Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, is a monumental city. Many rulers have made it their home and it shows. The place is littered with countless gems of history combined with the ravages of modern times, a huge population, and pollution of all sorts. Amongst the highlights are the Moghul buildings of Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb, Nizzamudin the sprawling Lodhi gardens Hindu shrines such as the Birla Temple British remains: The Connaught Place shopping area and Rajpath the Qutab Minar tower and Rajghat, Gandhi's tomb. The omnipresent scooters (3 wheelers) and taxis will transport you to all the sights for modest fees. Beware of the hot summer and the following monsoon rains.
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View from Jama Masjid tower
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View from Jama Masjid tower onto the chaos of Old Delhi
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View from Jama Masjid tower onto the enormous courtyard
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In the Red Fort
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The iron pillar at Qutab Minar is ancient and strangely enough does not rust. Your wish will supposedly come true if you can encircle it with your arms with your back to it
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Fruit sellers in one of the narrow alleys of Old Delhi
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Being driven around on a bicycle rickshaw through the chaotic alleys of Old Delhi is quite an adventure!
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Birla temple complex. The Birlas are a rich industrial family and philanthropists
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The front of Birla Temple. Since the whole complex can only be toured barefoot, everyone has to take off their shoes outside
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A dragon in the park behind Birla temple. This passer-by kid was determined to be on the picture
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Fountains at the back of Birla temple
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Sikh temple in Old Delhi
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Looking out at the market crowd on one side of Red Fort. In the foreground (in black) is a levitator in the process of 'floating on air', you can see his head above the black sheets
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The Qutab Minar, 72m high and built by Qutabuddin Aibak in 1199 AD as a tribute to Qutabuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, a famous Chisti saint of the time, on the outskirts of Delhi . Initially, it was possible to climb the spiral staircase right to the top but access was restricted to the 1st platform due to dramatic suicides. Now the tower is completely closed due to a tragic accident in the stairwell involving schoolchildren
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