Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by Christine Kaaloa

Regina & Sandeep in front of giant Ramlila dolls that will be burnt as part of the festivities

I’ve hired a driver for a day to see Delhi.

For 700Rs (a little over $10 and equal to a OW cab trip from Soho to my apt in Hell’s Kitchen ) this is a bargain! Both Sandeep and Regina are joining me for the day. Sandeep offered his car for this, but I declined. Also, it’s Regina’s last day to sightsee Delhi. We need to see this city!

Tourist sights: Lotus Temple, Hanumayun’s Tomb & Quatab Minar (both to drop R off), the government sector full of government building & the port of India & the Red Fort.

For me, the BEST attraction of the day was where Sandeep took me for lunch, a favored diner & bakery in the posh area of Greater Kailash where
he shared his favorite Indian foods- puri, Thali (a plate meal with many little portions), pakoora and kulfi (a frozen milk dessert). I love having a friend here and its been great getting to know Sandeep- he’s a totally fun guy!

 

I’m in India during Dusshera festival or is it Durga Puja?

It’s the holiday of Dusshera (“Victory Day”) and the apex of festivals and an overlap of celebrations. Durga Puja floats will be set into the river to kick off Dusshera while giant tower-sized of dolls Ravana (a character from the Ramayana) are set on fire in effigy for Dusshera, in memorial of good triumphing over evil. The festival excitement like a football tailgate party!

At the Red Fort, we found a festival carnival that was underway. Even moreso, you can witness it on the freeways as truckloads of people are shouting and jeering, faces painted with the red paint of Holi, as they take the floats to their releasing in the Yamuna River! Slideshow of the celebration below.

A pleasant surprise is that my hotel was accidentally located next to a marketplace and although I missed the launching of the Durga Puja floats… a block away, a huge crowd is gathering in celebration of Dussehrawhere giant Ravana dolls are about to be burnt ablaze!

 

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