1

If this is your first experience with India, toss a coin. It won't matter.

2

Have done both at that time which can at points be miserable. I much prefer an oven in Delhi to a pressure cooker in Mumbai (humidity). Add to that Mumbai, aside from good eats, is not much more than a transit point. All culture, history, and most, not all, intellectual activity points to Delhi. An exception, good access to beer in Mumbai. I treasure hours spent drinking with the archives staff & researchers. Still, for most people its not where the action is..

3

Very interesting, Edward, could you elaborate a bit more? Specifically I'd like to know just how bad Delhi is weather-wise, and what things make it a culturally richer place?

4

Weather wise, none have anything to brag about. While Delhi will be burning at 40-plus temperatures till the rains arrive in late July, Bombay will either be unbearably humid at near 40 degrees OR literally drowning in torrential rain. Personally, Delhi weather is preferable as it causes less of a sweat.

Bombay loyalists will fight it out, but personally speaking, Delhi is far better. Bombay may feel more like a metropolis, given its buzz and hype, but Delhi, at ground level, is far more attractive, especially going by your interests. Delhi's history is unmatched in cities from across the world (Three World Heritage sites and its proposed to finally be nominated as a heritage city as a whole); the country's best museums, galleries and cultural festivals take place here; weekend escape options range from the mountains to the deserts to everything else; and growing infrastructure that is making the city increasingly easy to live in.

Those who call it squalid are not to be blamed, but they are more likely to be in the city for a day or two shuffling through the less attractive areas. Delhi needs a good guide, and believe me, its one amazing city.

5

I lived in Delhi for three years, then two more up in Dehradun. I love Delhi! It's one of my all time favorite cities on the planet. Look for a place in one of the middleclass South Delhi neighborhoods, you´ll feel at home, be close to all you will ever need, and only a Metro ride or a car ride for much of interest.

6

Delhi's a lovely town, even if some of its denizens are truly noisome! Your perspective is determined by where you live: in Bombay, I lived in ''town'' (Churchagte) with work and fun both being not more than a stonwe's throw away. Bombay's killer commutes can do your head in, but it's far more cosmopolitan than Delhi which is still a Haryana village at heart. Work-wise two thumbs up to Bombay, two down to Delhi (former's more professional and when peopel say they will do something, they will). Food-wise: Delhi's better. Entertainment-wise: they're similar; Delhi has more culture-vultures while Bombay's theatre scene is fantastic.

7

if you love to let your hair down then Bombay.......
if you like something conceited and snooty then Delhi....

pick as you like....

8

Exactly, Mumbai, for all its virtues, is a village recently turned into a port for colonial purposes..

9

I think the food is better in Mumbai_Colaba , the air is bit freshed with the rain and the seaside. Delhi's okay, it grows on you. Good thing is that the rain will keep the pollution down, usually after 3-4 days i start to feel a bit sick from the air especially in delhi you might fall down it's so hot.

10

Dear
For an Indian Mumbai & Delhi are two totally different experiences. Culturally both are pole apart.
Mumbai is commercial capital while Delhi is Political capital.
Mumbai is very cosmopolitan; Delhi has strong north Indian Punjabi culture influence.
Mumbai People are comparatively helpful & straight forward, non interfering type. They are busy.
Mumbai hardly has any heritage or historic background & not many ancient or historic places to visit. Mumbai has beautiful Sea Shore & Queens Necklace –Marin Drive, lots of high rise, skyscraper buildings, Huge Malls, Swanky Multiplex. Night life is vibrant & colourful. Lots of lounge bar, restaurant & hotels which serve good quality international food. Local food is also good & reasonably priced. Lots of Coffee bar, Public transport is very good & cheap. Lots of Air conditioner Buses, Private Cabs, Trains (Avoid during pick hours). But road condtion is pathetic, crowded & traffic jams. Lots of slums .
Delhi has grand heritage & colourful history. Historic & ancient monuments co exists with Modern world in Delhi. Lots of Mugal architecture, Museums, Art galleries, Habitat centre, Craft Bazar, Exotic shopping, & lots of Indian ness in general. Food has strong influence of North India, People are little bit snob & strong headed. You feel heaviness of politics in the air. Near by Agra, Jaipur, Fathe pur sikari are also with rich historic monuments & palaces. Public transport is pathetic or rather non existant & private cabs etc are expensive. Nothing much about night life. But worth seeing is Himachal Pradesh & Uttranchal which can be visited via Delhi.

11

DEAR NISHDH

providing wrong information is a social crime, do u even realise that saying that delhi has no existent public transport could totally ruin this man's experience, that he may chose mumbai n return disgusted. wy would mumbai copy the metero railway system if it was so sufficient. their r buses to the most remote areas(reaching even as close as 20 km to sonepat). u can get a 50 rs bus pass n travel through out the day in ac busses, maximum buss fare is 15(though cabs r expensive), peterol prices are as low as 4.5 rs less then mumbai makin personal transport cheeper , can reach any part of delhi n even all ncr cities in 30 rs in air conditioned metero network that is highly secure, clean, wel mainained n free of terorist attacks as every commuter is checked n every luggage is checked as in airports, their is a local train network also.