FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Delhi

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Delhi each year.
The main ones are listed below:

Each year, the founding of the Republic of India on this day in 1950 is marked with pomp and pageantry. Celebrations include official ceremonies, a large and colourful military parade down Rajpath and general merry-making, including street theatre and fireworks.

This one-day Hindu festival celebrates the arrival of spring. In and around Delhi, the day is celebrated with kite flying, singing, dancing and feasting.

The anniversary of India's independence in 1947 is celebrated each year with flag raising and other patriotic ceremonies, military parades and cultural events.

This festival is dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and prosperity. For three days, a huge procession, including many dancers and musicians, makes its way to the Chowpatty River carrying clay images and giant statues of the god, which are immersed in the water.

Commemorated throughout the country, this holiday celebrates the anniversary of Gandhi's birth on this day in 1869. All schools and stores are closed. Numerous religious ceremonies are held to remember independent India's founding father.

Oil lamps, lanterns and candles illuminate Delhi and all of India during this five-day festival of lights. According to tradition, Diwali celebrates the god Rama's return from 14 years of exile in the forest, when citizens lit his way with oil lamps, after his victory over the demon Ravana. Festivities also include feasting with loved ones, and exchanges of sweets and gifts.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Delhi

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	8/46	21/70	19/0.7	Good period to go
February	10/50	23/73	20/0.8	Good period to go
March	15/59	29/84	15/0.6	Not the best period to go
April	22/72	36/97	21/0.8	Not the best period to go
May	26/79	39/102	25/1.0	Not the best period to go
June	28/82	39/102	70/2.8	Not the best period to go
July	27/81	35/95	237/9.3	Not the best period to go
August	26/79	34/93	235/9.3	Not the best period to go
September	25/77	33/91	113/4.4	Not the best period to go
October	20/68	33/91	17/0.7	Good period to go
November	13/55	28/82	9/0.4	Good period to go
December	8/46	23/73	9/0.4	Good period to go

Indira-Gandhi International Airport

The Indira-Gandhi International Airport is located about 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of the city centre.

• Four terminals
  • Terminal 1
  • Terminal 3 (Air France)
  • Hajj Terminal
  • Cargo Terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.
  • Parking facilities are available at each terminal.
  • Several car rental companies have counters outside the customs hall. An international driver's licence is required to rent a vehicle.

• By rail
  The Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro connects the airport with the city centre, with trains running daily every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and a travel time of about 20 minutes. Fares are INR 10 to 60.
• By bus
  Shuttle bus services connecting the airport with central parts of the city run every 25 minutes, 24/7. Travel times are between 30 and 45 minutes and the fare is INR 100 each way.
• By taxi Taxis should be booked at the yellow prepaid taxi booths in the arrivals hall and cost around INR 400 for the trip to the city centre, which takes about 30 minutes.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +91 (0)124 337 6000 / +91 (0)124 4797 3000
• Website: http://www.newdelhiairport.in

GETTING AROUND Delhi

Delhi is a hectic city with very dense, and even chaotic, traffic at all hours of the day and night. At the outset, getting around the city may seem complicated. In fact, Delhi has a public transport system that is both reliable and efficient.

By rail

The Delhi Metro is certainly the best solution for getting around the city. Its 193-kilometre (120-mile) network has six lines, with a total of 160 stations. Tickets are inexpensive (about INR 10) and the system is quick and convenient.

By bus

Delhi has a vast network of bus routes and fares are very inexpensive. However, buses are very often crammed with passengers and many of the routes do not use air-conditioned vehicles at present, which makes this a rather uncomfortable means of transport. Fares range from INR 40 to INR 50 for air-conditioned buses, based on the distance travelled.

By taxi

In Delhi, you will see very few taxis cruising for passengers. Most taxis are reserved by telephone, rather than being hailed in the street. Furthermore, taxi fares are relatively high. Expect to pay about INR 100 for a short ride within the city centre.

By rickshaw

Rickshaws are three-wheeled vehicles. In Delhi, they are without doubt the most popular and practical means of transport, especially for short distances. Rickshaws can be found all over the city and are able to thread their way quite easily through streets blocked by heavy traffic. Fares are generally low, but you should always negotiate the price beforehand. There is no set rate, but generally expect INR 9 per kilometre.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Delhi, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 88, Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi
• Telephone: +91 (0)11 2332 0008
• Website: https://www.delhitourism.com

The official travel website maintained by India's Ministry of Tourism provides a wealth of information on Delhi.

Website : http://www.incredibleindia.org

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in the Republic of India is the Indian Rupee (INR).

1 USD = 70.78 INR

1 INR = 0.01 USD

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Delhi counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to India. However, booster doses of the following vaccines are strongly recommended for anyone travelling to the Indian subcontinent: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B. For longer stays, a rabies vaccination is also recommended.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: (http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr)
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at (0)1 43 17 22 00

It is recommended to drink bottled water.

Administrative formalities

All foreign nationals must apply for visas before travelling to India.

Since Mai 2015, the e-Tourist Visa allowing for visa on arrival issuance has been available in 16 airports including in Delhi. It may be required for short- stays (less than 30 days).

For further information, visit the website of the Indian Bureau of Immigration:
http://boi.gov.in/content/apply-visa-online

Useful Addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Delhi, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 91

+ phone number without the (0)

3 : 30
of time difference with
Beirut

There is no daylight savings time in India.

Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

And what about tipping?
There are no hard-and-fast rules on tipping in India. Nevertheless, with the influx of tourists it has become increasingly common, especially in large cities like Delhi. The expected tip is usually about 10 percent of the bill. Some Delhi restaurants add a service charge to the bill. When this is the case, no additional tip is necessary. .