Delhi Getaway

(Taj Mahal in the morning light)

(My favorite)

When it comes to getaways, they must always be spontaneous. What was to be a simple house party with a few drinks thrown in and dancing, it turned out to be one really long drive via the gorgeous Yamuna Express Way in two and half hours flat!

Waiting for an audience

Alone in the crowd: seating arrangement near the Rang Mahal, Red Fort

Millions of footsteps have tread onto this path. Sightseers, historians, lovebirds, curious bystanders and some ignoramuses (if such a word exits...). Yet, these seats lie vacant as if waiting for an audience, always ready and yes, still waiting. 

Let there be light...

While browsing through the ancient arms museum (Red Fort, Delhi) , a very bored me, headed off alone towards the exit. Happened to click this then...

Touring Delhi...

It's been a long time since we posted....


Sometimes one has to become a tourist to appreciate the old haunts one's city has to offer...

Mom and dad (Nikki's parents) at the Red Fort Market...

Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening light...

The most vibrant chowk ever near the gurudwara

Closer we go...

Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the chowk. Bustling crowd and milieu just makes it worthwhile!

Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib

Looking further, one could identify Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib. This was the place where the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam. Hence, the name Sis, which means 'head' in Hindi/Punjabi. The Gurudwara is surrounded by the Old rustic feel of Chandni Chowk as we started walking towards it.

Crows' abode!

The first thing we saw after we arrived from the clogged pathways and parking areas from Metro Station were scores of crows doing what they do the best - perched on electric cables and kawing at one and all!

The Walk-a-thon!

(Click on image to enlarge)

3 Jan 2010. Cold, damp and cloudy sky greeted me as I planned my Chandni Chowk walk-a-thon with a dear friend. Both of us suckers for good food and me dying to revisit the bylanes of Delhi after a hectic 3rd semester in Pune, it would have needed more than that to stop me! Off the metro station and our walk begins! 

The Carrot Seller

This kid sells cucumbers, radishes and carrots at India Gate. He wasn't too excited to be clicked...on asking why, he says that many people come and take his pics so no big deal! Also, he says that he has made better designs out of carrots than this one!

Max Mueller Bhavan

This is the Max Mueller Bhavan which houses the Embassy of the Republic of Germany and also the Goethe-Institut. The Institute runs variety of cultural programs and German language courses for the interested. It is located at KG Marg and here online.

Walk Baby Walk!

Let us accept it. We Delhites don't walk as much as Mumbaikars do. We walk only if there isn't any other option. We can curse the extreme weather and social fabric of the city but it is more than that. It is time we remove the inertia of the old Ambassador Car reminiscent of the 'license raj' from our minds and put on those walking shoes!

The Homeless

Season of cold is here and getting colder. Found this homeless man cozy near the Max Mueller Bhavan.

On approaching closer, he thought I was a tourist [blah!] and asked, 'Photo please?' and readily posed for it. After I clicked a couple, he asked, 'Cash for Coffee?' and smiled. After a few more clicks and a 5 rupees coin, I walked further to particularly nowhere!

Sprucing up!

New bus shelters, better sign boards. Well, it could just be an exercise for 26th January celebrations but if it extends beyond - good signs of order and neatness!

The Green Canopies

Believe it or not, New Delhi is one of the greenest capital cities in Asia with over 23% land under green cover. Wide roads with green canopies falling over - a simple thing but not seen everywhere!

Bubble Man!

Finally took a walk from Connaught Place to India Gate. India Gate is filled with hawkers selling all kinds of eatables and other quirky stuff. This old man agreed to pose for me with those lovely soap bubbles!

Delhi Police PCR Van

Delhi Police Van at IIT Flyover. With you, For you, ALLWAYS! [We know how much it is there, what is with DOUBLE emphasis on L?]

Mini Palika Bazaar

Indians sure are enterprising people, in most of the wrong reasons. Here is an example of mini Palika Bazaar in Sector 14 Market, Gurgaon. Take your pick, check it on the portable T.V. Like the print? Buy it! Nothing official about it ;)

Love signs...

Made by the ever-so-famous Qualis which ferries IT and Call Center professions day in and day out. The most reliable source of transport and crime in the city. Given an opportunity, Qualis drivers would give F1 drivers a run for their money!

Gurgaon Autorickshaws

Shared Auto we call it. People hang from these from all the open corners. Apart from the little danger of it turning turtle backwards, it is a nice and cheap ride to go from place to place on the National Highway 8. Iffco Chowk, Atlas Chowk, Shyam Chowk - you name it. Only Rs. 5. Single rate.