset except wednesday.

GOLF

Army Golf Club

Delhi Cantt.

Delhi Golf Club

Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, Ph.: 4362768

DDA Siri Fort Sports Complex

Ph.: 6467842

Noida Golf Club

Ph.: 8572753

Arawali Golf Club

Surajkund Tourist Complex, Hotel Raj Hans

Faridabad Golf Club

Ph.: 8214810

MOUNTAINEERING

Indian Mountaineering Federation

Benito Juarez Marg, Ph.: 4677935

MOTOR SPORT

Rallying - Performance Car Racing Trust

147, Kilokari, Ring Road, Ph.: 6835258

Vintage Car

Statesman House, 148, Barakhamba Road, Ph.: 3315911-17

POLO

Polo Club

61, Cavalry Cariappa Marg, Delhi Cantt.,Ph.: 3299444/777 (Polo Season Oct. to March)

RIDING

Delhi Riding Club

Safdarjung Rd., Ph.: 3011891

Children's Riding Club

Ph.: 3012265

SAILING

Defence Service Sailing Club

Ph.: 3019604

Okhla

Ph.: 6830863

SHOOTING

Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range

Surajkund Road, Ph.: 6986802.

SQUASH

At all DDA Sports Complexes and Clubs

SWIMMING

All deluxe and luxury hotels.

Talkatora Pool

Ph.: 3019901

National Stadium Complex

Opp. India Gate, near Patiala house, Ph.: 3389470

NDMC Pool

Nehru Park, Laxmi Bai Ngr. School and Sarojini Ngr.

TENNIS

Delhi Tennis Association

Africa Avenue, Ph.: 6515899

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Bhishama Pitamah Road, Ph.: 4629400

National Sports Club of India

Opp. Purana Qila, Mathu

Delhi Tourism

N-36 Bombay Life Building, Middle Circle, Connaught Place Ph. 011/331 4229.

Delhi Jogging Tracks

Delhi boasts of large number of well maintained jogging tracks.

Hibiscus Garden: It covers an area of 8 acres and adjoins the Dakshin Marg in sector 36. About 40 different varieties of Hibiscus shrubs attracts the city residents in early morning and evening hours for walk and breath in healthy air.

Delhi Museums

The National Museum

The National Museum, Located On Janpath, South Of Rajpath, Has A Good Collection Of Indian Bronzes, Terracotta And Wood Sculptures Dating Back To The Mauryan Period ( 2nd-3rd Century Bc), Exhibits From The Vijayanagar Period In South India, Miniature And Mural Paintings, And Costumes Of Various Tribal People. The Museum Is Definitely Worth Visiting And Is Open Tuesday To Sunday From 10 Am To 5 Pm. There Are Film Shows Most Days Of The Week.Ph.:23019272/9352(Monday closed).

National Gallery Of Modern Art

The Gallery Near India Gate At The Eastern End Of Rajpath, Was The Former Residence Of The Maharaja Of Jaipur. It Houses An Excellent Collection Of Works By Both Indian And Colonial Artists.It Is Open Daily From 10 Am To 5 Pm; Admission Is Free. Ph.:2338-2835/8853(Monday Closed).

Nehru Museum

The Residence Of The First Indian Prime Minister, Teen Murti Bhavan, Has Been Converted Into A Museum. It Is Located On Teen Murti Rd. Near Chanakyapuri.

Photographs And Newspaper Clippings On Display Give A Fascinating Insight Into The History Of The Independence Movement. It Also Forms The Subject Of A Light And Sound Show Along With Facets Of Nehru's Life.The Museum Is Open Tuesday To Sunday From 10 Am To 5 Pm. Admission Is Free.

Rail Transport Museum

Visit This Museum At Chanakyapuri For A Fascinating And Exotic Collection Of India's Railway Engines. Exhibit's Include An 1855 Steam Engine, Still In Working Order, And A Large Number Of Oddities Such As The Skull Of An Elephant That Charged A Mail Train In 1894, And Lost. The Museum Is Open Tuesday To Sunday From 9.30 Am To 5 Pm And There's A Small Admission Fee.Ph.:26881816(Monday closed).

