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India Gate
Islamic arches, Hindu columns - Mar 09
Diwan-i-Aam
The Stream of Paradise
We will be returning to Delhi from Agra late in the afternoon on Jan. 26th. Our flight home leaves from Delhi at 1:30 A.M. the 27th. How long is the city closed for the Republic Day parade? Will trafic return to normal by late afternoon?
I very much doubt that shops and markets will be closed. Republic Day is not a religious holiday in India. The markets should also be open.
One word of advice- AVOID CROWDED AREAS (WHICH IS NOT EASY) because on days like this, there is always a danger to personal safety. Our Australian Government website give dire warnings regarding public demonstrations and possible terrorist attacks on especially Republic and Independence days.
Traffic is always crazy in Delhi.Autorickshaws are quicker through traffic than taxis.
Not a Religious, But a National Holiday, marking the adoption of India's (secular) constitution
yes the traffic restrictions (in central n old delhi) would ease up by late afternoon, the parade n VIP movement tapers off my around 1 pm
n after that the traffic would be much lighter than the normal crazy days, as Natl Holiday
Cheers
most markets have to be closed by law, few small shops might open by evening
On my first night in Delhi, I stayed at a small homestay hotel which was tucked down a small quiet street but still close enough to various areas and a main train station. While I had been warned about walking around Delhi on my own, I felt I was far enough from the tourist areas to be ok and asked the doorman if it was safe enough where we were for me to do this. He gave me a small map from the hotel and off I set within an hour of arriving.
V Old Delhi and Connaught Place.
For handicrafts- visit the cottage industries emporium, the market at janpath (near connaught place) and dilli haat.
if you are one for history, the red fort in the old city, the purana quila (old fort), the qutab minar, Humayun's tomb, tughlakabad fort, hauz khas, safdarjungs tomb, and various structures from the british raj days, are worth a visit.
the picture here is of the qutab minar.
when walking around India, especially the smaller villages, keep an ear open for the chanting and singing that occurs in the early mornings. It's everything you visualize about India and you are suddenly right in the center of it. Not only the sounds, but take note of the smells of the incense burning, or the bread baking in the wood stove ovens in the tiny homes.
In most local crafts stores (as they say "tourist traps") where tour guides bring tourists to shop for overpriced souvenirs, there is one GREAT buy that will satisfy even the person with the stiffest upper lip and this is KASHMIR TEA. It's packaged in a small dark green box about 4 inches in height. Inside, along with the tea leaves, you also get almonds and a pack of mixed spices (nutmeg, cinnamon etc). You boil them all together and voila..., tea anyone? Around US$10 for a box in the tourist trap store.
Delhi is soon coming up with its own train system, something that was sorely needed.
First time visitors to Delhi complain about the number of vehicles in Delhi, and they are absolutely right!
There are roughly 3300000 vehicles just in Delhi - and it's not even that large as a city. It "boasts" almost 8 per cent of the nation's vehicular population.
One of the not-too-uncommmon modes of transport in Delhi can be seen in the pic alongside.
Photo credit: j-san
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