| Pages | ||
|
India '82 The paper work for our marriage was taking a long time. With Dasshine Festival coming up, it was going to take longer. My father decided to use the time to travel to India by car, something not usually done since the roads were not very developed. We encountered mainly trucks and buses, hardly any cars. Our white Subaru seemed like an alien vehicle in the rural areas. Thanks to its 4-wheel drive, we were saved several times on ill maintained roads.
| |||
| Nalanda ruins | Varanasi | Sarnath | |
| Allahabad | Khajuraho | Taj Mahal Agra | |
| Red Fort Agra | Fatehpur Sikri Agra | Ellora Caves, Aurangabad | |
| Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad | Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad | Bombay | |
| New Delhi | Qutub Minar, Delhi | On road | |
| India '82 | |||
|
Nalanda was an ancient Buddhist monastic university in Magadha (now Bihar) in India. It was among the greatest learning centers of the world 800 years ago but destroyed by the Islamic invader Bakhtiyar Khalji.
| ||
|
_ds200616173432.jpg  |
_ds200616173527.jpg  |
_ds200616173622.jpg  |
|
_ds200616174127.jpg  |
_ds200616174224.jpg  |
_ds200616174414.jpg  |
|
_ds200616174709.jpg  |
_ds200624154034.jpg  |
_ds200624154128.jpg  |
|
_ds200624154227.jpg  |
_ds200624154605.jpg  |
_ds200624154700.jpg  |
|
_ds200624154753.jpg  |
_ds220321153623.jpg  |
_ds220321153718.jpg  |
|
_ds220321154014.jpg  |
_ds220321154107.jpg  |
_ds220321154202.jpg  |
|
_ds220321154258.jpg  |
_ds220321154802.jpg  |
_ds220321154855.jpg  |
|
Varanasi (also Benares) on River Ganges in northern India is the center for the Hindus pilgrims. Hindus believe that dying here and being cremated along the Ganges river banks allows the cycle of rebirth to be broken and slavation to become possible. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, steps leading down the steep river bank to the water, where pilgrims perform rituals. With more than 1000 temples, it is also a cultural center for music and literature.
| ||
|
_ds200616180148.jpg  |
_ds200616180518.jpg  |
_ds200616180619.jpg  |
|
_ds200616180948.jpg  |
_ds200616181044.jpg  |
_ds200616180714.jpg  |
|
_ds200616181138.jpg  |
_ds200616175427.jpg  |
_ds200616175521.jpg  |
|
_ds200616175903.jpg  |
_ds200616175958.jpg  |
_ds200616180053.jpg  |
|
_ds200616181234.jpg  |
_ds200617173947.jpg  |
_ds200624154847.jpg  |
|
_ds200624155214.jpg  |
_ds200624155308.jpg  |
_ds200624155402.jpg  |
|
_ds220321155041.jpg  |
_ds220321155331.jpg  |
_ds220321155423.jpg  |
|
_ds220321155516.jpg  |
_ds220321155608.jpg  |
_ds220321155913.jpg  |
|
_ds220321160006.jpg  |
_ds220321160059.jpg  |
_ds220321160153.jpg  |
|
_ds220321160525.jpg  |
_ds220321160621.jpg  |
_ds220321160735.jpg  |
|
_ds220321160822.jpg  |
_ds220321161113.jpg  |
_ds220321161207.jpg  |
|
Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, is known for where Buddha gave his first sermon of the teaching of the Darma.
| ||
|
_ds200617174043.jpg  |
_ds200617174527.jpg  |
_ds200617174233.jpg  |
|
_ds200617174621.jpg Human lawn mowers cares for the site.  |
_ds200624162012.jpg  |
_ds220321161301.jpg  |
|
_ds220321161354.jpg  |
_ds220321161651.jpg  |
|
|
City of Allahabad was the first major city we passed. Located near the "three river confluence" of Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarsavati, it had been important since early times. It was the capital of Mughal Empire in early 17th century and British establised a fort in 1765.
