April 7-8: Delhi
India Gate – built by the British – it is down from this gate and through the “concourse” where the funeral march scene in the movie Ghandi took place.
Delhi: “encapsulates two different worlds, the old and the new”. The Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India, while New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British. Delhi has not always been the capital. During the British rule, Calcutta was, but due to the championing of independence by the West Bengal people, the British moved the capital to Delhi. There have actually been eight cities founded in and around Delhi, starting back as early as 2500 years ago. Different rulers throughout its history have imposed either Hindu or Islamic rule.
Most of the backpacker hotels are in Old Delhi, where we stayed. Our stay was only basically one day. We had planned for more, but the day we arrived, we spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out our “India stay”. The kids didn’t mind it because they just crashed in the room. Kolkatta and Veranasi had wiped them out. Looking back we should have stayed two nights in Delhi, rather than get up see the sights and move on to Agra. Hindsight is always easier.
Our plans for India had now changed to doing just the “Golden Triangle” trip, which is your typical tourist trip of Delhi: the Red Fort, National Mosque, Tombs, bazaars; Agra: the Fort and the Taj Mahal; and Jaipur: in the state of Rajasthan and known for its palaces and forts. We cancelled out south India, and knew we wanted to finish with the Himalayas and cooler weather.
To accomplish this “triangle” tour, we had two options: try and figure it out as we go (ie train, hotel, etc), or a more popular option is to hire a car/driver. We opted for this to make it easier on all of us the car takes you to the sites, you get back in and move to the next one – no hassles, no touts. Looking back, this is the biggest advantage; however, train rides are a much more comfortable way to travel in India, once you have gotten through the ticket purchasing and finding your way through the crowds and which track to end up on. The downside of car travel was the incessant honking of vehicles as you travel. The roads are better than they were 30 years ago, and sometimes now include 4 lanes, therefore, making one feel safer. Another advantage of taking the car was you got to see the country side and way of life as you traveled. It was usually a 5 hour drive between cities.
Jama Majid: built by Shah Jahan (same ruler that built the Taj Mahal). Construction began in 1644 and was completed 14 years later. It is made from red sandstone and marble. The courtyard can hold a mind blowing 25,000 people. We really enjoyed climbing to the top of the minarets, where you could look out over the whole city. It made all the honking and traffic and crowds below you look like you were watching a movie, even though you knew you had to jump back into it in a little while. It was interesting too, to see all the security in place to get into the mosque – scanners, no bags, etc. We had to “dress” down for the event.
We climbed up the minaret – great views of city from above – incredible craftsmanship of tower and mosque.
You will notice the Red Fort in the background
Red Fort: built again by Shah Jahan when he wanted to move his capital from Agra to Delhi. Construction was completed in 1648. It was built for a grandiose display of pomp and power (parading on an elephant through the gates to the city). Shah Jahan was one of the last great Moghul rulers. He never completely saw the capital move to Delhi, because his son overthrew and imprisoned him (nice son!?). Over the centuries it has been occupied by different powers including the British and Indian armies. Many military buildings now stand on the premises and the Indian army still has a post here. It is a little more run down than I would have thought being a major piece of architecture and Indian history.
The moat that surrounds the fort – had tunnels dug to bring water in from the river
Tight security – nice to know an AK 47 is facing you when you walk in.
The royal meeting area where the king met the “people”.
Kings residence – where the “Peacok Throne” was until Iran stole it and where the Shah of Iran used to use it during his reign. The throne still resides in Iran. The following slides show the intricate marble carvings with inlaid stone and precious jems were. Between the different “residence places” they have a water way that goes under the residences to allow for “cooling” effect (like evaporative cooling) – very ingenious
All Marble – incredible carvings – grate work
Where precious stones were cut out and stolen
Humayan’s Tomb: World Heritage Sight – another example of incredible Moghul architecture built in the 16th century by the wife of the second Moghul emperor Humayan. Both she and her husband and other tombs are on the grounds. Ten years ago this was a run-down tourist site. Thanks to the Agha Khan Foundation sponsorship and money and it being declared a World Heritage site, the restoration is incredible and magnificent.
It always amazes me the grill work from either red sandtone or marble that is done – always one piece of marble – to carve the openings without making a mistake or breaking the marble
The six sided star intrigued me in Muslim architecture
Koranic sayings carved in marble. The tomb is made from red sandstone. Black marble is also inlaid with Koranic sayings etc.
Old Delhi shot from the minaret – New Delhi and all its modern structures and freeways looks like any other big city.
Maybe the problem with all the horn blowing is that all the trucks and taxi’s have this saying on the back of their vehicles. It is basically to let you know that I am on your tail and want to pass you. This is because no one follows any rules of the road – or so as it seems. After the sights, we hopped in the car for our drive to Agra.
Interesting site – a Hindu temple but it seems to have Islamic architecture.
