Laxmi Narayan Mandir

This is the Laxmi Narayan Mandir (Temple), located on Mandir Marg (Road). The temple is popularly known as Birla mandir, since the business group Birla's had constructed the temple. It was decorated with lights for the five days of the festival of Deepawali. Hindus light Deeps or Diyas or earthen lamps to ensure that the Godess of Wealth Laxmi can find her way into their homes on the Amavasya or the new moon night that marks the onset of winter. Several other religious beliefs are also attached to the festival. You can read more about Diwali here.

Warli In McDonald's

Like almost all the foreign brands operating in India, McDonald's has also had an Indian makeover. From its menus, advertising campaigns to its roofs, everything is being given the desi flavour. This is a roof paiting I spotted in McD's, Janpath. The brown stick figures that you see in this painting are typical of the tribal art called Warli. I have a Warli painting in my home too.

Happy Diwali

This is how I celebrated the festival of lights yesterday. This particular firework is called Anar. It shoots up like a fountain and looks beautiful without too much noise.



Since the Rangoli I made did not picture too well, I am posting the flower Rangoli that my next door neighbour made.



And no Indian festival is complete without ample sumptuous food. Here is a giant Chakli that I spot from the shop I bought my load of food.

A Very Happy Diwali to all of you.



Thanks for the Diwali wishes Nitu and Ulotny.

Buddha In Brass

This is Buddha in brass decorated at one of my regular Chinese food joint- Bercos. I liked this piece of art a lot, since I can almost feel the serenity of the Lord.

Fort Ruin - Talkatora Garden

This is a small dome that decorates the Talkatora Garden. Delhi was, to begin with, a fort city. Even today you can find several remains of forts, known and unknown, sprinkled every where in the city. Talkatora is in Central Delhi, which mostly boasts of British structures. But even here you can spot ruins of ancient forts that have withstood the test of time. Happy weekend! :-)

Happy Birthday Henry!!!

Today is Kris' son, Henry's birthday. Wishing him the world full of happiness and an awesome time growing up.!!! Happy Birthday Henry!

It is also my school time friend Richa's birthday... so here is to a wonderful year to you dear Richa... Happy 25th Birthday.

Loads of love and wishes from Delhi, India.

There's a light at the end of every tunnel. Just pray it isn't a train!

I read this really profound quote somewhere and could not resist posting the photo of this metro train arriving at the station.

Day Break

My day began today with the blushing sun greeting me from behind the tree leaves. Not particularly fond of exercising, even I could not resist the wonderful early morning nip in the air. I decided to welcome the beginning of the winter with a walk in the Talkatora garden located just a few minutes of walk from my home. The garden is surely a paradise for photo enthusiasts like me. Would bring more photos from the garden for you in the days to come.

Happy Winters :-)

Book Store Window Display

I love books and reading defines my being. This is the display window of one of the bookstores that I often visit in Connaught Place. The selection of books on the display can give you a fair idea of the books that it might have inside. A paradise for book lovers. This particular display has mostly Hindi books and some books dedicated to Yoga, which has become a popular phenomenon the world over. Would show you more such hang outs in the days to come. Happy reading :-)

Green Apple Soda

Nothing better to lift up the spirit and get a horrid cold and cough than a cool drink. This is the green apple soda that I had a few days ago to ensure that I continue to cough and gain sympathy at home and work. This plan of action is not something that I would recommend anyone though.

Raising a toast to good health around the world.! Cough, Cough, Cough...

Too much excitement has my throat croaking. Anyways lemme get back to sipping my hot cup of green tea.

Happy Sunday!

I miss Auto-Rickshaws

My love with the Auto-rickshaws began at the age of 18, when I began commuting to different parts of the city on my own during the first nibbles of freedom I tasted as a college student. I always preferred the independence of an auto (as we call it) ac compared to stifling public transport buses. The fact that their bright colours added sparkle to the drab city travelling was another reason I more often than not opted for this mode of commuting. I had bought my car, arguing that I had had enough of haggling with the drivers. However, in these past few months of driving, I have developed a longing to just sit back, open a book, plug my ears, tune into the FM channel and reach home. Today I dedicate the post to possibly the first love of my adult life --- my hero – the Auto-Rickshaw.

Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles.

Jewelry that is not for everyday use... I wonder who wears such heavy jewelry everyday and even if some do wear it, what kind of work do they do??? I wonder... But I really liked this display board and the tag line that headlines the display window. It was even more interesting since the shop was located in the heart of the sarafa market (gold market) in Chandi Chowk of the Old Delhi.

Fountains, Select City Walk Mall

These are the fountains at the Select City Walk mall in South Delhi. This is a high-end mall where you can spot the biggest national and international brands. Personally, I did not like the mall too much as in these times of global financial crisis, it all seemed like a huge waste of money. However, the fountains did cheer me up! :-)

Peg Solitaire

This is my favourite game ever. You need no one else to play with you and you can spend hours trying to figure out how you can leave just one marble on the board. Peg Solitaire. Do try it!
P.S: It proves to be a wonderful gift for all age groups (except for children in the ages where they love to swallow anything and everything they can lay their hands on)

Happy gaming :-)

Bouquet Base

This is the base of bouquets being sold at the Phool Mandi (flower market). Other pics are here and here.

Safdurjung's Tomb

Apologies for posting a photo that is burned, the sun was brutal. But I could manage to get just one shot before the signal turned green and cars began honking. This is the entrance gate of Safdurjung's tomb. It is a specimen of the later style of Mughal architecture that adorns various pockets of Delhi. Not the finest in carving, or choice of stones, but still spectacular in parts and pieces, this monument has reduced to an escape for the lovebirds of Delhi. Next time I promise to park my black beauty and get you more photos.

Happy Dussehra

Happy Dussehra! Dussehra is a Hindu festival which marks the victory of Good over Evil. In North India, paper effigies of Ravana (a mythological demon or a Rakshsa) are filled with firecrackers and actors, mostly children, are dressed as Lord Ram, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman.



The children of our colony made this elaborate Ravana effigy themselves, filled it with crackers and invited all the elders to the evening ceremony.



The child who became Lord Ram took aim and fired an arrow, the head of which was lighted with fire, and hit the effigy.



And thus the celebrations came to an end. A Happy Dussehra to all of you! :-)

Wall Painting Pizza Hut

This is a part of the wall painting adorning the walls of Pizza Hut, Janpath. Pizza Hut is one of the favorite joints for the youngsters in Delhi. The best part is that Pizzas have been accommodated to become spicy and tangy to suit our Indian taste buds. The ambiance of the place keeps me cheerful... it is certainly better than dark-almost shady heavy-on-the-pocket restaurants, where you are not sure what lies in your plate. :-)

Running Backwards For Future

This is an interesting athlete I spotted running in reverse. He has decided to run backwards to raise funds to combat global warming. A good cause... hope his efforts bear fruits.

Delhi Gate

This is part of the Red Fort or Lal Qila as we call it in Hindi. The fort had fourteen gates,with Lahori Gate, Kashmere Gate, Dilli Gate and Ajmeri Gate being the most important and prominent ones. Though the growth of the city over the centuries has lead to the dilapidation of certain parts of the fort, these four still form very important landmarks in the city. This photograph is of a part of Dilli Gate. The gate is just a review of the Fort, which is a grand with its red brick architecture mesmerizing the visitors for ages now.

St. Thomas' School - Junior School

I am still having the hangover of the October theme day, which meant we post photographs related to lines. This is the building of the junior department of my alma mater- St. Thomas' School. Whenever I think of lines, I think of this phase of my life when I had first been taught of shapes, falling in line for assemblies, doing Physical Education Drills and God knows what all. I learned to cut lines across my t's and dot my i's. Ah! It was a glorious time. :-)

You can read about my sentiments for my school here.

Theme Day: Lines: Waiting in GPO

A queue is often called a line in India. Here I have a line of people standing in Gole Dak Khana (General Post Office or GPO) waiting for the postal clerks to answer their respective queries.

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