Pictures of Delhi, India

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We loved to visit Humayun’s Tomb and spend a day strolling in the gardens.

 

Humayun’s Tomb, built by his widow, is a beautiful well proportioned and well maintained building set in park land with other interesting tombs.

 

Although getting far fewer visitors than the other Delhi monuments we always liked being at Safjardung’s Tomb to enjoy the peace and quiet,

 

Although Safjardung’s Tomb has similar proportions to the Taj Mahal without being clad in white marble the building is less impressive.

Lodi Gardens is a large peaceful park right in the centre of Delhi. In spring it is a riot of colour, the flower beds setting off the tombs of the Lodi Kings which are dotted around the park.

 

The New and Old. The Habitat Centre on the left is a new complex housing restaurants, theatres, art galleries and office. It is the focus of many arts and culture events in New Delhi. By contrast Purana Quila is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and thought to be one of the sites of the earliest Delhi settlements. Today its ramparts are the setting for traditional Indian dance performances and other cultural events.

Chandni Chowk is in the heart of Old Delhi. The narrow lanes and tightly packed markets are full of thousands of busy bustling shoppers at festival times.

 

The colour and excitement of the Chandni Chowk alleyways were infectious. We visited this area often to shop and just to mingle.

No visit to Chandni Chowk was complete without a cup of hot sweet chai. The best Chai Wallahs added a pinch of spices from their trouser pockets.

Chandni Chowk swarms around the sides of the huge Jama Masjid, the biggest and most important Mosque in Delhi, From the minarets the view of Old Delhi is spectacular.

Across a busy road from the Jama Masjid sits the impossing mass of the Red Fort, an icon of Old Delhi.

  

The Red Fort contains many interesting historical buildings dating back to the Mogul Emperors. Some have been converted into pleasant cafes where visitors can relax during their visit to the complex.

New Delhi is dominated by stately Secretariat Buildings and the Presidential Palace at the upper end of Raj Path. The Raj Path ceremonial boulevard links India Gate.

India Gate, the memorial to Indian war dead

  

Towering over the commuters and metro lines the huge Karol Bagh temple is the focus of many Hindu festivals.

Surrounded by lovely gardens full of picknicing Indians Qutb Minar soars to comemorate ancient battles to establish the dominance of Delhi

  

In the grounds of the Qtub Minar complex is an ancient iron pillar which has not rusted over the hundreds of years it has stood there.