Modern Delhi

India Gate, Lotus Temple, Bengali Market

That day we decided to visit New Delhi. This time we rented a car with a driver, Vishnu, a young boy from Nepal. Very nice and helpful. First he took us to the Laxmi Narayan Temple - Indian temple, which, although people there think that it is very old, was built in the 30-ies of the 20 century. As in all the temples in India you have to take off your shoes here. We also were told to leave the camera in a locker, hence no pictures from there. The temple impressed us with its cleanness, but nothing special besides. The idols do not show any extraordinary capacity of an artist that produced them, on the other hand there are interesting murals depicting the Indian mythology in various styles and explained with quotes in Sanskrit.

After visiting the temple, Vishnu took us to the government buildings. We had no plan to visit there, but it was interesting to see from the outside these buildings, which are equal with its grandiosity to the former palaces of maharajahs.

From the presidential buildings leads a straight road, called Raj road - kings street, to India Gate - the main monument of the New Delhi. India Gate is a favorite rendezvous place for Indians. Of course, crowds of sellers and obtruders gather here. A woman wanted insistently to paint my hands with henna and I could not drive her away from it.

After India Gate, we went to see the Lotus Temple. This is a big building in the shape of a blooming lotus flower, at least this was the intention of its American founders. In fact, it looks like a great artichoke. The crowds of tourists and school kids flaw around here,
but the temple, besides a huge garden outside, does not have much to offer. Inside is blank and empty, and do not impress with any decoration or architecture. It was built by an American sect Bhatia, whose adherents believe in all religions.

After sightseeing, I managed to persuade Vishnu to take us somewhere where I could try "goal gappas" in Punjabi or " pani puri "in Hindi. Vishnu took us to the Bengali Market and it was the best choice. There are plenty of stores with food, which can be called fast food. A lot of Hindus meet here, no tourist can be seen. Food is prepared on an ongoing basis, so it is still hot and fresh. My dreamed-of Gol Gappas are just sort of round chips, which should be dipped in a special spiced water, and the whole placed in the mouth at once. Cool feeling as if you jumped into a pool of cold water. I have ordered a Massala Dosa for Mom - a large thin pancake made of rice flour, I guess. It had the stuffing made of curry with potatoes. We have ordered also rabri, something milky, sweet and very good. It was this food that impressed us the most throughout this day.

Then we went to the store where my mother wanted to buy something to wear, but they prized themselves so high that we wanted to quickly flee. But we had to buy one shawl, very expensive. It turned out to be very useful for us later in the journey. After shopping,
finally we managed to get to Conaught Place, which proved to be all in the roadworks. Throughout Delhi these days there are roadworks everywhere in the connection with the preparations to the Commonwealth Games, which are to be held in the autumn here.

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