It’s the alluring radiance which captures your attention from the moment you step into the charm they call Delhi. As the clock continues to tick, more writers get busy trying to paint a picture which will get you somewhere closer to the genuine masterpiece, which is collectively known as Delhi. From history to culture; from traditions to trends; from food to drinks; from the usual to the highly unusual; and from pockets of glory to grand scheme of things; Delhi serves every bit of it.
It’s hard to classify Delhi as a tourist destination. Is it for the whimsy wanderer who can get high to the splendid monuments which shape the city? Is it for the food traveller who can indulge in delicacies which trace back to the Mughal era and are at times as fresh as the 21st century chef would want them to be? Or is it for the laid back artsy fellow, who is mostly occupied with the hidden intricacies of a township which lay obscured by the veil of urban settlement? Delhi smirks at you when you arrive and the city throws so much at you, that the experience is always wholesome.
The minarets which look upon the people of Delhi have an aura of their own. There are narrow lanes in Chandni Chowk which open up to grandeur structures like the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. Then there are the wide roads of South Delhi with life running around you in time lapse mode. Then every once in a while, a beautiful sculpture in the midst of converging flyovers; a historical wonder like the Qutab Minar; or the iconic India Gate will come at you without a warning. The random bustling and the unending race against time takes its toll even on the innocent visitor who is always trying to absorb all that is Delhi.
When you write about Delhi, you have to dedicate a paragraph to food. It’s that sort of a city where countless tea stalls comfortably give way to modern coffee outlets. But why waste lines talking about the shops and shop owners. Yes you have Karim’s; and there’s the famous Paranthewala in Old Delhi; not to forget the mouth-watering street food items; a bouquet of food items at Dilli Haat; and of course the fine dining options which bask in the glory of busy marketplaces and rooftop restaurants. But cuisine in Delhi, just like its travel experience, is so diverse that a single trip will never be enough.
It may seem like a usual urban settlement with some history and culture garnished on top. But look no further when you seek a complete travel experience. Delhi is a travel concoction every wanderer must get high to. The place is mostly urban but the experience isn’t. It’s always a pleasure when heading towards Saddi Dilli!
(Featured Image Credits: wikimedia.org)
(Main Image Credits: amusingelephant.com)
