DELHI!!!

Shifting from Maharashtra to plains in the North is Delhi, the capital of India. The sheer size and vibrancy of this city can intimidate you. Delhi they say is “dilwalon ki” meaning people with big hearts and it lives upto the name given. The moment you set foot in Delhi you instantly feel the warmth and forthcoming people. The city is full of life and color. Being the capital of India it boasts of everything you can imagine. It still retains its old charm when there was British raaj or the Akbar era.

Since the city is so vast I will only go by my list of MUST SEE’s and the topper here will be undoubtedly Red Fort. The place of tremendous pride for every Indian since it hosts the I-day Parade and the Indian tricolor was first hoisted here on 15^th August 1947. Beyond that its marvelous Mughal architecture will make you revel about the grandeur of that era. It once used to be blooming but sadly now since its open to all kinds of public is seriously damaged. The little shops around are filled with trinkets and wonderful souvenirs to take home.

Bang opposite Red fort is my personal favorite of all times – Chandni Chowk. When I first saw this place I couldn’t believe how so many people lived cramped in such tiny places and did not have to peep into each others houses. The kothi’s are so close to each other that one house’s window invariably opens in the other house. If house no 56 calls out a name somebody from house no 62 will answer. I felt like the entire world’s population lived in Chandni Chowk. I had gone to purchase books for my exams and when I entered the book market I saw what you call a JAM! It was that in all literal senses when every vehicle was standing bumper to bumper. I was in cylce rickshaw and a man on this side of the road had to cross the street he actually climbed on my rickshaw crept into the adjacent autorickshaw jumped over the bike’s rear seat like Jackie Chan and crossed the street.

Well you cannot miss out on the PARANTHE WALI GALI. This lane is so narrow that two people can barely walk without knocking each other down but the fame is much widespread. You name it and you get the parantha of a kind here. Its paradise for me and more foodies like me. I gorged on Matar parantha, the much traditional aloo parantha, gobhi and the lip smacking Keema Parantha and I died after that! I had eaten so much I could barely budge! And then my Dad insisted we have the famous Lassi with an inch of cream on it… the rest was told to me at my funeral. My fat content went up by zillions that day and I had a tough time digesting it.

My next favorite is the drive to Tughlakabad and the fort area. Its surprisingly peaceful, atleast it was then! Now it may be chaotic than before. The green and tranquility takes you to someplace else for some time in the Delhi chaos which is blissful. Delhi Haat is a Mela of all states from around the country. Vibrant as soon as you enter the gates, every state will pull you towards itself. They display the best of their artifacts, their handicrafts and food ofcourse. The place lights up with various cultural dramas in the evenings.

I cannot go away from Delhi without The India Gate. The monument that stands tall to talk of the sad struggle India went through for its freedom, the monument has names inscribed of soldiers who died for the country. It also has the famous AMAR JAWAN JYOTI a flame that is perennial lit up in honor of the martyrs.

A shoppers dream, Delhi has plenty of options for the rich and poor. To begin with Janpath is an evergreen street where you’d find the best bargains for export rejects. Palika bazaar for electronics at throw away prices and brands of all makes pirated. All of Canaught Place is host to big brands from all over the world. Then is my favorite GK’s M block market which blows my mind and pocket away every time I shop here. It has Esprit, Benettons and all the likes of the world here.

Delhi is the city where I spent most of my growing up years so I am deeply attached to this place. Every spot I have been to has been embossed in my memory be it Pragati Maidan which hosts the huge Trade Fair every year, my college, the local flee markets to the posh swanky bungalows, I love this city.