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Delhi is the best and oldest city in india . its also called indraprastha.

ചെങ്കോട്ട

ഇന്ത്യയുടെ തലസ്ഥാന നഗരമാണ് ഡെൽഹി (ഹിന്ദി: दिल्ली, ഉർദു: دلّی) ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഭരണസിരാകേന്ദ്രം കൂടിയാണ് ഡെൽഹി നഗരം. രാജ്യത്തെത്തന്നെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ രണ്ടാമത്തെ നഗരമായ ഡെൽഹി അതിന്റെ ചരിത്രം, പൗരാണികത, വികസനം, കല, സംസ്കാരം തുടങ്ങിയ വിഷയങ്ങളിൽ എല്ലാം വളരെ പ്രമുഖമായ സ്ഥാനമാണ് വഹിക്കുന്നത്.

മനസിലാക്കുവാൻ

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History

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With evidence of continuous settlement dating back to the 6th Century BC, Delhi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The legendary city of Indraprastha from the epic Mahabharata is said to have been situated where Delhi now lies. Thought to have been built and destroyed eleven times, evidence of at least eight distinct settlements can still be seen in Delhi.

  • Qila Rai Pithora – This dates back to the 10th century A.D. as per available historical records. Also known as Rai Pithora, this city was the capital during the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan, the local hero famous for his first defeating, before finally losing to, the marauding invaders from central Asia (Muhammad Ghori in particular). Chauhan's ancestors are said to have captured the city from the Tomar Rajputs who were credited with founding Delhi. Anangpal, a Tomar ruler possibly created the first known regular fort here called 'Lal Kot', which was taken over by Prithviraj and the city extended. Some of the ruins of the fort ramparts are still visible around Qutab Minar and Mehrauli.
  • Mehrauli – Muhammad Ghori managed to defeat Prithviraj Chauhan in battle in 1192. Ghori left his slave Qutub-ud-din Aibak as his viceroy, who in turn captured Delhi the subsequent year. After Ghori's death in 1206, Aibak proclaimed himself the ruler of Delhi and founded the slave dynasty. Qutb-ud-din contributed significantly in terms of architecture by getting Mehrauli built. His most prominent contribution is the starting of Qutab Minar. This 72.5m tall tower was built across three generations and finally completed in 1220AD. A visitor to the Qutab Minar could also see the mausoleum of Kaki, Shamsi Talao and some other mosques. The Slave dynasty ruled until 1290, among them was Razia Sultan who ruled for just three years, but became a historic figure for being the first empress in India.
  • Vasant Kunj – Tomb of Sultan Ghari: The octagonal tomb of Nasir ud din Mahmud, son of Mamluk dynasty ruler, Iltutmish is also situated in the area near Rangpuri. The tomb built by Iltutmish in 1231, after his son's death in 1229. The fortified structure, which surrounds the tomb and the inner chamber (crypt) of the tomb itself, are one of finest examples of Mamluk dynasty architecture, which also include the Qutub Minar in Mehrauli.
  • Siri - Qutuddin Aibaq's 'Slave Dynasty' was followed by the line of Khilji (or Khalji) rulers. The most prominent among the six rulers was Allauddin who extended the kingdom to the south of Narmada and also established the city of 'Siri'. Among some of the remaining ruins, is part of the Siri Fort in the greater Hauz Khas area. The madrasa at Hauz Khas was constructed during Allauddin's reign and bears the stamp of West Asian architecture. Hauz Khas is more often visited today for the chic botiques and restaurants.
  • Tughlakabad - after the Khiljis there was chaos for sometime until Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (a Turk governor) invaded Delhi in the 1320s, started the Tughlaq dynasty, and founded the city of Tughlakabad, the ruins of which still remain. His descendant Muhammad Bin Tughlaq raised the fort walls, created another city called Jahapanah (which enclosed the area between Siri and Qila Rai Pithora). Tughlakabad continued, however, to be the main capital city. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq is also known as the mad king for wanting to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (now near Aurangabad in Maharashtra) and making the entire population travel, only to return in a few years because of water shortage in the new town.
  • Firozabad - Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's son, Firoze created the next city which was called Firozabad or Firoze Shah Kotla. There still are some ruins which are visible around the cricket stadium by the same name. The city was an enclosed a large area, and contained many palaces, mosques, pillared halls, and multi-floored water tank. Firoze Shah also planted a 1500 year old Ashokan Pillar on top of the palace. This pillar was originally planted in Meerut by Samrat Ashok.Feroze Shah, also repaired many of the older construction in Delhi including Ghori's tomb, Qutub Minar,Suraj Kund and Hauz Khas. He, himself, was buried inside a lofty tomb in Hauz Khas. Quite like earlier, after Feroze Shah's death, the sultnate became unstable and weak, and was invaded by Taimur the Lame (from Samarkhand) who created havoc in the city by looting, killing, raping and plundering. The Sayyids and Lodhis who ruled Delhi after the Tughlaq's paid more attention to re-establishing miltiary and political stability to the kingdom. The only relevant architecture visible from this period are the tombs at Lodhi Gardens. The last of the Lodhi's was defeated by Babur in the first battle of Panipat. Babur then proceeded to establish the Mughal dynasty.
 
Purana Qila - ruins of Shergarh
  • Shergarh - Babur's son Humayun ruled the kingdom for a few years only to be defeated by Sher Shah Suri (1540), who established the new city Shergarh (on the ruins of Dinpanah, built by Humayun) towards the north and near the river. Shergarh is what you see at Purana Qila today, near the Delhi zoo. After Humayun came back to power, he completed the construction and proceeded to rule from Shergarh.
  • Shahjahanabad - the next of the Mughal emperors chose to move away from Delhi and established Agra as the capital of their kingdom. Shahjahan (Humayun's great-grandson) returned to Delhi and established Shahjahanabad. This included the Jama Masjid, the Red Fort and all that in enclosed within the walls of Old Delhi. This wall is still around in many parts and three of the six gates (Delhi gate, Lahori Gate, Turkman Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate)to Delhi still exist. Kashmiri Gate was reconstructed and widened by the British after the 1857 revolt.
  • Lutyen's New Delhi - The final city as you see today expanded from what Sir Edwin Lutyens. The population of Delhi is a heterogeneous mix of people originally belonging to different parts of North India and beyond. Among the prominent North Indian communities are the Punjabis. Delhi also has a prominent South Indian Community, primarily in areas like Karol Bagh, RK Puram, Mayur Vihar and Munirka. A Bengali Settlement, the Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi is the Mini Calcutta of Delhi. Quality education also draws students from different states, making up one of the most diverse student populations in the country.

The descendants of the builders of Delhi's many Muslim monuments no longer stay in Delhi. Most of them migrated to Pakistan during the Partition, with only a small, ever-diminishing community in Old Delhi keeping old courtly traditions alive. The city is rich in monuments and there are 174 ASI protected monuments in the grand capital of India.

Orientation

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Like the rest of the Gangetic Plains, Delhi is as flat as a pancake. The only geographical features of any significance are the river Yamuna, which flows down the eastern side of the city, and the Aravalli Hills which form a wide but low arc across the west. On the west bank is the crowded and congested Old (Central) Delhi and, to the southwest, the broad, tree-lined avenues of New Delhi, built by the British to rule their empire. The rest is an endless low-rise sprawl of suburbia and slums, with southwestern Delhi (nearer to New Delhi) generally somewhat wealthier.

ജില്ലകൾ

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കാലാവസ്ഥ

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Template:Wy/ml/Climate The climate in Delhi goes through five distinct seasons. Winter, from mid-December to late January, is cold (the temperature drops to near freezing at night though the days are warm) and is notorious for the thick fog that hangs over the city resulting in cancelled flights and delayed trains. Spring in Delhi, in the months of February and March is pleasant with warm days and cool evenings. The hot season, April through June, is uncomfortably hot with soaring temperatures (going as high as 45°C/110°F). Temperatures moderate during the monsoon (rainy) season (July through September) but it is humid. October brings autumn and warm days with relatively cool nights.

