New Delhi- City

Delhi, the capital of the great democracy of India. In the last six decades since New Delhi was created, the city has seen and undergone various changes. This union terittory is filled with people of various cultures and give Delhi its colorful look. As the popular saying goes that no one belongs to Delhi but Delhi do belong to everbody.

Although New Delhi was created as a seprate entity from the old Delhi now the thin line that was seprating the two have started to blur with north, south, east and west Delhi becoming more prevalent terms of demarcation. The facilities and opportunities that Delhi has to offer have attracted Indians from far and wide corners of India, making it a melting pot of sorts. On the other hand, the presence of diplomatic and trade missions, the growing number of multi-national companies and foreign investors, and the influx of tourists and visiting professionals have given the city, especially its southern and central parts, a cosmopolitan air. The city is boasts of being one of the greener capitals and also with the new shopping plazas opening at an unbelivable pace the city can well turn itself into the shopping capital of the world.


Climate

The Indian capital city of New Delhi remains hot and humid during the summer months and is cold during the winters. The average temperature of New Delhi ranges from 25°C to 46°C during summer and 2°C to 5°C during winter. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes the winters in New Delhi very chilly. In summers, the heat wave in New Delhi is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the afternoons.
The best season to visit New Delhi is during the pleasant spring seasons of February to April and August to November. Delhi wears a festive look between February and April, the blooming season

Religion and festivals

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.

Delhi shares its borders with Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, which influence the life-styles and language of the people. Migrations from various parts of India has led to pockets of has diverse culture coming together in various parts of Delhi. For example, R.K. Puram has a concentration of South Indians, while C.R. Park has a concentration of Bengalies. Delhi celebrates Durga Puja is 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.

The Jama Mazjid of the walled city is an excellent example of Indo-Persian art, whereas the Birla Temple and the Chattarpur Temple complex are considered as a blend of the North and South Indian architectural styles. Gurdwara Raquab Ganj, Sheesh Ganj and Bangla Sahib stand tall for Sikhism, whereas St. Thomas and St. Columbus toll their bells for Christians. The Bahai Lotus temple has introduced the Bahai way of worship in Delhi. Not to forget the ancient religions of Jainism and Buddhism whose genesis is in India. The monastery near the Interstate bus terminus is hub of Tibetan culture in India. Not only for the Monastery but the place has acquired fame as shopping mall. Though 'Parsies' reside mainly in western India, Delhi opens its arms for one and all.

Even though Hindus form the majority, almost 85%, India does not impose any official religion on its people. Through the ages Delhi has accepted, adapted and moulded itself to everything from Islam, rather from Aryan culture to Christianity. It adopted herself with the changing faces of history. It got the destroyed many times but it has retained the culture, heritage, religion and the tradition of its time for the generations to come.

While visiting these architecturally magnificent spiritual abodes, acquire prior information of the etiquettes to be followed. Taking off shoes and other leather articles and even covering the head and body in the sanatorium might be mandatory at such places. Avoid hugging and holding hands at these places

Transport

Delhi being the capital of India, is the main gateway city for northern India with a modern airport. All major international air carriers operate direct services to Delhi from various centres in the world. 

By Rail:  Delhi is the hub of the Indian Railways network with Express trains to all parts of the country. Delhi is well connected to almost every part of India. 

By Road:  Delhi is linked by bus services, airconditioned, deluxe and ordinary, to all major destinations in north India. Delhi Transport Corporation and Road Transport Corporations of neighboring States provide frequent bus services

Education

Delhi as the capital of India, is one of the best cities to live in, in terms of  facilities as well as educational opportunities. The presence of  reputed, well-esteemed educational institutions,catering to all categories of subjects, be it humanities, technology,medicine or management, further enhances the prestige of Delhi which is already famous as a historical city besides a world class one.

Almost all the best educational institutions are present in Delhi. There are universities (9); colleges (78); management institutes (47); medical colleges (7); engineering colleges (7); computer institutes (78); higher secondary schools (314); preparatory schools (57) and other institutes (52), which is spread across this vast city. Smallwonder therefore, that it has become a seminal point of attraction for students and aspirants from four corners of India. That apart students even from countries like the United States, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal etc (find a detailed list at the bottom*) come to pursue their studies.


Another major factor which draws students from different parts of the country to  Delhi as compared  to other cities like Bangalore or Mumbai, is the cost of living in. Students' hostels or the paying guest accommodation system is cost effective in Delhi; they are to be found in vast numbers when compared to other metros. The ambience is fair if not excellent, and one can moderately adjust with the new environ. People are generally good and accommodative. As the saying goes, Dilliwalay, Dilwalay hotay hain (the people of Delhi are large hearted). It is not entirely baseless.

