Pollution or Air Pollution is something that every Delhiite wants to get rid off. Every year during Diwali, Delhi suffers from rising AQI which takes a toll on people’s lives here. The humungous use of fire-crackers leads to such traumatic situations and doctors suggest to leave Delhi for a good 15 days. The AQI during Diwali went up to 1000 which is marked as “severe”. Some would suggest the use of air-purifiers which may cost somewhere in between INR 12,000 to INR 1, 00,000. But doctors opine that instead of opting for these measures, going natural would heal better. Because for the most part of the year the AQI remains “poor”, “very poor”, and “average”, barring the monsoons. So, if you want to save yourself, your family, and friends, then bring these air-purifying plants as soon as possible which would give you a healthier indoor environment.

Areca Palm:

Intro:

Scientific Name: Dypsis lutescens

Popular Names: Golden Cane Palm, Areca Palm, Yellow Palm, or Butterfly Palm (As the leaves of this plant tend to curve upwards in multiple stems, it gives the look of a butterfly)

Native: It is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Arecaceae family. Areca Palm is native to Madagascar and South India.

Importance of Areca Palm

The most important reason why you should bring Areca Palm Plant to your home is that – As per the reports shared by NASA Clean Air Study and Dr. B. C. Wolverton, an Areca Palm plant filters many harmful toxins from the air. Wolverton has further specified that at 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in height, the plant will transpire 1 liter of water per 24 hours, thereby making it just the perfect humidifier for your home. This plant grows at a speed of 6-10 inches per year.

Buy the grown-up Areca Palm plants whose height is up to the shoulders of an average human being. If you keep 4 Areca Palm plants of this height in your living room or home, your home atmosphere would remain safe.

Which Toxins Are Removed by Areca Palm?

This plant removes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.

Light Requirement for Areca Palm:

Keep it under direct sunlight once in 3-4 months. Because Areca palms require bright but indirect sunlight. Harsh and scorching sunlight burns the plant and causes it to turn yellow.

Water Requirement for Areca Palm:

Remember that Areca Palm requires a moist soil but not a soggy one. So, allow the top few inches to dry out before watering again. In case the water at your home has chemicals in it, then use filtered/RO/distilled water to feed this plant. If you use polluted water, then it would bring unimpressive marks on the leaves.

Which Is The Best Soil Type For A Conducive Growth of Areca Palm?

You must use a rich acidic soil that has a great drainage quality. In case the soil is too heavy and clay-like, then add builder’s sand to it.

Planter or Pot Size?

You must plant an Areca Palm in a container/planter/pot that is double the size of the root ball. Because they grow really fast.

You may buy Air-Purifying plants from Ferns N Petals – one of the leading online stores that sell more than 800 varieties of plants.

Snake Plant:

Intro:

Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Common or Popular Names: Snake Plant (because of the shape and sharp margins of its leaves), Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, and Viper’s Bowstring Hemp (because it is one of the sources for plant fibers used to make bowstrings)

Native: This plant is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo.

Importance of Snake Plant:

This plant produces bowstring hemp which is a strong plant fiber once used to make bowstrings. It is said that this plant works even at night and converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. As per the NASA Clean Air Study found Snake Plant removes 4 of the 5 main toxins. If 6 Snake Plants of 3 feet in height are kept at home, the indoor atmosphere would become healthier.

You may buy eco-friedly plant from nurserylive – one of the leading online plant stores in India.

Which Toxins Are Removed By Snake Plant?

Snake plant removes benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Light Requirement for Snake Plant:

You can place it anywhere inside or outside your home. Just remember that the better the light condition, the faster Snake Plant would grow. Actually, in warm temperature zones, this plant is grown as an outdoor plant while in cooler temperature zones, this is grown as an indoor plant.

Water Requirement for Snake Plant:

You have to allow the soil to dry first before watering the plant. Remember this fact because often overwatering is the reason behind the decay of Snake Plants. In winter season and in a low light situation, this plant may require water once a month.

Which Is The Best Soil Type for Conducive Growth of Snake Plant?

