Ghaziabad

By the River's Edge – Ghaziabad

You may have heard of Ghaziabad – it’s a hop, skip, and jump from India’s capital, New Delhi. In the grand scheme of things, though, Ghaziabad belongs to Uttar Pradesh. Which is why, many people also call it the Gateway to UP. You may not know this, but Ghaziabad is the base for the biggest investigative bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation. Giving the city a glamorous touch, the biggest names that come from Ghaziabad are Lara Dutta, a talented Bollywood actress, and Suresh Raina, one of the best fielders in cricket.

Highlights: Shop, Pray, and Relax

Shop: Wondering what is so special about the malls in Ghaziabad? The city is sprinkled with them. It is also the entertainment hub for the locals. Eat, drink, and shop! Shipra Mall tops the chart, followed by Shopprix Mall, Gaur Central Mall, East Delhi Mall, Opulent Mall, among others. These malls have made a name for themselves. So much so that people from Delhi come here.

Parks & Recreation: When you think of industrial cities, you rarely think of green open parks and massive amusement parks in tow. Ghaziabad is dotted with blissful gardens and fun-packed theme parks. For a comfy, kick back time, put on your easy breezy clothing and head to either Swarna Jayanti Park, City Forest, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Park, Sculpture Park, or KalaDham Park. Get your rush of excitement at Drizzling Land Water and Amusement Park or Indraprasth Amusement Park. With thrill in the air, you will be riding a wave of exhilaration.

Places of Worship: If you are looking for peace of mind, ironically you will find it among the cacophony of life in Ghaziabad. One of the top places to retire from your worries is at the beautifully adorned ISKCON Temple. Meditate as bhajans resound in the background. See the aarti up close. And feel blessed as you eat the heavenly prasadam (served every evening). The best time to visit the temple is at Janmashtami. It is decorated with multicoloured lights and scented flowers. A lively energy reverberates through the temple.

Cuisine: Let's get your taste buds tingling! Get your protein fix with a Gandhi Omelette at a hole in the wall stall at Navyug Market. This fluffy goodness is prepared in front of your eyes. The eggs are whisked thoroughly to create a soft, airy bed for two slices of bread. It is topped with onions, coriander, and spices. You then wait patiently to dig into it. The locals also swear by Kavi Nagar’s special hot dogs, Mohan Bhog’s samosas and falooda, and everything on the menu at Fusion Dosa will make your day. For all things sweet, indulge in cakes at Donald’s Pastry Shop like the locals. Or finish off a meal with a tall glass of Lalman Lassi. This thick dairy drink gets a thumb up from the locals.

Interesting Facts

• Do you want to see Ghaziabad in all its colours? It is a sight of beauty during Shivratri. The city comes alive with the beat of drums, aromatic delicacies, and festive decorations.
• Ghaziabad may be dotted with malls, but it is an industrial city. You will come across companies that manufacture diesel engines, railway coaches, paint, heavy chains, and tapestries.
• Have you heard of the Grand Trunk Road? Ghaziabad is situated on this famed road. It is one of Asia’s oldest and longest main roads. It starts from Kabul (Afghanistan) and ends at Kolkata.
• In the midst of the noise lies an ornate red temple - Laxmi Narayan Temple. The distinguishing feature is the tall shikharas. Also, the temple gets its red shade from the red sandstone.
• An electrifying fact, Ghaziabad is home to the world’s largest power project. It generates about 1670 MW of electricity by coal and gas.

Location: Bed of rivers

Ghaziabad is wedged between two religiously important rivers, Ganges and Yamuna. A tributary of Yamuna River - Hindon - runs through the center of the city creating a green belt along the bank.

On the map, the city resembles a fish with a long tail. As you zoom out from the outline of the city, you see the amazing places that surround it. To the north is Meerut District. To the south, Bulandshahar and Gautambudh Nagar Districts. Delhi lies southwest of the city. And Jyotiba Phule Nagar District to the east. 

Click here to view Ghaziabad on Google Map

Timings: Changing weather

On paper, Ghaziabad experiences the three seasons – summer, monsoon, and winter. However, the city experiences a ripple effect of what happens far, far away. When sandstorms batter through Rajasthan, you feel the weather fluctuate in Ghaziabad. Even heavy snowfall in the Himalayas sends chill air to the city, even though it is miles away.

Besides these unexpected changes, summer in the city is at an unpleasant high of approximately 40 degrees Celsius. So, when it rains, the locals let loose and enjoy the weather with a warm cup of tea and pakodas. In winter, the temperature quickly falls to around 5 degrees Celsius. This is the perfect time to snuggle in a blanket and revel in the cold. If you are planning a trip to the city, then winter is the ideal month to take the plunge.

How to Reach Ghaziabad: Firmly Grounded

By Rail: Since this small city is a stone’s throw from the capital, several locomotives chug through here. There’s no dearth of trains to choose from. Come from Kanpur, Kolkata, or Lucknow and alight at Ghaziabad Junction railway station. You can also get off at Sahibabad Junction, New Ghaziabad, and Guldhar.

By Metro: This mode of travel is a big hit in the capital. The connectivity and comfort are what makes it legendary. Today, these features extend to Ghaziabad too. You can easily take a metro ride from Delhi.

By Road: The wheels of the buses traverse far and wide to get to Ghaziabad. The city is easily accessible from neighboring cities including Bareilly, Delhi, Moradabad, Faizabad, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur. So, pack some snacks and get on board.

By Air: Unfortunately, Ghaziabad does not have an airport of its own. However, a mere 32 kilometers away is the busiest airport in the country – the Indira Gandhi International Airport. You can catch flights – both domestic and national – from this highly connected airport.

History: Fanning the flame of Independence

Don't you love settling near a river? So, did people back in 2500 B.C. The area around the gushing Hindon River was full of life. Later in history, say around 1313, the city turned into a battleground. The Turco-Mongol Persianate conqueror Timur ravaged the city’s fort. Fast forward to 1740, the vizier Ghazi-Ud-Din established the place and named it after himself, Ghaziuddinnagar. That’s how the city got its name! The best bit of history was that Ghaziabad was the epicenter of the Indian mutiny. It was from this city that Indian soldiers rebelled against the colonists. This uprising ignited a wave of independence in India.