Qutub Minar - New Delhi

During my Delhi trip I found time to visit a monument that was built during the slave dynasty just before the commencement of the rule of Mughals in India. 
Qutub Minar in Delhi is world heritage site. It is one of the loveliest and most amazing monuments in the country. The tall minaret was constructed in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, and later completed by his successor Iltutmish. The soaring conical tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture.The verses from the holy Qur'an are carved on sandstone walls of Qutub Minar. This monument serves the purpose of calling people for prayer in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. This is a tower of victory, a monument that signify the might of Islam.

The iron pillar is one of the world’s foremost metallurgical curiosities. The pillar, 7.21-metre high and weighing more than six tonnes, was originally erected by Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375–414 AD) in front of a Vishnu Temple complex at Udayagiri around 402 AD, and later shifted by Aangpal in 10th century AD from Udaygiri to its present location at the Qutub complex.
The Qutub Complex houses ruins of a mosque, a Vishnu Temple and several tombs.

Various Views of the beautiful & brilliant minaret of the Qutub - Above & below

The 1600 year old Iron Pillar - An example of the amazing metallurgical advances made during the golden age of the Guptas in the 4th century AD.

Courtyard of the Vishnu Temple ( in ruins now)

Lush Green Lawns in the Qutub Complex

More ruins above & below

A Face from Tamilnadu, India

Our maid Chandra came to the showroom this morning to collect her salary & Diwali bonus. Her charming daughter Vaishnavi also accompanied her and when I asked the little girl if I could taker her picture she readily posed. Vaishnavi goes to a nearby school and is in Class V. Here I am presenting Vaishnavi.

Lutyen's Delhi

I was in New Delhi for 3 days last week. As I was driving from the Airport to Trans Yamuna area I passed through the stylish South Delhi where all the embassy's are located and then onto Rashtrapati Bhavan, South Block, India Gate, Parliament House etc. I couldn't resist the temptation to stop frequently and click pictures. It was early evening and there was a bit of smog in the air and sun was not visible. But still could click some fairly good pictures.
India Gate:  It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
Rashtrapati Bhavan: It is a 340 room mansion where the President of India lives.It was the erstwhile residence of the British viceroy and was designed and built by Edwin Landseer Lutyens - the brilliant British Architect.

A smoggy view of Rashtrapati Bhavan ( where the President of India resides)

North Block where the Defence Ministry is located- above & below.

Views of India gate - above & below

Sprawling lush green lawns around India Gate

Battery operated rikshas to ferry tourists around South Delhi

Purana Quila - is the oldest fort among all forts in Delhi. Now in a dilapidated state.

Our Grand Daughter Nandita

Our second grand daughter Nandita was born on 14th October 2013 at Boise USA.She is our daughter Bhavana's second daughter. Here are some initial pics of Nandita.

First Pics of Nandita clicked at the Hospital

First pics clicked at the Hospital- above & below

Mira proudly holding her baby sister Nandita - at home

Sleeping like a baby :)

Chef's Special

I have donned a Chef's Cap these past few weeks. My wife Shobha is away in Boise, Idaho (USA) to be with our daughter who is expecting her second baby. I have taken over the mantle of home management. I have started experimenting with a few dishes at home to cater to my palate and tummy. The results are posted below: Not a bad effort I think :) What do you think ?
This has also been keeping me away from blogging.

Pongal

Instant Sevai (noodles)

Paneer Pulao

Tomato Onion Raita

South Indian Flavored decoction coffee

Onion Uppuma

Beans Carrot Poriyal

Capsicum-Potato-Carrot Poriyal

Tomato Capsicum Sambar

Tomato Rice

Vendakkai (Lady's Finger) Fry

Lobia (black eyed peas) curry

Omelette

Egg Biriyani

Tomato Onion Uthappam

Cabbage Molakootal

Puliseri & Cabbage-Carrot Poriyal

Jeera rice

Navarattan Dal

Love is.......................

Love is........................Here is a video of my wife Shobha  combing grand daughter Mira's hair.I secretly filmed this and hence they both look totally uninhibited. Hope you like it :)

Airateswara Temple Darasuram - UNESCO Heritage Site

Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian Architecture located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam,Tamilnadu. This temple, built by Raja Raja Chola II in the 12th century CE is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur & the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram these are often referred to as the Great Living Chola temples.
 Legend: The Airavatesvara temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. Siva is here known as Airavateshvara, because he was worshiped at this temple by Airavata  the white elephant mount of Lord Indra, King of Swarga Loka.. Legend has it that Airavata, while suffering from a change of color curse from Sage Durvasa, had his colors restored by bathing in the sacred waters of this temple. This legend is commemorated by an image of Airavata with Indra seated in an inner shrine.
Yama: It is said that the King of Death,Yama also worshiped Shiva here. Tradition has it Yama, who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body, was cured by the presiding deity Airavatesvarar. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank has been known as Yamatheertham.
his temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings. The Vimanam (tower) is 24 m (80 ft) high The south side of the front mandapam (pillared hall) is in the form of a huge chariot with large stone wheels drawn by horses.The pictures speak volumes about the temple and the exquisite amazing & awesome art & architecture of this temple.