Travel: THE ‘METRO’ EXPERIENCE

Delhi Metro

Well, I had saved the best experience for the last one during my Delhi Trip. The Delhi Metro is simply awesome as it gets you from Point A to B in just no time.

The first time I travelled by Metro was in Singapore when I went there with my family in November 1999. Yeah, so long ago!

Singapore Metro in 1999 with Vignesh

The Karol Bagh Metro Station was barely 20 minutes walk from Hotel Jewel Palace, where we were staying. Or a cycle rickshaw could take us in about 7-8 minutes for Rs. 10.

Vini at Karol Bagh Metro Station on our way up to the platform

Once there, we could take a Metro line to just anywhere in Delhi. Sometimes, of course, we needed to change lines. What catches one's eye the most is the neatness and cleanliness, both in the trains and stations. The Delhi Metro started functioning since December 2002. It's wonderful to see how clean everything is. I was totally impressed.

That's me on the other side. Don't miss the cleanliness

There are six different lines in the Delhi Metro and they intersect at various points. There is the Red Line, Yellow Line, Blue Line, Orange Line, Green Line and Violet Line – almost all the colours in the rainbow, it looks like.

I got a chance to travel by the Blue Line that runs through Karol Bagh Metro Station. Rajiv Chowk Metro Station is an important junction where the Blue Line and the Yellow Line intersect. I went to this station a number of times to travel further elsewhere.

The Yellow Line and Violet Line intersect at Central Secretariat. I went there to take the Violet Line to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station to reach Baha’i Temple.

The map of Delhi Metro at Akshardham Metro Station

The staff at the ticket counter is very helpful in giving directions. You will find maps at strategic points in every station, giving you an idea of how to get where you want to go.

The Delhi Metro is too convenient and it’s a pleasure to travel within the air-conditioned coaches. They felt so warm after the cold wave outside. There are long seats along the walls inside with standing space in the middle.

The coaches were extremely cosy

An announcement system gives you exact directions as to where you are, which is the next station and which places are nearby to that particular station. They also announce on which side the doors will open.

There is also an electronic map in every compartment showing the direction in which the train is travelling, which stations are already crossed and which will be the next port of call.

The electronic map inside the compartment

There are separate compartments for women. The connecting doors are all opened up after around 9 pm to join the compartments together. The metro lines function from 6 am to 11 pm.

The best part is the fares are so reasonable. You travel for about 20-25 stations paying about Rs. 20. I am not sure about the ticketing for kids. But the system is built in such a way that people need to buy a ticket – a token or coin, actually – to travel by metro. You reach the ticket counter, buy the token, scan it against a machine to enter the platform and feed the token into a machine when you get out at your destination. The automated gateway opens only when your token is fed within.

Sign on platform floor indicating the position of women's compartment

There was a funny incident that happened when I got off at  Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station. There was this woman with a kid. He seemed to be about four years of age. She had obviously not bought a ticket for him. Usually, the gateway opens when the token is fed and one person can step out before it shuts immediately. She gave him her token; he fed it in the machine and walked out. The gate shut before she could get out. She stood there, unable to get out. I don’t really know what happened after that as a counter clerk was doing his best to help her.

The queue for security check and across is the way into the platform at Karol Bagh Metro Station

The security is very tight at the metro stations. I am not sure whether this is always the case or whether it was due to the approach of the Republic Day. There were a number of security personnel roaming about. Otherwise too, all bags are scanned while people go through security check, however long the queue is or whatever the time of day it is.

There are a number of facilities available at the metro stations. Food and beverage stalls are there while clean toilets are found in every station. Lifts, escalators and staircases galore are found at the metro stations. You will find slogans everywhere encouraging people to use the stairs to keep fit. This was meant for me, I am sure. I climbed 8-10 floors of staircases everyday that I was in Delhi. That’s mainly because I am not very enthusiastic about climbing an escalator and the lifts are usually at one end of the station and it became too much going in search of them. Of course, directions were given everywhere.

In fact, at stations where the different lines intersect, directions are given in a beautiful way. You can see stickers of yellow feet walking in one direction and blue feet in the opposite direction. You follow the stickers and land up at the correct platform.

Metro is a great way to travel for physically challenged people too. The lifts are large enough to take in wheelchairs while the trains themselves are on the same level as the platforms. This makes getting in a breeze. The compartments are large enough to hold a wheelchair.

