Yeh Hai Dilli!

Here are some quick facts about the capital city of India, Delhi:

a) One of the oldest cities in the world.

b) It was formed in 1000 BC.

c) Became the capital of India on February 10, 1931.

d) Was designed by the British architect, Lutyens.

e) Houses more than 25 active art galleries.

f) Three of the UNESCO world heritage sites are located here – The Red fort, The Qutb Complex and the Humayun tomb

g) Comprises of Old and New Delhi.

I came across some interesting heritage walks conducted in Delhi and these are on my ‘to be experienced’ list when I visit the city, next time:

a) Walks in Delhi conducted by India Habitat Centre, www.indiahabitat.org

b) Walking tours by Delhi Heritage walks, they conduct customized tours too, www.delhiheritagewalks.com

c) Heritage walks with Surekha Narain, www.delhimetrowalks.com

d) INTACH Walks organized by The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, the fee for these walks is very nominal, www.intachdelhichapter.org


“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

Exploring Delhi – Dilli Meri Jaan

Part 2 of North India Soujourn

The capital city of the world’s largest democracy, Delhi, always fascinated me. Having visited Delhi a couple of times on business trips, I did not get a chance to explore Delhi.

Finally I visited Delhi (though for a few days) some time back. It is a place which just cannot be covered in a couple of days. However here are some highlights which I would like to recommend from my experience:

a) Travelling by the world class Delhi Metro

Delhi Metro - cool way to travel around Delhi

b) Browsing the varied wares in Paharganj market

c) Go for a ride on a tanga (cycle rickshaw)




Tanga ride outside Paharganj metro station

 

d) Visit the famous Lotus temple (Baha’i temple)

One of the most visited landmarks in Delhi - the lotus shaped Bahai temple

e) Admire the beautiful, mammoth scaled Akshardham temple




The heavily guarded Akshardham temple

 

f) Explore the ruins of Qutub Minar complex

Qutb Minar

g) Pray at Laxminarayan Mandir (temple)

Across from the Laxminarayan temple

h) Savor delicious food at Parathewala Gali in Chandni Chowk

The varied menu as displayed in one of the Paratha shops in Parathewali Gali

i) Pay homage to the Nation’s leader – Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti

The silent surroundings at Gandhi Smriti

Next time I plan to take the HoHo – Hop on, Hop off bus, in New Delhi – which covers most of the tourist places in Delhi, www.hohodelhi.com

 

A wonderful and economical way to explore Delhi !

Ho Ho Delhi !

North India Sojourn

Part 1

Having been to many South Indian states of India, I yearned to visit the Northern states and finally visited some of the famous places like:

a) Delhi – The Capital City



The famous Lotus temple in Delhi

 

b) Chandigarh – The Planned City


 

One of the many beautiful creations at Rock garden, Chandigarh

 



Beautifully adorned swings at Rock garden in Chandigarh



c) Amritsar – The Holy City

 

Overlooking the serene Golden temple at Amritsar





Wagh border near Amritsar



d) Shimla – The Cool Hilltown



The famous Mall road in Shimla




One of the many scenic pathways in Shimla

 

Visiting these cities and town within a week was indeed possible. Though seven days is not sufficient to explore all of these wonderful places, I must say it was a wonderful experience!

Each of these places has its own inherent attractions, which I will share in my upcoming posts.

“A wise traveler never despises his own country.” – Carlo Goldoni

A Hundred Hands!



Beautiful coir handicrafts of Pipli, Orissa

 Handicrafts – handmade by beautiful hands .....
I always loved handicrafts and happened to read about a beautiful event being held in Bangalore to promote handicrafts and the artisans.


The Handmade collective - The only festival of all things handmade is back for the 4th year with over 65 Artists & Groups.....says the home page of the website: www.ahundredhands.com

This festival is being held in Bangalore from 27th -30th November 2013.
Venue: The Kocchar Institute, St. John’s Church Road, Opposite Kendriya Vidyalaya, MEG, Bangalore.

A Hundred Hands is a nonprofit trust whose mission is to help those directly involved in the creation of handmade art, crafts and homemade foods, to earn a fair and sustainable livelihood from their work.

For more details, please visit their website: www.ahundredhands.com

Little Human Planet!

