Michael and Pam's Travels Our European Motorhome Adventures and other Travels

Delhi, India ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ

Travelled : Around Delhi by coach for 11 hours

Visited : The Lotus (Bahai) Temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (Sikh Temple), Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid (Mosque).

Stayed : Radisson Blu Hotel, Paschim Vihar

On Google Maps the Radisson seemed well located, but in Delhi nothing is too close by.


New Delhi, Delhi, India

India


A common sight as we pass through Delhi, another pop up barber shop.

The traffic is much worse than we had imagined.  If the road is marked with two lanes its used as four lanes.  The Indians must be the worldโ€™s most prolific lane changers.  Itโ€™s a constant state of change, the grass is always greener in the adjoining lane.  No one uses blinkers unless they are actually turning left or right.


The first stop on our Delhi tour is the Lotus Temple, this plague at the gate may give you a little inspiration for the day.
This amazing building is the Bahai Temple. Locally known as the Lotus Temple for obvious reasons. Standing on the 300 acres of beautiful parklands and gardens.
The Temple again with Pam. Itโ€™s such a peaceful and green space in the chaos and dust of Delhi.
The India Gate.  Itโ€™s stands on a long stretch of parkland that lead to the Presidential Palace and Parliament.  The photo doesnโ€™t do it justice, at 42 metres its very impressive
The Presidential Palace (the old Viceroyโ€™s home) and the circular Indian Parliament.
Delhi is a place of constant contrasts the grandeur of itโ€™s public buildings to this streetscape.
The facade of the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Dehliโ€™s largest Sikh Temple.  Originating as a small shrine in 1783, then a generalโ€™s bungalow it is now a large complex of temple, museum and kitchens.
From the southern gate of the Gurudwara temple overlooking itโ€™s holy pond and covered walkways.
Visitors are welcomed to help out in the preparation of thousands of meals prepared for the poor and pilgrims everyday.  Pamโ€™s year of experience in emptying the dishwashing at home placed her in an excellent position to help out.
We turn into Hailey Lane, it still retains itโ€™s English name.
Just up Hailey Lane we stop at the Ugrasenki Baoli step well.
Constructed in the 12th century the Ugrasen Ki Baoli step well gathered local rainwater for storage in a large circular cistern.  Quite an amazing piece of engineering hidden in the backstreets of Old Delhi.
In the heavy monsoon rains the water rises to the level of this shelf.
Something of a local lovers lane, the area has lots of young couple sitting about chatting. Pam and I wait our turn to take a photo in this archway.
Just up the street we stop in a small lane where there is a traditional laundry.  This is it, cannot say it was particularly interesting.

By now the traffic is complete chaos.  Travelling even a kilometre takes 15-20 minutes.


This is Raj Gate where Mahatma Gandhi remains are entombed.  Itโ€™s another quiet and peaceful place away from the never ending movement and noise of Delhi.  There are some interesting quotes from the man on marble slabs here and there.
Passing in to Old Delhi again we drive down to the Jama Masjid, Delhi largest mosque.  No photos allowed which is a shame.  The local red sandstone and inlaid marble are very detailed.  The is also some excellent views of Dehli from the covered passageways.
From outside the mosque we take a rickshaw ride around Old Delhi for 30 minutes.  Could have done without it, but it was included in the package.  So we went with the flow.

Given the long flight and only having time to drop our bags at the hotel before headed off for our tour of Delhi it has been a long day.  It takes almost 2 hours to drive back to the hotel, just to make the day even longer.

The hotel proves to be very nice and the food excellent.  A long bus trip to Jaipur tomorrow…


Michael and Pam


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