Delhi

GENERAL INTRODUCTION :

Delhi takes pride in being the capital of the country for many dynasties. It is in fact a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. A vibrant melting pot, it encapsulates two very different worlds, the 'old' and the 'new', each representing delectably different experiences. It is sprinkled with glittering gems like: captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing-arts scene and some of the subcontinent's yummiest places to eat. Delhi blends within its folds the great cultural variety of India. Delhi is not just a name, it is a feeling. Come experience it...

Delhi is a palimpsest, bearing the complexities, the contradictions, the beauty and the dynamism of a city where the past coexists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Diverse cultural elements absorbed into the daily life of the city have enriched its character. Exploring the city can be a fascinating and rewarding experience....

India a land of snake charmers and magicians and the capital of this land of mysteries is Delhi. Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built and rebuilt.

HOW TO REACH :

Air: Delhi’s airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport and is very well connected to cities across India and the world. There are regular flights to Delhi from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati and international destinations as well. The airport is divided into two terminals, namely Terminal 1D and Terminal 3. Terminal 1 D is the domestic airport and is primarily used by low cost airlines such as Spice Jet, IndiGo and Go Air among others. Terminal 3 or T3 as it is commonly known, is the international terminal which is used by all international carriers operating to Delhi and full fare domestic airlines. A free shuttle service operates between both terminals every 20 minutes.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 22 kilometers away from the city centre. There are regular DTC (Delhi Transport Service) buses which operate regularly from outside the airport towards the city and the ISBT bus stand and the New Delhi Railway Station. The Delhi Airport Metro Express runs from the New Delhi Railway Station to Dwarka, crossing the airport along the way. The metro train service runs every 20 minutes and is a quick and convenient way to get to the city. You can also hire a pre-paid taxi from government registered counters at the airport, which would take you 40-50 minutes to get to the city centre depending on traffic.

Train: Delhi is the headquarters of the Northern Railways and there are five major railway stations in Delhi, namely the The New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, Nizamuddin Railway Station, Anand Vihar Railway Terminal and Sarai Rohilla. The New Delhi Railway Station is one through which most trains arrive and depart from Delhi and is located in Paharganj, near Connaught Place. There is a pre-paid taxi booth outside the railway station and you can take a taxi from here to go further into the city.

The Delhi Metro line 2 also connects the New Delhi Railway Station to other parts of the city and is a convenient way to get into the city. There are also DTC buses (green and red coloured buses) which can take you into the city at a reasonable price. Apart from that you can also take auto rickshaws to places like Connuaght Place and Old Delhi. Though autos are supposed to go by the fare metre, many times they refuse to do so and it is best to ask a local how much the rough cost to a destination should be to make sure you are not cheated. You can also hop into a cycle rickshaw if you’re going to Connaught Place, though cycle richshaws are not allowed inside Connaught Place and you’ll be dropped slightly away from your destination.

Road: Delhi is well connected by bus to cities like Jaipur, Agra, Alwar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Dehradun and even Kathmandu among others. The main bus stands in Delhi are the Interstate Bus Terminals, located at Kashmiri Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan. Apart from that there’s Mandi House (near Barakhamba Road) which has regular air-conditioned bus services to hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, such as Shimla, Manali, Kasauli etc.

The Bikaner House (near Pandara Road) bus station has regular air conditioned buses to destinations in Rajasthan, such as Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. The Majnu ka Tila bus stand (near the Vidhan Sabha Metro Station) has regular buses to Dharamsala. The Delhi Metro and local DTC buses and auto rickshaws conveniently connect these bus stands to the rest of the city.

SHOPPING & AROUND :

Craft House: The exclusive and Government approved Shop was established in 2001. It markets all the beautifully handcrafted creations of the master craftsmen of Rajasthan – the kind that have made a lasting impression in the markets of India. A one - stop shop for both traditional and contemporary crafts of Rajasthan –Textiles and Furnishings, Brass ware, Jewellery, Precious and Semi precious stones, paper –Mache article’s, wooden boxes, Marble ware and Exotic Miniature paintings.

You can take home some of the best wildlife painting’s ,famous tiger t-shirts, safari jackets, silk, woolen and cashmere shawls, wildlife book’s and some othergift items from the widest range of handicrafts under one roof at Honest Prices.

You can choose among the wide array of hand made products and take away the best from the selected artisans. It offers Gudri And Appliqué (different pieces of cloth patched together to make a multi-coloured mosaic) Bed Covers which are marvellously available in Appliqué Bed Sheet , Appliqué Work Bed Sheet Tree of Life Patchwork , Bed Cover with Hand Quilted Patchwork and Gudri Bed Covers With Patch Works On It.

Dastkar Ranthambore: Dastkar Ranthambore is an initiative of Dastkar and Ranthambore Foundation to resettle communities in the Sawai Madhopur area of Rajasthan, who had lost access to wood, water, and farming lands due to the creation of RanthamboreNational Park. The Ranthambore Foundation approached Dastkar in late 1980s to initiate income generation activities particularly among women in the area.

