My journey is to the Northern part of India, New Delhi after my last visit to India, its about 12 years ago. My purpose is to attend a 3 day "Inner Engineering" program with Sadhguru in Delhi. Thanks to my gym buddy to introduce Sadhguru to me . The program is about creating inner well being as opposed to chasing for fulfilment externally. I would strongly recommend for people that wish to look at life at a different perspective and experienced a deeper sense of inner peace.
Besides attending the program, I took this opportunity to visit nearby places. I covered Delhi and Agra. I was supposed to go to Rishikesh / Haridwar but plans changed along the way as Maha Kumbha Mela festival was scheduled to begin on 27th Jan 2013. The festival is expected to lure 85 million people at same time I not managed to get train ticket, its was fully booked - too bad
As I was making transit in Chennai before flying to Delhi on 18/2/2013, I planned to go have visit to Tirumala Venkateswaren Temple, near Tirupati, its about 138 km from Chennai which take about 4 hours - the road are really in bad condition. I managed to squeeze some time to get Lord Balaji's Darshan before the 'Chennai - Delhi' flight. It was the longest wait to obtain His Darshan. I waited in the queue for 7 hours despite paying INR300 for Special Darshan ticket. Less than 15 seconds seeing Him was worth the wait.
a.Inner Engineering with Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev (18/1/2013 to 20/1/2013)
Jaggi Vasudev also known as Sadhguru, is an Indian yogi and mystic.His famous quotes that I admire "If you do not get out of your shell, you are just a nut"
b.New Delhi (21/1/2013 to 22/1/2013)
In the morning we took Delhi Metro Rail from New Delhi to the closest metro station so
that we can cover India Gate and New Delhi Parliament but unfortunately by end of that week was India's Republic Day, so there were rehearsals going on near India Gate and it was closed.
Somehow, we managed to get to the closest point to get a good glimpse and many clicks of India Gate. When I mentioned about the closest point, I'm talking about a good 9 to 10 km of walk from New Delhi Metro station to get to the point. It was a tiring day indeed
New Delhi Parliament
India Gate
Rehearsal for Republic Day
Took metro from New Delhi to Qutub Minar. At ticketing counter, I handed over INR500 for person as tickets for foreigners is INR250 each. The ticketing officer enquired about our origin and recommended us to purchase the local tickets which cost INR10 each. Of course he made INR200 for himself but it was a win win situation. At the entrance, we told that we are from Chennai and we were good to go. Believe the builders had a quite an unusual desire to build the tallest minarets. There was an incomplete minaret that was supposedly be twice the size of Qutub Minar. It was deserted as the life of the aspirant fell short.
Qutub Minar
I would strongly recommend that anyone who plans to go around Delhi for sight seeing to NOT plan it on Monday! The Lotus temple was closed. Red Fort was closed. Hop On Hop Off was non operational on Mondays. Thanks to my buddy's Fuji HS10 for its capability to zoom in, we manage to capture some images of the Lotus temple from outside of its compound! Reaching here was made convenient thanks to the Delhi Metro Rail ( which was easy to get everywhere in Delhi this way.
Lotus Temple
Agra Fort
Quite a big mosque, but architecture wise, nothing spectacular. We paid INR100 to go up the minaret to get a city view. We managed to take some close up pictures of the Red Fort from here as it was closed due to Republic Day. Entrance was free but INR300 for camera which was way too expensive. Around this place are slumps. Crowded, dirty, people living on pavements and lots of beggars.
Jama Masjid
The rikshawalla brought us in through the aisles of shops. Its a narrow path, filled with people and yet the rikshawalla weather us through it. Though is was a dreadful moment, but definitely one to be remembered. Every possible area's are occupied as everyone is trying in every way to make a living. Chandni Chowk is an area surrounded with slums. Not a nice sight and certainly not a place to bring family.
Chandni Chowk
Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex in Delhi and referred to as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennium of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture.It was simply mind blowing.
With musical fountains and fine architecture, this is a masterpiece an Indian craftsmen can be proud of. 80% marble stones inside the temple crafted to perfection. It's very well managed and organised. They have canteen, shops selling books, posters and prayer items.
You should be there around 4pm to appreciate the fine craftsmanship and be there till evening to witness the musical fountain and the incredible view of the temple when they turn on the lights! Unfortunately no camera's were allowed in, so we only managed to take pictures from outside. This picture was taken from metro station which was 1km away from the temple.
Akshardam Temple
c.Agra (23/1/2013 to 24/1/2013)
It was 2 hour journey from New Delhi to Agra, we took train early morning 6.30am from New Delhi Old Railway station. I was shocked when I saw people sleeping on the floor at the entrance on railway station,OMG its was too cold and fog covering everywhere.
New Delhi Old Railway Station
We reached Agra Railway Station around 10.00am, it was delay due to fog covering railway track. Once reached we manage to convince tour guide at the cheapest price (INR400), he must tense with us maximally.
Agra Fort is similar to Red Fort but far more smaller. This is the place where Shahjahan spent his last 7 years under house arrest by his son. Shah Jahan was held under house arrest when his son got to know that Shah Jahan has instructed to build the Black Taj, just opposite of Taj Mahal across Yamuna river.
Shah Jahan spent close to 40mil rupees to build the Taj Mahal and this had a significant financial impact. It was said that during that time, with 1 rupee, you will be able to have a slave for a lifetime. Knowing that Shah Jahan is building the second Taj, the son decided that its time for him to put a stop. Shah Jahan was said having poor eyesight and throughout the 7 years of house arrest, he had to see Taj Mahal via a mirror.. tragic!
Agra Fort
Etimad-ud-Daula's Tomb is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra.Often described as 'jewel box', sometimes called the 'Baby Tāj', the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal.Beautiful monument decorated with white marble and marks the transitional phase from red stone to white marble.
Baby Taj (Itimad-ub-Daulah's Tomb)
The grand Taj Mahal (symbol of love). We were hoping for a good weather on the next day so that we could take some nice photos of the Taj Mahal (the first day we in Agra,Taj Mahal fully covered with heavy fog).Entrance fee a bit expensive INR750, it just 800m from our hotel Host
We spend about 7 hours to cover the beauty of this grand monument. When we were about to leave the Taj Mahal, I told my buddy that even Shah Jahan wouldn't have spend 7 hours in a day admiring the Taj Mahal! We basically covered every inch of this magnificent Mughal architecture.No wonder it is known as one of the universally admired masterpieces in the world.What can I said, its simply awesome monuments
Taj Mahal
