I have just returned from an amazing holiday in India with Rashidah (one of my VSO friends). We visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi and saw many interesting sights.
We started off in Delhi, where we had a brief tour of the capital city. We visited Qutb Minar (the tallest Minar in India, originally an ancient Islamic Monument, inscribed with Arabic inscriptions). We then visited the Jama Mosque (the country’s largest Mosque). Next, we headed to India Gate. This is found at the centre of New Delhi; it is an “Arc-de-Triomphe” like archway in the middle of a crossroad. It is similar to its French counterpart and commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. Finally we went to Humyuns Tomb. This tomb was built in 1570 and is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Qutb Minar
Amazing architecture
Carefully constructed
Beautiful arches
Engravings
Rashidah
By the engravings
Remains
The stunning tower
Jama Mosque
India Gate
Humayun’s Tomb
Rashidah
Early Mughal architecture
The graves
Rashidah
View from the tomb
Rasdhidah
Outside the tomb
We were then driven to Agra. Here we saw the famous Taj Mahal. It is regarded as one of the new seven wonders of the world, and some historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. It is built entirely of white marble.
The entrance to the Taj Mahal
Through the archway
The Taj Mahal
The reflection
Rashidah
Outside the Taj Mahal
Posing for the photograph!
Lots of visitors
The Taj Mahal in the background
The favourite shot!
Rashidah
One of the seven wonders!
Just outside
Rashidah
Whilst we were in Agra, we made a visit to the Agra Fort, which is situated just outside the city. it is about two and a half kilometres northwest of the Taj Mahal and can be more accurately described as a walled city. The present-day structure was built by the Mughals, though a fort had stood there since at least the 11th century.
Agra Fort
Exploring the fort
Rashidah near the entrance
Beautiful gardens
Rashidah
In the centre of the fort
Amazing architecture
By the doorway
Beautiful engravings
Enjoying the visit
Lovely views
Looking out over the city
Lots to see
In the courtyard
A foggy start to the day
Huge grounds
Stunning buildings
In the gardens
Rashidah
The tower
Different quarters
Carefully sculpted
Beautifully maintained
With Rashidah
Made of red-sandstone
Lots to explore
Many visitors
Playing music outside the fort
Very intricate
Homes just outside of the fort
Daily life in Agra
Street scene
After leaving Agra, we headed to Jaipur and visited Amber Fort. This is perhaps the most stunning example of Rajhastani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. We had the unique experience of travelling on elephant back to the top of the hill where the fort is situated.
The elephants!
Riding up to the fort
The procession
Elephant ride
Arriving at the fort
Outside the fort
Rashidah
Impressive architecture
Stunning views
A beautiful lake
The Rajhastani Fort
Rashidah
Outside the fort
The gardens
The decoration
Views of the city
Guarding the city
Lots of visitors
High up!
Playing music
Travelling by elephant
Whilst we were in Jaipur, we also visited three other monuments. First we saw City Palace, which is known for its blend of Rajhastani and Mughal architecture. Adjacent to the palace is Jantar Mantar (an observatory begun by Jai Singh in 1728 that resembles a collection of bizarre sculptures. Each construction within Jantar Mantar has a specific purpose, for example, measuring the positions of the stars, altitude and calculating eclipses). Our final stop was to the Hawa Mahal (or Palace of Winds). This was constructed for the royal ladies to watch royal processions without being seen.
City Palace
Rashidah
Beautiful architecture
Impressive tower
Interesting building
In red-sandstone.
Hindu symbols
Jantar Mantar
Observatory
Different instruments
Fascinating place
Rashidah
Interesting for scientists
Many visitors
Hawa Mahal Palace of the Winds
After we had explored the sights of Jaipur, we returned to Delhi. Here we caught the 13 hour night train to Varanasi. This is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities and is regarded as one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities. Pilgrims come to the ghats lining the River Ganges here to wash away a life time of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. It’s a particularly auspicious place to die, since expiring here offers moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). Dead bodies are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in cloth. The corpse is then doused in the Ganges prior to cremation. Every evening at sunset Varanasi holds this Ganga Arti ceremony. Pilgrims gather on the banks of the Ganges where fire is offered to Lord Shiva and the river. Fire is used as a link between this world and the spirit world.
Train to Varanasi
The sleeper coach
Varanasi
Buildings on the ghats
Local people
At the River Ganges
Interesting architecture
Many boats
Washing
Local accommodation
By the river
At the ghats
Interesting sights
Boat trip
A young sailor
Rashidah
By the river
Interesting buildings
Interesting people
Beautiful scenery
Wandering animals!
One of the ghats
Washing clothes
Everyday life
Spiritual worship
Travelling to the burning ghats
The burning ghats
Families gathered for funerals
Hinduism
Local life
One of the temples
Local rituals
Performing
Worshipping
Rashidah
Views from the River Ganges
More burning ghats
At dusk
Rashidah
Ganga Arti Ceremony
The ceremony
Local pilgrims gathered
Fire offered to Lord Shiva
Mother Teresa Charity
Varanasi UniversityTemple
Statues
Hindu Gods
After leaving Varanasi, we went on the night train back to Delhi. This is where we spent the final few days of our holiday. We visited the majestic Red Fort, which was the residence of the Mughal emperors of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. We also visited the Bahai House of Worship (this extraordinary temple is shaped like the sacred lotus flower and has 27 immaculate white marble petals). We went on a tour of the city organised by the Salaam Balaak Trust. We were shown around by a former street child, who showed us what it was like first-hand for inner-city homeless children. We ended our holiday by exploring the city and visiting some of the many shops and factories. We enjoyed our holiday and had many unique experiences!
The Red Fort
Beautifully maintained
Mughal architecture
Historical significance
Lots of visitors
Popular tourist attraction
The Bahai House of Worship
In the style of a lotus
Rashidah outside the temple
Our guide for the street walk
Delhi streets
Pahargang
Interesting electrics!
Hindu Gods displayed on walls
Many passengers!
Street sellers
Making prints
Hindu design
Finished product
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