QBA, Connaught Place, New Delhi

Some months ago, in the heat of Delhi's summers, I was in the CP and surrounding area and was looking for some good place to eat. Due to vegetarian people in company, we wanted to go to a place having good enough vegetarian options. Initially thought about going to TGIF but then figured out that TGIF at CP is closed. So, we went to QBA, in the middle circle (or is it inner - CP always confuses me).

The entry is quite hidden which is usual with most of the place in CP. You would search for the entrance, which is toward the rear of the block. You start walking in the dingy looking, narrow alleyway, almost tempted to turn back. But suddenly you would see the reception at the ground floor. Once you reach to the restaurant through lift, you feel a calm and soothing atmosphere inside - especially when are coming from hot Delhi summer outside. The place is in cool blue interiors with two levels and a terrace for sitting. The first level is more like a lounge with sofa sitting plus bar area while the second level is more formal sitting. The terrace would be a nice sitting option in the winters - to eat food and talk while the crowd at CP running underneath.

Food is not at all good - just okay. Although we were looking for vegetarian place but QBA did not turned out to be one :). The prices are surely more than they should be. Although I was quite disturbed there by some socialite ladies discussing their families - mom-in-laws and all that (and disturbing our talks in between) but it was otherwise quite silent in the lunch time. They have live band in the evening which I have heard is also not very bad. We had very little food - mostly appetizers only.

I would certainly recommend the place to relax and enjoy rather than for the food. The sitting is relaxed, ambiance is cool and the space they have with them is awesome right there in the middle of CP.

Contact Information
QBA Restaurant & Bar
E-42/43, Inner Circle,
Connaught Place
New Delhi
Ph. 011-41512888

Hindi Serials - New serial on Zee TV - 12/24 Karol Bagh

…‘12/24 Karol Bagh’, ‘An Address Not Too Far From Our Own Lives’…

Hindustan badal raha hain aur ‘Hindustan ka no.1 Network’ leke aaya hain aapke saamne iss badalav se uthnewaale kaii sawaal jo hum aam zindagi mein kafi hadtak sunte aaye hain, jaise… –‘Shaadi ya career?’ ‘Apne se chote umar ke ladke se pyar?’ ‘Pitaji ka business ya naukari?’…
…A lot of similar questions are beautifully raised in this story of a family which though sometimes doesn’t understand each others’ needs and dreams, believes in staying together with perfect love and compassion. ‘12/24 Karol Bagh’ will narrate the lives of four siblings who are facing different kinds of dilemmas in their day-to day lives as they struggle to survive, find love and then to keep relationships together. The show debuts on Zee TV on August 31st, Monday – Thursday at 10 p.m.
The show will see the sights of hubbub lanes and by-lanes of Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar, the lip-smacking food corners in Bengali market, the vastness of Pragati Maidan, picturesque India Gate and Parliament House, Delhi University and many such frames that essentially collaborate the essence of Delhi and also form an important part of any middle-class family that resides in the Capital.





‘12/ 24 Karol Bagh’ is the first ever show on Indian Television to be shot completely in Delhi. So far, channels have only portrayed families residing in different parts of the country while the shows are pre-dominantly shot in Mumbai. To maintain the authentic flavour of the Capital, Zee TV decided to station the entire production unit in Delhi. Besides maintaining the regional feel, the motive for Zee TV to bring its newest show to the Capital is to expand the boundaries of the Indian television industry outside Mumbai.

After having delivered great concepts like ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiyan Hi Kijo’, ‘Aap Ki Antara’ and ‘Dance India Dance’, ‘12/24 Karol Bagh’ is another fresh offering from Zee TV’s Creative team. The show is being produced by ‘Sunshine Productions’.

Akash Chawla, Marketing Head, Zee TV said, “We realize that India is changing but there are certain topics that are still not discussed openly though they are thoughts that we internally assimilate. We wanted to depict a simple life of a family that resides in Delhi and yet make their story special, encompassing different nuances of their day-to-day existence. We would also want to give our audiences a voice while we probe them with different questions and hence the campaign for this show is truly interactive in nature. We believe in getting our viewers completely involved in our shows and hence had proposed viewers’ participation at the recently held wedding sequence in ‘Pavitra Rishta’ which also had met with a great success.”
Mr. Chawla, further added, “Having shot in Delhi, which is also the hometown of most of the actors and technicians on the show, gives ‘12/24 Karol Bagh’, an ultimate edge with the language and the background portrayed in an authentic manner. Above all, this endeavor is to make Delhi participate in the mainstream television industry. Through its various shows, Zee TV has brought in flavour of the nation’s cultural diversity by narrating life stories of real people across the country. For instance, while ‘Pavitra Rishta’ is the story of a typical middle-class Maharashtrian family in Mumbai, ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’, represents an extremely poor household residing in a village of Bihar. Our attempt is to create content that families can view and relish together.”

