More about Delhi....

 

Sunday, November 15th.

 

More About Delhi....

 

 

 

It is Sunday and a nice day here, there are actually mostly blue skies today and it is sunny and quite warm.

 

Today we head out early for Qutab Minar, a world heritage site and the oldest mosque in northern India, built in 1198 under the Afghan Islamic dynasty.

 

The first thing you notice here is the beautiful tower that dominates the square. It is a mix of red sandstone and marble. Prior to the Islamic rule India was Hindu and there were 22 Hindu temples. These were all knocked down and used to build the new mosque. A characteristic of the Hindu architecture is the columns while the Islamic style is the curved lines. Here you see the outer perimeter lines with columns which came out of the destroyed Hindu temples. In the centre is the tower. It is 72.5 metres high and 14 metres across at the base. There are 379 steps that take you to the top although these are no longer used. This mosque is no longer used for religious ceremony, it is now a monument.

 

A mix of architectural style... the HIndu columns, the Islamic tower, the Arabic engravings...

 

 














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In the  centre is this iron pillar, there for 1600 years withstanding all types of weather... rain, sun, etc.
It has never corroded or rusted but remains in perfect condition.
Researchers and scientists have studied it but cannot determine why it has been able to tolerate and withstand the elements.



We meet at Kunzum Travel Café for our next writing class and are privileged to have a joint session with two successful travel writers who make their livelihood in the industry. It is interesting, fascinating and motivating and we come away with great ideas and tips that we can use.
Here travels can take a break, meet, socialize and perhaps update their blog. They are served coffee, tea and cookies. Guests pay whatever they feel. Ajay uses it also as a gallery for his travel photography and a home base for his writing and blogging.

 

We are in Hauz Khans Village, a mix of 14th to 16th century Islamic ruins and an upscale modern market with restaurants, galleries and shops.  We wander the narrow lanes and streets, poking in the shops and stopping for lunch at a lovely little café.

We continue on, now to Humayun's Tomb. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site built under the Mogul dynasty. It is a beautifully preserved and restored mausoleum containing the tombs of a number of Mogul leaders. It dates back to the 16th century and sits on 30 acres of beautiful land and park in the centre of Delhi. Just the land value is now worth over $1 B.

There are gates on each of the four sides, leading to the Tomb and a wide sandstone pathway with a waterway and pool for cleansing one's feet before entering. Then surrounded by lush green lawns. This the most well maintained and manicured monument we have seen. The domes are clean and the grounds and well cared for.

As we leave the sun is beginning to set and reflecting the warm shades onto the marble domes.

We make our way back to the hotel where we must pack up and be ready to leave early in the morning. We will spend one more day at the end of our trip but I have learned so much about this country, its history and its people. It is a place I knew little about and feel I have gained a much better understanding of its culture and traditions.


On to Agra where we will see the Taj Mahal.... I can't wait.

Come With Me.......