| ||
|
_ds200617174710.jpg  |
_ds200617174804.jpg  |
_ds200617175146.jpg  |
|
_ds200617175240.jpg  |
_ds200617175335.jpg  |
_ds200617175429.jpg  |
|
_ds200617175648.jpg  |
_ds200617175743.jpg  |
_ds200617175837.jpg  |
|
_ds200617175933.jpg  |
||
|
Khajuraho temples are group of Hindu and Jain temples built between 885 and 1050 AD. They are known for their architecture and erotic sculptures.
| ||
|
_ds200616174319.jpg  |
_ds200617180527.jpg  |
_ds200617180621.jpg  |
|
_ds200617181006.jpg  |
_ds200617181100.jpg  |
_ds200617181154.jpg  |
|
_ds200617181249.jpg  |
_ds200617181502.jpg  |
_ds200617181557.jpg  |
|
_ds200617181653.jpg  |
_ds200617181748.jpg  |
_ds200617182032.jpg  |
|
_ds200617182127.jpg  |
_ds200617182222.jpg  |
_ds200617182608.jpg  |
|
_ds200617182702.jpg  |
_ds200617182758.jpg  |
_ds200617182852.jpg  |
|
_ds200617183133.jpg  |
_ds200617183229.jpg  |
_ds200617183323.jpg  |
|
_ds200617183419.jpg  |
_ds200618163213.jpg  |
_ds200618163402.jpg  |
|
_ds200618163637.jpg  |
_ds200618163732.jpg  |
_ds200618163825.jpg  |
|
_ds200617180340.jpg  |
_ds200624163027.jpg  |
_ds200624163141.jpg  |
|
_ds220321161746.jpg  |
_ds220321161841.jpg  |
_ds220321161934.jpg  |
|
_ds220321162230.jpg  |
_ds220321162334.jpg  |
_ds220321162432.jpg  |
|
_ds220321162527.jpg  |
_ds220321162826.jpg  |
_ds220321162921.jpg  |
|
_ds220321163017.jpg  |
_ds220321163111.jpg  |
_ds220321163448.jpg  |
|
_ds220321163542.jpg  |
_ds220321163636.jpg  |
_ds220321163729.jpg  |
|
_ds220321163958.jpg  |
||
|
The Taj Mahal, is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is called "the jewel of Islamic art in India" and is set in a 42 acre formal gardesn and includes a mosque and a guest house.
| ||
|
_ds200618164211.jpg  |
_ds200618164305.jpg  |
_ds200618164359.jpg  |
|
_ds200618164506.jpg  |
_ds200618165335.jpg The mosque.  |
_ds200618165436.jpg  |
|
_ds200618174912.jpg  |
_ds200618165534.jpg  |
_ds200618174724.jpg  |
|
_ds200618165633.jpg  |
_ds200618165912.jpg The main Gateway to Taj Mahal.  |
_ds200618170102.jpg  |
|
_ds200618174818.jpg  |
_ds200618175008.jpg  |
_ds200618174425.jpg  |
|
_ds200624163235.jpg  |
_ds220322145950.jpg  |
_ds220322150227.jpg  |
|
_ds220322150322.jpg  |
||
|
Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) is a fortress built of red sandstonenin 16th century. It is located about 2.5 km from Taj Mahal on the Yamuna river. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.
| ||
|
_ds200618170157.jpg  |
_ds200618170816.jpg  |
_ds200618170920.jpg  |
|
_ds200618171015.jpg  |
_ds200618171110.jpg  |
_ds200618171514.jpg  |
|
Fatehpur Sikri is a small city, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar. Built mainly with red sandstones, Fatehpur Sikri was built primarily to afford leisure and luxury to its famous residents.