I came across a beautiful song taught to my daughter in her school (Class II) and would like to share this thoughtful song with all of you.

‘In our big round planet, out in the big starry space

Let’s meet our friends around the world

And go from place to place.

Our lives may be so different

Different countries, different names

Different languages, different weather

But inside we are just the same.

Let’s meet our friends around the world

Hello – and how are you?

We are the children of the world.

We are it’s future too!

Let’s meet our friends around the world.

We are - Little Human Planet!

Most Nutritious Indian Breakfast!

Recently the ‘Times of India’ conducted a survey (published August 30, 2013) on ‘ India’s Breakfast Habits’ in four metro cities, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, and found that 3 idlis, a bowl of sambhar and a tumbler of filter coffee is the most nutritious breakfast !

Traditionally, idli’s are prepared in most of the South Indian (especially in states like Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh) households almost every day or every week. It is one of my favorite breakfast dishes.

Idlis with puthana dal chutney, mini idlis for juniors - my nephew loves these!

One of the favorite accompaniments with Idlis - split chick peas (puthana dal/dalia in Hindi) chutney

Why idli’s are the best breakfast choice? Here are some answers which make it the most preferred morning (or evening) meal/snack (some even prefer to have it for dinner):

a)      Simple to make (provided the idli batter is fermented and ready to be added in the idli moulds - to be steamed)

b)      Fat free - as it is steam cooked.

c)      Most nutritious and complete meal- rice (carbohydrate source) and urad dal (adds to the protein value)

d)      One feels satiated on eating this meal…no need to binge in between…..

e)      It is light on the pocket and waistlineJ

f)       Thus affordable and healthy!

Food is our common ground, an universal experience.

-          James Beard

Largest bangles market in India ! Part II

Part II

One will find all types of bangles here: lac bangles, glass bangles, metallic bangles, embellished bangles in a range of colors! Of special mention are the famous lac bangles, sold here. Lac is a type of clay and these bangles are very brittle.

 

Lac bangles

  

Two hours passed by as minutes, admiring these beautiful creations….

I would have loved to explore the various labyrinthine lanes which sell beads, clothes, perfumes, bridal trousseaus etc. All that a women could wish for! However as dusk set in, I had to leave Charminar, with a resolution to come back again and explore its myriad bylanes and hunt for more treasures…

Hard to resist - I had to buy one of these.



The rows of bangles continue...



Beautiful treasures for a small price!







Largest bangles market in India !

Part I

It is simply enticing, you are tempted to buy more and more ! This is what all my friends who visited the bangle market in Charminar had said to me several times. And I vouch this fact.

One of the many lanes lined with bangle shops.

Upon entering the shop.....dazzling array

As I entered Laad bazaar, one of the many bazaars in Charminar area of Old city of Hyderabad (erstwhile!) also known as Chudi (bangle in Hindi) bazaar, Meena bazaar, I was attracted towards the numerous shops displaying a range of attractive bangles in varied colors and hues ! It is said that this bazaar was established by a lady, Ladli Begum. The bangle shops have feminine names like, Ladli, Gehna, Nagma etc.

Upon entering the shops (one needs to decide which of the shops to enter), the bangles are displayed elegantly in glass cabinets and the salesmen ensure that you are spoilt with a choice of beautiful bangles at very economical price (you need to bargain hard!)

This bazaar houses around 350 bangle shops. The price of bangles can range from Rupees 100 to Rupees 5,000 per pair.

 

Metallic bangles

Decorated with beads and more





Colorful glass bangles

The colorful lot

To be continued...
 

Charmed by Charminar!



 Last year, when I visited Hyderabad (erthwhile) I made it a point to visit the much famed Charminar.



Entering the old city with a view of Charminar.

