Incredible India 2 – More Sites in Delhi

Our Road Scholar tour started with a visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque.

Built in the mid 1600s, by the same emperor who built the Taj Mahal, it is the largest mosque in India.  The courtyard can hold 25,000 worshippers!

  

Although head scarves are not required, women must cover up – colorful robes are provided.  Photos are allowed if you pay 300 rupees (just under $5).

 

 

 

 

 

Next was a Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi.  The streets are narrow and the side streets even more narrow. 

  

This was a bit harrowing.  If you don’t keep your elbows in you are sure to get a painful whack from a close call.  I avoided that but had bruises on my ribs from being jostled into the frame of the seat!

       

Lots of shops were decorated for Diwali, the festival of lights.

Tuk Tuks are a very popular mode of transportation, along with motor bikes.

 

 

We drove past the Red Fort.  It was the residence of the Mughal emperors for almost 200 years.  Now it is home to several museums.  We did not visit this fort as we were to visit a “better” one later! (The Amber Fort in Jaipur)

We did visit  Raj Ghat, the Gandhi Memorial. This is where Mahatma Gandhi  was cremated.

 

              

Not many foreign tourists were here but there were lots of school groups.

Another important Gandhi site is the Gandhi Smriti (Gandhi Remembrance).  This is where Gandhi was living and where he was assassinated on January 30, 1948.  The grounds are very pretty and there is an extensive museum.  A guest professor spoke to us here about the relevance of Gandhi in today’s world.

 

Gandhi’s final path in memorialized in footprints.

   

As we were leaving we spotted this familiar delivery across the street!

Then back on the bus and into the traffic.

 

And a drive by the Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship, built in 1986.

 

  Next post: Agra and the Taj Mahal!