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Delhi Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Delhi
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Delhi Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Delhi - Through a sweltering bazaar with each vendor
crying out louder than the next, clamouring through a sweaty crowd,
a beggar tugs at your shirt as the sticky stench of the city
pierces your nostrils. Navigate your way across the road through a
perennial traffic jam of blasting horns and angry shouts, and
suddenly you'll find yourself stepping through the trees into a
deserted courtyard, flanked by gurgling ponds below the huge
glittering dome of an ornately patterned mosque.
This is Delhi, city of contrasts, where an elephant can
overtake an overheated Italian sports car on the streets, where
colonial mansion stands next to squatter slum, and where cows are
revered, but musicians are labelled 'untouchable'. The city's pace
is chaotic, yet fairly relaxed, and makes it ideal for exploring.
You're certain to be confronted with some strange and exotic
sights. With a long and troubled history, Delhi
is full of fascinating temples, museums, mosques and forts, each
with a distinct architectural style. In Old Delhi, visitors will
find a charming selection of colourful bazaars and narrow winding
alleys. In comparison, New Delhi - the city created to reflect the
might of the British Empire - consists of tree-lined avenues,
spacious parks and sombre-looking government buildings.
While Delhi itself could take a lifetime to explore, it's
also ideal as a base for visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, and it
provides the best links for travelling to the hill stations of the
North.
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Delhi
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Red Fort
Entrance from Lahore Gate or Chatta Chowk
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What is it? The Red Fort, known locally as Lal
Quila, is Delhi's signature attraction, rising high above
the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the wealth and power of
the Mogul empire. The massive sandstone walls were built in the
17th century to keep out marauding invaders and still dominate the
skyline today. Inside are an array of exquisite buildings, which
once provided the living quarters for Shah Jehan, his courtiers,
family and staff of three thousand. Visitors can marvel at the
intricate decoration and only imagine the scenes here at the
empire's height when the walls were studded with precious stones
and a 'stream of paradise' drove an ingenious air conditioning
system. The fort was the scene of the Indian uprising of 1857 and
the mighty Lahore Gate, on the west side of the fort, remains a
potent symbol in the fight for
Independence.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday, dawn to dusk
Phone: |
2. Jama Masjid
Matya Mahal, Bho Jala
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What is it? Shah Jehan, the architect of the Red Fort and
much of Old Delhi, built Jama Masjid between 1644 and 1656. This
grand structure is situated on a hill a few hundred yards west of
the Red Fort and towers over the mayhem of Old Delhi's sprawling
streets. Jama Masjid is India's largest mosque and can hold 25,000
worshipers at one time. Wide red sandstone steps lead to entrances
on the North, South and East sides of the mosque. Inside is the
massive courtyard dominated by two red and white striped sandstone
minarets that cap the main prayer hall on the west side (facing
Mecca). There are smaller towers at each corner of the mosque;
energetic visitors can climb the 122 narrow steps of the southern
one to be rewarded with magnificent views of Old and New Delhi.
Those wearing shorts or skirts can hire a lunghi
to cover their legs.
Hours of Operation: Daily dawn-dusk; closed during prayer
times
Phone: |
3. Qutb Minar
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What is it? The Qutb Minar is a mammoth tower that was
built between 1193 and 1369 to symbolise Islamic rule over Delhi
and commemorate the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the city's last
Hindu kingdom. Standing 238ft (72m) tall, the tower is decorated
with calligraphy representing verses from the Koran and tapers from
a 50ft (15m) diameter at the base to just 8ft (2.5m) at the top.
There are five distinct stories each encircled with a balcony, the
first three are built of red sandstone, and the upper two are faced
with white marble. At the foot of the minhar, stands
Quwwat-ul-Islam, India's oldest mosque, which is built largely from
the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples that were destroyed by the
new Muslim rulers of India. The cloisters that flank the nearby
courtyard are supported by pillars unmistakably pilfered from Hindu
temples. Faces of the decorative figures have been removed to
conform to Islamic law, which strictly forbids iconic worship.
Incongruously, in the corner of the mosque, stands an Iron Pillar,
bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions of the Gupta period
attributing it to the memory of King Chandragupta II (373-413). It
is said that anyone who can encircle it with their hands whilst
standing with their back to it will have their wishes
fulfilled.
Hours of Operation: Daily dawn to dusk
Phone: |
Delhi
holidays - Top Events
1. Republic Day Parade
From 2007-01-26
To 2007-01-26
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What is it? The impressive Republic Day Parade is held
every year on the anniversary of the formation of the Indian
Republic and serves to showcase the country's military might.
Marching columns represent the armed forces accompanied by armoured
vehicles, military bands, decorated floats and folk dancers. A
highlight is an air display presented by the Indian Air
Force.
Where is it? The parade starts at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, winds through
the city and ends at the Red Fort in Old Delhi |
2. Festival of Holi
From 2007-03-03
To 2007-03-03
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What is it? Delhi puts on a colourful face in March for
the light-hearted Festival of Holi, celebrating the triumph of good
over evil. The exuberant spring festival starts on the night of
full moon when bonfires are lit on street corners to clear the air
of evil spirits. The next morning sees the streets full of people
of all ages chasing each other and throwing pots of bright coloured
powder pigment over each other in uninhibited mischief. The fun
ends at noon when everyone retires to wash off the paint and finish
the day relaxing.
Where is it? Throughout the city and northern India |
3. Diwali (Festival of Lights)
From 2007-09-21
To 2007-09-21
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What is it? India's most popular traditional festival,
with its origins in Hindu mythology, turns the streets of Delhi,
and in fact all major cities in India, into a carnival each year.
Traditionally all houses are decorated with earthenware lamps and
candles for the occasion, and the letting off of firecrackers can
reach deafening proportions. There have been complaints that so
many fireworks are used in the city that pollution levels on Diwali
nights rise dramatically. Neighbourhoods generally bristle with fun
rides, food stalls and curio sellers during the festival. At this
time of year, it is customary for people to buy new clothes and
household utensils, and exchange sweet
gifts.
Where is it? Throughout Delhi |
4. Garden Tourism Festival
From 2007-02-01
To 2007-02-28
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What is it? Delhi, always a colourful city, blooms with
the rich hues of hundreds of flowers in February each year when the
Garden Tourism Festival gets underway, providing a visual feast for
visitors and an extravaganza for the horticulturally inclined.
Delhi tourism also provides a full programme of cultural
performances and entertainment alongside the flower fest. For more
information contact the India Tourist Office on (11) 371
8379.
Where is it? Talkatora Gardens |
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