ഭാഷ

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The native language of the Delhi area is Hindi, which also happens to be the main official language of the Union Government. Hindi is spoken by almost all locals, quite often with Bihari and Punjabi accents. Most educated people are also fluent in English, and many shopkeepers and taxi drivers have a functional command of English. Punjabi and Urdu are also official languages, but are not as widely spoken. The Hindi spoken in Delhi is quite Persianized, similar to the Hindi spoken in Western Uttar Pradesh and much less Sanskritized than the Hindi spoken in Madhya Pradesh. Signage is usually bilingual in Hindi and English, and some road signs (especially in South and Central Delhi) are in Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. Announcements on the metro are in Hindi (male voice) and English (female voice). People from all over India are found in Delhi, but finding a person who can speak other Indian languages is not so easy.

എത്തിച്ചേരൽ

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Map of Delhi

വിമാനമാർഗ്ഗം

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  • I Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Indira Gandhi International Airport, Template:Wy/ml/IATA (IGI) (in the west of the city). is the arrival point for many visitors into Delhi. Once notoriously bad, the airport has been transformed into a thoroughly modern facility. There are several security checkpoints in the airport and you may have to show your boarding pass and passport a dozen times before boarding the plane. When leaving Delhi from the international terminal, you should show up 3 hours before your flight is scheduled. For domestic flights, 2 hours should be enough, depending on whether or not you must wait in the queues to check luggage. While sometimes time-consuming, the process is smooth, and the new terminal's shops and restaurants are sensibly located at the gate area, not before security. However, if you wish to change Rupees back into foreign currency, you must do this before clearing security. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)

During the winter, Delhi often experiences dense fog and visibility is reduced considerably, making it difficult for flights to land and take off. Both international and domestic flights are often diverted, cancelled or delayed.

Delhi Airport has three operational terminals:

  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Terminal 1D (Palam, Domestic), Terminal 1 A Rd, Template:Phone. This is used only by low-cost carriers IndiGo, GoAIR and SpiceJet. (Oddly, their flights arrive at neighbouring Terminal 1C) 
  • Terminal 2, is only in use during the Hajj pilgrimage for flights to Mecca and Medina.
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Terminal 3, T3 Arrival Road (Metro (Orange line) 'I.G.I. Airport' station right here takes you to the city centre). This enormous main terminal, is used by all international flights and all full-service domestic carriers including Jet Airways and Air India. 

A free shuttle bus operates between the terminals every 20 minutes; however, the shuttle is only free for arriving passengers with onward connecting tickets in the other terminal. Alternatively, public city bus #4 (₹25) operates the same route and does not require a flight ticket. While the terminals share the same runways, connecting between the two requires a massive detour via a nearby highway, so allow up to 20 minutes to make the transfer.

To travel between the airport and the city:

  • Delhi Airport Metro Express is a train line that operates between New Delhi Metro Station and Dwarka Sector 21, with a stop at the airport Terminal 3. See the website for the schedule. The journey to New Delhi Metro Station takes 20 minutes and costs ₹100. From the railway station, you can transfer to the Metro (crossing the city street to reach the station).
  • Delhi Transport Corporation and EATS (Ex Serviceman's Airlink Transport Service) operate buses between the airport and the city 24 hours per day. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes and the cost is ₹50 per adult, ₹25 per child below 12 years, ₹25 for heavy luggage. Buses run to ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal) near Kashmiri Gate, Connaught Place, Delhi Train Station and many hotels in the city centre, departing from both airport terminals every 60 minutes from 10:00-23:20. Tickets can be bought and a fixed seat can be booked at a desk in the Arrivals Hall.
  • Taxis from the airport should only be booked from the yellow prepaid taxi booths operated by the Delhi Police. There is one located directly outside of the airport and one located near the rental car counters to the right of the exit doors. You may be approached by touts offering pre-paid taxis; just ignore them as there have been safety incidents reported. It is worth it to wait in the long queue for a prepaid taxi. A prepaid taxi to the city centre will cost ₹400-500. Ignore any requests by the driver for additional payment. There is no practice of tipping taxi drivers anywhere in India. When you reach your destination, take your bags first, then give the driver the receipt and walk away without further discussion. Note that taxis routinely get stuck in traffic during rush-hour, but the journey to the city centre is much quicker at night.
  • Prearranged pick-ups are also available from most hotels. The cost may be double the charge from the prepaid taxi booths, but you will have someone waiting for you at the airport with your name on a sign and you won't have to wait in the taxi queue.

ബസ് വഴി

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Buses arrive from Kathmandu and Chitwan in Nepal (36 hr+) and virtually every city in India. Although not as comfortable as the trains, buses are the only choice for some destinations, mainly those in the mountains.

Delhi has a confusing slew of inter-state bus termini (ISBT), which all have two names. The Delhi Transport Corporation is the major operator, but every state also runs its own buses and there are some private operators too.

  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Kashmere Gate ISBT (Maharana Pratap) (Metro Kashmere Gate, Line 1/2), Template:Phone, Template:Email. This is "the" ISBT and the largest of the lot. Buses to points north (Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Garwhal, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmere) including Nepal 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Sarai Kale Khan ISBT (Vir Hakikat Rai) (next to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station). Buses to points south, (Agra, Madhya Pradesh) 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Anand Vihar ISBT (Swami Vivekanand) (On the east bank of Yamuna, M: Anand Vihar). Buses to points east (Lucknow, Kumaon) 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Bikaner House, Pandara Rd, New Delhi (M: Central Secretariat Station). bus stop. Buses, including air-conditioned Volvo buses from Jaipur arrive at this place. For travel between Jaipur and Delhi, this bus stop is very clean, less crowded than ISBT, and easy to reach. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Majnu ka Tilla, New Aruna Nagar, (Tibetan colony, a short rickshaw ride from Metro Vidhan Sabha). Buses to Dharamsala 

Another option is to book bus tickets online from RunBus [1] Redbus,TicketGoose,SVLLConnect [2] which has tied up with a number of large private bus operators all over India.

ട്രെയിൻ വഴി

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Introduction

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Once you have purchased a ticket either at the ticket office or on-line prior to the trip, all you need to do is go to the rail car labelled with your class of service purchased. You can either get on and sit in the first available seat or, for higher classes of service, they will often post a passenger list on the car when it stops. Look for your name and go to the assigned car, cabin and seat. There is never a need to get a boarding pass so if anyone comes out of the crowd to tell you that, don't listen to them; it is a scam. If you're brave, you can simply purchase a general 2nd class ticket and then get on any car where there is availability. The conductor will come by and check your tickets after the train starts moving. If you are in a higher fare class than you are ticketed for, all you have to do is simply pay the difference in fare to the conductor. The only risk here is that the train could be full and you could be stuck in the lowest fare class which can be very crowded with little room to sit.

Ticket buying: The easiest way is to book online through the Indian Railways booking website . (Note, however, that you are required to have both an e-mail address AND a mobile phone number that is registered within India in order to access the booking area of the site.)

Do not trust strangers who appear out of the crowd to help you; ignore them. Always ask for assistance at the enquiry counter or policemen (in khaki uniform).

Anyone who approaches you spontaneously should be completely ignored. Use one of the porters (in orange uniforms with metallic arms badges) to find your train and carry your luggage, in exchange for a tip.