Tibet House

This Small Museum In The Institutional Area, Lodi Rd, Has A Fascinating Collection Of Ceremonial Items Brought Out Of Tibet When The Dalai Lama Fled Following The Chinese Occupation. There Is A Shop Selling A Wide Range Of Tibetan Handicrafts. Lecture/Discussion Sessions Are Held Regularly. The Museum Is Open Monday To Saturday From 10 Am To 1 Pm And 2 To 5 Pm. Admission Is Free. Ph: 24611515(sat. & sun closed)

International Dolls Museum

6000 Dolls From 85 Countries Are On Display In This Museum In Nehru House On Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Over A Third Of Them Are From India. One Exhibit Section Comprises 500 Dolls Dressed In Costumes Worn All Over The Country. The Museum Is Open Tuesday To Sunday From 10 Am To 5.30 Pm. Ph. 23316970-74

Crafts Museum

This Museum Contains A Collection Of Traditional Indian Crafts In Textiles, Metal, Wood And Ceramics. It Is Located In The Aditi Pavilion At The Pragati Maidan, Exhibition Grounds,near gate no. 1. ,Mathura Rd. It Is Part Of A 'Village Life' Complex Where You Can Visit Rural India Without Ever Leaving Delhi. Admission Is Free.ph.:23371641/1370 (Monday closed.)

Gandhi Darshan

Located At Raj Ghat, The Gandhi Darshan Is A Display Of Paintings And Photos About The Mahatma's Life and Deeds. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Also At Raj Ghat, Has Displays Of Some Of Gandhi's Personal Possessions.Ph.:23111793/0619(Monday closed)

Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum

This Museum Was The Former Residence Of Indira Gandhi At 1 Safdarjang Rd. On Show Are Some Of Her Personal Effects, Including The Sari (Complete With Blood Stains) That She Was Wearing At The Time Of Her Assassination. A Crystal Plaque In The Garden, Flanked Constantly By Two Soldiers, Protects A Few Brown Spots Of Mrs Gandhi's Blood On The Spot Where She Actually Fell After Being Shot By Two Of Her Bodyguards In December 1984.Ph.:23010094(Monday closed).

Nehru Planetarium

Situated At Teen Murti House The Planetarium Holds Film Shows On The Solar System In English (11.30 A.M. & 3 P.M.) And Hindi (4 P.M.& 1.30 P.M.). A Special Show In Hindi (10.30 A.M.) Is Held On Sundays. Closed On Mondays And Public Holidays. Ph. 23014504.

National Science Centre Museum

Located Near Gate No.1, Pragati Maidan,The Museum Has Working Science Exhibitions As Well As Exhibits On The History Of Architecture. Open 11.30 Am - 7 Pm. Entry Free. Mondays Closed.Ph. 23371263.

National Children's Museum

Kerala Road, 9 A.M.-12 Noon, 2 P.M. -5 Pm. Tel: 3317856.

Air Force Museum & War Memorial

Situated at Palam. It houses a rare collection of air-crafts, drawings & photographs. Ph.: 25667684. Closed Mon. & Tues.

Bal Bhawan

1, Kotla Road, Near ITO. Ph.:23267961 (Monday Closed)

Field Museum

Field museum is located inside Purana Qila and houses a collection of archaeological findings from the excavations carried out by ASI.

Indian War Memorial

A collection of arms and armour from the Mughal period till the 1st World War are displayed in this museum, which is located inside the Red Fort. Ph.:23273703

ISKON Vedic Museum

East of Kailash, Ph.:26235133

National Museum of Natural History

FICCI Building ,Tansen Marg-1, near Bangali Market, featuring stress on ecology, Earth's natural resources on display. Ph.:23710576, 23319173/4949.

National Philatelic Museum

Situated near Patel Chowk on Sansad Marg in Post & Telegraph Office Building.It displays rare collection of rare stamps & 1st day covers.Counter for sale of stamps from all over the world. Ph.: 23036727(sat. & sun. closed).

City Helpline, Delhi

Railway EnquiryGeneral Enquiry

1313366177/3366162

Central EnquiryReservation

33135353348686/3348787

ArriwalDepartureNorth

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North

1336

East

1332

East

1337

West

1333

West

1338

South

1334

South

1339

Roadways EnquiryI.S.B.T.D.T.C.General & D.T.C. Enquiry

2968709

Head Office

3315085

Haryana Roadways

2961262