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Delhi or New Delhi, as it is internationally known, is the capital of India. The city has deep rooted rich and glorious past, and even in modern times, it has rapidly moved ahead flaunting all that modernity has. Not only is Delhi itself the seat of several monuments and modern amusement options, it also serves an excellent base for the tour of hot tourist regions of India like Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.

Fast Facts

Location	Northern India
Area	Approximate 1500 sq km
Elevation	239 m
Electricity	220 volts, 50 hertz
Climate	Extreme ; Summers too hot, Winters too cold

City Travel Attractions
Here is brief information in this city guide about travel attractions in New Delhi and Old Delhi:

India Gate
India Gate is a 43 metre tall gateway erected to commemorate about 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the first World War, on the Northwest Frontier and the 1919 Afghan War. The memorial was built by Lutyens in 1921.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar Observatory was built by King Jai Singh II in 1725. Large brick sundials were made for updating the solar and lunar calendars as well as astronomical calculations.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple or Birla Mandir
Located near Connaught Place, Lakshmi Narayan Temple or Birla Mandir has Lord Narayan (a form of Lord Vishnu) and Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth). Red and ochre stones as well as white marble are employed in making of it.

Lotus Temple or Bahai Temple
The Bahai Temple, which resembles a lotus, looks very impressive at dusk. Followers of any faith can visit the temple and pray in silence. The construction of the Lotus Temple was completed in 1986.

Raj Ghat and Other Ghats
Raj Ghat, located on the bank of River Yamuna, is the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the man who was Indian harbinger of independence. In close vicinity of Raj Ghat are Shanti Vana (memorial to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of India), Shakti Sthala (memorial to Indira Gandhi), Vijay Ghat (memorial to Lal Bahadur Shastri). Near Rajghat is Gandhi Memorial Museum.

Red Fort or Lal Qila
Once, the Great Mughals ruled over India from the Red Fort or Lal Quila. Sitting of the banks of the River Yamuna, the Red Fort was built by Mughal monarch Shah Jahan between 1639 and 1648.

Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid, also built by Emperor Shah Jahan, is the largest mosque in India. Red sandstone and white marble was used in the construction of the mosque. The time of its making was between 1644 to 1656.

Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk was the commercial centre of Delhi in Mughal days, famous for its lively markets. Chandni Chowk has not lost its charm even in modern times.

Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar Complex lies in Mehrauli region of Delhi. It is a five-storeyed tower which tapers as it goes up. It is made mainly of red sandstone. Qutubuddin Aibak, first Delhi Sultan started its construction but it was completed by Sultan Iltutmish.

Purana Qila
Purana Qila, yet another monument on the banks of Yamuna, is associated with Mughal emperor Humayun. It is where Humayun's capital Din Panah was located. Later it was renovated and named Shergarh by first Afghan emperor of India, Sher Shah Suri.

Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's tomb is a ornamented structure with black and white marble on red sandstone. Standing 38 metres tall, it has a cenotaph which marks the graves of Emperor Humayun and Queen Haji Begum. Mausoleums in the vicinity include the Nila Gumbad, related to a courtier of Emperor Sher Shah.

Transport To Delhi
Air:Delhi is a principal gateway to India. It is linked to all major cities of the world. It has mainly two airports. Indira Gandhi International Airport for global airlines while Palam airport for the domestic flights. Taxis, autos and coaches carry the passengers to and from the airport.

Rail: Superfast and express trains link Delhi to all parts of India. The trains operate from three major railway stations : New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Several trains dedicated to tourists are also run from Delhi. These include the world-famous Palace on Wheels, Royal Orient Express and Fairy Queen trains. Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express series trains are known for their speed and comfort.

Road: Inter-state bus terminals in Delhi are Kashmiri Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan. Buses running from these terminals connect Delhi to major North Indian cities.

Intra Delhi Transport
Metro train is the fastest and most comfortable transport in Delhi. In addition to it, there are buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and paddle-rickshaws.