Delhi Clothes: Apsara sarees and lehangas - 5 shops in Delhi

Shopping for ladies sarees or lehangas for the purpose of bridal wear can be difficult; you need to balance the need to wear something different from the common while ensuring that you do not pay the heaven for this; you need to have a dress that looks exclusive and incredibly beautiful while ensuring that you are not wearing something that is being worn by everybody in the same season. I have written about Apsara sarees earlier as well, but I wanted to update with more content, so writing a new post.
If the choice is to wear a heavy well decorated saree or lehanga, then you cannot just go to any other shop. Catch the Metro line between CP and Kashmere Gate, get down at the Chandni Chowk station and ask for Paranthe Wali Gali. Once you are inside, look for the eateries, and the main Apsara showroom will be right opposite. It's not a very big place, and there are mattresses covered by white sheets on the floor, and you need to take off your shoes before you step on the mattress. The shop does not sell ladies suits.
A good lehenga can easily cost over Rs. 50,000 with prices going upto the lakhs. Delivery can take upto a month depending on the busy season. They accept cards, although most people pay cash.

The various locations are:

Chandni Chowk:

1980, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi - 6
Phone: 23267767, 23286856

1386-87. First Floor, S. B. Sarafa Market, Chandni Chowk, Delhi - 6
Phone: 23911662, 23978410

Rohini:

Ring Road Mall (Behind Kali Mata Mandir), Deepali Chowk, Delhi - 4
Ph: 47085976, 27940693

Kamla Nagar:

80-D, Kamla Nagar, Opposite Roop Nagar, Delhi - 7
Phone: 23840260, 23846294

Laxmi Nagar:

9, Ground Floor, V3S Mall, Laxmi Nagar, Opposite Nirmal Vihar, East Delhi - 92
Phone: 24507185, 43073113

Delhi Info: Tamanna - a clothing boutique

Sometimes, the quest for getting some fancy suits and dresses strikes a lady. Typically known as party wear type of suits, these are fancy salwar-kameez, or they may kameez with a churidar / pants. The embroidery is far more fancy than normal day to day, and they can look quite beautiful. One place where you can get such ones is called Tamanna De Boutique, and is located in 6 different parts of Delhi.

Shop No-72, 1st Floor, Ch. Kishna Chand Complex,
Jwala Heri Market,
New Delhi, Delhi
Phone: 011 25250320

46-Ub Jawahar Nagar,
Kamla Nagar, New Delhi,
Delhi
Phone: 011 41530901

B 1/3, Lal Quarter,
Krishna Nagar, New Delhi, 110051

72-75, First Floor, Paschim Vihar,
Delhi - 110006
Phone: 011 25250320

F-20, 1st Floor,
Crossriver Mall,
Near Karkardooma Court,
Delhi
Tel: 011 22306080

J-67, Shop No. 1,
Rajouri Garden,
New Delhi - 110027
Phone: 011 25161392

F Bar and Lounge in Hotel Ashok - next to Nehru Park

Actually, the Ashok Hotel is a landmark by itself, located next to the Prime Minister's house at Race Course Road, next to Santusthi, and next to Nehru Park. Here is a link to a funny map from the F Bar site (link) that shows the map of Ashok Hotel with the roads next to it, as well as a map showing how to get to the F Bar inside the Ashok Hotel (link). Astoundingly for a place in Delhi, the site also has 360 degrees virtual tours that allow you to get a view inside the F Bar even if you have never stepped inside (link).
The F bar is fairly big (8000 sq. feet), being spread over many different levels, with some more exclusive zones such as the Fashion Lounge and the super, super exclusive Diamond Lounge for those who consider themselves the elite.
The F Bar is a franchise of FTV, and is a place where you can bump into famous personalities such as movie stars, fashion people, models, etc. You can also spot many industrialists over here. The place is very well decorated, with neon lights that are not tacky, instead giving a psychedelic environment, the one in which your feet start tingling and moving (and the Interiors have a steel black and white finish). The place plays different types of music, including many times bollywood remixes (you know, many people like remixes of Bollywood movies even though they would never admit to it).
Drinks are good, although as you move past midnight, the bar gets more crowded and it could take time to get a drink, and as you are already in an expensive place, you should assume that the drinks will also be pricey.
Address and contact details:
Price Range: INR 1200 upwards (entry costs are: Cover charges of Rs. 2000 for a couple and Rs. 500 for single women)
Address: The Ashok | 50-B Chanakayapuri, New Delhi, India
Phone: (91-11) 26110101

Some videos from there:

Clubbin at F Bar @ Ashok !!