Seating inside the coach

You may find people from different strata of society. Men wearing three piece suits to work, college students, housewives on shopping sprees, people on their way to weddings wearing silk clothes and jewellery, labourers on their way to work, so on and so forth.

I saw another sight that truly impressed me at Central Secretariat Metro Station. That is the starting point for the Violet Line. The Yellow Line also intersects here. The platform is marked where the doors to the compartments should be. People stand here in long queues. Watching them are security personnel. Believe it or not, there is one security guard for every doorway. They ensure that people do not break queues and also make sure that those getting out are given first opportunity. This is simply amazing.

Another day at Karol Bagh Metro Station

Of course, the need for this disciplining can be easily understood. For all the sophistication the metro has to offer, the public is still the same – whether educated or not, whether young or old. Everyone tries to rush into the train the moment it arrives. No one seems to be bothered that there are those waiting to get out. And the most important point is that the trains wait at every station for 2-3 minutes; the automated doors will not shut as people get in or out. So, why the rush? Of course, there is no push and pull as in Mumbai Local Trains. The metro compartments have double doors and the entrances are so wide. If people used their common sense, they could come out from one half while people can get in through the other half. It obviously needs a man-with-a-gun to ensure order. The sad truth is that’s how we are!

Another fascinating thing I noticed about the metro is that there are times the train is travelling way above the city and there are times when they travel underground. But not once did I feel the train going up or down a slope. Amazing!

But the brakes are not that great. The trains jerk 2-3 times before they reach or leave a station. Don’t know why!

I can’t wait for Mumbai Metro to launch!

Website: DELHI METRO

Food Review: MOOLCHAND’S @ KAROL BAGH, DELHI

The snack counter

This restaurant serves only vegetarian food and snacks. They also have a counter selling sweets, namkeen and many different types of biscuits.

Vini and I visited this restaurant for lunch on the day we left Delhi to get back to Mumbai. This is situated very close to Hotel Jewel Palace where we were staying.

THUMBS UP 1: We ordered a Paani Puri (yeah, that’s what it was called in this restaurant, not Gol Gappa). They served it at our table with the puris, filling, sweet chutney and theeka paani separately, and we made our own paani puris. It was nice.

Jeera Rice, Dal Tadka & Kachcha Papad

THUMBS UP 2: I wanted to have Jeera Rice and Dal Tadka. The serving was a little more than I needed and so Vini had a few bites too. Both the rice and dal were delicious.

THUMBS UP 3: Vini asked for a Burger and she swore that she had never tasted bread that was fresher than there. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

THUMBS UP 4: We shared a Sweet Lassi between us. It was big enough for both of us and tasted very good.

Veg Burger

THUMBS DOWN 1: I asked for roasted papad along with my food. It was cutely rolled and served. But it was not roasted well. The waiter was not too bothered when I told him that it was ‘kachcha’ and made no effort to have it changed.

THUMBS DOWN 2: I was impressed with the array of biscuits and sweets. I ordered a few boxes after tasting. The sweet was good. But the biscuits I brought home were not as fresh as the ones we tasted. The restaurateur knew that we were not locals. We mentioned that when we asked for stuff that would last as we had to take them home to Mumbai. Despite that he gave stuff that was not fresh which made me realize that he meant to cheat. I would not want to visit this place ever again.

For those interested:

Moolchand’s,
2659, DB Gupta Road,
Karol Bagh , Delhi
Phone: 41546143 / 41546144 / 9868275992

Food Review: PIND BALLUCHI @ KAROL BAGH, DELHI

Vini warming her hands

Vinitha had been telling me a lot about this restaurant and we were keen to go there to have drinks and dinner. I don’t much care for hard drinks but I would not have minded having a rum and coke as it was tooooo cold at Delhi.

The Doorman

We went there around 8 pm and stood outside with the Sardarji who was serving as doorman as he was warming himself in front of an iron pot full of red-hot coal. It felt so wonderful as the cold outside must have been about 7 degrees at that point.

At the entrance

We got a table within 5 minutes and went in to a lovely ambience. It had the look of a village outdoor with an artificial tree right in the middle of the restaurant. The lighting was perfect and we sat down to have a look at the menu.