Stations & ticket offices

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  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Delhi Junction station (Old Delhi or Purani Dilli) (M 2: Chandni Chowk station. There is an entrance just outside at the east end of the station and also just over the main road outside (last metro at about 11:30). If taking an Auto Rickshaw from here, the prepaid desk will often try and charge you as much as three times the actual price quoted on the official price guide displayed clearly in their window - bargaining is sadly often cheaper.). (code DLI).Huge and confusing. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". New Delhi station (in Central Delhi. Pre-paid taxi booth run by Delhi Police. If you are arriving at the station, and want to take a taxi, head to the Delhi Police pre-paid taxi booth. Unfortunately, this booth is at the extreme far north end (about 50 m from the station main exit) of the taxi parking and you will encounter touts claiming to provide prepaid taxi; just ignore them and find the pre-paid taxi booth run by the Delhi Police which are safe and least expensive. - Metro exits are at the Ajmeri Gate (second entrance) side near platform 16. You can also take prepaid rickshaws and taxis from the plaza outside the main entrance. M2: New Delhi). (code NDLS) is located just outside of Paharganj, also known as the backpacker ghetto. - It will take about 40 min-1 hr to travel from the New Delhi Railway Station to the airport by car, depending on traffic, a taxi fare cost you about ₨ 400. - A tourist ticket office called the International Tourist Bureau is open during office hours upstairs of, but still within, the main New Delhi railway station (on the side away from the metro, near platform 1). Note that it is only for foreign tourists, so you must have a tourist visa (i.e. student and working visas are not acceptable). Non-resident Indians can also book their tickets through this office. Bring your passport and cash or traveller's cheques in Euros, British pounds or US dollars. If you wish to pay in Indian Rupees (₹) you theoretically must show an official exchange certificate (from India, not valid if you changed in another country) or an ATM receipt. All ticket bookings require exact change, as like everywhere in India the office has little to no change. If you don't have exact change, it's possible after booking to go down to the food stores, buy food to get change, then return and pick up your ticket. To get a ticket, first go to the centre of the room and get numbers for the reservation and information desks, as well as a form to fill out. Then line up at one of the two u-shaped lines of chairs, fill out the form, and prepare for a protracted wait. When your information number is called, have the clerk check the availability of the train(s) you desire and answer any questions you have about the form. Then wait for your reservation number to be called. Note that by the time you get to the reservation desk, your train may no longer be available, in which case you can try to reserve a different one. If you need a bathroom during this lengthy process, there is a relatively clean male and female toilet just outside on the verandah through the side door (the door you didn't enter through). - The station is large, crowded, confusing and packed with touts. Allow one hour to find your train the first time you visit. Don't trust the electronic display boards, which often show incorrect information. Instead listen to the announcements and ask multiple people in uniform (policemen) until you find your train. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Hazrat Nizamuddin station, Harsha Rd, Nizamuddin East, (A few kilometres to the south. Bus 261, 306 to the Sarai Kale Khan Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on the ring road and then walk over to the station (400 m).). (code NZM). Many trains heading south. It's the least chaotic of the Big Three, but still pretty big and poorly signposted; listen to the announcements to figure out your train. The station has a pretty good food court that sells inexpensive, hygienic takeaway snacks including sandwiches and samosas. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Anand Vihar Terminal (East, near Ghaziabad - Delhi Border. M 3:Anand Vihar, just opposite to Anand Vihar Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT)). (code ANVT) Repeatedly delayed, the station finally opened in December 2009 and will gradually take over all east-bound services. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Delhi Sarai Rohilla station, Railway Officers Colony, (M: Shastri Nagar, or bus 71, 89). 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Delhi Cantonment station (Bus 518, 545, 588 to Delhi Cantt stop). 
  • Ticket office (on the road to Connaught Place with longer hours). It often has waiting times not much longer than at the tourist booking office. You will need to know the number or name of the train you want to take. 

ചുറ്റിയടിക്കാൻ

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Template:Wy/ml/Mapframe Getting around Delhi is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist. Use the prices below as broad guidelines, agree on prices before setting off. Best way to travel is via metro, where there are separate cabins for women (that prove to be very useful during rush hour). Metro is clean, efficient, and typically ridden by relatively affluent middle-class students or commuters en route to/from work; there is almost nowhere in the city that you cannot get to by metro.

മെട്രോ

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The modern Delhi Metro, a sign of India's economic development
 
Delhi Metro and rail network

The fast-growing Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city. As of December 2016, the following lines are open:

  • Red Line: Dilshad Garden - Rithala
  • Yellow Line: Samaypur Badli - HUDA City Centre, Gurgaon
  • Blue Line: Dwarka Sector 21 - Vaishali/Noida City Centre
  • Green Line: Mundka - Inderlok/Kirti Nagar
  • Violet Line: ITO - Escorts Mujesar
  • Airport Express: New Delhi Railway Station - Airport - Dwarka

Fares range from ₹8-30, just buy a token, change lines as necessary, and deposit the token in the slot as you exit. Tokens can be used only from the station they are bought, so you can't buy two and use the second to return home. If you're planning on sticking around for a while, you can buy a "Smart Card" for ₹100, which is worth ₹50 and includes a ₹50 deposit; using this saves 10% and, more importantly, lets you avoid the queues. There is also a "Tourist Card" allowing unlimited use for ₹150 (1 day) or ₹300 (3 days), but it's highly unlikely that you'll travel enough to make this pay off. Special fares apply for travel on the Airport Express. During rush hour, you might have to queue up for 20min+ due to security checks, especially in the central stations.

The Yellow Line (Line 2), in particular, is useful for getting to the Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) and New Delhi railway stations, the ISBT bus terminal, the backpacker ghetto of Paharganj, Hauz Khas and Qutub Minar. The Blue Line (Line 3) is also handy for visiting Akshardham and accessing the western parts of Paharganj through RK Ashram Marg station.

Beware: Metro stations all use the new, official, Indianised names, so Connaught Place is "Rajiv Chowk", Old Delhi Railway Station is "Chandni Chowk" and ISBT is "Kashmere Gate".

The first coach in every train is reserved for women passengers only, violating it incurs penalty. The rule does not exempt male passengers accompanying female passengers.

Be aware that if you wish to exit at a main station during rush hour, you will have to tackle your way through in order to get out before the opposite flow of passengers push you back inside. Don't be afraid of using your strength to push yourself out.

ലോക്കൽ ട്രെയിനുകൾ

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There are limited commuter services on Delhi's railways, but the facilities are a far cry from the user-friendly Metro stations. For the most part, train stations are inconveniently located. There is no passenger service on the Delhi Ring Railway outside rush hour.

Please note that the Indian Railways website does not accept foreign credit cards.

ബസ്

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You're never alone on a bus in Delhi

All parts of Delhi are well connected by buses and with tickets ranging from ₹5-15 they are very cheap, but they are also quite crowded most of the time. The red coloured buses are air-conditioned and the green coloured are not. As bus stops do not have bus routes written properly, it can be difficult to find your way. Asking other people at the bus stop is often the best way to find out about bus routes to your destination. However, the buses are pretty frequent, running every 15-20 min or so on most routes. There are two kinds of buses in Delhi:

  • Government run DTC buses (red and green coloured with big windows)
  • Privately run Blue-Line buses (orange coloured)

If you have a choice, please go for a DTC bus. They will stop less frequently and will generally be less crowded too. Note that many buses, DTC ones too, will stop pretty much anywhere if there are enough people getting on or off.

Board buses at the back and pay the ticket seller sitting right next to the door. Be sure to hang onto your tickets, as ticket checks are fairly frequent. Some seats on the left side of the bus may be reserved for women and the handicapped. When it's time to disembark, move to the front of the bus. As you might expect, all these guidelines are regularly ignored when buses are very crowded.

ഹൊപ്പ് ഒൺ ഹോപ് ഓഫ്

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Hop on Hop off Delhi Tourism Bus

Delhi Tourism operates a "Hop On Hop Off (HOHO)" bus service, (Helpline) ☎ +91 11 4094 0000. A fleet of air conditioned low floored buses follow a pre-defined set of stops around the city and passengers can hop off the bus, see the place at one's own convenience and hop on the next bus. The service runs on a 45 minute interval and covers important monuments, memorials, museums and shopping places in the city. Each bus is staffed with a knowledgeable English speaking guide. The ticket costs ₹ 300 and is valid for 2 consecutive days. The service does not operate on Mondays.

