Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi

Every Sikh in Delhi must have visited the magnificent Gurudwara Bangala Sahib at least once. It is spacious like all Gurudwaras and gives a sence of peace. It was originally a bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh Amber (Jaipur) who commanded great respect in the court of Emperor Aurangzeb . The eighth Guru Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as guest of Raja Jai Singh. Since then it has become a place of pilgrimage for both, Hindus and Sikhs. The pool adjacent to the Gurudwara is like all pools in Gurudwaras said to be sacred. In those days Guru Harikrishan had cured people of small pox and other diseases. People till today wash themselves in the pool in hope of getting rid of any possible diseases.

Red Fort, Delhi

Red fort at Old Delhi is perhaps the most famous fort in New Delhi. Not particularly for anything but for the fact that the PM unfurls the tri-colour from its ramparts on Independence Day. I cross the red fort once every fortnight or so driving down Raj Ghat from where you can get a glimpse of the Diwan-i-Khas, Shish Mahal, and Rang Mahal. There is a lot of security around the fort after a attact on it few years ago. It is another series of fascinating buildings made by Shah Jahan. The Red Fort was part of his city `Shahjahanabad'.


Khas Mahal at Red Fort


Rang Mahal or the pleasure palace

Entry through the Lahore Gate


The Red Fort ramparts where the PM unfurls the Flag on August 15


Interiors at Rang Mahal, Red Fort


Inner Palaces , Red Fort


Rang Mahal, Interiors


Diwan-i-khas, Khas Mahal, Rang Mahal at Red Fort


Diwan-i-Khas at Red Fort, Delhi


Meena Bazaar at Red Fort, Delhi


Naubat Khana windows, Red Fort


Interiors at Khas Mahal, Red Fort


Elaborate Marble Screen at Red Fort, Delhi


View from Khas Mahal Window


Red Fort, Delhi


The moat around Red Fort, Delhi


The moat around Red Fort, Delhi


Red Fort ramparts and Indian truck


A man yawns at the Diwan-i-am

Jantar Mantar, Astronomical Observatory,New Delhi

Jantar Mantar in New Delhi was built in 1724 by Raja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. It is an astronomical observatory with masonry instruments. It has has instruments that can calculate the movement of sun , the moon and the stars. Jantar Mantar Delhi has the Samrat Yantra, Jai Prakash, Ram Yantra, Niyati Chakra, Misra Yantra. The other observatories built by Raja Jai Singh are in Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura.

Safdarjung's Tomb

I have visited Safdarjung's tomb a couple of times. But i never got a photograph of of the monument reflecting in the waters of the fountains. All year around there is no water in the four channels built around Safdarjung. The water fills in them briefly when it rains but its quickly pumped out by the gardners. They do this so that stagnant water in the channels dont breed dengue and malaria mosquitoes. So one day just after it had rained I rushed to Safdarjung's Tomb and captured these rare pictures of the monument reflecting in the fountain waters.

Safdarjung's tomb was built by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah, the son of Safdarjung. Safdarjung was the governor of Awadh who later became the Prime Minister of Muhammad Shah, the Mughal emperor. Built in 1753-1754, the Safdarjung tomb lies at the Lodi road, New Delhi. The garden of Safdarjung's tomb is laid down on the pattern of the Mughal Charbagh style. The Safdarjung tomb was erected roughly on the pattern of Humayun's tomb. Safdarjung's tomb represents the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture. There are two graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other apparently his wife's. The square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. On either side of the Safdarjung tomb are beautiful pavilions, known as "Moti Mahal" or the pearl palace, "Jangli Mahal" or the sylvan palace and "Badshah Pasand' or the Emperor's favourite.