Why this is a great time to be in Delhi

With the CWG 2010 safely underway and the closing ceremony almost here, visitors and residents in Delhi are in for a treat.

After years of inconvenience due to infrastructure upgradation, it is finally time to reap the benefits of this city decked up like a bride. And what better season to do so than the festive season underway?

Here are 5 reasons why this is a great time to be in Delhi...

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What can visitors do in your favourite city or town? Write in at getahead@rediff.co.in and tell us in about 300 words where we should be going and what we should be doing on a day out in your fave city. Please don't forget to add your name, age and what you do for a living. The best contributions will be published on rediff.com.

Harnoor Channi-Tiwary is the founder of Journey My Way, a personalised travel advisory firm (www.journeymyway.com).

The Hop on Hop off bus concept is a hit in many cities like New York, Cape Town and Berlin and finally India can boast of the same. Specially designed and designated busses ply on a pre-designated route which covers not only most of Delhi's historical legacy but also some commercial districts and famous eating joints.

The bus service starts at Coffee Home in Baba Kharag Singh Marg and has stoppages at Delhi Gate, Red Fort, Rajghat, National Gallery of Modern Art, India Gate, Purana Quila, Humayun Tomb, Defence Colony Metro Station, Lotus Temple, Metropolitan Mall Saket/Select City Walk, Qutab Minar, Hauz Khas Village, Dilli Haat (INA), Safdarjung Tomb, Santushti near Hotel Samrat, Teen Murti Marg-Nehru Museum, National Museum Janpath and Jantar Mantar.

Whether it is shopping at Select City Walk, exploring the architectural wonders of Qutub Minar, wandering through the high streets of fashionable Hauz Khas village, visits to museums or even just a quick bite at Dilli Haat, this is the best way to do it!

You may buy tickets for the bus online from http://www.hohodelhi.com.

A one day pass has been priced at Rs 300 for adults and Rs 150 for children. The buses ply every 30 minutes from 8 am to 8 pm every day. One ticket will enable you to hop on and hop off from any of the stoppages after visiting nearby monuments, markets, etc.

There is a sense of pride every resident of Delhi feels on the success of the Metro Rail. Delhi, a sprawling metropolitan has always been lacking in public transport unlike the crowded but efficient train system in Mumbai.

The Metro not only proved to be sustainable in its delivery of services like hygiene, air-conditioning and punctuality, but it also has been developed on schedule thereby giving Delhi a respite from the inevitable traffic snarls.

3. Infrastructure

Always having been the city where infrastructure has been a priority, the CWG gave Delhi an excuse to spruce up even further. With a reported 18 new flyovers in use, it is unquestionably flying high.

A short drive in Lutyen's Delhi will delight you on the new pavements and uniformity that has been achieved.

T3, the new airport terminal may have been subject to negative media but is a grand feat in itself!

Larger than the new terminals of Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore combined, it is said to be the world's 6th largest passenger terminal and is expected to handle 34 million passengers annually.

The terminal has 168 check-in counters, 78 aerobridges at 48 contact stands, 30 parking bays, 72 immigration counters, 15 X-ray screening areas, for less waiting times, duty-free shops, 7 levels of automated parking amongst other features.

4. Cultural Treat

You don't need to be very culturally inclined to appreciate all that is on offer in Delhi.

If you like music and dance, you can pick from the traditional shows at Shriram Centre or the popular performances by bollywood singers in the backdrop of the Qutub Minar or the Old Fort.

Theatre options are plenty in NSD (National School of Drama). If you just want a flavor of it all, Dilli Haat promises shows in the evening ranging from regional dances to puppet shows.

5. Festivities galore

And if all this is not reason enough, then it just let the festive season be your excuse.

Visit the Ramlila grounds on Dussehra to watch the huge edifice of Ravana being burnt by Ram's arrow.

Dance to the tunes of Dandia and Garba in numerous Navratri dance nights being organized all over town!

Let the Durga Puja phenomenon envelope you as you celebrate at the pandaals in Chittaranjan Park. Or watch in rapt wonder as the city lights up for the Gods on Diwali.

So don't hold back! Enjoy Delhi in all its splendour and let it entrance you.

What can visitors do in your favourite city or town? Write in at getahead@rediff.co.in and tell us in about 300 words where we should be going and what we should be doing on a day out in your fave city. Please don't forget to add your name, age and what you do for a living. The best contributions will be published on rediff.com.