Dastkar, an organization to promote craft based livelihoods, took charge of the income generation programme in the area in 1989. Dastkar Ranthambore today successfully produces and markets various traditional crafts of the region.

Dastkar Ranthambore has been granted Craftmark for the following processes:
1. Block Printing
2. Patchwork

It offers a wide range of products like Bandhini/tie-dye dupattas with sequins, garments. Home furnishing: patchwork cushions and quilts.

Accessories: block printed bags, bags with sequins work, Terracotta ware, leather products such as juttis and chappals.

Anokhi: Anokhi is synonymous with hand-made, block-printed apparel from Rajasthan. It has revived the ancient craft of hand block printing and sustains rural craft-based livelihoods by helping them to work in conditions of their own choosing and providing them with sustained work and security of income. The Anokhi label is about inspiring the development of contemporary products and designs with a hint of traditional, to attract the discerning consumer. Today Anokhi has retail outlets all across India. It specializes in Block Printing, Hand-embroidery, Tie and Dye, Natural Dyeing, Indigo Dyeing, Kota-Doria Handloom, Tussar Silk, Khadi Fabric, Chanderi Fabric & Handlooms. It offers a Complete range of Indian and western garments. Home Furnishing: Table and bed Linen, Cushion covers, quilts etc. Accessories: Block printed bags, Pouches, Scarves, Handmade jewellery etc.

Ranthambore School of Art: The Ranthambhore School of Art near Sawai Madhopur is well worth a visit. Located a couple of Km from Sawai Madhopur, the Ranthambhore School of Art consists of painters from local villages. The main subjects of their paintings are the majestic tigers of Ranthambhore.

The Ranthambhore School recruits students from the surrounding villages and towns. The aim is to keep the beautiful image of the tiger in the minds of everyone. This they feel in turn would create a positive feeling in people otherwise indifferent, or negative, regarding the importance of the tiger's survival. The school also goes into villages and gives demonstrations and talks. They say the most encouraging factor is the response from young children. These children then obviously go back and influence the minds of those in their respective homes. They are also the future conservationists in the making.

Watercolor Paintings and black and white life size sketches created by the students of the Ranthambore School of Art have an amazing effect.

RESTAURANTS :

Bukhara - ITC Maurya : Address - ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone - 011 33036086. Cuisines - North Indian. Opening Hours - 12:30 PM to 2:45 PM, 7 PM to 11:45 PM.  Cost - 5000 for two people (approx.)

FIO Country Kitchen and Bar : Address - Gate 1, The Garden of Five Senses, Saiyad Ul Ajaib, Saket, New Delhi. Phone - +91 9971004531, +91 9971004530. Cuisines - Italian,North Indian. Opening   Hours - 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 12:30 AM. Cost - 3300 for two people (approx.)

The Great Kabab Factory - Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi : Address - Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi, National Highway 8, Near IGI Airport, Mahipalpur, New Delhi. Phone - 011 33036149. Cuisines - North Indian. Opening Hours - 7 PM to 12 Midnight (Mon-Sat), 12:30 PM to 12:15 AM (Sunday). Cost - 3000 for two people (approx.)

Olive Beach : Address - Hotel Diplomat, 9, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone - 011 46040404. Cuisines - Mediterranean, European, Italian. Opening Hours - 7 AM to 1 AM. Cost - 2400 for two people (approx.)

Parikrama - The Revolving Restaurant : Address - 22, Antariksh Bhavan, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Phone - 011 33036062. Cuisines -  North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai. Opening Hours - 12:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Cost - 5000 for two people (approx.).

Lodi - The Garden Restaurant : Address - Opposite Mausam Bhawan, Near Gate No 1, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Phone - 011 33036325. Cuisines - European, Lebanese, Mediterranean.  Opening Hours - 12 Noon to 12:30 AM. Cost - 2200 for two people (approx.)

Andhra Bhavan : Address - 1, Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Phone - 011 23382031. Cuisines - Andhra, South Indian. Opening Hours - 8 AM to 10:30 AM, 12 Noon to 3 PM, 7:30 PM to 10 PM. Cost - 200 for two people (approx.)

Saravana Bhavan : Address - P 13, Connaught Circus, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Phone - 011 28844305. Cuisines - South Indian. Opening Hours - 8 AM to 11 PM. Cost - 400 for two people (approx.)

Rajdhani Thali Restaurant : Address - 9 A, Atmaram Mansion, Scindia House, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Phone - 011 43501200. Cuisines - Gujarati, Rajasthani. Opening Hours - 12 Noon to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM. Cost - 800 for two people (approx.)

Veda : Address - H 27, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Phone - 011 41513535. Cuisines - North Indian, Mughlai. Opening Hours - 12 Noon to 11:30 PM. Cost - 3000 for two people (approx.)