Delhi - MUST SEE

Rashtrapati Bhavan
Standing at the crest of magnificent Raisina Hill, Rashtrapati Bhavan - the official residence of President of India - was built as the viceroy's residence during the British rule. The first occupant of this palatial building with 340 rooms was Lord Irwin. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it has a large court and a garden which is open to the public in February for a few days when the flowers are in full bloom. Every Saturday morning(from 10.30 am to 11.10 am in winter and from 8.30 am to 9.15 am in summer), the President's bodyguard changes guard in what is seen as Delhi's answer to London's Changing of the Guard Ceremony. This can be seen from outside the gate.

India Gate
Originally called the All India War Memorial, India Gate was built to commemorate the Indian and British soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan Wars. The names of the martyrs are inscribed on the walls of this 4-meter high structure. An eternal frame, "Amar Jawan Jyoti" was lit in 1971 to honour the martyrs. With lush green lawns, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful areas of New Delhi.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar consits of a collection of architectural astronomy instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the time and movements of the sun, moon and planets. Some of these purposes would nowadays be classified as astrology. Today, the observatory lies obsolete in the center of a pleasant park, surrounded by high rises.

Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir also known as Laxminarayan Temple is the country's first temple that had caste restrictions. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1938 on the condition that people from all walks of life will be allowed to offer prayers here. Built by the well-known industrialist, RD Birla, the temple is dedicated to Laxmi(the goddess of wealth) and Narayana(the preserver). It is a temple with many shrines, fountains and a large garden.

Too many places in Delhi to tell about so I would cover only 4 places in each post. So look out for more in my next post.

Delhi - How To Reach,What to Eat, What to Shop

Call what you will....Dilli or Delhi - its a city which lives vigorously with a past that remains evocatively present. So as you walk along the bylanes of this imperial city, tread softly, for every crumbling wall has a story to tell. The ruins and ramparts still stand tall - and amidst them rise modern buildings and skyscrapers.

HOW TO REACH DELHI
By Air: The domestic as well as international airport of Delhi are well connected to almost all the cities of the world as well as every city in India . All major airlines operate out of this airport.
By Rail: Delhi is connected to almost each and every big and small city in the country. New Delhi, Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin are three main railway stations. There are a number of other small stations in Delhi for travelling within the city.
By Road: Delhi is linked to all the main cities of India by a network of highways. The Inter-state Bus Terminus(ISBT) at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar are three main bus terminals in Delhi. Various state operated and privately-run air-conditioned, deluxe and ordinary buses operate in and out of Delhi on a daily basis. Taxis are easily available for long distance tours.

What to Eat
From the easteries in the bylanes of the walled City to swanky restaurants in five-star hotels, you will have a memorable feasting experience in DElhi. On offer is a pick of Indian and international cuisines in different ambiences to suit mixed budgets.
The city is synonymous with Mughlai and Frontier cuisines like Tandoori Chicken which is extremely popular with Delhites. This is often available at roadside food stalls or dhabas at a moderate price. Parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali Annapoorna and Ghantewala can be part of the gastronomical tour of Delhi.
Dilli Haat is another wonderful place, offering a range of Indian cuisines from different states at reasonable prices. Set in the midst of a crafts bazaar, these open air food stalls are a very pleasant place to enjoy food.
Keeping pace with the changing face of the city are the growing number of fast food outlets like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Ruby Tuesday, Domino's, KFC etc.

What To Shop for
Delhi presents an amazing array of goods at ver affordable prices. Each and every item is available in a range of prices, depending on the quality and the outlet. While shopping in Delhi, you will find Rajasthani juttis(footwear) on one hand and the Pashmina shawls of Kashmir on the other. There is a wide choice of items to choose, from carptes, silk, jewellery, leather and silverware, to handicrafts and hand-printed cotton.
Another interesting thing is that each market adds to the shopping experience. Hauz Khas Village, Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk are poles apart but have their own charm.
No trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to one of the bazaars that surround Chandni Chowk where shops sell anything from authentic Indian food, delicacies and sweets, to saris. These shops, some of which are a hundred years old, offer a glimpse of life in old Delhi.
Connaught Place is the heart of New Delhi that offers virtually everything from simplest Indian handicrafts to international designer labels. Buzzing Karol Bagh, with shops practically in every nook and corner, is yet another extremely popular shopping venue of both Delhites and tourists. The arts and crafts from all the states of India are availablein the emporia complex at Baba Kharak Singh Marg. The Sunder Nagar Market is a afine place to shop for antiques and silver jewellery, semi-precious stones, textiles and brass, copper and silver objects.
You also have up-market shopping centers in South Extension, Greater Kailash I and II, Green Park and Hauz Khas Village. The Santushi Shopping Arcade opposite the Ashoka Hotel has become another up-market haunt.