Another Delhi Day

We set out into the Delhi smog. After driving across the city to Old Delhi we couldn’t even see the Red Fort when we passed! Our first stop was the Shahi Jama Masijd or Jama Mosque. Built in 1656 by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan it is the main mosque in the city. Unlike yesterday when our visit was cut short by the call to prayer, today we were able to stroll through this huge complex. We decided against the tower as we could hardly see the top of the tower and presume that the view would not have extended across Old Delhi.

This is a photo of our rickshaw driver's fingers. This is an Indian version of giving you the finger!

There wasn’t much room on the rickshaw after the two of us climbed on board but it was the only practical way or seeing the narrow alley ways of the Chandni Chowk. Clothes abound but we saw spices, butchered animals with others waiting their turn, live birds, auto parts, jewellery, fruits and vegetables of every description and much more. We went on to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Ghandi. It is located on the spot where his body was cremated. A moving site!

No cameras were allowed in the mosque and this was the case again at the Burla Temple one of the largest Hindu Temples  in Delhi. There were separate temples for the different deities and they were very elaborate and colourful. This is a huge complex.  We drove to the newer sections of the city and stopped along Embassy Row for lunch at the Ethiopian Embassy.

              

                                        They were very strict. Nothing made from leather could be taken inside the temple and no cameras or mobile phones! They didn't seem to mind that our pants nearly fell down after removing our belts but at least no one stole the leather wallet that was locked away.

                            Rob tending the outdoors bar at the Ethiopian Embassy restaurant.

Many of the major Government offices have no provision to stop outside as a way of reducing terrorist risks. We saw the President's Palace, Parliament House and many official administrative buildings. Later we drove past the India Gate War Memorial that is on a grand scale.

Our final stop for the day was the highlight of our visit so far. The Qutb Minar and the complex of buildings is a spectacular sight. The Qutb Minar is India’s highest brick minaret and the complex also houses an old mosque built from materials taken from 17 different Hindu Temples. We also saw the incomplete Alai Minar, A significant tomb and the delicate Alia Darwaga. We could have stayed for a few hours but were also pleased to be back at the hotel in the late afternoon. 

                                                                 The two of us!

                                       It is very tall and straight....despite this photo. It was the only one where the sky looked blue!

                                                 Close up of the detailed stonework.

If you look at the bottom right hand corner you will see a jet in the smog. I hope the pilot could see the tower better than we could see him!

                                       Gail at another structure on the site, the Alai Darwaga

                                   Detail in the stone work at the section between the tower sections.

                                                         Rob at the Alai Darwaga.

 Gail at the Alai Minar. This was left incomplete and was to be covered in facing stone of red sandstone or marble.

This was a very enjoyable place to visit and a spectacular collection of buildings.