FTV - F-Bar New Delhi



Location of F Bar in Ashok Hotel, Delhi, on Google Maps


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Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi - next to Connaught Place

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is probably the most visited Gurdwara in Delhi. Located centrally in Delhi, it is located on the Baba Kharag Sahib Marg that has Connaught Place at one end, and Gol Dakhana (round post office) at the other end. The back side of the Gurdwara (and the associated school) opens up to Ashoka Road. The Gurdwara was originally the Bungalow of one of the important Rajput ruler Mirza Raja Jai Singh. Jai Singh was a devotee of Guru Harkrishan, and played a role in ensuring that politics being played out in the emperor's court did not cause Aurangzeb to treat the Sikh Guru badly. Guru Harkrishan had been nominated as a successor by the seventh Guru Sri Har Rai, and was summoned to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb in a furtive attempt by his older brother Baba Ram Rai to grab the Gurugadi. Earlier Baba Ram Rai had disgraced himself by giving a false translation of Bani to appease the Emperor. For this he had been disowned by his father and rewarded by Aurangzeb.
The place where the current Gurudwara is located was earlier a palatial home, and it was here that Guru Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as a guest of Raja Jai Singh. It was during this time that there was a terrible epidemic of cholera and smallpox and the Guru spent a lot of time caring for people and distributing help. He was eventually struck by the disease as well, and died in Delhi in 1664. He used to distribute water from a well built in the house, and this water is said to have holy and medical properties. The water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.
The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langer hall).

Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in New Delhi's Pant Road

In the heart of New Delhi, on Pant Road, facing Parliament and North Block, there is a beautiful white marble Gurudwara, with entrances on all 4 sides (symbolizing the fact that the Gurudwara and the religion does not support any kind of separation of humanity based on caste or creed). It has a beautiful garden surrounding it. This is the Rakab Ganj Gurdwara, built in 1732 by a devotee (Lakhi Banjara) of the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
It was the year 1675, and the Guru Tegh Bahadur was in rebellion against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was a zealot who wanted to convert people to Islam, and Guru Tegh Bahadur was approached by Kashmiri Pandits for their defence. The Guru proceeded to reach Delhi so as to try to negotiate with Aurangzeb (although he knew that his death could happen). He was arrested and then eventually beheaded.
It is rumored that after he was beheaded, there was a massive dust storm and in that storm, his body was rescued by his disciple and taken to the disciple's home where to hide any special attempts to cremate the body, the disciple Lakhi Shah Vanjara kept the body in his own home and burnt down the home in order to do the last rites (the head was taken away separately to Anandpur Sahib where it was cremated).
It was this very spot where the body was cremated that is the site of the present Rakab Ganj Gurudwara.

Gurudwara Sis Ganj - located in the heart of Chandni Chowk

Getting into Chandni Chowk means taking the road from Red Fort and leading directly perpendicular to it. You see a straight road with a divider, and unless you are in the middle of the night or early morning, the road will be crowded with all sorts of traffic. There are numerous shops, and side roads that lead to narrow bustling shopping lanes. As you move ahead, you will see a beautiful Gurudwara to the left side, and this is called Gurdwara Sis Ganj. It is a pivotal part of life in Chandni Chowk, and you can see a huge number of devotees moving in and out of the Gurudwara. Not too many of these people though know the history of the Gurudwara, or the significance.
The life of the Sikh Gurus was built on the concept of sacrifice and not protecting their lives if their was something fundamental at stake. Thus it was during the time of the great (but cruel) Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who was more of a zealot than many of his previous Mughal emperors. This was also a time when there was a clash between the Mughals and the Sikh Gurus, and when the Mughal Emperor was forcibly converting Hindus to Islam. It was then that the Guru told a group of Pandits who approached him to tell the emperor that Aurangzeb should first convince the Guru to convert to Islam, and then only go to the Pandits.
The Guru refused and was imprisoned by the Emperor's men. He was finally beheaded on November 11th, 1675. His body was cremated secretly by one of his followers so that it would not be on display. Similarly, the separated head was taken to Chakk Nanaki in Anandpur Sahib. After around a century when the Mughal influence had waned and Sikhs had become more forceful, one of his followers Sardar Bhagel Singh, built the Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is made of white marble, has several domes with spires for flags and a water body for religious purposes. It took around Rs. 10 lakh and manpower of 4000 people over various stages to complete the Gurudwara.
The main structure of the Gurudwara is a large open hall. This is very spacious and has a bronze canopy in the middle under which, the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs is kept. The Guru Granth Sahib is covered with a large red tunic cloth and garlands. At night, the book is ceremonially carried to a special room in the gurudwara. Here it is kept in a transparent and well-lit glass chamber for the visitors. The book is kept there in a special-resting closet. It is surrounded by the pieces of tree trunk of the same banyan tree under which the Guru was martyred. There is also an enclosed structure where the guru was held prisoner before being executed. The people who go to the Sis Ganj Gurdwara also visit the well in which the Guru used to take his daily bath when he was in prison.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest of the five sons of Guru Har Gobind. He was born in Amritsar in the early hours of 1st April 1621. The name Tegh Bahadur (mighty of the sword), was given to him by Guru Har Gobind after he had shown his valour in a battle with the Mughals.

Some photos of the Gurudwara can be seen at this link.