Back to Delhi

On touching down in Delhi, the temperature felt at least 10 degrees warmer and the sheer volume of people and traffic let me know immediately that I was back in the capital! Delhi often gets a bad rap, but to be fair this is a city in the middle of a phenomenal transition. I was only here 4 months ago, and development continues at relentless pace in the run up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The new metro system is one of the best I have experienced, and sometimes I forget I am in India. It is spotless, punctual, efficient and air-conditioned (a problem we still seem to have in London!). It is reckoned that this will ease traffic congestion on Delhi roads by 30% and of course reduce pollution.

Anyway, I had booked a Delhi tour for the following day and immediately India's fascinating and turbulent history became apparent. Outsiders from all parts of the world have at various times tried to get their hands on India's riches. One can see how dynasties and eras have overlapped with Hindu, Mughal and British influences in the architecture. Many of the old buildings in Delhi are remnants of the Mughal era, such as Red Fort and Qutab Minar. I also passed via the 'Rashtrapati Bhavan' (the Presidential House) and India Gate, a majestic arch similar in appearance to Paris' Arc de Triomphe, dedicated to Indian soldiers who had lost their lives during World War I.

After that we went on to Raj Ghat, the place where Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was cremated. A black marble platform sits in the middle of a serene garden, marking the spot where Gandhiji was cremated on 31 January 1948. Opposite Raj Ghat is the Gandhi National Museum which proudly displays Gandhiji's life, his philosophy and struggle for India's independence.

I stopped off for lunch at Lodi Restaurant, an excellent outdoor restaurant with a great ambience, and then rounded off my Delhi tour by visiting Akshardam Temple, the world's largest Hindu complex. It is a truly breathtaking structure intricately handcrafted from stone without any use of steel in its construction. As the lights came on, I watched the impressive musical fountain show followed by an inspiring boat ride through a model village depicting 10,000 years of India's rich heritage and culture. It was the perfect end to the day.

- Rahul