Old Delhi in New Delhi

Old Delhi or Purani Dilli, a tangle of ancient streets and alleyways, was founded as a walled city in 1639 when the Mughal capital shifted from Agra. The best way for tourists to explore this oldest area of Delhi is by rickshaw.

A place of contrast: there is a darkness to the area, especially for those who have not previously been subjected to culture shock but there is a brightness to the souk because of all the colours, smells, stimulation of all the senses.

Old Delhi has a Muslim and Hindu vibe. Hinduism considers cows to be sacred. In ancient times the people needed cows, and it is believed that cows and priests were made on the same day of creation. The cow doesn’t have to worry for its safety while roaming the streets. Breakfast and care are also provided to these deeply respected creatures.

The Indian sari is considered to be among the oldest form of garment in the world still in existence. The symbolism of color stands out and controls every aspect of life in India, including the choice of sari colours. There are up to 80 different recorded ways to tie the single length of fabric.

Above the congested streets and alleyways is a canopy of dangerously tangled electricity cables. The local people are happy to get a cable across from anywhere for their convenience. The webs of wire spaghetti may help to power the thriving Indian capital but they serve up a nightmare for electricians who struggle to fix power outages and blackouts. Many of the cables have been placed illegally, with locals taking advantage of the confusing tangles to steal power from their neighbors or commercial properties. Power theft is common in the walled city, meaning the area is prone to power outages and blackouts.