ടാക്സി

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Official Taxi

A taxi or hired car (usually with driver) is required to see many of the far-flung sites within and around Delhi. However, the metro is a far cheaper and equally comfortable option.

Most Delhi taxis are old but reliable CNG-run Ambassadors or Omnis in distinctive black-and-yellow livery and a green stripe. The hired family car of choice is usually a Toyota Innova or Chevrolet Tavera. While all are equipped with meters and should cost ₹15 for the first km ₹8.5 per km, the meters are often rigged and it's better to agree on the price in advance. Most trips around the city should be ₹200-500, while a trip to the airport would be higher, depending on starting location. An eight-hour charter should cost around ₹1,500, and a tip is expected if the driver is helpful. The prices would also depend upon the vehicle size too. Note that black and yellow taxis are not air-conditioned. Even if they do have air conditioning, you will be charged extra (and the rates are up to the driver, so bargain hard).

The death knell of the Ambassador was rung in December 2006, when modern radio taxi services were launched. At ₹20/km, they're more the list price of the competition, but they use modern vehicles with air-conditioning and GPS and can be dialed 24 hr/day. The flag fare is ₹20, and the fare increases by ₹5 for every 250 m after the first km. If you need an SUV, you need to inform the company in advance, but the fare remains the same. Night charges (25% extra) apply between 23:00 to 05:00. Book up to a few hours in advance. Many corporate people rely on these cabs for their daily commute and they may be booked during office hours. Tipping is not expected. After booking, you will receive an SMS with the car licence plate number, and the driver's name and mobile number. Usually the driver will call you and inform you that he's arrived. Most drivers speak English at a very basic level, so use short phrases. You can use TaxiPixi services and avoid all the hassle. Download the app on your iPhone/Android or book online through -TaxiPixi. ☎ +91 11 64676467 BookCab. 24x7 support ☎ +91 80 30003000; - Carzonrent. ☎ +91 11 43083000, 24x7 support ☎ +91 88 82222222; - ZipMyTravel. 24x7 support ☎ +91 85 87867861; - Cabhit India 24x7 support; - Commercial Taxis. ☎ +91-9810115661 ; - Travel to India. ☎ +91 11 26682023; - Delhi Taxis. ☎ +91 11 25778684; - EasyCabs. ☎ +91 11 43434343 (Point to point charges@₹ 20/km); - Mega Cabs. ☎ +91 11 41414141 (Point to point charges@₹ 20/km); - Meru Cabs. ☎ +91 11 44224422 (Point to point charges@₹ 20/km); - Savaari. 24x7 support ☎ +91 93 58585237; - Tricabs. ☎ 25851290, 24x7 support ☎ +91 98 73533669; - Cabhit India, 24x7 customer support; - Delhi Cabs. ☎ +91 98 18707986; Tajtripcar. ☎ +91 88 00550676; Delhi to Chandigarh taxi. ☎ +91 88 00550901;Jet Fleet. ☎ +1860-3070-1002; WiWiGo. ☎ +91 8010166166 ; +91 8880510520;Mapcabs.+91 9945733200 Raahiztravels +91 7666840935; AMZ Cabs +91 8698454528; Tanushree Cabs

There are also some reliable online car rental portals that offer Car Rental Services in and around Delhi. For one-way and round-trip out-station journeys, GetMeCab. 24x7 customer support ☎ +91 9015154545 provides online cab booking services with verified drivers and clean cars. GetMeCab provides cabs like Micra, Indigo, Dzire, Etios, Innova Crysta, Tempo Travellers, luxury cars and more at prices starting as low as Rs 9/km.

You are recommended not to take non-official taxis, they might take you to wrong hotels, or to a "tourist information centre", and try to sell you overpriced things. Check with the driver if he is properly having his official documents or not, to be on a safer side.

ഓട്ടോ റിക്ഷ

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Auto-rickshaws - no doors

Auto rickshaws (also called three-wheeled scooters, tuk-tuks or simply autos) are good for shorter trips. Always in a distinctive yellow-and-green livery, auto rickshaws are three-wheeled partially enclosed contraptions that run on CNG and can seat three people in the back. In general, they are much cheaper than taxis and can be hailed from the street. Although by law the rickshaw drivers should charge according to the meter in their vehicle (₹25 for the first two km, ₹8/km after), this rate is unrealistically low and they will almost always try to haggle for price. Try to negotiate a price before entering the vehicle. As rules of thumb, expect even the shortest journey to cost ₹30-40 regardless of the meter, but you should never need to pay over ₹150 for any trip within the city. If you're overquoted, don't be afraid to walk away. It's usually easy to find another one soon, usually with a driver who won't rip you off.

If you have any trouble with drivers, go to any of the numerous tourist police stations in the city centre and they will give you a complaint slip which will result in a ₹500 fine for the auto driver. There should also be a telephone number written on the vehicle to call in case of any complaint.

There are a number of "Pre-paid" auto stands run by the Police. Tell them where you want to go and pay them upfront. The charge will include ₹5 for the service. You then take the coupon and stand outside where a policeman will direct you to the next available Auto. When your journey is completed you hand the coupon to the auto driver and that's it. Nothing more to pay (despite what they may say).

സൈക്കിൾ റിക്ഷ

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Traffic in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar, facing Jama Masjid

Cycle rickshaws are three-wheeled, pedal-powered rickshaws with seats in the back to seat passengers and a driver in the front. They are good for short distances, or places which are too far to walk but too short for taking a bus/taxi/auto rickshaw. Cycle rickshaws don't use meters, so establish a price before getting on. ₹20-50 is reasonable for most journeys of a few km.

Cycle rickshaws are best to use in Old Delhi to visit the intricate galis (walkways) and to enjoy the smells and sounds of the city.

കാൽനട

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Gandhi's famed Salt March

Much of Delhi is quite pedestrian-hostile. Distances are long, road signage is poor, and in the more tourist oriented areas, you'll be constantly accosted by beggars and touts. Crossing roads often involves wading across multiple lanes of heavy traffic. Try your best to move in a predictable straight line, so vehicles can weave around you. Better yet, latch onto a group of locals and cross in their shadow. If you really want to walk around, these places would be good:

  • Walk from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's house) to India Gate on the Rajpath (a walk of close to 3–4 km).
  • Walk from Jama Masjid to Red Fort in the Chandni Chowk area.
  • Far South Delhi go walk about in the forest. Try starting from south of Indian Institute of Technology through Sanjay Van to Qutub Minar. Note however that Sanjay Van is not always safe, and it is advisable to go there in a group, preferably during daylight.
  • South Delhi-Green Park-Hauz Khas Village, then to the Hauz Khas ruined madrasa, offers a newer shopping area, an up-market arts village, old ruins, and some quality gardens.
  • There are many walks that you can do in Old and central Delhi.

കാണാൻ

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Template:Wy/ml/Infobox The staff at the Delhi tourist office is very helpful, and the office has a lot of free information:

ചെങ്കോട്ട (റെഡ് ഫോർട്ട്)

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Lahore Gate of the Red Fort
 
Inside the Diwan-i-Am
 
Diwan-i-Khas

The only open entrance is Lahore Gate, on the west side. Security in and around the Fort is very heavy, as it was the scene of a terrorist attack in 2000 that killed three people. Bags are allowed, but they'll be X-rayed and you'll be patted down. Tickets cost ₹ 30/500 for Indians/foreigners, photography free, video cameras ₹ 25 extra. Open sunrise to sunset daily except Monday. Allow for 3-4 hr in your schedule in case of long weekends and national holidays as lot of tourists flock around then. The most scenic way of reaching the fort is to take the Metro to Chawri Bazaar and then a cycle-rickshaw through the incredibly packed bazaar to the Fort (price negotiable, aim for ₹ 20).

The fort has a light and sound show (₹ 50) in the evenings from 19:30-21:00, depending on the season.

