Lost in Delhi – or something like that.

 

The lanes of the road near our hotel are wide, green and privileged. However, the cattle have no rules of caste orimg_4779 status and wander through the greenery surrounding the pavement and parks.

Traveling on the bus through the busy metropolis, we have an interesting view of day to day life. You are up a little and the view of the traffic is somewhat startling as a car decides the lane next to you is free even though its on the wrong side of the road.

Our first stop today was old Delhi, originally called Chandni Chowk’s and its speciality is its variety and authenticity: food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, sprees with chicken and sari’s.

I actually visited there before and I enjoyed the experience. You travel through the narrow lanes on rickshaws, vehicles are unable to go down the narrow lanes. The poor rickshaw driver strains under the heavy load as he negotiates  his way through the throng. Overhead  the electricity wires have thousands of wires entwined and hanging from very precarious positions like electronic lace. I’m almost afraid to look up, the imagination goes wild.

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Day to day life goes on around us, people, sleeping, waking, eating the morning meal and working. For many it appears they live and sleep where they work. The smell is wonderful, flowers, mixed with spices and then every now and then a small stall selling food.

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Huge loads, far heavier that 2 European ladies are carried in the rickshaws.

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We had a small bit of excitement after our visit to the market. We visited our Tailor and organized to have our clothes made… which is another long story. It was a bit of a walk from the Tailor to the bus so our guide put us in a  Tuk Tuk and we followed behind in single file weaving through the traffic…. Our little possum decided to stop at a service station to get air in his tyre and when he finally took off some 8 mins later, of course, he had lost the other tuk tuks. I wasn’t even sure where we were supposed to be but  I wasn’t going to get out of the vehicle until we  found the rest of the group…. Wow lost in Delhi. A kind driver came by and after hearing our story he rang our Guide and after a bit of shouting and gesticulation we finally found the rest of the group around the other side of the complex.

5z8a8185We visited a Sikh Temple

Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib

 

A Little history. The present gurudwara structure was built in 1930. The trunk of tree under which the Guru was beheaded is also preserved here as is the well from which he took bath while in the prison.
It was a fascinating experience and we were spectators in just a small caption of time as we walked through the temple with other guests.

Qutab Minar

The Minar is made of bricks covered with Iron intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an. The Minar comprises several superposed flanged and cylindrical shafts, separated by balconies carrying Muqarnas corbels. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth and sixth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat ul Islam mosque The minor tilts just over 65 cm from the vertical, which is considered to be within safe limits, although experts have stated that monitoring is needed in case rainwater seepage further weakens the foundation. I took fabulous photos here last time, and it was great to visit with new eyes again this time.
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Always look up in India.

No that wasn’t the end of the day, I have so many more images to share but the time is against me.. So I wait for another time.

 

 

3 Comments Add yours

  1. Glenys says:

    Another fabulous day … the carvings on the Qutab Minar are breathtaking. Thank you so much for posting.

  2. nice to see that you visited my city…. hope you enjoyed the journey…..

  3. Carolyn Foley says:

    Oh Pammy, I have the same photo’s from my time in Dehli. (Bill worked there so there were numerous visits.) All those people stealing the electricity, it is a wonder they don’t kill themselves hooking into those wires. And being lost is frightening. Only thing is there are so many wonderful people who step forward to help. Now watch that fabric buying. I still have a huge pile I haven’t used yet. I like to sit and stroke it. Keep safe. Love.

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