You must place Snake Plant in a good, rich, nutritious, and organic soil with excellent drainage quality. In case, your soil lacks proper drainage, then you can add some sand in it.

Planter/Pot Size:

This plant would grow well in small pots as they like to be root-bound.

P.S.: Snake Plant is a slightly poisonous plant with a level-1 toxicity.

Money Plant:

Intro:

Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum

Common or Popular Name: Money Plant, Ceylon Creeper, Hunter’s Robe, Ivy Arum, Silver Vine, Solomon Islands Ivy, Taro Vine, Devil’s Vine, or Devil’s Ivy.

Native: It is a species of flowering plant in the family of Araceae, native in Mo’orea. It is a famous popular houseplant in temperate regions.

Importance of Money Plant:

Money plant is one of the best indoor plants to purify the air at your home or office. It enhances the oxygen flow wherever it is kept. This plant multiplies the positive energies in a home and provides financial gains and further improves sleep. It is also said that money plant mitigates arguments in a family.

Which Toxins Are Removed By Money Plant?

Money plant removes synthetic chemicals from furniture and cleaning solutions. In particular, it removes, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and benzene. This plant is also kept inside aquariums and there it absorbs many nitrates & uses it for its own growth apart from adding beauty to the “fish-home”.

Where To Keep Money Plant?

A money plant should be kept near the computer, laptop, TV set, or WiFi router. And it is also said that keeping money plants at sharp angles at home reduces stress, hypertension, and anxiety.

Light Requirement for Money Plant:

This low-maintenance plant grows very well in direct sunlight as well as in indirect sunlight when placed indoors. It can sustain scorching sunlight during summer seasons, but try to avoid that as too harsh rays may burn the leaves.

Water Requirement for Money Plant:

Remember that over-watering should be avoided. You can water the plant once every 7 to 10 days during the summer season. Water it once in every 2-3 weeks during the winter season

Which Is The Best Soil Type for Conducive Growth of Money Plant?

Money plants prefer that soil type which allows better ventilation and drainage. So, you can mix river sand with regular potting soil.

Planter/Pot Types & Size:

If Money Plant is Grown In Water: A regular size glass jar, glass bottle, or plastic bottle.

If Money Plant is Grown In Soil: Use medium sized ceramic, plastic, or clay pot.

P.S.: Money Plant is listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA due to the presence of insoluble raphides. It can also be mildly toxic to humans as well and possible side-effects can be eczema or skin irritation.

If each one of you rise up and become sensitive towards this issue of “pollution”, there would be a sea of change. All you have to do is invest one-time into plants and reap its benefits forever. You may find this beneficial plant online on ugaao.com.

April 12, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Guide to discovering Delhi’s rich 1000-year heritage

Places

In a city that has close to 22.2 million ‘Delhi-ites’, Delhi can surprise and delight you with its rich heritage, stunning architecture and diverse cultures. But, dig deeper into its gritty exterior, you will quickly discover a rich tapestry from the bygone era of the Mughals and beyond, leaving one mesmerized with its fascinating artifacts, archaeological monuments, minarets, museums and arts.

Delhi- A glorious future and rich history

Delhi has been the beneficiary of the cultural, social, political, religious and economic prosperity provided by various rulers and dynasties.

The city has been abundantly gifted with architecture as seen in the monuments, mosques and tombs. These architectural wonders, some of which have become world heritage sites bring millions of international and national tourists to Delhi as they marvel at the city’s magnificent past. If you are a lover of history then Delhi beckons.

To the uninitiated, Delhi was not the original capital of India during the time of the British Raj. The city became the capital when the British decided to move the seat of power from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.

Delhi actually consists of two cities, the historic Old Delhi in the north and New Delhi situated in the south. It sits across the west bank of the River Yamuna; a tributary of the River Ganges and 160 kilometers south of the Himalayas.

The name ‘New Delhi’ was coined in 1927 and was made an important commercial hub. It officially became the capital when India gained independence on 15 August 1947.

Delhi’s must see top 10 historical sites

To experience Delhi is to appreciate its glorious past. Here are the top ten sites that you must visit.