Be careful buying tickets at the booth, as the ticket sellers will attempt to shortchange you. Try to have a small bill. Due to enhanced security the parking can be a bit tricky as the walk from the now distanced away parking at nearby alternative slots is quite a bit. The congested traffic makes crossing the road even trickier.

ഹുമയൂണിന്റെ ശവകുടീരം

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Humayun's Tomb

കുത്തബ് സമുച്ചയം

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Qutub Minar
 
Ala-i-Darwaza (left), Imam Zamin's tomb (right) and Qutb Minar in the background
 
Intricately carved alcove, Tomb of Iltutmish
 
Calligraphy, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
 
Biran Ka Gumbad

പുരാന കില (പഴയ കോട്ട)

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West Gate of Purana Qila
 
Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid
 
Sher Mandal

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

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Monuments

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Agrasen ki Baoli
 
Barakhamba
 
Bara Batasha
 
Jantar Mantar
 
Kos Minar
 
Khuni Darwaza
 
Lal Bangla
 
Rajon ki Baoli
 
Razia Sultana's tomb
 
Safrdarjung's Tomb
 
Sikander Lodi's tomb

Museums

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The Mahatma's glasses - inside Gandhi Smriti

Religious buildings

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Churches

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Gurudwaras

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Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Mosques

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Jama Masjid

Hindu temples

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Akshardham Temple

Other religious buildings

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Lotus Temple

Other

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The Parliament House

Do

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  • Take a walk at Connaught Place (CP), the heart of New Delhi. The British-designed colonial equivalent of a shopping mall, it's laid out in two concentric rings divided into blocks, all bursting with shops and lots of pampered pigeons waddling about. Long neglected, the area received a major shot in the arm after the opening of the major Metro junction of Rajiv Chowk under it, and it's going more upmarket by the day. At the centre is a small but pleasant park, while on one edge is the notorious Palika Bazaar, an underground den of cheap wares, many pirated or smuggled from overseas. The area is surrounded by tall office buildings on nearly all sides. Train fans will want to check out the Metro Museum inside the (Patel Chowk) station, open 10:00-16:00, Tue-Sun (free with valid Metro ticket).
 
Rare white tiger of Madhya Pradesh - NZP

Parks and gardens

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Learn

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Delhi is a key centre of learning in India. The most famous universities in Delhi are JNU, DU, IGNOU, DTU and IIT. The official website of the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education is a good starting point for learning more about study opportunities in Delhi.

Apart from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, there are many training and diploma-level institutes and polytechnics that cater to the growing demand for skill-based and vocational education. Besides conventional educational institutes, more and more foreigners also make the effort to learn Hindustani language (Hindi-Urdu) and Delhi is these languages.

Work

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Delhi's economy is expanding rapidly. In analogy many interesting work opportunities emerge. Monster and other online job platforms are a good starting point to see what kind of jobs are on offer. Traditionally foreigners often work in the social sector or in teaching. Increasingly, however, expats work for multinational companies and even local Indian companies.

There is a great variety of employment opportunities in Delhi for foreigners, whether they would like to work in business, NGOs, educational institutes, or even government. Still, there is one caveat: the labour market in Delhi is highly competitive and so at many prestigious organisations, the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions available, which allows employers to receive highly talented applicants for rather meagre salaries (especially when compared to other international destinations).

Buy

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If you're not afraid to haggle and bump elbows in bazaars, Delhi is a great place to shop. Also, Western-style malls are plentiful in the suburbs of Gurgaon and Noida. Many shopping districts are overly crowded on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Malls

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Bazaars

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Handicrafts

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The calm of Dilli Haat

Clothing

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fab India

Computers

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The Nehru Place IT market complex is an interesting combination of modern technology products and old world marketplace sales techniques.

Books

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The Indian book industry is huge, producing annually about 15,000 books in English, and obviously far more in Hindi and other native languages. Delhi is hub of this industry, so small, specialist bookstores abound. Locally produced books can be very inexpensive and many popular Western titles are published and available here for a fraction of their original cost.

Tea

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Eat

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Sweet Jilebis are very popular in Delhi

Delhiites complain about many things in their city, but the food will satisfy even the most demanding gourmet. Not only can you find some of the best Indian food on the subcontinent, there is also an increasing number of excellent (if often pricey) international restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. When ordering, do remember that Delhi is about 1,000 km from the nearest ocean, so vegetarian, chicken and mutton dishes are the way to go.

Do visit Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk. This street has shops that make and sell solely parathas (stuffed Indian bread). These are available in all the possible flavours and stuffing you may imagine, with hundreds of varieties from bitter-gourd to ice cream.

Delhi has arguably the best street food in India. However, do not eat unhygienic or open food. There are plenty of restaurants offering street food in a potentially more hygienic environment.

You can join local groups of foodies who go out regularly to sample and savor what new and old dishes the city has to offer. If you want a fully customized food tour tailored specifically for you, then Food Tour In Delhi is a good choice. The guests can explore street food of Delhi in a fun and safe manner. Their tours cover food joints which are in business for 50 to 120 years and serve some of the best street food in world. The tours cover winding streets of Old Delhi as well as swanky upscale markets located all over the city. The food tours are lead by chefs and culinary experts with extensive experience and offer facilities such as pickup and drop, unlimited food which covers all major varieties of food available in city. Another one of the most active groups is Food Enthusiasts of Delhi. They organize regular food walks, better known as Raids to various parts and joints in the city. Its a non-commercial group, brought together by passion and love for food.

Budget

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The best place to go for chaat is the Bengali Market (near Mandi House Metro Stn) near Connaught Place in the center of town. The restaurants are high quality and the food is great. There are ATMs as well. One of the best known restaurants there is Nathu's. But for the really good chaat you have to make your way to Old Delhi, and particularly to Ashok's near Chawri Bazaar. While connoisseurs insist that the best chaat is prepared on the street, most travellers try to find a comfortable middle ground between hygiene and authenticity.

  • Amritsari Kulcha Wala, Paschim Vihar Red Light, (near Jwala Heri Market). If you are into amritsari kulcha, you probably can't miss this. People on dieting beware: the amount of butter that the vendor puts in is huge. However, without it you will not enjoy the Amritsari Kulcha so much. It is kind of a road side dhaba or shack. ₹ 60 for two kulchas is what he charges. It is actually on Outer Ring Road, Adjoining to a park wall. You can ask anybody about the Kulcha wala and they will be able to tell you the direction in Paschim Vihar/Meera Vihar Outer Ring Rd.
  • Andhra Pradesh Bhavan Canteen, Ashok Road (near Man Singh Road). Open for lunch and dinner this is a favorite of local Delhi foodies who are looking for an authentic Andhra meal. They serve all you can eat veg/non-veg thalis for ₹ 80-150. For carnivores, you have a variety of non-veg options (chicken/fish/mutton) but the mutton fry is recommended. The service is quick and efficient (slipshod and aggressive), and the joint crowded and noisy. Another favorite is the Karnataka Bhavan canteen beside Ansal Plaza near Mool Chand offering all possible South India food.
  • Bitto Tikki Wala, (also known as BTW), Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura. The best aloo tikki (potato and vegetable burger) available in town. It has a branch in Sarita Vihar, Near Apollo Hospital and Badarpur border. It has branches all over the city now, in shopping areas.
  • Egg parantha Wala, Lajpat Nagar, (opposite to Surya hotel). This guy owns a shack and has been running the parantha business for ages.
  • Haldiram's, 1454/2 Chandni Chowk (just west of the fountain) and other outlets around town, [3]. This is a famous manufacturer of Indian snacks and sweets that has now gone global. This always-packed, two-story outlet in the heart of Chandni Chowk was its first in Delhi and dates back to 1924. The ground floor houses a vast array of sweet and sticky Indian confections, while the first floor has a popular vegetarian restaurant. This is a great place to try authentic and hygienic Delhi chaat and other Indian snack foods. Try the Raj Kachori, a mixture of different types of stuffing with sweetened yogurt and chutneys in an oversized hollow dough shell. All chaat is under ₹ 50, or you can get a full daily thali for ₹ 90. Choley Bhature, and the various Dosas are great options to try as well from their Southern Indian selection. Be sure to save room for dessert, as Haldiram's offers some of the best rasmalai, rasgullah, gulab jamun, and other tasty delights in India.
  • Kake Di Hatti, Chandni Chowk near Old Delhi Railway Station. The most extensive varieties of naans(Indian bread) you will find in Delhi. They make the biggest and best tasting naans for your money.
  • Nangarg, Rajgur Marg Road (side road off of Main Bazaar), Paharganj. A really good hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food for about ₹ 60. The workers there are genuinely good people, which can be hard to find in this area. You'll have more luck finding a sign that says "Veg-Nonveg" than their actual restaurant sign.
  • Tadka, 4986, Ram Dwara Rd, Nehru Bazar, Paharganj, (side road off of Main Bazaar). A notably clean restaurant by Paharganj standards. Serves only vegetarian food, a full thali for ₹ 60. Their tea is really good and their most popular dish is paneer masala.

