When Shiv Planned My Darshan

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A few days before my visit, an acquaintance had asked, “Darshan to karengi na?”
As a crowd-averse traveller, often disappointed by the jostling and haste that accompany visits to major temples, I had replied that I had no fixed plan for darshan. If it happened, it happened. If not, there was much else to see in the city.


Yesterday, I repeated the same line to another acquaintance. But as someone who had spent a part of his life in Benaras, he took it upon himself to ensure that I visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As I approached the temple, I could see a serpentine queue winding ahead. Several people stopped passersby, asking if they wanted darshan and offering to guide them inside. I dodged a few such offers and reached Gate No. 4 at around 9.30 in the morning.


The person deputed to facilitate my visit ensured that I completed my darshan by 10.15 a.m.—peacefully, without any pushing or jostling. And even that morning, I found a brief moment to myself as I bowed my head before the Jyotirlinga. Even if I had not planned it, Shiv, it seemed, had planned it for me.


The next part of the day was spent at Ramnagar Fort, situated on the banks of the Ganga. Built in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh, the fort remains the ancestral home of the Varanasi royal family. The structure is crumbling from the outside, and though the museum houses an interesting collection of vintage cars, royal costumes, arms and ammunition, the experience felt somewhat underwhelming. The display cases were dusty, many exhibits lacked proper labels, and the overall impression was of a place with great potential but limited care. I walked towards the back of the fort, expecting to reach the river, only to find the walls high. Yet the riverside edge of the fort precincts was animated by enthusiastic anglers.


Almost next to the fort stands Shivji Lassi. The midday heat ensured that my feet found their way there almost automatically. After gulping down two glasses of lassi, I headed to the ancestral home of Lal Bahadur Shastri. It is a small but well-maintained house, offering a modest yet meaningful glimpse into the life of one of India’s most understated leaders.

In the evening, I made my way to Assi Ghat to experience the Ganga Aarti. The first thing I encountered there was a puppet show based on the Ramayana. People were sitting, standing, moving around—but there was a curious method to the madness. As I walked further towards the aarti area, I found that most of the steps were already occupied. Somehow, I spotted a few chairs and promptly settled into one.


There is something surreal about hearing hundreds of voices recite the Hanuman Chalisa in unison. This was followed by the puja of Ma Ganga, during which the organisers invited devotees to participate. At one point, one of the priests admonished a devotee who seemed more concerned with taking photographs than with the prayer itself.


And then began the elaborate aarti.
I have always found aarti mesmerizing. But when it is carried out with such care, rhythm, and a sense of spectacle, it becomes truly unforgettable. As the aarti concluded and I slowly made my way towards the parking area, someone placed a bowl of prasad in my hands. Benaras, once again, in its own small way, touched the soul.


Thus ended my second day in the city of Shiv, a day of devotion, faith, and a little bit of history.

Between Benaras and Kashi: First Impressions of the City of Shiv

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It was Benaras for my father and Kashi for my mother.
For my father, Benaras was a contradiction: a city where one seeks salvation, and where widows, until about a century ago, were often abandoned. For my mother, it was a city that lived vividly through Bengali literature, almost as if it were an enduring character in the novels she read. Somewhere between Benaras and Kashi, I do not know when it became the city I longed to visit at least once in my life. Perhaps the seed was sown in college, when I read and re-read Sarat Sahitya. In Sarat Chandra’s world, Benaras was never merely a backdrop; it was often a presence, almost a character in itself.


I had been planning this trip for a while, but somehow it never materialised. Then came the long Holi weekend, and I decided to take the plunge. It certainly helped that I had a colleague who had lived and studied in Benaras. And so, on a Friday afternoon, I landed in the city of Shiv.
Though I had drawn up a fairly detailed itinerary, the midday sun, coupled with a bit of laziness, ensured that I did not step out until evening.


That evening, an acquaintance in the city reminded me that I had arrived on the auspicious day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, and that I must experience it. Rangbhari Ekadashi is believed to mark the day Shiv entered Kashi with Gauri for the first time after their marriage. I took an auto and reached the chowk near Kedar Ghat. Harshit met me there, and together we walked towards the Gauri Kedareshwar Temple.