Not too keen on ordering hard drinks, we finally settled down to have cocktails.

Inside Pind Balluchi

Caprioska

THUMBS UP 1: Vini asked for a Caprioska and simply loved it. This had vodka, lemon chunks, sugar, crushed ice and soda. 

THUMBS UP 2: We asked for two Masala Papad. They were fresh and yummy.

THUMBS UP 3: We asked for Makkai de Kabab for starter. It was delicious. The green chutney served along with this was simply superb.

THUMBS UP 4: The Dal Makhani that we ordered was excellent.

THUMBS UP 5: We asked for one Tandoor Roti and a serving of Jeera Rice. These were good and that’s how we managed to finally finish our dinner at Pind Balluchi.

THUMBS DOWN 1: I asked for a Green Apple Martini. This was made of vodka, green apple juice, soda and ice. While the taste was good, it was too sweet. I had asked the waiter whether it will be sweet and he had said that it would be mildly so. Even after adding more soda, I found it too sweet for my taste.

Makkai de Kabab

THUMBS DOWN 2: We asked for a mixed vegetable for the main course. The first shock came when we saw it was a dry sabzi. We had not thought of asking beforehand. The taste was also very mediocre with very less salt.

THUMBS DOWN 3: We made a mistake of asking for one Khasta Roti and one Missi Roti. Both were horrible and neither of us could finish them.

Green Apple Martini. Cheers!

Despite the minus points, it was definitely worth a visit. We only need to be more careful about what we order after clearly finding out whether the vegetable had gravy, etc. We also made the mistake of trying to add salt to the vegetable ourselves. That did not make it better as it could not be mixed properly to the dry vegetable. We should have insisted that they take it back and add the salt.

For those interested:

Pind Balluchi Restaurant & Bar
2105, D B Gupta Road,
Karol Bagh,
New Delhi - 110005
Opposite Maruti Suzuki Showroom

Khasta & Missi Rotis; Dal Makhani and Mixed Vegetable

Phone: 011-45077777 / 9958292941
Email: kb@pindballuchi.com

Food Review: MCDONALD’S @ CONNAUGHT PLACE, DELHI

McDonald's @ Connaught Place, Delhi

Well, if you have seen one McDonald’s, you have seen them all. I have been to the outlet at Bandra, Phoenix Mills, CST and a few other places in Mumbai; one of their branches at Singapore (they served only non-vegetarian there and so we had only ice-cream) and now this branch at Connaught Place, Delhi.

I thought I will write about McDonald’s in general and my visit to this branch in particular. I was alone during this outing. I had just been to Baha’i Temple and had taken a metro to Rajiv Chowk. It was almost 4 pm and I was very hungry. I walked around Central Park looking for a nice place to eat that will serve local fare.

French Fries all gobbled up; McVeggie Burger and Iced Tea

This area has a number of shops selling high-end brands and there were not too many eateries there except for fine-dine restaurants. I almost completed taking a full circle before I saw Big Mac and decided to eat there. I was too tired and hungry to search for longer.

The place was fairly big – could seat about 80 people and it was packed. I managed to get myself a McVeggie Burger with cheese, French Fries and Iced Tea (yeah, despite the cold) and managed to get a seat. The ambience was good with two TVs at a higher level. Some cartoons were on and I really loved them.

I started sipping the tea to find that it was mildly flavoured water. I was not too keen on getting up and going back to the counter as I was sure that I would lose my seat. That’s when I called one of the employees over and told him what my problem was.

The place was packed

I was absolutely impressed with the service. He took my tea back to the counter and got me fresh iced tea that was simply yummy.

The burger was good. But over the years, what I notice is the size has shrunk and shrunk while the mayonnaise content has reduced terrifically. Don’t they understand the meaning of VALUE FOR MONEY? The prices are increasing tremendously, anyway. Why not give enough?

I got French Fries only because there were no Potato Wedges. I like the wedges way more than the fries. During an earlier visit to the Phoenix Mills outlet, I found out that they did not serve Potato Wedges any more. Now, I found out that McDonald’s has stopped serving wedges altogether. But why? I simply love them.

Travel: DILLI HAAT IS A MUST VISIT

Shishir Saras Mela at Dilli Haat

I have heard a lot of people talk about Dilli Haat and was keen to visit it. I was not aware that there were two outlets, or I would have tried to find out more about it. We went to the one close to the INA Metro Station. It was around 7 in the evening. 