Mid-range

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You will find McDonalds, KFC, Subway and Pizza Hut in malls and throughout the city. The Indian menu without beef and with lots of veggie options can be interesting even if you would otherwise steer clear.

  • Club India Cafe, 4797, 2nd floor, 6 Tooti Chowk, Paharganj (next to vegetable market), Template:Phone. Don't be put off by the cramped stairway up. This is a clean and bright little haven of peace with birds-eye views of the chaos below. The menu spans the gamut but the thing to try is the Japanese food, prepared under the watchful eye of the Japanese owner. ₹100-200. 
  • Gulati Restaurant, 6 Pandara Road Market. Voted as the best North Indian Restaurant. ₹639 for buffet. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Karim's, Template:Phone. Jama Masjid, Gali Kababian. As you'd expect from a restaurant on Kebab Lane, the main dish is Mughal-style meat (mutton and chicken), served up since 1913. Is down a little alley just South of the Jama Masjid southern entrance (past the auto supplies market). Favourites include badam pasanda (boneless mutton cooked with yogurt, almonds and spices) and chicken noor jahan, but if you're really hungry, try Tandoori Bakra; an entire stuffed goat for ₹4,500, 24 hr notice and down payment is required. Some of the dishes have huge puddles of oil on top, which you're supposed to drain off before eating. Under ₹200 at the original; more at the branches.. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Khan Chacha, D-3, Radial Road 5, Block D, Connaught Place, Template:Phone. 12:00-23:00. A roomali rolls and kababs restaurant serving chicken, mutton, paneer, and rolls. Very popular with locals. Mains: ₹180-320. 
  • Moti Mahal Delux, Several locations. Famous for their tandoori chicken and North Indian food. Their family-sized naan is delicious and the size of a 4 year old child. Home of where the original Dal Makhani, Butter Chicken, and many of the other dishes now highly popular in the UK were first created. 
  • Sagar Ratna, Several locations, Template:Phone. Considered by many to be the best place for authentic South Indian food, Sagar does justice to the reputation. The menu features dosas, idlis, vadas, uttapams, rasam and thalis. A/C. There's likely to be a queue for seats during peak hours and definitely on Tues nights. The upmarket version at Sagar Ratna, Ashok Hotel, 50-B Chanakyapuri, ☎ +91 11 2611 0101, is quieter, better laid out and more expensive. Both also have many other branches. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Saravana Bhavan, P-13/90, Connaught Circus, Block P, Connaught Place, Template:Phone. A good South Indian joint located in Janpath very close to Connaught Place. They are a Chennai chain operating in Delhi. If you go at lunch time, prepare to wait a while. The various dosas are recommended, as well as the thalis (meals) and the sweet dishes. 

Splurge

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  • Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton, Regularly tops the charts as India's best restaurant (and certainly among the priciest), the roast lamb and the Bukhara Dal here are renowned . Always make reservations or be ready to stand in a queue, similar to queues at an airport for about 2 hr. ₹ 2,000+.
  • Chor Bizarre. Hotel Broadway, 4/15A Asaf Ali Rd. Now franchised worldwide, the original restaurant serves Kashmiri food in an eclectic surrounding like a chor bazaar (thieves market). The buffet is laid out inside an old car. ₹300-₹400 for each dish. A bit on the pricey side (relatively for India), but worth a splurge. If going by foot, look out for the Delhi Stock Exchange on same strip 0.5 km from here. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)
  • Template:Wy/ml/Dead linkDelhi Food Adventure. Old Delhi. 3-4 hr tour of many of the best dishes in Old Delhi, reservations required, one of Delhi's top rated tours. ₹1500 per person. 
  • Naivedyam, East Patel Nagar, (opposite Jaypee Siddharth Hotel), Offers quality South Indian meals and service at great prices.
  • Punjabi by Nature, Rajouri Garden, MGF City Square Mall (Lifestyle). One of Delhi's best-known Punjabi restaurants. ₹ 800 or so, more if you order seafood.

Italian

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  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Amici Cafe, 8, Defence Colony Main Market, New Delhi, Delhi 110024, Template:Phone. 11:00-23:00. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". The Big Chill, 5, Khailash Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110048, Template:Phone. 12:00-23:30. Khan Market and East of Kailash, is popular with a young crowd for great smoothies, ice creams, cheesecakes and Italian food. Expect a waiting line during lunch at Saturdays. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Diva, M-8A, M Block Market, Greater Kailash-2 New Delhi, Template:Phone. 11:00-23:00. Italian style food. 
  • Flavours of Italy, (near the Moolchand flyover).
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Little Italy, 28 A, Defence Colony Market New Delhi. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Olive Bar & Kitchen, One Style Mile, Haveli No. 6, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli (near the Qutub Minar), Template:Phone. 12:00-15:30 / 19:30-00:30. Italian style food. 
  • La Piazza, Hyatt Regency. Italian style restaurant.
  • San Gimignano, Imperial Hotel, Italian style food.
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Sartoria Italian Cuisine, Basant Lok, Shiv Nagar, Template:Phone. 12:00-00:00. Italian style food, great pizzas, carpaccio, pasta and wines. Mains are about ₹ 500. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". Slice of Italy, Shop No. 90, Lodhi Road, Mehar Chand Market (Near Nehru Stadium), Template:Phone. 10:00-01:00. near Lodhi Road and various other locations in Delhi. Italian style food. 
  • Script error: No such module "Wy/ml/Map". T.L.R. Cafe & Kitchen, 2nd Floor, 31, Hauz Khas Village, Near Axis Bank ATM New Delhi, Delhi 110016 (near Green Park and Aurobindo Place in South Delhi), Template:Phone. 10:00-01:00. Popular among tourists, expats and locals. Continental menu featuring a variety of pastas and panini sauce. Kitchen open 11:00-23:00 daily. Also Spanish, Moroccan and American styles, plus desserts and drinks. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)
  • The West View, Maurya Sheraton. Italian style food.

Barbeque/grills

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  • Template:Wy/ml/Dead linkBarbeque Nation. B-1 623, Opp. District Center, Janakpuri. Offers an option where customers can make their food on their personal grills, which are embedded in each table. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian BBQ starters, a main course buffet, soups, salads, desserts and a variety of liquors. 
  • Pirates of Grills, C-12, Vishal Enclave, Rajouri Garden, ('Rajouri Garden metro'). Same concept as Barbeque Nation, Janakpuri

Japanese

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  • Enoki. The Grand, Nelson Mandela Rd, Vasant Kunj-II. Pseudo-rustic yakitori (Japanese chicken kebab) restaurant offering fairly authentic food, including a limited range of sushi and sake. ₹ 1,000+. 
  • Mamagoto, Khan Market, One of Delhi's most popular Japanese restaurants, the fun manga style interiors and great food are a great experience.
  • Sakura. Hotel Metropolitan, Bangla Sahib Marg. Japanese style restaurant, carries the tag of being one of the most expensive restaurants in India. 
  • Side Wok, Khan Market. Japanese, Chinese and other Asian food. Some choice of sushi. Beautiful decor. No alcohol. Mains about ₹ 400.