Leading institutions like Delhi School of Economics, Jawaharlal University, Delhi University, Indian Institute of Technology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Institute of Mass Communication have acquired international status. Students who have passed out of these institutes have excelled in the professional fields and become authorities on their subjects.

We at the National Network of Education have given our best to bring all the educational institutions of the capital under single cover. This has not been an easy task. We have struggled days together to collect the vast information of nearly 700 educational institutions, their complete address, telephone numbers, names of the head of the institutions etc. It has been our endeavour to provide everything, possibly all information on almost all the educational institutions in Delhi.

Shopping

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 has long been the most important trading centre in Northern India. Many of its localities, like Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, derive their names from medieval market towns which serviced the bygone, shifted capital cities of Delhi. Today, all of these have become a part of the rapidly expanding metropolis. Instead of market towns, there are specific whole sale markets or"mandi's" scattered throughout the vast city, and their's is another story.

For visitors to Delhi, shopping is high on the list of "things to do". Tourists find a wide choice of items- such as carpets, silks, jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and handprinted cotton - that are synonymus with India. Each item is available in a range of prices, depending on the quality and the outlet.

Another interesting is that each market has its own, distinctive ambience and adds its own flavour to the experience of shopping. Haus Khas Village, Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk are worlds apart from one another, yet each of them reflects an aspect of this many - faceted city. In fact one of the fascinating ways of understanding a city is by wandering through its market places for it is here that contemporary culture is most visible to the outsider.

The exploration of Delhi's markets could be begin at Chandni Chowk. Despite the pressures of traffic and population, its historic land marks servive to tell the story of the last three centuries. Many of the shops here are more than 100 years, old and the mesh of lanes and bylanes is full of superises. Leading off Chandni Chowk are Dariba, the silver market, Khari Baoli, the spice market and Kinari Bazar for trimmings and tinsel. In some of these bazaars the item for sale are manufactured at site, which lands a special charm to the shopping experience well integrated into the culture of the old city, these bazaars offer the visitor a glimpse of life in Old Delhi.

There are some antique stores behind Jama Masjid, and more lining the entrance to the Red Fort, where the Meena Bazar once was. These offer items arranging from jewellery to painting and furniture, and cater almost entirely to tourists. Connaught Place, New Delhi's original shopping arcade was planned as part of the Imperial capital in 1911. On Baba Kharak Singh Marg, are the numerous government State Emporia. Which afford a glimpse of the handicrafts of each state. So does the recently- inaugurated new Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath. Across the road from "Cottage" as it is popularly known, are the inviting stalls along Janpath.

The Tibetans sell jewellery and ritual objects, while closer to Connaught Place are available embroideries from Gujarat and Rajasthan, readymade garments and bric- a - brac. When the wheather is good it is pleasant to amble down Janpath, where bargaining is the order of the day. Sundernagar Market is a fine place to shop for antiques and silver jewellery. The well - appointed stores keep a choice selection, especially of silver jewellery from Ladakh, semi- precious stones, some textiles and brass, copper and silver object d'art.

Not far from Sundernagar is the Crafts Museum Shop, attached to the museum in Pragati Maidan. Moving further south are the up market shopping centers of South Delhi- South Extension, Greater Kailash I and II, Green Park and Hauz Khas Village. The haunt of the nouveau riche, these markets offer a combination of ethnic chic and designer lebels, Indian and international. Hauz Khas Village has set a very interesting trend as market. Over the countries, a village had developed around the medieval college and the tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. A few years ago, an association called Dastakar - set up a showroom in the village. Now the village has a plethora of boutiques, galleries and restaurants which coexist with the buffalos, cow pats and men smokking hookahs on charpoys. Far from being a deterrant, the "rural" ambience is a positive attraction.

Other villages like Mehtauli, Khirkee and Lado Serai are fast following suit. Seeing the popularity of crafts bazaars held periodically in the capital, Delhi Tourism has set up a permanent outlet for craftspersons at Dilli Haat, where space and the availability of Indian cuisines make the visit a very pleasant experience. A more up market outlet for Indian handicrafts and antiques is the bazaar near the Qutub Minar. The Santushi Shopping Arcade opposite the Ashoka Hotel has become another popular up market haunt. Developed by the Air Force Wives Association, it has a select number of boutiques where apparel, furnishings and accessories are available. A restaurant and patisserie add to the quiet charm of the place.

More about Delhi….

*Leisure & Entertainment
*Hotels
*Clubs and Resorts
*Restaurants and pub
*Movie halls
*Amusement Arcades/Parks
*Discos