These little pretty lives that you ignore everyday on the sidewalks while on your way to work or parties, just don’t need any of our fancy toys and gadgets to keep themselves happy. When I saw these kids outside Hanuman Mandir in Rajiv Chowk, it just reminded me, life is so simple when we are away from all the complexities we have created for ourselves. The kids were busy helping the little puppy take a feed from it’s mother, oblivious to the warnings people passing by gave them that the dog might bite them. But the fact was, she just knew the kids were harmless, she was also enjoying their company and love.

How many times do we just embrace whats around us, and enjoy the moment? How many times do we just welcome the strangers, trust them and make them friends…? Almost none. Isn’t it?

Whenever I feel low or stressed, I rush to Old Delhi for a good meal. The narrow lanes of the walled city somehow always manage to give me a reason to spread smile on my lips. After a scrumptious meal at of many restaurants at Jama Masjid, I started walking to in deep, dark and narrow lanes not knowing where to go and what am I looking for, I met a bunch of friendly kids. Faruq was one of them, but may be the most shy amongst all of them. He was constantly hiding behind this wall in the staircase of his house. His smile just cheered my mood up, of-course the Nihari for breakfast was the bigger n better stress buster .

Wonder why people are surprised when I they get to know Nihari at Jama Masjid is one of my favorite breakfast!

After being ignorant to my blog, being busy with routine life, after being scolded and encouraged by countless no. of people for almost an year, I am back to Daily Delhi.

Somethings never change, like my love and amusement for this city and even after going through so many changes over the years still nothing changes in my favorite city -Delhi. Delhi government claims they will “upgrade” the walled city with better infrastructure like less messy electric wires and better sewage, but I really hope it doesn’t changes the people of this part of the city. This may be the most crowded part of the city – but it sure is a home to the most warm and happy people I have ever interacted!

I took this picture a while ago at Chawri Bazar in Delhi 6.

Every year around this time, Delhi gets it’s own Carnival Season, celebrated as Ram Lila’s and Diwali & Dushera Melas. It’s the time for everyone to remember the story of faith, obedience, loyalty and  courage. This time of the year, Delhi comes alive to celebrate the biggest festive season with lights and sweets. Its’ the time to shop and renovate/redecorate your house… with all the mess just before the start of CWG 2010, it came to a happy Bollywood end with all the fanfare and a grand closing ceremony yesterday. I missed most of the closing on TV as I had a flight to catch to Dubai. But I do belive, god had a big hand in keeping India’s reputation intact… God bless my Delhi.

Seen above are some homeless people on the roads of Old Delhi near Ram Lila Grounds, taking rest on one of the carts to be used for carnival. Behind them is famous Monkey God of Hindus, Hanuman. Jai Ho!

Generation after generation live in the same place, live the same life, only the style changes. Delhi is one such big house to many such generations. These all time favorite spots are a favorite amongst all generations as well. Like this monument at Lodhi Gardens called Bada Gumbad (the Big Dome), which used to be a  mosque long time ago. Now part of the Garden Tomb of Sikander Lodhi.

This garden is Delhi’s favorite spot for morning and evening walks by all generations living in Delhi. You’ll find a two year old running around in the lawns and may be a 70 year old enjoying the nature and weather on the other side. Not to forget, this is one of the biggest hangouts for lovers in the afternoon as well…

Everyone has their own ways of keeping their place clean. The one above is a classic one for Delhi city – rather most of India,No, its not part of any temple or a religious ritual… It’s ceramic tiles with pictures of Hindu gods & goddesses pasted on a drinking water tap to keep people away from spitting into the basin. This city will be the biggest holy city if everyone uses the same trick to keep the city – Imagine every boundary wall will have pictures of gods to keep people off from peeing outside your house, spitting at every corner of buildings or shitting on the footpath – Sigh… My Dream Delhi (Minus the Walls of Gods)!

Two under construction buildings on Barakhamba Road always amused me – “what’s wrong with people wasting such gold mine!”. Like the building above, always makes me think what could have gone wrong with the owners that they had to loose everything just midway… Many of my questions in this city are still unanswered…

Today Delhi kick started Common Wealth Games 2010 , after a lot speculation whether it will happen or not, we kept our classic attitude of fixing things at the last moment and finally the games are on! So I thought why not open the first post on the eve of CWG opening with Lord Ganesha, the god of all good things. Wishing the games go well as we want them to be and not as the world was expecting it to be. Ganpati Bappa Moreya!

I shot this picture while driving to Delhi and noticed this truck full of people going for visarjan of this Ganesha Idol. Interestingly this year Eid & Hindu festival of Ganpati were on the same day…

With half the nation worried about what may happen after verdict, fortunately the day went fine and peaceful. That is a great thing about living in the capital of India, you are safe mostly and your life never stops moving, be it in most tensed times or even on a national holiday! Though the tension is still on and celebrations of CWG 2010 are going to began in just a day from now… Hope it goes well…

Shot this photography one day early morning inside a Metro Train.

Here rests the 15th century king of India, Humayun. This is Humayun’s Tomb, first Persian architecture based garden tomb in India built by Humayun’s wife Hamida Bano Begum. It’s located in Nizamudin East area of New Delhi. Humayun was Babur’s son, yes, the mughal ruler of Babari Masjid fame, today India got the verdict on the fate of Babari Masjid and Ayodhya after a long wait. Now Babar lies next to his son in the same compound, resting, unaware of the fact people have shed so much of blood all over India in the name of religion for an act he did way back during his rule in India. I hope people keep peace in India… amen!