Middle Eastern

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  • Felafel Man, Main Bazaar, Paharganj. (About a 10 min walk down Main Bazaar from New Delhi train station). Small shop selling falafel rolls and sabeekh. Multilingualcook, the rolls come with hummus, tahini and mineral water washed vegies. Don't forget to wash it down with the seasonal fruit lassi, so thick it takes some effort to suck it up the straws.

Thai

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Delhiites have eagerly adopted Thai food into their culinary pantheon, although the recipes and ingredients are often rather Indianised.

  • EGO Thai, Friends Colony Market.
  • Chilli Seasons, Lodhi Colony market
  • Culinaire, Greater Kailash 2
  • The Kitchen, Khan Market ☎ +91 11 4175 7960, +91 11 4175 7961
  • Thai High, Template:Phone. Mehrauli. Should go at night for a view of the lit up Qutab Minar. 
  • Turquoise Cottage, Template:Phone. 81/3 Adhchini, Sri Aurobindo Marg, South Delhi. True to the name, the decor is turquoise and stylishly rustic, but the food is Thai-Chinese and, while somewhat adapted to Indian tastes, quite tasty. Also check out the popular The Other Side bar downstairs. Reservations recommended. ₹ 500. 

Tibetan

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  • Tibetan Food, (near Shivaji Stadium-which actually is a bus stand, Connaught Place). Tibetan food, run by Tibetan refugees.

Chinese

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After Indian Cuisine, Chinese is Delhi's second most popular cuisine. For a long time, only Indianised Chinese was available, but high-quality options are available today.

  • Mainland China, Vishal Enclave, Rajouri Garden metro station. Oriental/Chinese cuisine. Other branches at Greater Kailash 2 and Saket
  • Nan King, Chinese food in a nice location with a private lounge. Good for groups or a special occasion.
  • Rice Bowl 18/31 East Patel Nagar Market, New Delhi – Chinese/Oriental food.
  • The Yum Yum Tree, Template:Phone. As much as a fantasy-land as a restaurant, it's easily one of the largest Chinese restaurants in the city. The influence is from Singapore, and the Dim Sum Menu is good. The cuisine here is extremely high quality. Sectioned into separate areas. The Grill for a quick lunch, or the more formal dining area for dinner. Includes a funky bar called New Friends Colony. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)

Korean

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  • Gung The Palace, Ground floor. D-1B, Green Park, South Delhi. A very up-market place with good food. 1st floor features a live karaoke, but the ground floor is the place to be. Book in advance for the ground floor.

Afghani

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  • Afghan Restaurant, H-7, Krishna Market, (near Gurdwara, Lajpat Nagar I). Owned &amp: run by members of the Afghani community settled in the area. Very tasty biryani.
  • The Lazeez Hotel And Restaurant, I-87,Afghan Restaurant, (near Centeral Market, Lajpat Nagar II). Owned &amp: run by members of the Afghani community settled in the area.

Iraqi

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  • Iraqi Food - E-178, Lajpat Nagar-I.

Mexican

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  • Picante Mexican Grill, Building 10C, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon. A great place to enjoy Californian style Mexican food. Amazing Burritos.

Drink

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Delhi's nightlife scene has changed in the last decade. There are plenty of modern, cosmopolitan places to separate you from your rupees. In a desperate attempt to keep the sex ratio vaguely equitable, many lounges and clubs have couples only policies (that is, no single men or men-only groups), enforced with varying degrees of strictness. While everything is theoretically to shut down by 01:00 things can keep going much longer.

Coffee / Tea

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The coffee culture in Delhi consists mostly of large, heavily standardised chains. The two most common, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, can be found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Connaught Place. The partly UK-based Costa Coffee has also made a recent foray into the market.

  • Independent coffee shops are harder to find in Delhi, but they do exist, and are worth seeking out.
  • Aap ki Pasand Tea Shop, Sterling House, 15 Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj (opposite the post office, walking distance from Red Fort), Template:Phone. A great place to sample Indian chai and the exotic Darjeeling and Assam teas and purchase the same. Located in an old colonial era building, its teas have been savoured by Bill Clinton, Gorbachov, Koizumi and are taken as official state gifts of India. (updated ഒക്ടോ. 2016)

Hookah/sheesha

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Indian bar food, hookah and an amazing lounge experience. The crowd that frequents these two places is young, hip and trendy.

  • Toast by Lazeez Affaire, Rajouri Garden, West Gate Mall (level III). Great collection of flavored tobacco sheesha, and drinks, international food, Greek, French, pan European and Indian cuisines.
  • Mocha, Defense Colony.

Bars/nightclubs

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  • Aqua, Poolside bar at the Park Hotel (close to Connaught Place), has a lounge atmosphere and an extensive drinks list.
  • Aura, (at the Claridges).
  • Decibel, Chanakyapuri. One of two clubs in the Samrath Hotel next to the Ashok Hotel. ₹ 500 entrance fee.
  • F Bar & Lounge (by Fashion TV), Chanakyapuri. (in the Hotel Ashok). Trendy bar and night club. Claimed to be the largest bar in Delhi in 2008). Cover charge is redeemable against drinks. Fri, Sat is ₹ 3,000, free on Wed before 22:00.
  • IndoChine's Forbidden City, South Delhi (Lado Sarai, adjacent to Qutab Golf Course). Singapore chain that opened in Delhi in 2007. Madame Butterfly restaurant upstairs serves very good Chinese food. The BarSaVanh loungebar is downstairs, very cool ambience outside. Meal for two around ₹ 3,000.
  • Manre, Bar/lounge, Saket Market, City Mall. Open bar on Thursday for ₹ 800.
  • Orange, (Ashoka Hotel). Nightclub.
  • Shalom, N-block market, GK-1. Cool Mediterranean-themed lounge bar/restaurant with chill-out music.
  • T.L.R., 31 Hauz Khas Village www.tlrcafe.com. Delhi's cozy, arty refuge for tourists, expats and locals comes alive in the evenings. Live bands, DJ nights and pub quiz.
  • Toast, Bar & Grill by Lazeez Affaire, Rajouri Garden, West Gate Mall (Level III). Flavored tobacco sheesha, drinks, international food, Greek, French, pan-European and Indian cuisines.
  • Urban Pind/Bar/Cafe, Greater Kailash I (GK-1), block N, number 4. Bar/lounge on 3 floors. Regular events like Salsa, open bar for ₹ 720, electro night, great expat nights.
  • Xes Cafe, Saket, DLF South Court Mall. A the quintessential coffee shop. Good food with an eclectic bar menu. Loud music.

Gay and lesbian Delhi

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  • Amigo, Bar
  • Peppers, Bar.

It is, however, worth mentioning that homosexuality is still illegal in India and hence, such places, due to their fluid and underground nature are not possible to be listed.

Sleep

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Prices quoted may not include taxes of up to 22.5%, calculated based on the published rack rates - not necessarily the price that you actually pay, which could be discounted. Smoking is not allowed in Delhi hotels.

Budget

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Delhi has plenty of budget accommodation options, priced from ₹400-2,500.

Paharganj

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Everything a backpacker needs and then some, Main Bazaar
 
Picturesque Paharganj

Paharganj is an area directly west of the New Delhi Railway Station, bordered by Panchkuian Road in the south, Igdah Road in the north, and Deshraj Bhatia Marg/Chitragupta Road in the west. The neighborhood is noisy, filthy, and full of touts, but it's also centrally-located and has many cheap hotels and thus very popular with budget travellers. Paharganj is considered a safe area.

Karol Bagh

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This area, west of Paharganj, is quieter, but not as centrally located. It is served by the Karol Bagh metro station.

