Delhi Photo Diary

Dastakar Mela

2009-11-12T21:54:32-08:00

Monkeys eating bananas greeted us at Dastakar Mela held in Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, India Gate. My friend and me realized that monkeys and banana were the theme of the fete when we reached this stall.
But, we were not just 'monkeying' around and had gone to feast our eyes and loosen our purse strings on handicraft goodies on display at this annual handicrafts bazaar.

So we bought some bags and bangles:
Looked and praised some statues
Bought some nice earthen pots

Saw a few more monkeys on banana trees
And with hands full of shopping bags bid adieu to the Dastakar and its colours at dusk.

Khadi Gram Udyog

2009-11-10T01:31:29-08:00

This is the Khadi Gram Udyog, Connaught Place. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi had promoted Khadi, homespun cotton, during the Indian Independence struggle. Today we have Khadi Gram Udyogs in all the major cities and towns of the country. One can buy not only khadi fabric, ready- made clothes, but also shoes, handmade paper, herbs, jewelry etc.

A friend, who is a colleague and a fellow blogger, did a post on me. Do visit. Exposemaximum for see the photos and interview.

Sansad Bhawan: Parliament Of India

2009-10-29T23:57:33-07:00

This is the view of the Sansad Bhawan, or the Parliament of India from Vijay Chowk. The Parliament is a circular building and is one of the many British architectural gems that adorn the Raisina Hill.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

2009-10-26T23:58:14-07:00

I had decided to gift myself my first Diamonds, this Diwali. This took me to the jewelers, where I selected a ring and asked the jeweler to reduce the size of the ring according to my finger. He took out this whole bunch of rings to find my size. After trying several of them it was found that I am a size 13. :-)

Waiting for all of you to complement my ring! Hehehehe :D

Some Flowers And A Butterfly

2009-10-20T08:24:01-07:00

Delhi is flowering again! And butterflies are here too. Good days are here after the scorching heat.

Diwali In Delhi

2009-10-19T11:20:14-07:00

Happy Diwali to everyone across the globe. May the festival of lights brighten all our lives and bring prosperty to everyone.

There were no celebrations in our house this time, since my paternal grandfather passed away recently. No festivals will be celebrated in our house for the whole of this year.

The city however was as usual in its festive best.

Ansal Plaza decorated with festive lights for Diwali
Pooja (prayer) in office.

Champions League: Delhi Daredevils vs Wayamba

2009-10-15T02:38:54-07:00

These posters greeted us at Feroz Shah Kotla Grounds Sunday evening.

Here is Akshat, my younger brother, cheering for our city team, flag et al.
We were lucky enough to get the front row seats in a stadium which was jam-packed.

Here is a screen shot of the man, Dinesh Karthik, who made the match worthwhile, hitting 3 sixes in 3 balls.

Friends cheering and at the same time posing for the camera.

The fate of the match was decided in favour of the home team and most people left earlier than the presentation ceremony.
Fireworks over the floodlights.

What Fun!

October Theme Day: Contrast

2009-10-01T00:02:06-07:00

I chose this particular photograph for today's theme, keeping the following definition of contrast in mind.

Contrast: The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art. 2. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.

You can see the North Block in the backdrop and the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the rear-view mirror.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Durga Pooja

2009-09-28T05:35:39-07:00

These are the drums or dhols, which Bengalis call dhaks. Playing the dhaks is considered auspicious.This is the main idol of the Godess Durga, flanked by her two daughters, Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge).
On her extremes are her two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya.
This is another form of rangoli, which Bengalis make with red liquid called alta and rice colours. You have seen other forms of rangoli on the blog earlier.

I finally managed to click some photos of the Durga Pooja panadal. Pandal is a huge area covered with tents where the statue of Goddess Durga is set up for the 4 days ending on Dussehra or Vijyadashmi, which is today. This particular pandal is from GK 2, just outside of my office.

Sorry Maya, the traffic woes kept me from going to CR Park this year as well. Hopefully next year.

I had last year shown the way north India celebrates the festival. Durga Pooja on the other hand is a predominantly eastern way of marking the festival. India is truly diverse and being in Delhi rocks as we celebrate all festivities in all forms.

"A time for celebration, A time for victory of good over bad, A time when world see the example of power of good. Let us continue the same “true” spirit.
Blessing of Dussehra to all"

Gurudwara Bala Sahib

2009-09-23T23:23:36-07:00

I was fortunate enough to visit this peaceful holy shrine before sunrise yesterday. Gurudwara Bala Sahib is a beautiful shrine, hidden in the lanes of south Delhi. You can read about the significance of the Gurudwara Bala Sahib here.

I really liked the white building of the Sikh temple with the dark sky for a backdrop.

Nehru Place

2009-09-20T23:37:05-07:00

This is a section of Nehru Place, in South Delhi. It is Delhi's own computer wholesale market. One can buy computers and accessories for comparatively cheaper prices. The difference from market price is significant and the products are of the best quality. So next time you are in Delhi, don;t forget to explore this IT hub.

