Durga Pooja, Visarjan '13

Durga Pooja also referred to as Durgotsava, is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga.Durga puja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, Durga puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil.

Durga Pooja Celebrations at CR park, New Delhi

The traditional intstruments being played

Visarjan at Yamuna Ghat

Auto Expo 2014

The curtains came down on the 12th edition of, Auto Expo, with the industry hoping to reduce the fall in car sale, this positivity around the spectacle should spark a relief for the car manufacturers. 

Auto Expo 2014, Greater Noida.

Volkswagen Polo at display at Auto Expo.

Concept car at display.

Honda's concept car at display at Auto Expo.

They had celebrities and famous personalities to promote their models. Sachin Tendulkar, Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, John Abraham, were among the celebrities who visited the Expo. This year the Auto Expo was divided into two parts for better crowd management, Like the motor show was at Greater Noida and the auto components exhibition at Pragati Maidan.

Range Rover was a icing on the cake at the Auto Expo.

Audi's R8 at display at the Auto Expo.

Audi R8.

The Audi r8 was exclusively designed and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro Gmbh, and is based on the Lamborghini Ghallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi space frame and used the aluminium monocoque which is built using space frame principals.

BMW's eagerly awaited concept car on display.

 The BMW i8 is ready to revolutionise its vehicle class. As the first sports car with the consumption and emission values of a compact car. The strength of the plug in hybrid lies in the perfect synchronisation of electric motor and combustion engine, that's brought to the street with the highest efficiency and dynamics. No longer a vision, but charged intelligence. The first sports car that even accelerates the zeitgeist.

 Mercedes AMG at display.

Maruti had brought changes in swift, with Swift Volt.

Chevrolet's car at display.

Hyundai i20's modified version at display.

Bikes were also a center point of attraction.

Bikes with latest technology was also a stunner at the Expo.

Triumph launched its bike.

I, myself was eagerly waiting for the Auto expo. It really excites youngster to watch the changes in automobile industry with the revolution in technology. This year 

there were 70 unveiling, out which 26 of them were global models. There has always been good attendence at the expo every year. The locations has shifted from Pragati Maidan to Greater Noida. The location was also spacious than previous.

Suzuki's Hayabusa was also a eye snatcher.

The companies revealed quite new models. The concept cars were also breath taking. The previous edition of the expo held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in 2012 attracted 7 lakh people. The first few days were reserved for the media and the expo opened for general public started from 7th February. 

New Generation bikes at display at the Auto Expo 2014.

 It was a treat for automobile freaks. Many left with good memories at the end of the day, some of them who couldnt make it on time were quite disappointed as they know what they have missed.

Photography: Amith Rahul

SURAJKUND MELA 2014

The Surajkund International Crafts Mela features handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances and flavours from the different states of the country across 40 acres of land that house 700 huts for displays and demonstrations. You get to see all the ethnic and cultural reforms of the theme state selected. Each year, a state is selected as the 'theme state'. The theme state sets to showcase its culture, folk dances and cuisines.  

The exhibits at Surajkund Mela 2014

Sri Lanka is the PARTNER NATION in Surajkund Mela. Craftspersons and artists from Sri Lanka would also showcase best of handlooms and handicrafts of their country in a unique ambience that would transfer you to the tropical island nation. Watch out for the enthralling performances of Sri Lankan cultural troupes at Chaupal and Natyashala. You can get a taste of authentic and mouth-watering delicacies of Srilanka in the Food Court.

The Visitors at Surajkund Mela 2014

Surajkund International Crafts Mela is a celebration of Indian traditions and culture in an ambience created to represent the rural India. Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts made in India. 

The exhibitors projects at display at Surajkund Mela 2014

This also promotes the state among the domestic and foreign tourists as a great cultural and heritage tourism destination. The visitors get a chance to explore a state culturaly and traditionaly each year. This year the state of GOA is the state theme. Craftsmen from Goa, other states of India and eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations will also showcase their work at the mela. You get the feeling of passing through one of the villages of India.

A girl in the traditional wear at her stall.

Handicrafts at display.

The foreign tourists never get to see the architecture of villages and their lifestyles unless 
they visit the SurajKund Mela which showcases costumes, furniture and glimpses of the lifestyles prevailing, in so many villages of Indian. The artists are sent from Goa this year to showcase their lifestyles in Goa for 15 days of the Mela.

The handicrafts at display.

The folk dance performance being held at Surajkund Mela 2014

These artists are selected by Goa Handicrafts Corporations to sell their handicrafts. They will be performing traditional Gaon dances during this Mela. Handmade fabrics soaked in ethnic colours make an eye catching display for the visitors.  This mela is considered the favourite picnic spot during febuary month. Youngsters get a chance to explore the state culturally and traditionally, without even going there. The Surajkund mela is feast for the shop-Ohlic Delhi-ites. And yet another mela has come and gone with beautiful memories.



Photography:  Amith Rahul