Our first stop was the ancient Chintamani Ganesh Mandir. From there, we made our way to the Gauri Kedareshwar Temple. We removed our sandals, and I was handed a paper cup containing what I assumed was water. I took a sip. The moment I realised it was not water, I peered into the cup. Harshit was scandalised. It was meant to be an offering. Armed with a fresh paper cup, I walked in again, slightly embarrassed, and joined the sea of humanity.


One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the temple was in the midst of an elaborate puja for Rangbhari Ekadashi, and the rituals were being broadcast live on a screen outside. Technology, used well. After almost an hour, the puja concluded, and we slowly inched our way towards the sanctum sanctorum. Then I looked up at the screen and saw devotees rush in, jostling to touch the Shiv Linga. One part of me wanted to leave. But I was too deep inside the crowd by then, and there was no turning back. Swept along by the tide, I moved forward until I finally reached the Shiv Linga.


It is unusual, more an outcrop of rock than the smooth form one typically expects. Yet, despite the crush of the crowd, I somehow found a moment. A brief, still moment. I prayed, touched the Shiv Linga, and came out of the temple.


My pet peeve during temple visits has always been the speed with which one is pushed out of the inner sanctum, sometimes before one has even finished praying. But today, despite the crowd and the jostling, I was granted that moment. And that felt deeply satisfying.


Once the visit was over, Harshit took me on a food trail through the city. We crossed Harishchandra Ghat, where funeral pyres burned even as life moved on around them, and then plunged once more into the crowds. Our first stop was idli served with dal chutney. From there we headed to Keshri Chaat, Harshit expertly manoeuvring his scooter through the dense, chaotic lanes while I sat pillion, equal parts anxious and exhilarated.


The quality of the chaat was evident from the crowd gathered outside the shop. I began with tamatar ki chaat, followed by palak patta chaat, gol gappa, and finally chewra matar—an interesting preparation made with chewra, or poha as we usually know it.


We then set out in search of thandai. With the narrow lanes teeming with two-wheelers and pedestrians, it was a challenge of its own. Unfortunately, we were too late. By the time we reached, the thandai was over. Harshit then took me to a place, opposite Parshuram Mahadev mandir, selling a sweet made of malai, which is interestingly named ‘palangtodh’.


And thus ended my first day in Benaras. A day when Shiv pulled a crowd-averse traveller into the heart of a celebration—and left her unexpectedly, completely satisfied.

Sofa Diaries After IEW 2026: Nine Days. One Team. Total Madness

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Growing up, my mother had a favourite phrase for anything that demanded intense preparation and unfolded on a grand scale: “Dakkha Jaggo”—the Yagna of Daksha Prajapati. And honestly, now that I’ve had a taste of what it feels like to be part of something like that, I can say this with some authority: it’s exhausting… and deeply satisfying.

I’m lying sprawled on the sofa as I type this, my body flat-out refusing to follow instructions from my brain. Fatigue has officially outranked hunger—until my stomach finally growled loud enough to win, and I caved and ordered food.

The last nine days have been a blur because India Energy Week kicked off in full force—one of the major energy conferences in this part of the continent. It was a whirlwind of last-minute checks, deadlines, curveballs, and challenges (including one freak incident), all culminating in something that makes every long hour feel worth it: appreciation from the top management. Blockbuster, truly.

But in all the madness, what kept me going was my equally mad team—serious one moment, dissolving into peals of laughter the next. The kind of people who know how to work hard and party harder. The kind who understand my brand of madness—especially when it comes with goofy photos.

Three cheers for the team—Gagandeep Aneja, Umang Pandya, Ankita, Bagmishree, Chandrali Mukherjee, and Akshaya Jeena—for the commitment, the energy, and the sheer fun you brought to the ride.

Nahari at Nahar: A Morning in Purani Dilli

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In our fast-paced world, there are moments when a sight or a sound takes you back, when life feels lived, not rushed. I belong to that in-between generation that grew up analogue and stepped into digital adulthood. Lately, I’ve found myself pausing more often, trying to catch my breath in the whirlwind of the way we live now.

