City Faith – Mother Mary in Sari, Khan Market Faith by The Delhi Walla - June 5, 20190 Mother's style. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Virgin Mary statues are normally seen dressed in white robes. But there’s a little-known church in central Delhi where she’s aglimmer in blue Kanjeevaram silk sari--draped especially around Easter. At this Shrine of Velankanni the blue-eyed mother of Jesus is ensconced in a giant glass case, safe from the grime and dust of the city. Velankanni is the title that was given to Mary by devotees in Tamil Nadu, where she is believed to have appeared twice in a town bearing that name. Delhi’s Velankanni is seen holding baby Jesus—with both of them wearing elaborate red crowns topped with a golden cross. The statue faces the shrine’s prayer hall that is immersed in dimly lit tranquility,
City Life – Sad News Notices, Around Town Life by The Delhi Walla - June 5, 20190 On death. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Spreading the word about a loved one’s death can be a delicate business for their families. The news is increasingly shared on social media accounts. Other times, an obituary classified is purchased in the newspaper. This morning in Old Delhi, the task is being carried out more traditionally. Phoolchand is sticking a printout on a shop’s shutter in Tiraha Bairam Khan. Handwritten in Hindi, it states: “All are being informed that the shop shall remain closed following the death of Manish Jain’s daadi (grandmother).” As a shopkeeper assistant, Phoolchand has made additional copies because there’s more than one shop owned by his employer. He confirms that it’s indeed his own handwriting; and as the 62-year-old