If the city of Delhi with a population of more than 2.5 million is called the city of India that has settled a whole new world within itself, it will not be wrong because it is a reflection of the cultures, religions, and traditions of the entire country. A history of world trade, conquests, and colonialism over the past several centuries has given Delhi a truly multicultural complexion. People living in a city of ever-changing culture are right to call themselves 'Diliwala' based on the phrase 'Dilwala ki Dilli'.It is this cultural diversity of Delhi that helps one to find a sense of belonging here. According to Nishal Dua, a resident of New Delhi, the state of Delhi can be understood by the aromas wafting from a good tea house, where you can choose what you want from a variety of aromas as soon as you enter.
According to Anjhula Maya Singh, who has been living in New Delhi for the past six years, the atmosphere of the political and fashion capital of India is somewhat like a combination of big cities like Washington and New York, the capital of America. This also means that settling in Delhi is a difficult task compared to other cities in India. According to Anjhula Maya Singh, in Delhi, people look at who you are, where you come from, and what kind of car you drive, so blending in here is a time-consuming process. Delhi's cultural diversity has its own place, but whether the residents are young or old, they all have one thing in common and that is their love for a good party. A wedding here lasts for five to ten days, in which more than a thousand guests can be a part of the rituals and parties associated with just one wedding. By the way, the wedding ceremony continues for several days in the whole of India, but the special thing about Delhi is that 60,000 marriages have taken place in one day on this auspicious date. There has been so much discussion about Delhi weddings and the expenses incurred on them that several members of parliament in India have introduced bills against extravagance in weddings.
According to Nishal Dua, it seems to be a common thing to see the groom coming down from a helicopter at a wedding. She said this is not a joke because her father is a pilot, so she knows this is not something that happens. While Lee hosts over a million wedding parties and traditional rituals every year, the locals have also made a western party culture a part of their lives through clubs and restaurants. Along with this, if we do not talk about Delhi food, the story will remain incomplete. Delhi's food is not only as multicultural as the city itself, but new eateries are popping up every day. Whether it's The Social Cafe Bar in Hauz Khas Village or the European-style Soul House restaurant in Khan Market, Delhi has a variety of places for locals and non-locals alike.
Where to stay in Delhi?
Most foreigners prefer to live in Gurgaon, a city about 30 km southwest of Delhi, where most multinational companies have their offices. South Delhi is also a popular residential district. Foreign embassies are found in the 'Vasant Vihar' area, while Golf Links adjacent to the Delhi Golf Club and Lodhi Road are also relatively affluent areas of Delhi. Swedish diplomat Linbeck suggests that it is better to live near the office because he lives in Gurgaon, where it would take fifteen to thirty minutes or more to reach the office due to traffic. According to Linbeck, he sometimes has to wait in traffic for an hour while going to parties on weekends.
Which places to visit in Delhi?
Being a sprawling city, Delhi is a world within itself. The area of Old Delhi has also preserved many traces of history, such as the three and a half hundred-year-old Chandni Chowk. According to Komal Derera, a Delhi resident and local guide, walking through the bazaars, mosques, and temples in the old parts of the city give one the impression of a 100-year-old Delhi. Taj Mahal is 240 km away from Delhi, but if you want to see the same architecture, you can see the Red Fort of Delhi. There is no dearth of beautiful parks and temples in the city. Be it the ninety-acre Lodhi Garden or the hundred-acre Aksha Dharam complex with a Hindu temple at its center, Delhi has a lot to offer visitors. Three hundred kilometers away from Delhi is the state of Rajasthan, where the pink cities of Jaipur and Udaipur are famous all over the world for their magnificent palaces and architecture. The state of Himachal Pradesh considered the gateway to the Himalayas, is 300 km north of Delhi.
Now, who spends how much depends on the lifestyle. Delhi's foreign residents spend at least twice as much as locals, largely due to domestic workers. According to Praveen Tamang, general manager of a travel agency who has lived in Delhi for 16 years, food in Delhi is very cheap, even if you don't eat out. According to him, Delhi is a city that provides something for every resident, be it food, fashion, or lifestyle.
Here Manali is famous for its hilltop aerial city. Whether it's going to Mumbai from Delhi or reaching Goa to enjoy the beach, air travel is not only convenient but also relatively cheap in international comparison. Other Asian countries also become closer to India. According to Swedish diplomat Linbeck, Asia seems far away from Sweden, but arriving here and going to Dubai, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur is such that it can be visited even on holiday.
Is Delhi a cheap city?
According to the global journal Economist, Delhi has been ranked 124th in the list of 133 cities around the world. That is, Delhi is quite affordable compared to many other cities in the world, where accommodation is 80% cheaper than in New York, while transport and entertainment cost 70% less. If the same comparison is made with the rest of the cities in India, the situation is reversed because the accommodation in Delhi is 50% more expensive than in Calcutta.
