Green Facts:

1. Delhi is one of the ‘greenest’ cities in the world with a green cover of almost 20%.

2. The entire public transport of the city runs on environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas.

Interesting Facts:

3. Qutub Minar in Delhi is the world’s tallest brick minaret.

4. The walled city of Delhi originally had fourteen  gates. Five are still standing.  Here’s the provenance behind their names. Ajmeri Gate: Facing Ajmer in Rajasthan; Lahori Gate: Facing Lahore in Pakistan. Kashmiri Gate: Pointing North to Kashmir. Delhi Gate: Road to earlier cities of Delhi. Turkman Gate:  Named after pious saint Hazrat Shah Turkam.

5. In between the rubble of the fifth city of delhi – Freoze shah Kotla stands the 3 century B.C. Ashokan Pillar. Emperor Feroz Shah Tughlaq brought this 27 tonne pillar to Delhi from Topar in Ambala, where the great Emperor Ashoka erected it.

Weird Fact:

6. Delhi has an International Toilet museum.

Spicy Fact:

7. Khari Baoli is the Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. A must visit for the once-in-a-lifetime overdose of a spice cocktail high.

Random Facts:

8. Traffic in Delhi is like traffic in London.  Drivers sit on the right side of the car.

9. Three-wheeled contraptions called Autos are a great way to see the city over short distances. And test your faith in God.

10. Delhi has not always been the capital of India. Under the British, Kolkotta had the honor for a long time till Delhi was reinstated in 1912.

11. Delhi has a rail museum with steam-age behemoths.

Fun fact:

12. Every Delhite is ever ready to help you out with directions. They will direct you even when they do not know what you are talking about. So check, crosscheck. And check again.

You can read up more on what makes Delhi an unforgettable experience here. And once you visit, do get back to us with your fun facts list. Happy traveling!

(Picture Courtesy: Bthomso)

On show will be the works of Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse and Henry Moore. Representatives from 13 international museums will feature in the speaker program. The notables: Sheena Wagstaff, chief curator of the Tate Modern, London, and James Cuno, president, Art Institute, Chicago; the second largest art museum in the US.

Also in store are guided walks, which will have students and curators guiding small groups of people through the fair. Also, this could be the place to snap up affordable deals of future gems. For the souvenir shopper there will be art merchandise and a collection of over 300 art books to choose from.

Where: Pragati Maidan

When: Jan 21 to Jan 23

Entry: Rs. 200

(Picture courtesy: Sudarshan Shetty)

Inspired by the example of Tate Modern in London which was a power plant before, the Delhi Government is planning to do the same with the IP Power plant.

It will not be art through and through. Part of the complex will be a bus depot, another part will be designated as a city forest. But the use of the building itself as an art gallery will be central to the adaptive reuse. Green building norms like rooftop heliostats and circulation light wells and a rooftop garden will increase the green cover of the site. There will be modern day-lighting techniques like west facade shading and induced stack effect in atriums which will all go towards reducing the carbon footprint of the complex.

When complete this will be another instance of art setting a wrong right.  Delhi, will have its own Tate. Sometimes, imitation is the best thing in art.

(Pic: Sanjay Kumar)

Famous for inventing the dynamite, Nobel was awarded the Letterstedt Medal along with his father,Immanuel Nobel,by the Royal Swedish Academy in 1868 for contribution to explosive technologies. The medal is on display at the exhibition.

The most important aspect of the exhibition is his will instituting the prestigious Nobel prize for physics,chemistry,medicine,literature and peace. The exhibition also features Nobels mirror reflector, laboratory flasks,a manuscript of his poem You say I am a riddle written in 1851 and his membership card of Austrian Peace Society to show his contribution in all these fields.

(Photo Courtesy: Blatantworld)

1. Al-Jawahar Restaurant

Next to Karims, near the Jama Masjid, this is a great place to start off the day with a meat overdose. Try their lovely nihari and the payaa curry.  Nihari comes from the Urdu word “nihar” (“morning”). The mellow taste and the rich creamy feel of this dish come from hours of slow cooking. Served with roti (Indian bread).

Where: 9-10 Bazaar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid

Hours: from 7 am

Payment: Cash only

2. Andhra Bhavan Canteen

Better known for its lunch, Andhra Bhawan’s breakfast shouldn’t be overlooked.  Order the vegetarian platter with a masala dosa, idlis, vada, coconut chutney, and sambhar. Finish it off with coffee in a steel glass.

Where: 91 Ashoka Road

Hours: 7.30-10am

Payment: Cash only

3. Nagpal’s Choleys

A little hole in the wall that sells a typical Delhi breakfast: choley bhature. Basically, deep fried bread with chickpea curry. Forget about the calories and health considerations — this dish tastes great, especially in the winter.

Where: next to Amar Colony furniture market

Hours: 7.30 am-2.30pm

Payment: Cash only

4. Kachories at CP, Hanuman Temple

A secret recipe, a small handcart, and 35 years of operation help Mr. Anil Sharma’s kachories reach urban legend status. Crisp, crunchy, and very tasty, these are truly next, only to God.