About a month ago, over dinner at The Kunj, Chef Sadaf Hussain remarked that Delhites won’t wake up early for nihari. This week, an email landed in my inbox about a food walk in Purani Dilli, enticingly titled “Nahari and Nashta” by Tales of City, led by Chef Sadaf. It began at 10:00 a.m. Manifestly, Delhites were not trusted to wake up early.

Purani Dilli, for me, is where centuries coexist. It’s also the part of the city that makes me more curious the more I see. So on Saturday morning, braving the cold and the fog, I joined a group of fellow foodies outside Gate No. 1 of Jama Masjid. The city was wrapped in mist, but it was awake; the area was already crowded. You could sense preparations for Ramzaan beginning.

Maneuvering through winding lanes, we reached Shabrati, a small joint with a big reputation for serving truly delicious nahari. Now, I’ve always called it nihari. It was only today that I learned it is actually nahari, a dish eaten at nahar, or dawn. Traditionally, food for the masses, sold on carts across the old city, it was later adopted by royalty. We huddled inside the compact eatery and dug into nahari with khameeri roti. Soon a quiet descended, the kind that arrives only with good food, punctuated by extra servings and satisfied, happy nods.

Tea followed, of course. Standing outside Shabrati, we spoke about the journey of food as we know it, from the 14th century onwards. As we were about to move on, we noticed the kitchen preparing nahari for the evening. While we clicked photos, Chef Sadaf tried his hand at stirring the enormous handi. It was quite funny to watch the chef at the eatery look on with deep suspicion, apparently not trusting another chef to stir it “properly.”

We moved through more lanes, past vendors selling offals by the side. The scene reminded me of growing up in Arunachal, when the local butcher would inform my father if good mutton had come in. Mutton was always bought in person. The foodie and brilliant cook that my father was, he would decide what he wanted to make on Sunday and choose the cuts accordingly.

At Sheeren Bhawan, as our discussion drifted towards sugar and its journey across the world, a pale, creamy halwa arrived. On the counter lay a whitish tuber. It turned out to be safed gajar or white carrot, an indigenous variety, more fibrous than the popular red one, and the halwa was made from it. It was the first time any of us had even seen a white carrot, let alone tasted halwa made from it.

As we moved through the maze of Purani Dilli, a slower slice of life revealed itself, unhurried, detailed, and oddly comforting. A store selling betel nuts and the condiments necessary for paan. A Rafu Ghar, almost extinct in today’s use-and-throw world, a skill fading into memory. A shop selling only parathas. An ear cleaner. And then there were the lane names, quirky, specific, sometimes poetic, offering glimpses into the trades that once populated these streets.

We reached our next stop only to learn we were late: the nagori halwa was over. But bedmi puri and aloo ki sabzi more than made up for it, as we spoke about the deep connections between communities and food, how recipes travel, adapt, survive, and become identity.

The walk ended at one of the oldest kulfi shops in the city, and once again the word Julpep made me smile. Talking about spices, culture, and the influence each has on the other, we relished different kinds of kulfi. My favourite, of course, was the Santara kulfi.

When I entered Chawri Bazaar Metro Station and boarded the train, it felt like I was travelling not just out of Purani Dilli, but from a slower life into a faster one. Yet the hours spent that morning, on food, yes, but also on absorbing a culture of coexistence, were perhaps the best kind of weekend reset I could have planned.

Concentric Circles, Endless Gratitude: A Sunday at the National War Memorial

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Winter is in full swing in the capital, with daytime temperatures dipping below 20°C. Ironically, that’s also when Delhi’s tourist spots see their biggest turnout. The smog-and-cold combination often makes me think staying home is the smarter plan. But in the eternal confrontation between my lazy self and my wanderlust-bitten self, it’s usually the latter that wins.

This Sunday, INTACH organised a walk at the National War Memorial, led by raconteur Dr Shahjahan Avadi—an ex–Air Force officer himself. The memorial is located near India Gate, and my logical self did know that parking would be a problem. But it was cold, and I decided to take the car anyway.

