Last evening, I looked out of my car window on the traffic light near Pragati Maidan while returning from office, and I was greeted by the spectacular vision of moon peeking through the high parapets of Purana Qila. Suddenly the traffic jam and the noise didn’t matter and I was lost in the magic of the moment. It inspired me to write about my beautiful city.
Delhi, the seat of power, the playground of rich, the dreamland for poor, is a crazy place. You will love it, and you will love to hate it. It brings out the extremes of human nature.
May I have the honour of unveiling a rarely revealed side of this mysteriously beautiful city...
Delhi experiences extremities of climatic conditions. Winters are too cold, and summers are too hot. Rains are fun in Delhi. A drive in rains on wide roads of Lutyen’s Delhi is so much fun. You can stop anywhere to buy ”Bhutta” from hawkers, who mushroom up in all corners of the city on advent of monsoon.
The view of Rajpath and India Gate from the watch posts at Rashtrapati Bhawan is simply breath taking. The rain swept beauty will leave you completely spellbound. And for the adventurous, try out a zooooooom bike ride down the Raisina hill for a rush of adrenalin.
October and November are the best times of the year to be in Delhi. The air is scented, heralding the winters. A walk in India gate lawns on an autumn evening, with light breeze, is a life time experience. And if anybody loves to feel the dew on grass, try walking bare feet. Trust me, it’s a heavenly feeling.
The glorious history of Delhi comes back to life at Light and sound show at Purana Qila every evening. This journey down the memory lane is worth every minute of your time.
For the art lovers, a visit to Crafts Museum at Bhairon Road is a must.
The people who love quite evenings can enjoy a drive on the road near Tuglaqabad fort and Shooting range. (Though finding it less used is a rare occasion these days)
If you are very much culture oriented and enjoy classical music, then the Qutab Festival is for you. It is held every year in month of September in Qutab Complex. This 2 day extravaganza is a treat for music lovers.
A drive on wide roads of Chanakyapuri and Shantipath is a pleasure at any hour of the day.
Dilli haat is always abuzz with activities. It’s a place enjoyed by young and old. The artists from all over India come here to sell their goods. The fairs in Dilli haat are theme based. Be it Holi, Diwali, Teej, Karwa Chauth, Dilli haat is always in a festive mood.
IITF or commonly known as Trade fair is another annual event held in November at Pragati Maidan. We Delhites tend to take it for granted. But it is the window for the world for a peep into India’s diverse cultures and its economic advancement.
While at Pragati Maidan, why don’t you check “Shakuntlam”? Shakuntlam is primarily for theatrical activities at the time of fairs. Otherwise, it is used to screen movies. Watching a movie at Shakuntlam is surprisingly very economical as compared to the big multiplexes in the city. A must visit for the younger generation. I had enjoyed many movies in my college days there. It’s a well maintained theatre and has been recently renovated.
The winter sun in Delhi is a pleasure. Delhites have their own idea of enjoying “Jaadon ki naram dhoop”. The young couples, the old ones, the teenagers…find them everywhere enjoying peanuts and a cup of coffee on pavements, dilli haat, small lawns at roundabouts, lush green lawns of India gate and at any other unimaginable place.
Delhi is a paradise for shopping freaks. The Shopping festival in winters is an annual event. The whole Connought Place market bears a festive look. Delhi boasts of some classy shopping malls where you can find anything under the sun. Janpath & Sarojini Nagar Market is a Mecca for the college crowd.
Delhi has been chosen ’’Book Capital of the world’’ for the year 2003-2004. World Book fair is held in month of January/February after every 2 years. It’s a treat for the book worms.
The city springs to life with the advent of Spring. The pavements, roundabouts are filled with colors. The doors of ”Mughal Gardens” of Rasthrapati Bhawan are opened for public for a fortnight.
”SurajKund Mela” is another attraction for handicrafts and cultural events in month of February.
A quick visit to Hauz Khas Village will make you aware of ethnic flavor of Delhi.
For the nostalgic students who had the privilege of studying at the main university campus, a visit to D-School is must for the cup of coffee, a BhelPuri at Patel Chest and Maurice Nagar Chowk and Chhole Bhature at Kamla Nagar or KN as it is fondly called.
Folks, who love their own company and want a moment of peace after a grueling day at work, can make a stopover in evenings at Yamuna Bridge on DND Flyway. Delhi looks so beautiful, glittering away to glory. I can look at it for aeons with only one thought in my mind ’’Ye lamha filhaal jee lene do’’
This is my Delhi as I see it, as I live it, as I perceive it… Love it or hate it, it’s entirely your own choice. I chose to love it…