gateway to the rich and diverse culture of
the sub-continent. The experience of this
city is in the street culture; walk through the
roads for street markets that sell the most
beautiful local jewellery and handicrafts at
astounding prices, and for the street food
that range from the nearest momo (steamed
dumpling) stand to the extravagant Indian
restaurant serving mutton kebabs and
tandoori chicken on elegant brass cutlery,
reminiscent of the old world. Bringing
together the cuisines of not just the 29 states
within the country but pretty much from all
over the world, there is no dearth of places to
get the grub of your choice.
Home to the historic India Gate and the
Rashtrapati Bhawan, or the Indian
Parliament, Central Delhi and thereabouts
(Lutyen’s Delhi as it is often referred to) is
the regal centre of the city: home to
diplomats and foreign embassies, as well
as leading members of parliament. The
neighbouring concrete jungle of Gurugram
stands on the edge of the city, and stands as
a contrast to the relatively greener rest-of-
the-city. The north of the city houses the
hub of the youth, thriving and energetic at
the University of Delhi, with the
surrounding ridge forming the lush green
that envelops a flourishing centre of ideas
and innovation. The south is home to
many posh locales and shopping delights,
another reason for natives to flock there
over the weekends. The chaos and noise
synchronise themselves after a while, and
slowly you start to notice the brightly
coloured dupattas (cloth draped on the
shoulders as part of a traditional Indian
attire) charmingly worn atop jeans by
ladies as contemporary fusion wear, along
with the muted ring of the ladies’ jhumkas
(earrings) as they stride past you. You start
to ignore the honks and hear the birds
chirping, and have your eyes feast on the
riot of colours while you welcome the
magnificent chaos that is the capital city of
the biggest democracy in the world.honks you hear on the road. Smiles still
sneak their way through the frustration
and impatience in this ever-thriving city,
and that’s your first sign that you’re in for
more surprises than you realised.
The capital city of New Delhi extends to
include what is today known as NCR or
National Capital Region, collectively
referred to as Delhi. The terms are
colloquially interchangeable, but New
Delhi is a territory within the larger Delhi.
This includes not just the central city, but
also the surrounding regions of Noida,
Faridabad, and Gurugram (previously
Gurgaon), each interconnected via the
incredibly feasible and convenient DMRC
(Delhi Metro Rail Corporation). Flights to
Delhi are direct from both Singapore and
Kuala Lumpur to Indira Gandhi
International Airport, Delhi (from US$333;
malaysiaairlines.com).
Hazard to women’s safety has been
recognised as an issue in Delhi, and
continues to deter travellers from going to
experience the city. A good tip would be to
just be cautious, and to make use of facilities
such as female-only metro coaches and
safety helpline numbers, as well as to
prepare itineraries slightly in advance so as
to not get lost in this giant city.
The city is a haven of food, culture,
PHOTOGRAPHS: FLICKR/ RUSS BOWLING, FLICKR/RONIT BHATTACHARJEE shopping, education, and the perfectLOT HAPPENS IN DELHI.
An average day whizzes by
like a hurricane, one that
needs you to dodge a
labyrinth of busy beings on
roads, each giving in to the
pace of a city where everyone
is trying to make a mark for themselves.
Even if you are from some of the biggest
cities in the world, claiming to be familiar
with this pace, the race, the crowds, you’re
bound to be surprised. Buckle up though;
don’t let this stop you from taking in a city
that deserves to be experienced right.
The city has a long and rich history,
having seen far too many dynasties
inhabit it and seep into the present
culture of the city. You can see it in the
architecture, in the startlingly different
neighbourhoods that range from sleek
lines and modern extravagance, to the
historic sepia-toned monuments, temples
and old residences in faded kitschy
shades. The roads line with a range of
vehicles signifying the gaping economic
divides that the city houses, from green
and black auto-rickshaws and
multicoloured cycle-rickshaws (to really
get the wind in your hair) to cars ranging
from the vintage Ambassador and the
latest Bentley. They line back to back,
with impatience that resounds in the“Yeh dilli hai mere yaar...” – a
common Hindi proverb that translates
to “ this is Delhi, my friend”
Notable for its flower-like shape, the famous
Lotus Temple in Delhi is a Bahai house of
worship completed in 1986A
NEW DELHI AT A GLANCE
The exquisite
Akshardham temple and
grounds in Mayus Vihar,
New Delhi. It is also a
spiritual-culture campus