My Pics #24 - New Delhi

For more:
People of Rajasthan
Gothic Prague
Cambodia
My Pics Summary #2
My Pics Summary #1
Interesting People Summary #1
Great Pictures Summary #1

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Delhi is a weird mix of religions, smells, sights and races. We went in winter so the temperature was mild and this made the visit much more enjoyable.

Going around in the old city is mesmerising, it's full of streets, shops and lots and lots of people. And everyone is trying to sell you something, begging, trying to speak english. But every now and then you find quiet streets just off the main areas where you can rest.

A Sikh temple for Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib who was beaded to defend the freedom of religion during the Mogul occupation of Delhi.

They chant to commemorate him and on the right is where his head is still preserved.

In the temple they serve 3 meals a day for those that cannot afford one.

This is the entrance to Humayun's Tomb, the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, who ruled over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and most of northern India in mid 16th century.

The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife Bega Begum and designed by a Persian architect. It sets a strong break with the previous monuments seen in India starting the Mughal architecture.

Close to the Tomb there are several other structures in an enormous gated garden.

This is another beautiful structure, older than the main Tomb and clearly different and more similar to the tradition (at the time) Indian architecture.

The people in India (especially the older generations) dress with great elegance and colour.

The Qutab complex, the site of a destroyed mosque, is impressive. All these columns are "refurbished" from older Indian monuments which have been destroyed.

The minaret is the main attraction. Its size is puzzling and it seems way too high for a minaret to call to prayer so there are theories that it's a pre-existing structure that was used for stargazing.