Tags: Travel
tahoejohnson
Hey very nice blog!
buy cytotec: buy cytotec – buy cytotec in usa
камера дробеструйной обработки https://drobestruynaya-kamera.ru .
lisinopril pharmacy online zestril 2.5 mg tablets lisinopril 80mg
cytotec pills buy online: buy cytotec pills – cytotec online
neurontin pill: cost of neurontin – generic neurontin pill
http://gabapentin.club/# neurontin mexico
https://propeciaf.online/# buy cheap propecia tablets
can i buy clomid can i purchase generic clomid prices cost of generic clomid no prescription
tor marketplace https://mydarkmarket.com/ – dark web markets darknet markets
buy misoprostol over the counter: purchase cytotec – Misoprostol 200 mg buy online
https://cheapestandfast.shop/# meds online no prescription
non prescription online pharmacy india cheapest & fast pharmacy no prescription pharmacy online
https://cheapestcanada.com/# cross border pharmacy canada
https://cheapestcanada.shop/# canadianpharmacymeds
Online medicine order: cheapest online pharmacy india – reputable indian online pharmacy
https://cheapestindia.com/# Online medicine order
canada drugs coupon code 36 & 6 health prescription free canadian pharmacy
эвакуатор для спецтехники
механизированная штукатурка фасада mekhanizirovannaya-shtukaturka13.ru .
эвакуатор для трактора
вызвать эвакуатор
услуги эвакуатора Минск
http://cheapestindia.com/# Online medicine home delivery
best online prescription cheapest & fast pharmacy pills no prescription
take into account that this offer is valid only for the first 30 days
from moment registration on site 1xbet and that the
welcome offer is unavailable for guys who made their 1st https://shop.paypro.ru/catalog/pages/index.php?
my homepage; https://shop.paypro.ru/catalog/pages/index.php?betvinner_promokod_pri_registracii___258825.html
online shopping pharmacy india: online shopping pharmacy india – top 10 pharmacies in india
https://cheapestindia.com/# indian pharmacy
https://cheapestandfast.shop/# canada mail order prescriptions
big porno
best online pharmacy india: india pharmacy – india pharmacy
https://cheapestandfast.shop/# order prescription drugs online without doctor
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa purple pharmacy mexico price list mexican pharmacy
http://36and6health.com/# mail order prescription drugs from canada
вскрыть замок самому вскрыть замок самому .
buying from online mexican pharmacy: mexico drug stores pharmacies – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
http://cheapestindia.com/# п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
https://cheapestindia.com/# legitimate online pharmacies india
mexico prescription drugs online no prescription medicines online pharmacy without a prescription
Сайт https://news24.in.ua/ – це новинний веб-портал, який надає швидкий та достовірний доступ до актуальних новин з різних сфер життя, включаючи політику, економіку, культуру, спорт та інші важливі теми.
http://cheapestandfast.com/# no prescription medication
buy prescription drugs from india online pharmacy india top online pharmacy india
Будьте в курсе последних событий вместе с новостным порталом https://bnk.ua/. Наша команда профессиональных журналистов работает 24/7, чтобы вы получали самые важные новости из первых рук. Присоединяйтесь к нашей аудитории уже сегодня!
pharmacy website india: indian pharmacy online – buy medicines online in india
http://cheapestmexico.com/# mexican rx online
http://cheapestandfast.com/# online pharmacy no prescriptions
Сайт https://dailynews.kyiv.ua/ – це онлайн-портал, який забезпечує свіжі та актуальні новини з Києва та інших регіонів України. Тут ви знайдете інформацію про події, політику, економіку, культуру, спорт та інші аспекти суспільного життя.
http://cheapestindia.com/# top 10 pharmacies in india
uk pharmacy no prescription cheapest pharmacy canadian pharmacy without prescription
canada drugs online: legitimate canadian pharmacies – canadian king pharmacy
http://36and6health.com/# cheapest pharmacy for prescriptions
Сайт https://dailynews.kyiv.ua/ – це онлайн-портал, який забезпечує свіжі та актуальні новини з Києва та інших регіонів України. Тут ви знайдете інформацію про події, політику, економіку, культуру, спорт та інші аспекти суспільного життя.
http://cheapestcanada.com/# escrow pharmacy canada
http://cheapestmexico.com/# medication from mexico pharmacy
хрустальные торшеры напольные http://hrustalnye-torshery.ru .
mexico drug stores pharmacies: buying from online mexican pharmacy – purple pharmacy mexico price list
https://cheapestmexico.com/# medicine in mexico pharmacies
online pharmacy not requiring prescription: cheapest and fast – canada mail order prescriptions
Будьте в курсе последних событий вместе с новостным порталом https://bnk.ua/. Наша команда профессиональных журналистов работает 24/7, чтобы вы получали самые важные новости из первых рук. Присоединяйтесь к нашей аудитории уже сегодня!
Сайт https://arguments.kyiv.ua/ – це інформаційний портал, який надає аналітику, коментарі та новини про події в Києві та Україні. Тут можна знайти різноманітні погляди на актуальні теми у політиці, економіці, культурі, суспільстві та інших сферах життя.
https://cheapestmexico.com/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
top online pharmacy india world pharmacy india top online pharmacy india
Сайт https://uapress.kyiv.ua/ – це СМИ платформа, яка надає новини, аналітику та репортажі з подій, що відбуваються в Києві та по всій Україні. Він охоплює різноманітні теми, включаючи політику, економіку, культуру, спорт та інші аспекти суспільного життя.