In a city renowned for its large bird population, why not take an afternoon to visit some feathery friends at the Jain Bird Hospital in Chandni Chowk?

This bird hospital is the only one of its kind in Delhi and was founded in 1956 in a compound of Digambar Jain Temple, following the Jain principle of aversion to killing. What started off as a small clinic with one attendant, is now a full operating hospital with a staff of doctors, trained attendants and even a chemist.

With a total capacity of 10,000 birds, the hospital admits a maximum of sixty injured birds a day: they are treated, bathed and fed a nutritious diet to insure quick recovery and release. The Jain Bird Hospital is funded entirely by private donations and has such a dedicated following it never goes short of money.

When visiting the hospital, the friendly staff with enthusiastically show you around the compound, allowing you to view the birds and even enter the cages. You can wander the separate wards of sparrows, fowls, pigeons and parrots and even the research laboratory and intensive care unit are open to visitors. In the hospital, all birds are equal but carnivore birds are less equal than others, as - in line with the Jain principles - meat-eating birds are rarely treated.

Visitors are welcome to come see the birds for free, but since it is a charitable hospital a small donation is encouraged. On your visit there, be sure to spend time talking to the attendants as they will share stories of some of the saved birds and don't forget to view some of the more exotic species.