Folk Performance

There was a rural handicrafts exhibition happening there just then and it was called the Shishir Saras Mela. Dilli Haat is basically a place for handicrafts and food stalls from the different states of India. It gives you a good idea about our country’s culture. 

Handicrafts from Andhra Pradesh

I felt that it looked like something akin to our Kala Ghoda Fair in Mumbai, but much toned down. 

From Gujarat

We walked around to see a number of stalls with handicrafts, saris, suit materials, shawls, handbags, pottery, wooden toys, paintings, glassware and a lot more. There was a live folk performance going on when we entered. 

Handbags and more from Madhya Pradesh

The place was alive with a lot of people around despite the cold. We walked all around and bought some bangles and earrings for Vinitha. 

Wooden kitchenware from Tripura

Finally, we settled down at a Rajasthani food outlet and ordered one thali and shared it between us. We also asked for one plate of bhajias – this had one mirchi bhajia and one khanda bhajia. The food was good, not great.

Tanjore Paintings from Tamil Nadu

Somehow, I was rather disappointed with the place. Maybe, I had had very high expectations after hearing so much about it. Or maybe I was at the wrong address.

Rajasthani Thali

Click here for more Dilli Haat pictures

Food Review: BIKANERVALA @ GHAZIABAD, DELHI

After our visit to Country Inn & Suites where Vinitha’s friend was getting married, we both stepped out again into the cold at about 8.30 pm. This was at Ghaziabad and we were planning to walk to Vaishali Metro Station that was about 15 minutes walk away. We had not actually attended the wedding. Vini just went and met her friend for a while as the area is too far away from Karol Bagh where we were staying and the wedding was scheduled from 9 pm to 4 am.

The view from outside

We saw the Bikanervala outlet on the way and decided to stop there for dinner. What I understood from looking at the place and reading their website was that it is something in the lines of Krishna Sweets in Chennai. They started out selling sweets and farsan and have expanded to serve fast food.

We had to first buy coupons and then purchase the food from the self-service counter. Vini did the honours while I sat at a table. The place was not too crowded.

Chole Bhatura. By the way, that chilly tasted delicious

I had asked for Chole Bhatura and Vini got herself an Aloo Chaat. The taste was very different from the similar items that we get at Mumbai. The Bhaturas were huge and were cold by the time Vini brought them to our table. The guy had just made it in front of her. Well, that’s how the weather was.

It was quite tasty and so was the aloo chaat. The bill came to about Rs. 130 which seemed quite reasonable. It was a nice experience.

Aloo Chaat

The walk to Vaishali Metro Station was incredible. It was about 9.30 pm and the road was a very busy highway. But there were no streetlights. I have to mention here that the platforms in Delhi are something altogether. They are about a foot high. It is not funny climbing on them and getting off. We both decided to walk on the road. There weren’t many pedestrians and we could see the water vapour when we breathed out from our mouths. It was that cold. It was fun walking on the dark highway, in the cold, so late at night. We felt absolutely safe.

There is a family restaurant on the first floor

For those interested:

Bikanervala,
40, Ambedkar Road,
Near Choudhary Morh,
Ghaziabad (U.P.) - 201001
Phone: 95-120-2751677
Website: www.bikanervala.com

Travel: BAHA'I HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Baha'i House of Worship

This was an adventure I enjoyed all by myself. It was quite exciting being in a strange place, enquiring your way around and exploring. I walked to Karol Bagh Metro Station from Hotel Jewel Palace. It took me about 25 minutes as I stopped now and again to click pictures on my way.

I went up to take a token to Kalkaji Mandir. When asked, the ticket counter clerk explained to me that I needed to take the Blue metro line to Rajiv Chowk; get off there and take the Yellow line to Central Secretariat and then take the Violet line to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station. 

After walking 3/4 of a km, I reached the compound gate

I must have walked up and down ten flights of stairs before I reached Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station. But even then it had taken me just about an hour while I must have crossed some 20 stations on my way.

The Bahai Temple is about half a kilometre away from the metro or so said a board. I decided to walk asking directions. Yeah, when you complete the ½ km mark, you reach the beginning of the compound railing. You need to walk another 250 metres before you reach the gate.