The drive up to the oddly named C-Hexagon circle was smooth. And then I joined the queue to enter the Central Vista parking and immediately realised that getting the car was not a bright idea. Thanks to a fellow walker, I managed to find a spot nearby.

Then, what should have been a simple walk to the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose turned into a brisk walk—and then a jog—as we searched for the entry. My rant about signage has now become a constant at most public locations in the country. After a brief hunt through the sea of humanity around India Gate, we finally located the group.

Built in 2019, the National War Memorial honours India’s fallen soldiers. Designed in concentric circles, it is said to echo the ancient war formation of the Chakravyuh.

The first circle is the Raksha Chakra, a ring of trees symbolising the stability and integrity of the nation. Next comes the Tyag Chakra, where granite panels bear the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice—etched in golden letters. From 1947 to the present day, the names of martyrs can be read here.

As we walked, something caught my attention: someone had placed flowers at two granite panels. It made me wonder how often we truly think about these sacrifices when we think of our country. We celebrate achievements—and rightly so—but do we pause to consider whether those achievements would have been possible without the lives given, and without the soldiers who continue to guard our borders?

We then moved to the Veerta Chakra, which houses murals of battles that became turning points in the nation’s story. From Tithwal to Rezang La, from Longewala to Gangasagar to Meghdoot—each mural carried a reminder of indomitable courage and enduring sacrifice. It was heartening to see that even amidst the India Gate crowds, many were drawn into the quieter gravity of the memorial. These stories deserve to be known by more people.

At the centre is the Amar Chakra, where the eternal flame burns—Amar Jawan Jyoti. Beside it is a cabin where a soldier stands guard in honour. The discipline is so absolute that for a moment we almost mistook him for a statue. Being a Sunday, we also witnessed the change of guard and the retreat ceremony.

As dusk settled, the flames around Amar Jawan Jyoti were lit. An elaborate change of guard followed, and finally the five flags—the National Flag and those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and IDS—were lowered. By the time the ceremonies ended, the air had turned sharply cold. Pulling my fleece tighter, I remembered a story Dr Avadi shared about Operation Meghdoot—how he said one can lose around 10% of one’s memory after serving in Siachen.

It was a Sunday well spent—learning a little more about the bravery, courage, and quiet determination of our armed forces.

A Medieval Icon, a Modern Nation

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There is something about the Red Fort—maybe because every time I have seen photographs or a telecast of Independence Day or Republic Day, it is the Red Fort that comes into view: stately, majestic, almost like a witness to everything that has unfolded around it.

So when an INTACH email landed in my inbox about a heritage walk at the Red Fort this Sunday, I had to join. Delhi Metro is the best bet to reach anywhere on time. The crowd I encountered while changing trains at Kalkaji should have warned me of what was to come. At Lal Qila, I emerged from the gate and realised it was almost a sea of humanity. Somehow, manoeuvring through it, I made it to the entry near the Lahori Gate.

Our walk leader, Javeria, had to shout just to make herself audible. Unfazed, she led us through the crowded spaces, sharing insights not only about history but also about architecture. We entered through Chatta Chowk—one of the earliest covered markets of its time—crossed the Naqqar Khana, and reached the Diwan-i-Aam.

Whenever I visit forts, I find myself wondering how people lived there. How was each place used—really used, day after day? The Diwan-i-Aam is stately, and the contrast of red sandstone with the highly embellished throne stands out. But it was a small detail that shifted everything for me: hooks on the ceiling outside, used to hang curtains—muslin or velvet depending on the season. That single observation triggered my imagination more than any grand façade could.

As we paused at the corner of the Diwan-i-Aam, the fort’s hierarchy became visible in stone. The areas meant for nobles and royalty were built in Makrana marble. The fort is said to have been constructed at a cost of six lakh rupees—a princely sum, and a sizeable figure even today. But we are speaking of a period when the Indian economy was possibly booming in ways we rarely pause to remember.

The first marble building we encountered was the Rang Mahal, a palace for the emperor’s concubines. An elaborate fountain system—run only by gravity—greets you there. I found myself wondering who the architect of the fort was. Imagine my surprise when Javeria mentioned it was the same architect associated with the Taj Mahal. And then the old story surfaced in my mind: wasn’t his hand chopped off so he could never build anything again? Apparently not. History, like memory, collects myths the way monuments collect dust.