Here are some facts about this imposing structure standing tall at the intersection of four busy roads:

a)      One of the main landmarks of Hyderabad.

b)      It is known as Charminar because of its four (char = four, in Hindi; Minar in Arabic, manara = spire/tower) minarets.

c)      It is one of the main landmarks of Hyderabad.

d)     Known as ‘The Arc de Triomphe of the East”

e)      It was built in 1591to commemorate the eradication of plague in Hyderabad.

f)       It is a  massive square structure, 56 meters (183.72 feet) high and 30 meters (98.42 feet) wide

g)      It is built of granite and lime mortar.

h)      Each of the four grand arches of this structure, face the four cardinal directions that open into four streets which lead to thriving markets known as Laad Baazaar and Pather Gatti, which are famous for exquisite bangles and pearls, respectively.

i)        It has four minarets, one on each of its corners. These fluted minarets are attached to the main building and rise towards the sky to a height of 56 m (183.72 ft). Each minaret has a double balcony.

j)        Inside the minarets, 149 winding steps lead to the top floor, which provides a panoramic view of the city. However, the general public is not allowed to access this.

k)      It is the oldest surviving mosque in the city of Hyderabad. 
 


Delicate stone work adornment





A view of the imposing structure.

Adjacent to this monument is a Durga temple – an excellent example of communal harmony!

A Future dependent on Responsible Tourism...

The pioneering WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, in association with the UNWTO, hosts the world's most comprehensive, searching and thought-provoking agenda on responsible tourism.

Celebrated today, November 6, this one defining day in the year that travel companies, destinations, organisations, employees and suppliers come together across the world in a remarkable expression of this new way of thinking !

www.wtmresponsibletourism.com/Content/World-Responsible-Tourism-Day

UNESCO's World Heritage mission

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.

What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

The various Heritage Sites across the globe.

UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to:

·         encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;

·         encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;

·         encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites;

·         help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;

·         provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;

·         support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;

·         encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;

·         encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.

Source: http://whc.unesco.org/

The Nine days festival – Navratri

The nine forms of Shakti – the creative feminine power, are worshipped during Navratri. The different forms of Shakti – the primordial cosmic energy are Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

This year Navratri is being celebrated from October 6 – 14. October 14 marks the eve of Dusshera – to celebrate the triumph of good over evil !

Durga Devi puja are Sarvajanik mandal, Aquem, Margao, Goa, India

This festival is celebrated all over India, but with special enthusiasm in Kolkata.

The various powerful forms of the Goddess worshipped with great fervor on each of the days of Navratri are described herewith:

The beautifully lighted Shantadurga temple at Shantinagar, Aquem, Goa

Temple glows with lights...

Shantadurga Devi

Durga Devi puja at Fatorda, Margao, Goa, India

Day 1: First form: Shailaputri: The Goddess is depicted seated on a bull.

Day 2: Second form: Brahmacharini: She is depicted with prayer beads (Japmala) in the right hand and a prayer pot (Kamandal) in the left hand.

Day 3: Third form: Chandraghanta: Seated of a tiger, her forehead bears is adorned with the half moon shaped adornment. She is repesented with 10 hands which bear various weapons.

Day 4: Fourth form: Kushmanda: Also, known as Adi Shakti (who existed before the universe was formed) She is represented with eight arms, which bear various weapons and is seated on a tiger.

Day 5: Fifth form: Skandamata: Seated in a kamal (lotus) asan posture, on a lion, she is represented with four arms. And is also known as Padmasna Devi.

Day 6: Sixth form: Katyayni: She is represented with four arms and is seated on a lion.

Day 7: Seventh form: Kalratri: She is represented with a dark complexion. Seated on a gardhab (in Hindi, donkey in English) , she is four armed. She looks to be fearful, but bestows happiness.

Day 8: Eighth form: Mahagauri: The four armed Goddess is represented as fair skinned wearing pure white colored saree, and looks very peaceful, and is seated on a bull.

Day 9: Siddhidhatri: She is seated on a lotus and is represented with four arms.

The radiant Goddess of Shakti (power) 

“The nine days of Navratri are observed to perform spiritual practices for awakening of Shakti!”

I love Yarn Day - October 11

Today, October 11, is celebrated as 'I love Yarn day', which is very much applicable to me. As I love to crotchet with yarn (which includes thread, fiber and wool, however I prefer wool as it is easier to work with) and in this process, am always on the lookout for some interesting and colorful yarn.

My favorite colorful wool (yarn) creation...

A person like me may be referred as:

a) Yarn lover

b) Yarn diva

c) Yarn snob

d) Yarn geek

and the list goes on.....

And finally, I would say:

So much Yarn, so little time.........