Monday 16 October 2017

The Sights of Delhi

Our itinerary described the activity for today as "a full day of sightseeing around Old and New Delhi", and supposedly included a drive past the Red Fort (well, we saw it from some distance away, with no opportunity for a photo!), a walk through the "fascinating Chandri Chowk Bazaar" (which turned out to be a fascinating - but nerve-wracking- pedi-cab ride!), a visit to Jama Majid (the biggest mosque in Delhi, or even in the whole of India?   And cameras permitted only on payment of a fee), visits to the Narayan Hindu Temple (interesting, but no cameras at all permitted) and to Humuayn's Tomb (highlight of the day), plus views of India Gate, Parliament House and various government buildings.

What wasn't stated was that although the distances between the sights isn't great, the day did involve lots of time negotiating Delhi's traffic as well as time out for lunch (Indian food, very good).  Delhi is split into Old Delhi and New Delhi, and the traffic in the narrow streets and lanes of Old Delhi as well as on the wider, tree-lined boulevards of New Delhi is all horrendous!    And the road network (all over) is complex;  I tried to follow our progress on the map, but for much of the time couldn't do so.

As I've said, Humayun's Tomb was definitely the highlight for me.  This is said to be a landmark of Mughal architecture, having been built in 1570 for the Mugul Emperor Humayun.   It was commissioned by his wife, and was the first garden tomb in India.
Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple

India's famous discriminatory admission charges!

Approach to Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb (I assume)

Humayun's Tomb, exterior

....the traffic!

India Gate (monument to Indians who died in WW1)

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