We moved on to the emperor’s sleeping quarters. There is a barricade on the steps so people don’t climb them now, but you can still see a depression where the marble has slowly worn down with regular use. These quarters were never meant for mass entry. Today, most of the marble spaces can only be seen from outside—beauty held at a distance.

The lawns were being readied for an evening programme, ticketed. The security guards were almost shooing everyone out. But then, they underestimated our curiosity. We stopped near the pavilions to look at the Zafar Mahal: a red sandstone structure constructed by the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. It stands out for its bare, un-embellished walls—a quiet testimony to the loss of power of the Mughals.

On our way out we saw the barracks built by the British after 1857 to house soldiers. The question came automatically: where did soldiers stay earlier? Javeria pointed out that rooms within the fort walls were used for them. What struck me even more was another fact: only the emperor stayed in the fort. Even his sons and daughters were not allowed to live there. The power of intrigue, deceit, and politics—clearly—has existed in all times.

By the time we left, the crowd had thinned. For the first time that day, one could stand at the entrance and simply marvel at what the fort must have proclaimed in its heyday.

I looked up at the lit ramparts and realised the fort would pull me back again. The child who watched Republic Day parades on television, spellbound, is not yet satisfied. Until the next time, the Red Fort will remain what it has become for me: a medieval icon adopted by a modern nation.

No Plans, So I Time-Traveled

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Christmas fell midweek, and I had no particular plans. After all, when one doesn’t have to go to church and pray, what does one do—eat and sleep?

As I was contemplating a lazy Thursday, an email from Tales of the City dropped in about a heritage walk around the churches of Purani Dilli. It felt like the universe was gently nudging me off the couch.

New Delhi may look like the diva, but it’s Purani Dilli that preserves the city’s soul. In Old Delhi, you can time-travel in a few steps—past a gate, around a corner, across a lane that pretends it has always been here. The walk began at St. James’ Church, and I found myself in a large group of walkers. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one with no plans for a midweek holiday.

This was my second visit to the church. The last time I came, the compound was quiet, almost meditative. Today, it was full of cars. A service was underway, so we avoided going inside. Still, I have always been intrigued by this church—its location near Kashmere Gate, almost next door to Lothiyan cemetery, which was the city’s earliest Christian cemetery. There’s also the story of its origin: a church built as a vow (a very Indian thing to do) by a private individual, Colonel James Skinner—a man who struggled to fit into the British world due to his mixed parentage, and yet went on to build an institution that later became the church of the Viceroy of India.

The church compound holds more than a place of worship. It houses the private cemetery of the Skinner family, and, most importantly, the grave of William Fraser, Commissioner of Delhi. In fact, the grave pre-dates the church and may have influenced the choice of location. Next to Fraser’s grave stands a large cross erected by the British in memory of British families killed in 1857. That the memorial is part of narrative-building becomes evident when one notices engravings not only in English but also in Persian—the lingua franca of those days.

When we stepped out of the compound, we could see the old campus of St. Stephen’s, which today houses the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi. Purani Dilli does this effortlessly—lives history, then repurposes it as required. Led enthusiastically by Shreya Sahay and Karan Tekwani, our group moved along the busy lanes towards the next stop.

On the way, we passed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University and an interesting signboard that claimed the building had once been the library of Dara Shikoh and was now better known as a Partition Museum. A few steps later, the walk leaders pointed to something easy to miss: a rather nondescript obelisk lying ignored at the corner of a road. Yet this quiet structure is the Mutiny Telegraph Memorial, erected by the British in honour of the telegraph staff who sent the warning of the 1857 uprising. Today, the words on its base can barely be read; construction material and a garage crowd around it. Did I ever pause to think there could be a link between the telegraph and 1857? No. And yet, apparently, a single message—sent at the right moment—could alter the course of history. It’s humbling how cities hide their turning points in plain sight.