Golden Ray Of Sun

2009-09-20T06:53:40-07:00

This is the last ray of sun captured beautifully by the glass surface of a building in Connaught Place. This is an office building, which houses the Life Insurance Corporation Of India, better known as LIC.

Oxford Bookstore Cha Bar

2009-09-16T05:05:29-07:00

I absolutely love this place, as I have often said on the blog. I clocked the photo after a long chat session in Oxford Bookstore Cha Bar over the weekend with a dear friend. We talked books, films and tried to solve a few love problems all over hot steaming cups of tea.

Colourful Hair Braiding

2009-09-09T21:52:50-07:00

The lady in the photo sits outside of Dilli Haat and offers to braid hair with colourful threads at a reasonable price. A lot of college going students and people in their 20s are seen getting their hair braided. I have gotten my hair braided once or twice and can tell you for sure that a little yellow, violet or red in one's hair always makes for great conversation!

Ghanta Ghar

2009-09-24T03:50:45-07:00

Ghanta Ghar is Hindi for clock tower. I saw this one, during the weekend exploration of the Delhi's north. This Ghanta Ghar is located on the way to Kamla Nagar. The numerous wires indicate the ingenious way of Delhiites to steal electricity.

Art: Two's Company

2009-09-04T00:06:08-07:00

Artists and their work. The man is a photographer, Agnimirh Basu, who recently displayed a series of nudes at an exhibition. The lady is his wife, Arundyuti Basu, who is a painter and also models for her husband. I have known Agnimirh since the last five years and it was a pleasure to meet him after a long time and see his work displayed on the walls. I wish both my friends the best of luck for their future. :-)

Theme Day: Big

2009-08-31T21:40:48-07:00

The theme for September 1 is 'Big'. This here is a BIG pop-corn pack which is displayed at the Satyam Cinemas in Patel Nagar.

Blushing Sky

2009-08-30T23:07:14-07:00

Wonder what the earth said that made the sky blush. :-)

Canadian Barfi

2009-08-28T01:58:29-07:00

Now here is a sweet dish, I had never imagined could exist. Barfi is a sweetmeat made of khoya, and is traditionally Indian. A sweet shop near my place has given this traditional sweet a Canadian twist. The only reason I can fathom for the creation of this new flavour is that lot of Indians have over the years settled in Canada.

It Hapens Only In India

2009-08-26T23:33:59-07:00

Well, maybe it happens elsewhere in the world, but I like to believe that we are the only country in the world to have a traffic jam because an elephant was in the mood for some leaves. While most of the other drivers on the road were agitated by this one-off episode, I had a gala time looking at one of my favourite animals in full majestic bloom. His highness, did not even seem a tad bit bothered by the honking that we Delhiites are so famous for. :-)

So what is the oddest thing you have ever spotted on your roads?

Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.

2009-08-20T06:07:30-07:00

This is Ross. He is growing. And I am growing to love him more with each day. :-)

Clothes Basket

2009-08-19T00:18:15-07:00

I spotted these colorful baskets meant to dump dirty clothes in Sarojini Nagar Market. I loved the colors. Interestingly, these can be folded and kept when not in use. The only problem is that the net tends to tear very easily.

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness hasn't danced in the rain

2009-08-17T23:28:38-07:00

We were fortunate enough to have some wet days. And we were not complaining at all. Delhi was in her best greens and the temperatures also dipped. However, the sun is back to torment us. Hopefully the rain gods will oblige us once again soon.

Front Of Statesman House

2009-08-11T22:14:15-07:00

This is one of my favourite buildings in Connaught Place (CP) - Statesman House. I have told you before, I love this building. I finally managed to get a front photograph of the place during a recent traffic jam at the CP outer circle.

Promised Treat

2009-08-11T00:34:36-07:00

This is a selection of Indian sweets at Eatopia in India Habitat Centre (IHC). I don't have a sweet tooth myself, but many of my friends love a good cup of rabri or kheer. This here is firni and I searched the net to find the easiest recipe for you to try making this at home. As you will notice, the dish is served in earthen pots. There are some Indian treats that taste better in earthen pots so try and have then the way prescribed here... It will help you savour the authentic taste.

Kesar Firni

Preparation Time : 30 min
Cooking Time : 30 min
Serves / Makes : 4

Ingredients
500 ml milk
50 gms sugar
75 gms rice flour
A few strands of saffron
8 green cardamom
25 gms pistachio
25 gms almonds

Method
Boil the milk so that it reduces to half its quantity.
Add the rice flour to this and mix well so that no lumps are formed.
Add the sugar and cook for sometime so that the sugar dissolves.
Dissolve the saffron in warm milk and add this to the above mixture.
Pour the Firni in earthen bowls and garnish with pistachios and almonds.
Allow it to cool and set in the refrigerator and serve cold.

Do let me know how it tasted.