Reflections on love and life

Some personal views that have been better expressed by others

Winter vacation outings in Delhi-LODHI GARDEN

Sun soaked lazy picnics at Lodhi Garden

For those who enjoy green open spaces, the sound of birds chirping, soaking up the sun, lazy winter afternoon lunches, the magic of exploring historical structures, plant and animal life and  yes, seening the kids scampering around to their hearts content..lodhi garden is the place for them.

Explore the neel gunbad (front) and the bada gumbad (back) and several other tombs and a mosque, all structures under the protection of ASI

An impromptu performance of Caribbean music

A lake with ducks...much enjoyed by the kids

All is well! I am fed well

A majestic mango tree

The lone ranger; an eagle surveys its  domain

Sun-beams play hide and seek though the bamboo stands

I am busy...busy...busy

Romance in the rose garden

Creative gardening

The bonsai collection

The bonsai collection

The bonsai collection

Short trip to chandigarh and kasauli

Sometimes life gets so monotonous. The best remedy, just go away...no pre-planning. 

So here's what we did. 

On Saturday we decided to get away. Book seats on kalka shatabdi for the next day.. a mad scramble to pack the essentials and Chandigarh here we come. We used the travel time to look up places to visit.

Day 1

Afternoon we arrive at the railway station Chandigarh. This place is at the outskirts of the main city. So not a bustling place like Delhi.

The Chandi Devi Mandir

First thing on the agenda was a visit to the chandi devi mandir, on which the name of this city is based.
The temple is situated on the kalka road, in the cantonment area.  We did not see any local buses passing through there, other than those heading for kalka. So it seemed  to make sense to hire an auto for the to and fro passage, along with our luggage.

The mandir itself is situated in a peaceful  green wooded area right next to a railway line. One can purchase prasad outside the mandir. Photography was not permitted inside the premises. Its a nice, spacious, airy space, with the usual idols and a veranda to sit and relax.  The place has a remarkable aura of peace, both within and outside the mandir complex. Excellent place if one wants to relax and mediate.  We stayed for an hour and then asked our auto to drop us in the city.

Travel through the city on a Double Decker bus

Tourism dept runs a double decker bus for a round trip through all the tourist spots.

And what a ride it was.  Sitting on the top of the bus, watch the city go by. And what a city...wide roads, tree lined shady roads, flower kissed roundabouts and spotlessly clean.

On the way we saw the rose garden, but the Rock garden is where we got down...

Rock garden

Here's a description of the Rock Garden

Nek Chand's amazing creativity, turning waste into works of art

Sukhna Lake

Walking distance from the rock garden. Enjoy the scenic lake and the boating. Spend a cool evening walking along the lake, relishing a variety of  tasty treats. 

Day 2 Kasauli

Day 2. A few hours journey from Chandigarh to kasauli. 
A picturesque cantonment town, ideal for a laid back weekend among whispering pine trees and scenic views. 

                                         View in the afternoon while enjoying lunch

                                              A leisurely evening walk to sunset point

Dusk from sunset point

Day3

Dawn on day 3. The sun god peeks through the trees in time with morning tea

Children at morning prayers in school

                                                 Breakfast in nature, with parathas and a slice of heaven

Post-breakfast, visit the church on the mall and then onto monkey point. No photography allowed at either place

The old TV tower where the first antenna for colour TV broadcast was installed in this region

By afternoon we say good bye to Kasauli and reach  Kalka.
Visit the ancient kalaka devi mandir, which also has an enclosed gurudwara.
Enjoyed the langar prasad of kadi and chawal prepared pahari style.
Dont forget to purchase special brown khoya barfi, unique to the hill regions.

From kalka onto chandigarh for night stay. Spend the evening at sukhna lake or shopping at the many markets. Next morning catch the train to Delhi. Day 4 afternoon we are back in Delhi.
One can also catch the night train from kalka to reach delhi early morning on day 4.