About New Delhi, India
New Delhi is the symbol of the country’s rich past and thriving present, a city where ancient and modern blend seamlessly together. Celebrating over a century as the nation’s capital, Delhi showcases a history that stretches back many centuries while rapidly modernizing. The city is adorned with monuments that offer a glimpse into its storied past, with ancient forts, tombs, and carefully preserved historical sites. The past and the present meld effortlessly, with centuries-old monuments seamlessly integrated into the city’s daily life.
Visitors can explore Old Delhi’s labyrinthine lanes, old havelis, and colorful bazaars, capturing a fascinating glimpse into its historical essence. Dilli Haat offers a vibrant fusion of traditional crafts, diverse cuisine and cultural activities, making it a popular choice amongst those seeking an authentic slice of India’s artisanal heritage. Visitors can explore stalls featuring handcrafted textiles, jewelry, and regional delicacies, all within a lively, open-air setting. Chandni Chowk is famous for its shops to mouth-watering street food. It is also known for its harmony as it is lined by Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Christian and Muslim places of worship in a row together. A short walk away is Jama Masjid, an architectural marvel where visitors can also enjoy the famous Mughlai food.
New Delhi is also home to three World Heritage monuments—Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb—that have survived through the ages and showcase the architectural brilliance of the city.
Weather
Delhi summers can be quite warm, with temperatures often soaring above 40°C (104°F) from April to June. April typically witnesses weather between 25°C – 40°C. Despite the heat, this season offers an opportunity to adapt your wardrobe to stay cool and comfortable. Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for managing the high temperatures.
Embrace the warmth with stylish summer essentials and explore the city’s indoor experiences, including air-conditioned malls and museums.
Time Difference
Time Zone of New Delhi: UTC/ GMT+5.30
Business Hours
A common schedule for office-based private businesses in India is as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Government offices
- Ministries/Departments of the Government of India: From 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. with half an hour lunch break between 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.
- All other offices of the Government of India (Attached & subordinate offices): From 10.00a.m. to 6.00p.m. with half an hour lunch break from 1.30p.m. to 2.00p.m.
Commercial outlets open at 11:00 am and close at 11:00 pm.
Embassies
Embassies and consulates in New Delhi are generally open from 8:30 am to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday. Each embassy has different opening hours and annual holiday calendar. Please check online in advance.
Banks
Banks usually open around 9:30 AM and close at 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday.
Foreign Exchange & Banking
India’s currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). It is convenient to exchange foreign currency at banks, authorized Forex dealers, and exchange bureaus located in tourist areas, major cities, and towns across the country. The Indian Rupee is widely accepted as the official currency throughout India.
US Dollars and Euros are commonly accepted in India, particularly in larger hotels, upscale establishments, and tourist-oriented businesses. However, it is advisable to carry smaller denomination notes for better acceptance and to avoid any potential challenges with exchanging larger bills or receiving lower exchange rates.
When using credit cards in India, those with Visa or Mastercard logos are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger establishments. However, it’s important to note that smaller businesses and establishments in rural areas may not accept credit card payments. It is wise to carry some cash as a backup, especially in remote areas where card payments may not be feasible.
You can exchange your foreign currency for Indian Rupees at banks and authorized Forex bureaus or withdraw money from ATMs. Prior to your trip, inform your bank about your travel plans to ensure uninterrupted access to your funds while abroad.
Telephone code, Emergency & Useful Numbers
The telephonic country code is +91 There are four popular mobile network providers in India. These are:
- Airtel
- Jio
- BSNL
- Vodafone
Police
- All India: 100 / 112
New Delhi Ambulance
- All India:1092 / 102
- Women helpline in New Delhi: 1091
- For traffic accidents: 1099
Clothing
Clothing choice varies widely by occasion and region. Western styles like shirts, trousers, dresses, and skirts are popular for casual and professional wear. Women traditionally wear salwar kameez or sarees, while men don sherwanis or kurtas for special occasions. Traditional garments often feature ‘zardozi’ embroidery with gold or silver threads; mirror work; cut work; stone embellishments and handprints. You can find several markets, shops and malls in New Delhi to buy a range of traditional and modern attires, reflecting India’s blend of traditional & contemporary fashion.
Language
English is the most common foreign language preferred. However, more More than 80% of the Delhi population speak Hindi, while English is the widely spoken language.
Culture
Culture in Delhi is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, reflecting its rich historical legacy alongside its dynamic urban evolution. The city is one of the high-power ancient regions, which has regained and enhanced its cultural beauty throughout history. One side of Delhi is still adorned with the ancient style architecture, old winding lanes, age-old markets, and traditional communities. This Old Delhi continues to hold its traditional values whereas New Delhi is seen flourishing with modernization. This diversity in culture makes Delhi, a prominent and unique tourist destination.
Religion
In terms of population, Hinduism ranks first followed by Islam, Sikhism and then Christianity. No matter how many religious communities are present in Delhi, there is harmony among this diversity. Temples, mosques, churches, and Gurudwara co-exist peacefully reflecting the unity amongst Delhiites (colloquial term for people of Delhi).
Food & Beverage, Alcohol & Substances
Delhi has an amalgamated cuisine, which revolves around dishes from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and so on. Starting from International cuisine to Mughal cuisine you can find almost all kinds of delicacies here. Traditionally speaking, a mixture of ancient Indian and Mughal styled cuisine is now considered as authentic Delhi cuisine. However, the iconic dish of Delhi is biryani served in earthen pots.
Delhi streets are covered with stalls that sell refreshing drinks. Apart from branded carbonated water, you can find many authentic Delhi styled beverages. Top drinks to try here are flavoured lassi, lemon soda (banta), jaljeera, wood apple sherbet (bel ka sharbat) and flavoured buttermilk.
The best way to try as many Delhi dishes as possible is by choosing Delhi thali. Thali is a very famous dish around the country. It is a combination of small amounts of numerous dishes served in small vessels, lined inside a large plate.
Alcohol is available and permitted for consumption while substances are illegal.
Etiquette
India is a culturally diverse country with a rich tapestry of traditions and customs, making it essential to respect and appreciate the local culture while visiting. Indians are known for their warmth and hospitality, and showing genuine interest in their customs will be well-received. When engaging with locals, a customary greeting is often a handshake or a namaste, accompanied by a smile.
Modest attire is recommended, particularly when visiting religious sites or rural areas. While visiting religious sites, it is advised to dress conservatively, avoiding revealing clothing and opting for attire that covers the shoulders and knees. This will also enhance your cultural experience as a tourist.
Electricity, Socket Type
In India, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C, type D and type M are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