Where: next to Hanuman Temple, Baba Kharag Singh Marg, CP

Hours: 8.30 am-10pm

Payment: Cash only

5. Saravana Bhavan

Try the mini-tiffin at Sarvana Bhavan; it is a wholesome breakfast by itself. The pongal and the upma here are also highly recommended. The strong filter coffee they serve is a great way to start the day.

Where: P-15 Connaught Place, Outer Circle, CP

Hours: 8.00 am-10am

Payment: Cash/card

(Photo courtesy: mswine)

This three-month long exhibition takes you on a journey on Delhi’s history, which dates from circa 1450 BC. It traces how the city assimilated various cultures over the past 3500 years. Material on display has brought together from various sources including the British library, Chester Beatty, Victoria and Albert Museum, Archaeological Survey of India, National Museum, National Archives, INTACH’s own archives, etc.

Divided into four sections the exhibition gives visitors an overview of its living heritage to its tangible heritage, natural heritage and cultural heritage.

Five interactive kiosks  give visitors  information on the evolution of the city. Then there are dioramas of a  a sufi dargah, courtyard of an Old Delhi haveli, Delhi’s micro-habitat.Another set of three dioramas showcase life in Shahjanabad – the old city.  The displays include an ittar(perfume) shop, a traditional halwai(sweet) shop, a kinari bazaar(market) shop and a typical kirana(provision) store.

From cultural influences to Turkish architectural influences, the exhibition tells an interesting tale. A must visit for anyone seeking to understand this many-layered and multi-faceted city.

(Photo Courtesy: Tahir Hashmi)

Cold bottled water and newspapers will be available on board. One piece of baggage goes free. Ticket is at around Rs. 50.

The buses can be identified easily by their striking red color. When you land, just ask for DTC AC Bus Service. Once at the stop, state your destination and be on your way in comfort. For approximately $1.5. Happy ridin’

(Photo: Sanjay Kumar)

The answer to this question mostly depends on where you are in New Delhi.

If you are in one of the swank south-Delhi markets or malls you have access to the kind of facilities you are used to. And they are generally quite up there in terms of hygiene. Mostly free or at the most you are expected to pay between Rs. 1 and 5.

If you are at one of the monuments, ask for the toilet block. These are not the cleanest places on the earth. So go only if you have to. My advice is to hold on, look for a decent looking restaurant, walk in and ask to use the ‘Rest Room’. They are glad to oblige. Similar rules apply if you are stuck in a place with non-existent public facilities.

Indian Style?

What’s that? A toilet where you are supposed to sit squat and do the job. Freaks out most Westerners. It is simple, actually. Pretend you are sitting down on your normal toilet and the side walls gently give way, the position you end up in is the right one for using the Indian toilet. Since, this is a small proportioned toilet, keep alignment issues in mind. Also, the angle, so that you do not spray. The good thing about this is that it is a non-contact exercise so it is more hygienic.

Paper?

It is advisable to carry your own roll. You see, the Indian system is strong on the washing aspect of it. In every toilet, you will see a faucet on the right hand side. That’s for directing a jet of water to your posterior after you are done. You do get paper in the better toilets but it is safer to carry your own. Why do Indians use water, you ask? Well, you will have your answer when you eat the spicy food. That burning sensation will burn a hole through any paper. You’ll be glad for the water on Uranus, I promise.

(Photo Courtesy: Melita )

Not so much for you if you like your peace and quiet. Cacophony was a word invented to describe the Diwali mayhem. As to why it is celebrated, legend has it that the people of Ayodhya lit oil-lamps to welcome back their God-king, Lord Rama from exile and celebrate his victory over the evil-king Ravana.

Everybody is not having fun though. The fire department, as you would expect, is on high alert. Every year, on Diwali day, a number of fire and burn incidents are reported. The cracker fumes, linger in the air. Their acrid smell a bitter aftertaste for asthmatics. If you do happen to be in town on Friday, avoid going out in the evening. Try and get a high vantage point where you are staying and enjoy a spectacular, un-orchestrated show that is very much like India itself – spontaneous and bewildering. As for the etiquette, just use this phrase to greet: Happy Diwali!

(Photo courtesy: araswamy, pranavsingh)

Well then, if it so happens that you are stuck at New Delhi’s swank new airport you are in luck. Not only is the airport designed like a mini-city by itself but is also well connected to the city so that you can do a quick in and out to a number of places of interest.

Assuming you have around six hours in between flights, you can choose to laze around in the airport itself. What all to expect? Well, here is a detailed write up.

The Bustle outside Jama Masjid: An hour away from the Airport

If you want to do a quick tour of the city, hop in to one of the pre-paid taxies and ask him to take you straight to Jama Masjid. Spend around an hour there. Marvel at the Red Fort across the road ( you don’t have time to go to the red fort, so just take a few pictures), then depending on the time of your visit grab a wonderful meal at Karim’s. Take a rickshaw to Chawri Bazaar to experience its hustle and bustle. Take the metro from chawri to Connaught Place. Taxi back to the airport. There, your flight is already on to the security check. Bon voyage and happy traveling!

(Photo: Sanjay Kumar)