India Gate

The India Gate is a war memorial to honor the 82,000 fallen Indian soldiers during World War 1. It was built in 1931 and designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. India Gate is very popular with locals and tourists alike during the summer and a favorite hot spot for picnics with the family.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhjavan was formerly known as the Viceroy House. It is the official residence of the President of India. The British architect, ‘Sir Edwin Lutyens’, designed the palace, which draws numerous tourists each year.

Every year on India’s Republic Day, 26^th of January, the whole building gets illuminated and a parade to mark the occasion starts from the Bhavan.

Lodhi Gardens

Lodhi Gardens is the architectural work of the 15^th century by Lodhis from the Afghan dynasty and contains the tombs of Mohammed Shah, Sikander Lodi, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad.

It is an historical landmark and has a park spanning 90 acres and currently under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Red Fort (Lal Qila)

The Red Fort or ‘Lal Qila’ built in 1648 was the second architectural accomplishment by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan after the Taj Mahal. The construction of the fort reflects that of Persian, Indian and European designs.

Whilst at the Red Fort, you can explore The Mumtaz Mahal, The Rang Mahal, The Khas Mahal, The Diwan-i-Am, The Diwan-i-Khas, The Hamam, and The Shah Burj.

Every year on 15^th August, the flag is raised at the Red Fort to mark India’s Independence Day. The ‘sound and light’ show held every evening is one not to be missed as it showcases the grandeur of this glorious past.

Purana Qila

Purana Qila is Delhi’s oldest fort and sources say it has connections with the fabled city of Indraprastha as told in the ancient Sanskit script of Mahabharata.

The fort is also known as ‘Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid’, which bears semblances of the Lodhi style architecture with influences from the Hindu, Afghan and Mughal designs.

There are three gates, Bada Darwaza (Big Door), Talaqi Darwaza (Forbidden Door) and Humayun Darwaza (Humayun’s Door) that provide access to the fort.

Like the Red Fort, the sound and light show is one spectacle not to be missed. Purana Qila is the sixth of the seven cites that make up New and Old Delhi, and the location of this majestic fort has various affordable budget hotels and service apartments around it, one such option is the Perch Service Apartments stay options around it as well

Humayun Tomb

The design of the Humayun Tomb was the stimulus for the creation of the Taj Mahal. Built in 1570, it was the first garden tomb built in the Mughal “Char Bagh” style or an ‘enclosed four part’ garden with pools joined by channels.

The design has its roots in the Quaranic Paradise Garden or also known as the ‘Universal Garden’ with strong inspiration from the Persian architecture. The site is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid also known as Masjid-i Jahān-Numā carries the Persian meaning of ‘mosque commanding the view of the world’. It is the largest mosque located in the heart of Old Delhi and faces the famous Red Fort. Emperor Shah Jahan constructed it in 1656; it is built of sandstone and marble bearing designs of Indo-Islamic architecture and can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. If you visit here there are many nice options for budget hotels and the like as well.

Qutab Minar

Standing at 73 meters tall, the Qutb Minar is the tallest black minaret in the world and the second highest minar in India after Fateh Burj at Punjab, India.

Known as the ‘Tower of Victory’, its’ construction of the minaret marked the inception of the Muslim rule in India. It is located at Mehrauli where around 3.9 million people visit the minaret every year.

Qutb Minar is constructed of red sandstone and marble and has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Jantar Mantar

One could be mistaken to view this as an abstract art gallery of sorts but Jantar Mantar is in fact an observatory built between 1699-1743 by the keen astronomer, Maharajah Sawai Jia Sigh II of Jaipur.

The main purpose of the masonry structure was to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets.

Akshardham Temple

‘Akshardham’ means the divine abode of God.¹It is a Hindu Temple in Delhi, which pays homage to the much-revered Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830) as well as other great sages of India.

The inspiration for the design of the temple, delicately carved out of sandstone and marble came from His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj (1892 -1971CE) and was created by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Mahara.

It took 300,000 volunteers to build the temple and was opened in 2005. Visiting the Mandir is a spiritually uplifting experience and one not to be missed when visiting Delhi.