where: India

55 viewable

The early morning Air India flight was beautiful.
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You can see the effects of expansion in the form of "fog" as lift is being generated on take-off
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A golf course near the airport.
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The inlay work is everywhere, and is beautiful
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Probably older than the fort...
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Vendors set up on the way into the fort. (This seemed very tame compared to Mont Saint-Michel!)
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Children doing what children do... whilst on tour ;=)
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Completed in 1648 by Shah Jahan, this fort was a major display of Mughal power. The Indian flag flying over the Lahore Gate was a national desire to signify Independence from Britain.
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The street/marketplace vendors always seemed to have beautiful presentations of their wares.
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Built (1980-1986) to resemble a lotus flower, it is set among 9 pools of water, and surrounded by gardens.
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The guard ensures the eternal flame for the Unknown Soldier is honored.
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This 42m high "All India War Memorial" bears the names of 90,000 soldiers.
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A street barber ;=)
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The 7m pillar predates the Qutb Minar. Mysteriously, this 98% pure iron pillar does not rust. Scientists are not sure how such an item was cast 1600 years ago.
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The ~73m tower consists of 5 stories, tapering to 2.5m diameter at the top.
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With an impressive diameter of 15m at the base, the red sandstone is adorned with carvings.
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Beneath the ground are 24 rays emanating outward... both for support and for the 24 hours in a day.
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An ambitiuos project to create another tower -- only this time, twice the size of the Qutb Minar. You can see how far they got by the time Ala-ud-dim died...
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There was a 10-minute ritual of blessing elements on this memorial to the founder of the Hare Krishna movement.
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A service of song and worship was taking place.
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The conch is understood as the source of all existence -- a cosmic womb, for when the conch is blown, it is said to emulate the primordial sound Aum (Om) from which all else emanates.
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Dung is laid out to dry... it is used as an important fuel source for cooking, etc.
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Akbar
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People would tie a piece of yarn to the "jalis" (carved marble screen) and make a wish.
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This is said to mimic the mosque at Mecca. A Qoranic inscription reads: "The world is a bridge, pass over it but build no house upon it. He who hopes for an hour may hope for an eternity."
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The Hall of Public Audiences
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The amount of carving and detail work is amazing. Even more so, this city/palace was full of symbols from all major religions.
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Guest rooms (?) looking out along the banks of the Yamuna River.
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Yes, believe it or not, we are actually driving on the main road through the village. A bit crowded, eh?
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The abandoned capital city of Fatehpur Sikri, must have been quite the scene in its heyday (1570-1586)
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I do not think I would want to be an army trying to attack the gate...
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Artisans practice the age-old tradition used for doing the inlay work on the Taj itself.
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Agra Fort began life in 1565 as a principally military structure. It is hard to appreciate how "thick" the outer walls are without being there.
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The great symbol of India, Shah Jahan
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The Taj is magnificent from any angle.
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A close-up of the carvings reveals the craftsmanship sought during the construction (1631-1653 a.d.)
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Each of the minarets are tilted outward -- if they collapse, they will fall away from the Taj!
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This first view of the Taj Mahal takes your breath away, as it is perfectly framed in the entryway.
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The morning mist gives the Taj an ethereal glow.
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The inlay work is exquisite. If you shine a flashlight on the reddish stones, they glow orange as the light is conducted.
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I was told the each of the 22 small domes on the roof represent a year of construction
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The scroll work and writing is all inlay -- being larger at the top to compensate for perspective.
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Getting fresh coconut milk for breakfast.
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Just a few of the many colorful incarnations of Hindu Gods
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A representation of the nine planets.
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The inner sanctum...
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A visit to a Hindu Temple
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The view out my balcony (Leela Palace, Bangalore). Possibly THE best hotel I have ever stayed at.
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