Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Popular Parks to Chill Out in Delhi in Spring 2023

 

Popular Parks to Chill Out in Delhi in Spring 2023

The capital city of India is filled with towering buildings and bustling crowds. Nevertheless, amid its noisy lanes and busy streets, Delhi offers visitors moments of serenity with abundant greenery and boat rides in its several parks. If you live in another city, say, Ahmedabad, all you need is an Ahmedabad to Delhi flight to experience tranquility in these parks.

Here are the most well-known parks in New Delhi where you can have some quality relaxation:

Buddha Jayanti Park

It's among the most popular and beautiful parks in Delhi and was built to celebrate the 2500th anniversary of the enlightenment of Buddha. With serene lakes, lush green expanses, colourful flowers, and numerous crickets and birds, the park is the ideal place to find peace. The large stretches of grass are just right for resting, watching the sky, and picnicking. In the central pavilion, you can find a statue of the Gautam Buddha. It was dedicated in 1993 by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Opening Hours: 6 am to 8.30 pm

The Lodi Garden

This park has great historical importance. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the place showcases the architectural excellence of the Lodi dynasty, the 15th-century Afghan dynasty. In the park, the tombs of Sikander Lodi, Bara Gumbad, Sheesh Gumbad, and Mohammed Shah lie. These tombs remain today as exquisite works of Lodi architecture and are spread across the lawns in the park. So, if you wish to behold magnificent historical structures besides chilling in a park, it's a must to visit Lodi Garden after your Ahmedabad to Delhi flight ends.

Opening Hours: 5 am to 8 pm

Japanese Park

It is a famous picnic spot in Delhi. Whether you wish to watch exotic birds fly or simply relax under the shade of a large tree, you can do it all in this park. You can not only walk through or jog in the park but even enjoy refreshing boat rides on the lakes. The place is a favourite of both adults and children. Kids can lose themselves in a large playground. Visitors can also treat their eyes to wonderful views of sunrises and sunsets here.

Opening Hours: 6 am to 7 pm

Deer Park

As the name suggests, this place is known for having multiple deer that roam around freely. Also, it is popularly known as the 'Lungs of Delhi' due to the fresh air provided by the mini forest. Interestingly, the place has all that a park can ever offer. That's because it is split into different sections like the deer and rabbit fields, the duck park, picnic spots, the fountain, the old, Mughal-era monuments, and the Hauz Khas art market. Hence, Deer Park is ideal for all visitors and can offer a varied and rich experience to them.

Opening Hours: 5.30 am to 7 pm (winter); 5 am to 8 pm (summer)

You can also visit the National Rose Garden if you wish to smell endless sweet roses. Remember to click lots of pictures of the parks that you explore to show them to your loved ones after you return on your Delhi to Ahmedabad flight.

 

5 Enticing Things to Pick from Chennai's Pondy Bazaar

5 Enticing Things to Pick from Chennai's Pondy Bazaar

 

Pondy Bazaar is one of the busiest commercial areas in Chennai. The crowd can take you along with it during peak hours on weekends! Locals and tourists come here to buy about everything at dirt cheap prices without having to worry about quality issues. This makes it a shopaholic’s dreamland during festivals, wedding seasons, and otherwise. It is vibrant and chaotic and can offer a complete shopping experience.

While Delhi is lined with lively street markets, Chennai’s Pondy Bazaar is also an integral part of the city’s shopping culture. If you happen to take a Delhi to Chennai flight anytime soon, do drop by. Here are a few interesting souvenirs to take back home.

1.     Multi-coloured Mojaris

This is a type of handcrafted footwear much like the traditional Punjabi jutti. The origin is traced back to the Mughals and comes in beautiful ethnic styles. These are made from tanned leather and have a unique extended curl-toe shape. Cotton threads, pearls, and golden/silver zari are enmeshed to create eye-catching embroideries for a royal look. They are available in bright colours and are a must-pick from Pondy Bazaar.

2.     Evil Eye Keychains

You can pick them up in bulk since they are perfect for gifting purposes. The keychains are in silver finish with different animals, glass beads, and an evil eye attached to them. It is said the evil eye radiates positive energy and offers magical protection from the devils. The product is lightweight and has powerful forces to keep you safe from dangers.

