The vibrant capital of India, Delhi can be intimidating in size, poverty and population, it is a tumult of energy. In the past decade its population has increased substantially, largely due to fast economic expansion and better job opportunities. It has a population of 11 million of people and is India’s third largest city after Kolkata and Mumbai. The negative affects of this success increased overcrowding, traffic congestion, housing shortages and pollution.
Like in other cities in India, it is not uncommon to see a cow hold up traffic for a bit. Cows are sacred animals in India and thus given their space.
Beneath the initial grim and pollution lies a city of grand and proud history, diverse cultures and spiritual centers. It is a mix of young and ancient, with distinct ruins of the glory of previous empires, as well as chic clubs where the city’s young and affluent dance till late hours of the night. Delhi epitomises the constrast that is India. Don't be surpised to see the latest BMW pull up next to a tonga (horse driven cart) at one of the traffic signals.
Delhi showcases the extremes of beauty to the dreviation of the underprevileged. But as in most materially developing societies, different parts of the city highlight its diverse ways of life.
South Delhi is the domain of the educated and wealthy. Designers stores, trendy bookshop, cafes, plush arcades and malls dot the landscape. And most of the city's historical monuments also form part of South Delhi along with New Delhi. The latter is the administrative and cultural nerve centre of Delhi. This part houses the best of imperial Delhi with its monumental architecture, town planning and colonial shopping centres. Old Delhi, many would say, is the heart of Delhi. This is where Delhi began and is rooted in history. Mughal history for the most part. North Delhi adjoins Old Delhi and is dominated by India's biggest university - Delhi University. Some of the country's most prestigious eductional centres are here. While West and East Delhi are middle and lower middle class settlement (broadly speaking, if one may add).
Delhi has a mix of religions so expect to hear the singing of Gurbani, the chiming of bells in temples and the call to prayer at mosques. Inter-religious festivals like 'Phoolwalo-Ki-Sair' highlight the close overlapping of philosophies. Since it is located on the border of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Delhi shares much of these region’s cultural influences. Jainism and Buddhism which were first begun in India are practiced as well. The monastery near the Interstate bus terminus is hub of Tibetan culture in India. The majority of Indians, 85 percent, are Hindu.
