CWG Delhi 2010: The Giant Helium Balloon

HRH The Prince of Wales & HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in India 2-5 October 2010, originally uploaded by UK in India.

The huge helium filled aerostat balloon was a major attraction at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. As at seven in the evening, spell-binding fireworks lit up the sky heralding the opening ceremony, the aerostat lifted up from the centre of the stadium with huge puppets hanging from the balloon that remained suspended above the main stage at a height of 25 meters above the ground.

During the entire ceremony that lasted over three hours, revolving images of the action on the ground was projected on the helium balloon while the special light effects continuously change its colors. The lights were programmed to bounce off mirrors on the aerostat while sound effects of the magnitude of 500,000 watts was used to make it more spectacular and spell-binding, to the amazement of over 60,000 spectators.

The aerostat, manufactured by Per Lindstrandt and designed by Merk Fsher, is the biggest helium balloon in the world used for the first time for an event like this. The balloon is of the diameter 40 meters x 80 meters x 12 meters approximately and is reported to cost Indian Rs 70 crore.

CWG opening ceremony: tight security blanket over Delhi

The countdown to the Commonwealth Games is almost over, the Opening Ceremony is minutes away but it is a virtual shutdown in the Capital because of restrictions on the roads to protect the games venues from any security threats. Over 6000 specially trained men who were trained by the NSG are also deployed. View the video for a full report.

Hijron ka Khanqah

Hijron ka Khanqah, originally uploaded by varunshiv.

Hijron Ka Khanqah is a monument of the fifteenth century (Lodi period), located in Mehrauli in New Delhi, India, maintained well by the Hijras of Turkman Gate in Old Delhi. The literal meaning of Hijron ka Khanqah is a “Sufi spiritual retreat for eunuchs”.

Hijra is a term generally used in North India for eunuchs. They are a well organized bisexual community and they are considered a religious cult. They dress like women and mostly behave like them. Their presence in special occasions like marriage functions and childbirth are considered auspicious by many people. They are often invited to dance and sing during such occasions.

At Hijron Ka Khanqah there is a large patio where white colored tombs are seen. Of the many tombs there, the main tomb held in reverence is said to be of a Hijra called Miyan Saheb.

Lotus Temple at New Delhi

India - Delhi , originally uploaded by Predrag_Bubalo.

India Gate

India Gate, originally uploaded by bijoy mohan.

India Gate in the capital of India, New Delhi, in the evening - no photoshop editing - it is in the natural colour and light. Wallpaper 1024x768.

Qutub Minar, Delhi - India

Qutub Minar, Delhi - India, originally uploaded by Humayunn N A Peerzaada.

Qutb Minar (Urdu: قطب منار), also spelled Qutub Minar or Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world, and an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. The tower is in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli in South Delhi, India. The Qutub Minar and its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple, originally uploaded by blond avenger.

Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India