3.     Thread Bangles

Match your Indian wears with a variety of silk thread bangles! Intricate beadwork, mirrors, studs, and dazzling embellishments make them popular among young and adults. These are quite elegant and can be found in a riot of colours. Pick a dozen or more and pack them carefully in your luggage before boarding your Chennai to Delhi flight.

4.     Handloom Sarees

These sarees are handwoven on looms and reflect expert craftsmanship. They can enhance a woman's beauty like a few others and last for decades. Wearing them ensures an excellent traditional South Indian feel and can be found in wide varieties. These include Kanchipuram, Gadwal, Tussar, Ikkat, Kalamkaris, Baluchari and Jamdani. Explore a few good shops since these can be big emotional and monetary investments.

5.     Pooja Items

Dhoop, camphors, pooja thali sets, pooja chowkis, kalash, small mandirs, kalash, akhand diyas, havan samagri, loban, oil lamps, vessels, bells, and deities are found in plenty. Pondy has one of the largest collections at reasonable prices. They come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets to suit your needs without draining your pockets.

Pondy Bazaar is the Mecca of shopping. Come to this place for a dose of retail therapy. Make sure to bargain a lot to get the best deals. But non-shoppers can also enjoy their time here. Walk down the stretch and sip on piping hot filter coffee.  Make sure to leave some extra space in your Delhi to Chennai flight luggage to pack lots of stuff without hiccups. 

Monday, 23 January 2023

5 Things That Can Be Great Souvenirs from Guwahati

 

5 Things That Can Be Great Souvenirs from Guwahati

Shopping for souvenirs is a must before leaving a place known for its culture and traditions. Guwahati is a similar place. From traditional embroidery and special fabrics to local handicrafts, food, and beverages, you can explore numerous souvenir options in the city. If you live, for instance, in Delhi, simply take a Delhi to Guwahati flight to reach the city in 2.5 hours. Then head straight to the famous markets and street-shopping hubs of the city to check out these items.

1. Assam Tea Leaves

The largest tea-producing state in India, Assam is among the few places in the world where tea is cultivated on the plains. It is the world's largest bordering region of tea plantations which extends to the Calchar hills, the northern Brahmaputra valley, Karbi, and the southern Barak valley.

Assam tea is renowned for its malty taste, rich colour, and deep fragrance. CTC tea leaves of the state are noted for their availability in diverse fresh irresistible flavours.

After deboarding your Delhi to Guwahati flight, you can head straight to the local markets in Guwahati and bag some fragrant tea leaves.

2. Assam Silk

Assam is well-known for producing some of the finest varieties of silk. Due to its superior quality, Assam silk is reasonably expensive.

The three chief kinds of silk available here are Eri, Pat, and Muga silk. Among them, Eri silk is a little unrefined and coarse and essentially used to produce shawls. Muga silk is widely used to create "mekhela chador" (traditional dresses for women) and elegant kurtas and sarees. Pat silk is smoother and used to make various garments. It will, for instance, make a perfect summer dress.

3. Phulam Gamocha

Gamocha/Gamosa/Gamusa in Assamese means towel and represents the culture of the state. It is a prime part of almost all cultural and social ceremonies there. The famous Plulam Gamusa is usually a white rectangular cloth with red woven motifs on one side and red borders on the other side. Sometimes, other colours are used as well. You can shop for these traditional Assamese towels in any of the local Gamosa shops in Guwahati.

4. Local Pickles

Assam, like some other North East states, is popular for delicious pickles. These homemade pickles are mostly spicy and tangy and available in several variants.

The pickles are prepared in organic ways. They are made from various local herbs and infused with chicken, sesame, beef, pork, bamboo shoots, and even dried fish. While making them, the pickles are dipped in vinegar, plain salt, and mustard oil, and dried under the sun before storing them.

A pack of unique pickles is a must-buy after your Delhi to Guwahati flight lands.

5. Handmade Toys

Assamese toys are traditional and ethnic, and carved into various mythological figures and animals by the local craftsmen. Handmade toys can be classified under cloth-and-mud toys, cloth toys, wooden, pith and bamboo toys, and clay toys. The Goalpara district, in particular, is known for its pith or cork toys.

Shop for your favourite Assam handicrafts and bring them back home as precious souvenirs after booking your flight tickets from Guwahati to Delhi.