Every Commonwealth country is eagerly awaiting their chance to host these games. This time, Delhi will do the honours. India’s capital is on the throne with restless anticipation for October 3, 2010, the date of the colorful opening ceremony. The games will continue until October 14, 2010 at various venues spread across Delhi. Visiting India during this period will be an excellent idea. Not only can you expect special hotel and flight deals, but the October weather is also perfect for outdoor sightseeing. Here are some of the exciting things to do and see during the games.
Sightseeing
The city has been built and rebuilt many times by different ruling powers and is filled with exciting historical remains. While the Old Delhi area is packed with impressive Mughal-era structures, Lutyens’ Delhi or New Delhi is a tribute to the grandeur of Raj days. Immerse yourself in a world of tranquility at the serene Lodhi Gardens and Lotus Temple, or check out impressive monuments like the Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutub Minar complex, and Humayun’s Tomb. Other popular tourist attractions are the India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament House. Learn about India’s Margaret Thatcher at the Indira Gandhi Memorial. Commonwealth Games 2010 gives you the opportunity to do all of this and much more.
Going beyond Delhi
Delhi is the central point to continue traveling to India. A great weekend trip is the Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This tour is a wonderful way to experience some of India’s top attractions such as the one and only Taj Mahal, the deserts of Rajasthan and astonishing feats of architectural brilliance like Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Albert Hall. and Fort Amber. The Golden Triangle tour remains an inseparable part of any travel odyssey to India.
Go out to eat and shop
The fact that the Commonwealth Games are being held in Delhi also ensures that visitors will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city’s legendary culinary and retail scene. Although there are countless global cuisines available in Delhi, the city is among the best places in the world for Mughlai food. Some of the places to eat that you must visit are Bukhara, Spice Route, Kareems, Punjabi by Nature and Chor Bizarre. Similarly, there are endless options when it comes to shopping. Whether it’s glitzy world-class malls or charming little markets and traditional bazaars, Delhi has it all. The most popular shopping stops are Delhi Haat, Crafts Museum, Fabindia, Crafts Museum and Cottage Industries Emporium. With so many attractions to choose from, there would never be a dull moment during the rides. In fact, it is quite logical to state that the tourism of India will get a huge boost due to the event.