It's been a long time since I have updated you about happenings this side. This past month, I've had the rare occasion to visit Delhi, three times. My first was during the Diwali week to see Delhi Diwali- my friends were our hosts- and the other two were work trips.
As an Indian, I've seen Diwali celebrations all these years. But I must say that the way Dilliwallas celebrate Diwali, is quite something. It is all very elaborate. The homes start to get decorated around 3-4 days before Diwali. On Diwali day, my hosts went to the Arya Same temple at Patel Nagar and a gurudwara nearby to light candles. Many people from the locality had come to light candles there.
Back home, it was time to turn on the lights and light candles all over the house. Then it was puja time. Although there were no guests on that day, there were guests on all other days over the Diwali week. One family would come, then another, and then yet another. Gifts are exchanged and looks like an old tradition. Nobody comes empty handed and nobody goes empty handed. It appears to be an old tradition. Wine and liquor flows and a lip-smacking sumptuous meal follows.
It's a back-breaking week though for those who celebrate Diwali with such pomp and vigour. Delhi homes are, anyway, so much bigger than those in Mumbai and on top of that elaborate decoration means that Diwali is a tiring tradition. I was just glad that I happened to be in Delhi during this year's Diwali as opposed to previous years' when fire-crackers were allowed. I am told the pollution due to the burning of fire crackers is usually so much that you can bare see what's in front of you a few feet away. This year, thanks to the ban on fire crackers, it was much better. Although fire crackers were back in full swing on the Diwali night, it wasn't as bad as previous years.
Got a chance to visit Rajghat where Mahatma Gandhi's cremation spot is there and so are those of many of our illustrious political leaders. It is a very peaceful place. Although it was searing hot, it was worth spending some time there. Mom and I also visited the Lotus Temple after which I gave her a taste of Delhi Metro, which is in my opinion, one of the best things in Delhi. By the way, I also now have my very own Delhi Metro pass. So yay! It feels awesome to just swipe my card and walk right in, instead of wasting time standing in queues. I am told the Delhi pass is now valid for 10 years, so makes sense since I go there every year.
On my second trip, the Delhi Walk Festival was on, so that was a very pleasant coincidence. Anyways, I had enrolled for the Intach cycling tour of New Delhi, which was super fun. Intach takes great care and curates its weekend walk and cycling activities. Iteneries are well-planned and the hosts are always knowledgable. Here, in Mumbai, it is starting to make in-roads and have enlisted experts in their respective areas to do walks that they specialise in. So, Awestrich did its Parivartak (Social reforms; around Gamdevi and Opera House) walk, a leading lawyer once did a Chor Bazaar walk (you need someone experienced with Chor Bazaar to take you in and around Chor Bazaar and to the right shops, etc) and Alisha Sadikot did the Bandra walk. In Delhi, however, Intach is big and frequently organises weekend walks. I had attended the Rashtrapati Bhawan walk with Intach long ago so I am familiar with it.
This time, the cycle tour was also great. We stopped by Jawaharlal Nehru's residence (India's first prime minister; now a museum), but we didn't go inside. Then, onto the North and South blocks and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, home to India's President.
The next day, as part of Delhi Walk Festival, I attended the Humayun's Tomb walk. Our host was Ms. Sadia Dehlvi. She was a very knowledgable lady and enchanted us all with fascinating stories of Mughal-era Delhi and areas surrounding Humayun's Tomb, as also of Humayun and the tomb complex itself. It was an awesome 2-hour, early that morning.
As an Indian, I've seen Diwali celebrations all these years. But I must say that the way Dilliwallas celebrate Diwali, is quite something. It is all very elaborate. The homes start to get decorated around 3-4 days before Diwali. On Diwali day, my hosts went to the Arya Same temple at Patel Nagar and a gurudwara nearby to light candles. Many people from the locality had come to light candles there.
Back home, it was time to turn on the lights and light candles all over the house. Then it was puja time. Although there were no guests on that day, there were guests on all other days over the Diwali week. One family would come, then another, and then yet another. Gifts are exchanged and looks like an old tradition. Nobody comes empty handed and nobody goes empty handed. It appears to be an old tradition. Wine and liquor flows and a lip-smacking sumptuous meal follows.
It's a back-breaking week though for those who celebrate Diwali with such pomp and vigour. Delhi homes are, anyway, so much bigger than those in Mumbai and on top of that elaborate decoration means that Diwali is a tiring tradition. I was just glad that I happened to be in Delhi during this year's Diwali as opposed to previous years' when fire-crackers were allowed. I am told the pollution due to the burning of fire crackers is usually so much that you can bare see what's in front of you a few feet away. This year, thanks to the ban on fire crackers, it was much better. Although fire crackers were back in full swing on the Diwali night, it wasn't as bad as previous years.
Got a chance to visit Rajghat where Mahatma Gandhi's cremation spot is there and so are those of many of our illustrious political leaders. It is a very peaceful place. Although it was searing hot, it was worth spending some time there. Mom and I also visited the Lotus Temple after which I gave her a taste of Delhi Metro, which is in my opinion, one of the best things in Delhi. By the way, I also now have my very own Delhi Metro pass. So yay! It feels awesome to just swipe my card and walk right in, instead of wasting time standing in queues. I am told the Delhi pass is now valid for 10 years, so makes sense since I go there every year.
The Red Fort
Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb
On my second trip, the Delhi Walk Festival was on, so that was a very pleasant coincidence. Anyways, I had enrolled for the Intach cycling tour of New Delhi, which was super fun. Intach takes great care and curates its weekend walk and cycling activities. Iteneries are well-planned and the hosts are always knowledgable. Here, in Mumbai, it is starting to make in-roads and have enlisted experts in their respective areas to do walks that they specialise in. So, Awestrich did its Parivartak (Social reforms; around Gamdevi and Opera House) walk, a leading lawyer once did a Chor Bazaar walk (you need someone experienced with Chor Bazaar to take you in and around Chor Bazaar and to the right shops, etc) and Alisha Sadikot did the Bandra walk. In Delhi, however, Intach is big and frequently organises weekend walks. I had attended the Rashtrapati Bhawan walk with Intach long ago so I am familiar with it.
This time, the cycle tour was also great. We stopped by Jawaharlal Nehru's residence (India's first prime minister; now a museum), but we didn't go inside. Then, onto the North and South blocks and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, home to India's President.
The next day, as part of Delhi Walk Festival, I attended the Humayun's Tomb walk. Our host was Ms. Sadia Dehlvi. She was a very knowledgable lady and enchanted us all with fascinating stories of Mughal-era Delhi and areas surrounding Humayun's Tomb, as also of Humayun and the tomb complex itself. It was an awesome 2-hour, early that morning.
