It’s the last days of Ramadan – the month of fasting and feasting for Muslims around the globe. We in Delhi NCR live up to Id-ul -fitr and visit the Jama Masjid area to soak in the festival spirit. There are lots of dining – shopping – dessert options mostly on the fairy lights illuminated and festooned road opposite to Jama Masjid. We tried some new activities during our Ramzan food trail 2016.
Ashtami/Navami kanya pujan is commonly known as Kanjak festival in north India. Are you sick of gifting china made plastic molded lunch boxes, pencil boxes and hair clips as Kanjak gifts. Try something different this time. Here’s a list of five cute gift items that you can buy under Rs 100/-.
Jashn-e-Rekhta was organised by Rekhta.org to celebrate the Urdu language among the Delhi NCR urbanites. They had a line up of plays, music and other performances, art, crafts and food that could be linked to the Urdu culture. Celebrities were in attendance either as performers or as patrons. We had a media invite for this event, which otherwise went rather unnoticed.
A 6 days festival was organised by the Government to commemorate Republic Day and arouse our patriotic spirit. It was a unique endeavour showcasing the crafts / food / culture from various parts of India. Aptly named BharatParv, here is what we saw.
Mahajatra, a festival of culture, traditions, dances and food from Maharashtra is on at Dilli Haat, I.N.A. Maharashtra is the home to Bollywood and entertainment is a forte of the state. But in today’s digital era, where do the traditional cultural forms of this state stand?
West / North-West Delhi is a little mellow as far as posh activities go. Event organisers cling on to South Delhi or Gurgaon for arranging food festivals. Therefore, it is a surprise that the Great Indian Food Festival was held here, at Dilli Haat Pitam Pura. But you may have missed it as there wasn’t a lot of media buzz.
India Art Festival was held between 13 to 17 Jan at National Stadium. We have visited snobbish art galleries as well display by a striving artist in the foyer of a mall. India Art Festival stands somewhere in between…
The huge New Delhi Palate Fest was organised at PSOI Cub, Nehru Park, Chanakyapuri. The event comprised a huge agglomeration of stalls by almost all big names in the hospitality industry. The visitors were terribly spoilt for choice in terms of quality and variety of food. The program was peppered with sessions by celebrity chefs and music by live bands. The turnout was stupendous and the Traffic Police had a trying time in handling the cars in that area. The Festival establishes that Delhi is still unarguably the food capital of the country.
The 15th Oz Haat Charity Mela was held for a single day at the Australian High Commission, Chanakyapuri. It was a fun filled pre Christmas event that comprised sale of Christmas decor, local handicrafts and food items. The visitors included Indians and foreigners who looked in awe at the crafts made by NGOs. The parking scene was a little messy what with the New Delhi Palate Fest being held at the adjacent Nehru Park. But, in tune with the Yuletide spirit, we did not mind that with this event, our Christmas celebrations started a month in advance.
The Ministry of Culture organized a weeklong festival showcasing India’s art, culture, food at the sprawling IGNCA. The whole area was transformed into a fairyland, an Indian fairyland. The food zone had exotic items from various parts of India. In fact, given the success of the event, this was extended by another day. The cherry on the icing was the live Sufi music concert by the Wadali brothers on the lawns of the IGNCA on the last evening.
We wish you all a Happy, Safe and Prosperous Diwali.
While most of India performs Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, this evening is celebrated as Kali Puja in Eastern Indian states. Kali Puja this year will be celebrated on the eve of Diwali, that is, 10th November evening. There are many Kali Pujas organised in the NCR region. If you wish to have a twist to your pre Diwali celebration, you may consider attending a Kali Puja this year.
The Diwali Bazar organised at Blind School is back. The designers of Delhi and surrounding regions have assembled with their fare ranging from clothes, accessories, home décor items and food. Additionally, the Blind School stall carries a variety of candles, paper items such as pads, cards, gift tags and bags, all made by the inmates. The parking arrangements are much better this year since cars may be parked at Sunheri Bag, off Lodhi Road, that is close by.
We attended the Festival of Lights, a quaint Diwali Mela organized by Dastakar prior to the festival. Along with their regular crafts based items – clothes and ornaments, home accessories, ceramics, they had lamps and Diwali motif décor items. Additionally, a group of Rajasthani singers and dancers provided a welcome relief to the dazed shoppers as well as their disinterested escorts who had been forced to accompany them.
Many amongst us suffer from this big “should we” “shouldn’t we” dilemma in terms of Diwali firecrackers. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has recently cleared its stance – no ban on bursting crackers, do it but within the rules. We say – go for it if you wish- in moderation and with sensitivity.
Along with blog posts here and micro blogs on social media channels, we are telling our stories through videos as well. Check out our vlogs about food, travel, handicraft and things to do in Delhi. We regularly post vlogs about our experiences.
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