India

Delhi is the largest metropolis by area and the second largest by population in India.  16.8 million live in the city.  New Delhi, the capital of India, lies within the metropolis.

Delhi has been inhabited continuously for more than 2,000 years.  The Mughal Empire ruled Delhi for more than three centuries; and declined in the mid 17th century; and were followed by Hindu domination.  In 1857, Delhi came under direct rule of the British crown.  In 1911, the capital of British India was transferred from Calcutta to Delhi.  Delhi was officially declared as the capital of the Union of India after the country gained independence in 1947.

I arrived in Delhi two days early and arranged to see some of the architectural sites before out photo trip began.  Among the visits was to Safdarjung's Tomb.  This is a garden tomb with a marble mausoleum. It was built in 1754.

I also visited Lodi Gardens, a popular site for locals that was established in the 16th century and contains a number of tombs.  Bara Gumbad’s Tomb is from the 16th Pashtun dynasty.

On my second day before the trip officially began, one of the other group members and I went to Mehrauli which is one of the 7 ancient cities that make up the present day Delhi.  its ruins date back to the 13th century.  Parts of Mehrauli, like Qutb, is restored and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Other areas, such as Mehrauli Gardens, are preserved but much less developed.

Our Delhi stay was limited and consisted of a rickshaw ride through old Delhi and a visit to a mosque and a Sikh temple.  We were at the Nizamuddin Sufi Mosque  for evening prayers.  To us outsiders, it was a mob scene.  To them, it was normal.  It was like an “oversold” rock concert.

Another morning, we visited a Sikh temple for sunrise and morning prayers.   Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi - first built in 1783.   the water in the pond inside its complex is considered holy.  Not only did we enter the Temple and shoot the grounds, we were invited into their kitchen where they cook for the poor.  Food was offered, which we initially declined but then learned that in the Sikh tradition, an offer of food is never declined because elsewhere people are hungry.  My particular interest in these trips is having an authentic experience.  Both the temple and the mosque truly were.

Finally we made a short visit to Delhi’s Red Fort - a 17th century fort complex that served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857.  This too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  During our Delhi stay, the Hindus were celebrating an important and festive Hindu Holiday - Dewali. Delhi is crowded on Dewali and the Red Fort is popular.  Not much opportunity to shoot there.