Chandni Chowk

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Chandni Chowk is located in Old Delhi and is close to historical sights such as the Red Fort and Jameh Mosque. It is served by the Chandi Chowk metro station.

Connaught Place / Rajiv Chowk

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The centrally-located business district.

Mahipalpur/Airport Area

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Mahipalpur is a neighborhood located close to Terminal 1 and within walking distance from the Aero City metro station. There are dozens of hotels in this area at several price points.


Chankyapuri

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Chanakyapuri is an affluent neighbourhood where many embassies and the Prime Minister's residence are located. Chanakyapuri was developed as official residences for both politicians and civil servants to the Union Government. As such, it has numerous parks and open spaces, and suffers few utility disruptions. It is served by the Chankyapuri metro station.

Majnu ka Tilla

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Majnu ka Tilla is a compact Tibetan settlement and the place of departure and arrival for buses to/from Dharamsala, the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama. Stay here if you have an interest in Tibetan culture, politics and religion, or if you need something quieter (and just slightly more expensive) than Paharganj. Rooms are mostly doubles averaging ₹700, but some ₹400 singles can be had (2015). An auto-rickshaw from New Delhi train station should cost around ₹ 50 (use the prepaid stand). The Vidhan Sabha metro station is also nearby and popular. From there cycle-rickshaws charge ₹ 15 and take about five minutes.

Greater Kailash

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Greater Kailash is an affluent residential area in South Delhi. Most of the accommodation here is a bit of a hike to the metro, but the quality of the houses and calmness makes this area an attractive place to stay.

East of New Delhi Railway Station

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Mid-range

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Delhi's chronic lack of quality hotels has led to a mushrooming of guest houses of widely varying quality and price. The new official 'Delhi Bed and Breakfast scheme' has also contributed a range of private rooms available for bed & breakfast accommodation. These rooms range from cheap dumps to classy rooms in the best neighborhoods of Delhi.

Splurge

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Stay safe

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Delhi at night

Many first-time travellers to India find themselves falling victim to scams and touts, and unfortunately Delhi has a lot of both. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Do not blindly rely on the advice of taxi and auto drivers. If this is your first time to India, do not openly admit it, as this will make you more vulnerable to touts.

Delhi is an increasingly unsafe place for women. It is not uncommon to receive lewd remarks or even physical touching. If you are arriving into Delhi at night either stay in the airport lounge or well lit areas until daybreak. Try to avoid walking around alone or hiring cabs alone. Dress conservatively (preferably in Indian clothing so as to blend in). Learn to shout and consider carrying mace/pepper spray.

Carry your cash, passport, and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. Some travelers recommend carrying an expendable wallet with a few ten rupee notes in it in an obvious place such as your hip pocket as a decoy to Delhi's ubiquitous pickpockets.

Several tourist agencies have been known to swindle tourists, such as by changing their travel plans or charging them extra commissions and fees. The best way to secure train tickets is by navigating through Indian Railways' website. Also, you should book your flight tickets online, as all the airlines have online booking systems. Otherwise, prepare to spend a good hour sorting through the charges that the tourist agency will charge.

If arriving late at night to the airport of trains station, be very wary of taxi drivers trying to scam tired and unprepared tourist. A common scam is to drive you an area of town where there are road works or a road block, and tell you that the path to your hotel is blocked off and it's not possible to take you there. They'll then suggest to take you to another hotel, where they receive a commission for bringing customers. They may take you to a number of hotels first which all say they are full up, so as to increase your desperation, and hence openness to paying more. There have been reports also, of bringing tourists to a "travel agent", who will feign ringing your booked hotel to confirm that either the way is blocked, or they are overbooked and there is no room available. If you've let on that you were only staying in Delhi for the night, they may also try to convince you, that there are no hotel rooms available anywhere, and sell you an extremely overpriced private car ride to your next destination. This can be a very confusing and tiring process if you've just come off a long flight, short on sleep.

If you're arriving after midnight, it is therefore highly advisable to have accommodation pre-booked and arrange pick up from the airport or station with your hotel, or at least have the phone number with you, so that should you get lost or caught in a sticky situation you have someone reliable to call up.

Delhi Police

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The Delhi Police is a 70,000-strong force serving the capital region. Unfortunately, the quality of police officers varies dramatically throughout the force; some officers may be corrupt and unhelpful, while others are honest and helpful.

For police assistance during an emergency dial 100.

Police vehicles (called PCR vans) are parked on almost every major intersection.

For non-emergencies, or to report a crime, go to the police station.

Stay healthy

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Delhi is a hot, dusty city and combination of the two, may reduce visibility in the summer. In April through June, temperatures regularly top 40°C, meaning that proper hydration is of the utmost importance. In winter there can be seasonal fog; on particularly foggy days, it can be difficult to see across the street. If you happen to be traveling in or out of Delhi during the winters, be aware of fog-related flight delays.

Drink only packaged bottled water so you may avoid any water-related illness. Keep yourself covered in summers to avoid a heat stroke. Drink a lot of water, 3 liters a day, particularly in the summer. Sticking to freshly, well-cooked food will lessen your chances on acquiring the "Delhi belly."

Connect

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Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are many service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance, and Tata Indicom. It might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of those prepaid plans to get yourself connected while you are in the city.

Phone numbers in Delhi begin with 011, typically followed by eight digits. To call Delhi from outside India you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India’s country code 91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add 011 before the number.

Delhi emergency numbers

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Here are the Delhi emergency contact numbers

  • Police, ☎ 100
  • Fire Department, ☎ 101
  • Ambulance: ☎ 102, or dial the nearest local hospital

Cope

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Power outages and water shortages are common in Delhi, often occurring multiple times a day with summers being particularly bad. Better accommodations have water tanks and generators to alleviate the inconvenience, but keep a flashlight handy at night and do your part by not wasting too much water.

  • Laundry service is offered in most hotels, even in budget accommodations. If you would rather save the money and do it yourself, buckets are found in almost all bathrooms - but perhaps wash it out well first.
  • Exercising outdoors is not recommended due to the level of pollution and swimming in rivers is also not recommended. Instead, look for a hotel with a gym or a pool since many offer day passes. You can always try a morning or evening walk in the parks.

Embassies & High Commissions

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Go next

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Delhi is a major international transit hub for trains, planes and buses as well as a great connection point for domestic destinations within India. It's also a great base for exploration of the famous Hill Stations.

  • Agra and the Taj Mahal are a 3-6 hr drive or 2-5 hr train ride each way. By road Taj Mahal can be reached in 3 hrs through Yamuna Expressway from Delhi. Book tickets in the train cars with seats far in advance, and look for the seats put aside especially for tourists. You can also rent a car and driver for the day and shouldn't pay more than ~₹ 5,000 roundtrip (if not less). The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
  • Bandhavgarh National Park and the Bandhavgarh Fort, are the "Tiger Reserve" at M.P. This is a tiger preservation project and has the highest density of tigers in India.
  • Char Dham- Delhi is the starting point of the famous piligrimage centres Badrinath, the abode of Vishnu, Kedarnath, the abode of Shiva, Gangothri and Yamunothri, the origin of sacres rivers, Ganges and Yamuna respectively
  • Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama's government in exile, is 10-12 hr to the north. Tickets can be purchased from Main Bazaar Tourist offices, Majnu ka Tilla Tibetan Settlement or the I.S.B.T.
  • The holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas, are a 5-6 hr bus or train ride away.
  • Kathmandu, in neighbouring Nepal is a roughly 36+ hr by coach, or longer (but more comfortably) on a combination of train and coach.
  • Mussoorie, one of the original British hill stations in India; also known as The Queen of the Hills.
  • Nainital - another beautiful hill station in the Kumaon hills with the magnificent Naini Lake.
  • Shimla, the summer capital of British India and the queen of all hill stations in India. It has many scenic and historic locations and is about an 8 hr drive or 10 hr in a bus. A direct flight from Delhi takes just 1 hr to reach Shimla.

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