A little distance away stood another structure that draws almost no attention now: the British Magazine, constructed in the early 19th century near Kashmere Gate as a storage facility for gunpowder, arms, and explosives for the East India Company forces. In 1857, when the rebels reached Delhi, it became a target. When the British realised they couldn’t defend it, they blew it up. The ammunition is said to have burned for days, an image so dramatic it almost feels cinematic, and yet the building today sits quietly.

Our second church stop was St. Mary’s, near the Red Fort. Unfortunately, it was closed, and we could only admire the building from the outside. The walk leaders shared its layered history—how the site’s story moves through different phases of patronage and rebuilding, and how, once the later structure took shape, the church was frequented more by British officers stationed in the city. Even when a place begins with local connections, the city’s politics and power shifts can re-script who it belongs to.

By noon, the final stop was about a kilometre away. We hopped onto e-rickshaws and landed at St. Stephen’s Church in the bustling marketplace of Church Mission Road. The service was almost over, and as we debated whether we should go in, a hymn floated out—praise for Jesus set to the tune of “Jai Jagdish Hare.” I froze for a second, smiling at the sheer ease with which India does this—borrows, blends, transforms, makes faith sound familiar without losing its meaning.

When the service ended, people streamed out and wished us Merry Christmas. Built by Anglican missionaries, the church was meant for the local population and carries inscriptions in Persian, again, a reminder of how languages travel, settle, and leave marks even in places you wouldn’t expect.

I have always enjoyed Christmas festivities, but I had never visited a church on Christmas Day. This turned out to be one of my most interesting Christmas holidays—not because it was loud or glittery, but because it gave me a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Purani Dilli.

Delhi is a palimpsest—not only of its rulers and its various capitals, but also of languages, religions, and everything that comes along with them. Spend time with the city, and it will open up its world to those who want to see it.

An Evening of Craft, Cuisine, and Community at The Kunj

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Growing up, there was a saying often used to describe a familiar irony: “When you stay next door to the station, you will miss the train.” It referred to situations in which, despite proximity, one keeps postponing a visit. That line came back to me on Saturday, when I finally managed to visit The Kunj—India’s first mall dedicated entirely to handloom and handicrafts.

Located within walking distance from my home, The Kunj has been on my mind since its opening in August 2025. And yet, like the proverbial train, I kept missing it.

As I stepped out of the lift, the first sight that greeted me was a loom and a vibrant seating area—an immediate signal that this was not just another retail space. Handicraft and handloom stores showcasing products from across the length and breadth of the country form the heart of The Kunj. What makes it even more special is the presence of artisans themselves—quietly, patiently creating their craft in full view. I found myself lingering near an elderly Madhubani artist, watching him draw with practiced ease. In that moment, I was reminded of the deep traditions and accumulated knowledge that form the foundation of India’s extraordinary craft heritage.

The credit for finally getting me to The Kunj, however, goes to Tales of India—a platform that seamlessly binds food, heritage, and community. When the mailer from Tales of the City landed in my inbox, I knew I didn’t want to miss an evening that promised good food paired with conversations on history and culture.

At the venue entrance, I was warmly greeted by Abu Sufiyan and Chef Sadaf Hussain. Conversation quickly turned to food walks—their routes, timings, and the inevitable request from a few of us for a walk dedicated solely to Nihari. Chef Sadaf countered with a challenge: Delhiites, he said, don’t like waking up early, which makes a traditional morning Nihari walk difficult. While we all confidently promised early mornings, only time will tell whether we manage to rise to the occasion.

Walking inside, I felt transported to the homes of my childhood—where the first room, the baithak, was a gathering space filled with knick-knacks collected over the years. It was heartening to hear Abu Sufiyan explain that the idea was to recreate the Bada Kamra—the room where everyone naturally came together.

As stories and food memories began to flow, the first offering arrived: Khas Sherbet, served in an elegant brass glass. The conversation drifted towards community life—how there was once a time when we knew not just our next-door neighbours, but almost everyone on the lane. No one explicitly lamented how siloed life has become; it was simply understood. Perhaps the pace of life has changed, and gatherings like these are meant to be cherished when they happen.

