“Why is the decoration in this alley so smart?” our New Delhi guide asked our India teacher tour group with an evil smile.
The seven of us clumped together in the tiny yellow alley, staring at the porcelain tiles showing Buddha, Jesus Christ, Ganesh, and assorted other deities. We were stumped.
We knew India has a passion for religion (or rather, a sea of many religions), but why would someone want to hang all these religious figures in this random alleyway in chaotic Paharganj, India?
Reader, before I reveal the answer, can you guess???

“Here is the answer,” our guide said, giggling. “If you notice, a lot of streets of India smell like… urine. This is because people in India tend to empty their bladders more freely in the outdoors than perhaps they might in your country.
This building grew sick of the stench, so they figured out this solution: In India, people have respect and love for religion.
Once these religious symbols were hung on the alley wall, people refused to urinate here anymore because they did not want to offend their deity or deities!”
Did you guess? :)

The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Amit
Wednesday 11th of September 2013
At first glimpse i got the answer. cause i used to do the same in outdoor..
T.W. Anderson @ Marginal Boundaries
Friday 17th of May 2013
Never would have guessed, but that's frakin' brilliant!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Bethaney - Flashpacker Family
Friday 17th of May 2013
Genius indeed!
Terry at Overnight New York
Thursday 16th of May 2013
Clever -- you'd think other alleys would catch on!
Kathryn
Thursday 16th of May 2013
Someone' not stupid! What a great idea, and effective too. Thanks for giving me a laugh :-)