Its a long but lovely walk to the temple amidst greenery

This temple is again set in a huge ground with lots of grass, trees and flowering plants. It was absolutely cold at about 1 pm. I walked and walked before I reached the temple itself. 

The entry was free of cost. The temple is a beautiful structure designed like a lotus with nine petals, with nine ponds of water tiled in blue in between petals. You can imagine the cold with the wind blowing over the water bodies. The place was fairly crowded with locals and foreigners.

The waterbodies around the temple - there are nine of them

We had to wait in a queue for a few minutes before we were given a small lecture on what the temple is about.

The Bahai House of Worship has temples in seven places around the world and the one in Delhi is the latest. It is an amazing structure and I am sure it is also a ‘portal’ that could move people into another dimension. No one mentioned anything about this. This is just my conjecture that I am sure will be proved over time.

The entrance to the prayer hall

They believe in the path of oneness and do not promote any particular religion or God. The hall within can seat about 3000 people on long wooden chairs with marble seats. They requested us to keep our cameras and mobiles off and also to maintain complete silence while praying to the God of our own faith.

They let us in, in batches. I went in to sit on a bench by myself and the chilled marble felt extremely cold. I looked at the high ceiling and the lovely structure for a while. I realized that there was no time limit to remaining within the temple itself.

I got someone to take a picture of me at Baha'i Temple

I sat there breathing deeply in and out and found peace steal over me completely. I had tears pouring from my eyes as I could completely connect to the divine within these precincts. I must have remained there for more than half an hour, not having the heart to get up and leave.

I walked out after that and the cold air hit me hard. It made me feel hungry. I still walked around a bit, taking pictures and then managed to finally tear myself away from the peaceful temple of oneness.

Look at the antenna at top centre. That's what makes me believe this is a portal.
And what's that shadow? There is no bird out there

It was a wonderful experience and with an overflowing heart, I took a rickshaw back to the metro station.

Click here to know more about Baha’i faith and the temple

Click here to see more pictures of Baha'i House of Worship

Food Review: NIRULA’S POTPOURRI @ CONNAUGHT PLACE, DELHI

We went for lunch to this restaurant chain that is unique to Delhi. They seem to have around five outlets in the capital. The ambience was good and the place was not very crowded as it was 4 pm when we landed there for lunch.

Vinitha checking out the Continental Buffet

There was a Continental buffet, but there were too many items and so we decided to go for a la carte. There was a range of soups and salads on the menu – the weather was too cold for salads. And there was a variety of sandwiches – the reason was the same why we did not go for this. Both of us decided to have a hot lunch and that’s what we did.

Sweet Corn Soup

THUMBS UP 1: We shared a Sweet Corn Soup between us. They don’t serve one-by-two. We just asked for an extra soup spoon and drank from the same bowl. It was hot and delicious.

THUMBS UP 2: Vinitha asked for a sizzler - Cottage Cheese Steak with Barbeque Sauce. This came with noodles and she declared that it was simply yummy. The portion was just right for one person and was not too much.

Thai Green Curry with Rice

THUMBS UP 3: I asked for Thai Green Curry with vegetables. This came along with steamed rice. It was more than what one person could eat. I could not finish it despite Vini eating a few spoonfuls. But it was hot and tasted heavenly. The vegetables were cooked just right without being overdone. My stomach was very happy and satisfied after having this.

THUMBS UP 4: Vini asked for a hot coffee at the end of the meal that she absolutely enjoyed.

THUMBS UP 5: The bill was very reasonable at Rs. 1300 plus for the above items and the dessert that we ordered.

Cottage Steak Sizzler

THUMBS DOWN 1: There was not much in the choice of desserts and these were served from the Continental buffet. I have a sweet tooth and craved for a pastry. I choose the pineapple pastry. They gave me three pieces. I did not expect that, even though they were small. The worst part was that they were not very fresh.

For those interested:

Nirula’s Potpourri,
N-64, 1st Floor Outer Circle,
Connaught Place,
New Delhi – 110001
Happy Hours: 12 to 8 pm

Pineapple Pastry

Phone: +91-11-23319420
Email: del.0557@nirulas.com
Website: www.nirulas.com

Click here for checking out more photos

I was quite excited to see Tamil film stars MGR & Shivaji as part of the wall decor