Next came a Shami Kabab, delicately pounded on a sil batta, fibrous and soft. This was followed by Mutanjan, sweet rice garnished with almonds and sultanas, accompanied by the meat of teetar (quail). Chef Sadaf pointed out that in earlier times, “bird” almost always meant quail—never chicken. Chicken, he noted, became popular only after Partition.

Then arrived the star of the evening: Nihari, served with Khamiri Roti—rich, slow-cooked, and deeply comforting. As we ate, memories surfaced of street vendors and their distinctive calls—jingles that once echoed through neighbourhoods. It wasn’t just food vendors; toy sellers, kulfiwalas, knife sharpeners, bangle sellers—all had their own sounds. With e-commerce and changing lifestyles, many of these have quietly faded away.

The next dish, Shab Deg—literally “cooked overnight”—arrived in beautiful brassware. Plates and bowls were wiped clean as we savoured yet another culinary tradition from Purani Dilli. Dessert followed: Mithi Roti with Kheer, the kheer cooked to a phirni-like consistency. Throughout, Chef Sadaf kept us enthralled—not just with flavours, but with stories of how dishes evolved and travelled through time.

The evening concluded with Meetha Paan, leading to a discussion on paan traditions across the country. While practices adapt to local tastes, we realised that their roots remain remarkably similar everywhere.

It was a near-perfect weekend—handicrafts, food, history, and a gathering of like-minded people. Sometimes, life introduces places to us in very specific ways. For me, The Kunj will always be associated with this evening—an experience that finally made missing the train worthwhile.

Guardians of Our Skies: Stories We Should Have Grown Up Knowing

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We think we know what 21 looks like—restless energy, unfinished dreams, a horizon stretching endlessly ahead. I certainly believed that. But this Saturday, as I listened to the story of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, I found myself quietly shaken. What does courage look like at 21? What does duty feel like when the cost is everything?

INTACH Delhi had announced a heritage walk at the Indian Air Force Museum, led by Retired Group Captain (Dr) Shajahan Avadi. It was curiosity that took me there. Only later did I realise how rare the opportunity was—the museum isn’t part of the usual tourist trail, and this was its very first heritage walk.

At the entrance, two things stood out. A crowd of schoolchildren—wide-eyed, excited—and at the gate, a real aircraft, standing like a guardian of memory. The walk leader began with a question: Why is a Gnat placed right at the entrance? Before we could think, an officer injured in service rolled past us in a wheelchair. The answer, perhaps, lay in the silence he left behind.

Inside, old photographs whispered forgotten stories. We heard of Indra Lal Roy, of “Jumbo” Mazumdar, of Sekhon—names that deserve far more space in our collective memory. The narrative unfolded like a tapestry: Dakotas landing in Srinagar in 1947, missions in 1965 and 1971, UN peacekeeping roles, and humanitarian operations during the Uttarakhand floods. These were not just stories of war—they were stories of service, endurance, and humanity.

Then came the aircraft displays. A Japanese kamikaze plane. A Pakistani Sabre shot down in 1971. And across from it, the small, almost fragile-looking Gnat. It was impossible not to imagine Sekhon climbing into it, fully aware that he may not return. The only Param Vir Chakra awardee of the Indian Air Force was just 21 years old.

For two hours, we walked, listened, absorbed. But more than the exhibits, it was the weight of the stories—the quiet bravery, the unspoken sacrifices—that stayed with me.

As I stepped out of the museum, a thought lingered: Why don’t we tell these stories more often? Why aren’t they part of every Indian child’s growing-up years? It was heartening to learn that the museum was in the process of moving to a larger building with more exhibits.

Maybe that morning didn’t just teach me history. Maybe it deepened my gratitude for the freedom I live so casually, so comfortably—freedom that someone, somewhere, once guarded with their life.

A Winter Walk Through Purani Dilli: Stories, Streets, and Subah ke Pakwan

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With winter slowly tightening its grip on the city, I mentioned to a colleague last Friday that this year I wanted to finally try Daulat ki chaat. A fanatic Benarasi, she laughed and said, “You should go to Benaras and taste the better version.” Perhaps she wasn’t wrong—but Delhi, for all its culinary rivalries, is a food lover’s paradise. And winter? Winter is Delhi at its delicious best.

The chill in the air sharpens appetites and opens up the full spectrum of flavours: from savoury chaats to sinful ghee-soaked sweets. Amid it all, Purani Dilli holds a special place in every foodie’s heart. This Sunday, I joined a food walk titled Purani Dilli ke Subah ke Pakwan, curated by Tales of City and led by the knowledgeable Chef Sadaf Hussain. Like many, I associated Purani Dilli primarily with its legendary non-vegetarian fare.

The early-morning ride through its narrow lanes was surprisingly smooth—the city was still stretching awake. The walk began in front of Indraprastha Hindu Girls’ Senior Secondary School, the city’s first girls’ school, tucked behind Jama Masjid.

As we gathered, waiting for the walk to begin, I absorbed the scene around me: daily-wage earners cooking their modest meals, people taking their first sip of morning tea, a few men bathing by a tubewell, and roadside vendors quietly assembling their makeshift shops. Purani Dilli wakes up in chapters, each rooted in centuries of habit.

Once we set off, Chef Sadaf immediately challenged our assumptions. “This,” he announced, “will be a vegetarian food walk.” A ripple of surprise passed through the group.

Our first item was chai. I’m not a tea drinker—certainly not fond of roadside versions that lean heavily on sugar—yet this cup was surprisingly pleasant and perfectly sweet. Warm hands, warm cup, cold morning: Delhi in winter distilled into a moment.

As we walked, we learned how the old city once attracted people for their skills, leaving an imprint in street names that referenced professions long since faded. Navigating the tangled lanes—dodging bikes, scooters, rickshaws—was an adventure of its own. We passed doors that had obviously seen better days. The neighbourhood is a labyrinth where every turn looks like the last, except for the unmistakable pulse of life running through it.

Our next destination was the famed Lotanji Cholewale. The shop, recently catapulted into mainstream fame after being invited to serve at the Ambani wedding, was buzzing with customers. The kulcha had a different texture than the ones I’d eaten before, while the chole was intensely flavourful. They serve three versions: less spicy, medium, and very spicy. We prudently stuck to the middle path.

As we dipped warm kulchas into spicy chole, perched precariously on the seat of a parked scooter, our group discussed breads—origins, variations, and adaptations—proving that food walks can easily turn into impromptu seminars.

Then came the moment I was waiting for: Daulat ki chaat. I had only spoken about it two days earlier. Light, airy, delicately sweet—made from milk and winter air—it remains one of North India’s most magical seasonal desserts. I learned that its origins trace back to Afghanistan, and over time, it has woven itself into the culinary traditions of cities across northern India.

We emerged from the maze onto Chawri Bazaar—“Chawri”, from chawra, meaning “wide”. It may not appear wide today, but compared with the lanes we had just left, it certainly felt expansive. Here, we sampled warm nan khatai. I’ve eaten this crumbly cookie countless times, but never fresh off the tawa. Warm, fragrant, and gently melting—it was a revelation.

As we ate, life continued around us in its uniquely Purani Dilli way: a young girl performing acrobatics, a man getting his ears cleaned, people lining up for a shave and a massage. The old city compresses entire worlds into the width of a street.

Next came Bedmi Puri with aloo ki sabzi and a pickled carrot. Piping hot, perfectly spiced, devoured instantly. We were told to save a spoonful of the aloo sabzi for the following item—Nagori Puri with halwa. Our walk leader then demonstrated a delightful trick: puncture the top of the Nagori puri, add the leftover aloo sabzi, and crown it with a generous spoon of halwa. A small act of alchemy.

Our morning ended at one of the city’s oldest kulfi shops. As we savoured our final treat—a Santara kulfi—I noticed a curious word painted on the board—Julpep. A blend of juice, lollipops, and popsicles. Who knows—perhaps someday it will find its way into a dictionary.

Satiated with food and stories, I realised something: it isn’t just the seven historic cities of Delhi that coexist—it’s the hundreds of culinary traditions layered across generations. Purani Dilli is not merely a place; it is a living archive of flavours, skills, and memories. Each lane carries stories, each shop an inheritance, each dish a fragment of Delhi’s ever-growing love affair with food.