| ||
|
_ds200618171610.jpg The Panch Mahal meaning 'Five level Palace' was commissioned by Akbar and was used for entertainment and relaxation.  |
_ds200618171704.jpg  |
_ds200618171800.jpg  |
|
_ds200618172054.jpg  |
_ds200618172148.jpg Anup Talao was built by Raja Anup Singh Sikarwar, an ornamental pool with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it.  |
_ds200618172244.jpg  |
|
_ds200618172338.jpg  |
_ds200618173020.jpg The Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience, is a plain square building with four chatris on the roof.  |
_ds200618173115.jpg  |
|
_ds200618173211.jpg  |
_ds200618173305.jpg  |
_ds200618173618.jpg  |
|
_ds200618173714.jpg  |
_ds200618173804.jpg  |
_ds200618173859.jpg Jama Masjid (Jama Mosque)  |
|
_ds200618174142.jpg The tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India.  |
_ds200618174237.jpg  |
_ds200624155455.jpg  |
|
_ds220321164054.jpg  |
_ds220321164202.jpg  |
_ds220321164257.jpg  |
|
_ds220321164557.jpg  |
_ds220321164650.jpg  |
_ds220321164744.jpg  |
|
_ds220321164837.jpg  |
_ds220321165101.jpg  |
_ds220322144053.jpg  |
|
_ds220322144147.jpg  |
_ds220322144242.jpg  |
_ds220322144335.jpg  |
|
_ds220322144633.jpg  |
_ds220322144728.jpg  |
_ds220322144822.jpg  |
|
_ds220322144917.jpg  |
_ds220322145156.jpg  |
_ds220322145251.jpg  |
|
_ds220322145346.jpg  |
_ds220322145441.jpg  |
_ds220322145710.jpg  |
|
_ds220322145803.jpg  |
_ds220322145857.jpg  |
|
|
These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. The earliest caves, excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, reflect the Mahayana philosophy of Buddhism then prevalent in this region. The Brahmanical group of caves, reflecting Hindu philosophy, was excavated between the 7th and 10th centuries. The last phase, between the 9th and 12th centuries, the caves reflect Jaina philosophy.
| ||
|
_ds200618175303.jpg  |
_ds200618175358.jpg  |
_ds200618175452.jpg  |
|
_ds200618175546.jpg  |
_ds200618175837.jpg  |
_ds200618175932.jpg  |
|
_ds200618180029.jpg  |
_ds200618180125.jpg  |
_ds200621164543.jpg  |
|
_ds200621164640.jpg  |
_ds200621164825.jpg  |
_ds200621165200.jpg  |
|
_ds200621165253.jpg  |
_ds200621165347.jpg  |
_ds200621165458.jpg  |
|
_ds200621165730.jpg  |
_ds200621165824.jpg  |
_ds200621165912.jpg  |
|
_ds200621170006.jpg  |
_ds200621170228.jpg  |
_ds200621170416.jpg  |
|
_ds200621170509.jpg  |
_ds200621170818.jpg  |
_ds200624155823.jpg  |
|
_ds200624155919.jpg  |
_ds220322150512.jpg  |
_ds220322150736.jpg  |
|
_ds220322150831.jpg  |
_ds220322150926.jpg  |
_ds220322151050.jpg  |
|
_ds220322151337.jpg  |
_ds220322151431.jpg  |
_ds220322151523.jpg  |
|
_ds220322151619.jpg  |
||
|
The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
| ||
|
_ds200621170912.jpg  |
_ds200621171007.jpg  |
_ds200621171101.jpg  |
|
_ds200621171331.jpg  |
_ds200621171425.jpg  |
_ds220322151841.jpg  |
|
The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a tomb located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was commissioned in 1660 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum. It bears a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of Aurangzeb's mother, Mumtaz Mahal.
| ||
|
_ds200621171959.jpg  |
_ds200621171617.jpg  |
|
|
_ds200621172053.jpg A large laundry center.  |
_ds200621172147.jpg  |
|
|
_ds200621172243.jpg  |
_ds200621172818.jpg Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India.  |
_ds200624160014.jpg  |
|
_ds200624160108.jpg  |
_ds220322151936.jpg  |
_ds220322152030.jpg  |
|
_ds220322152123.jpg  |
_ds220322152652.jpg  |
|
|
The Qutub Minar complex are monuments and buildings from the Delhi Sultanate in Delhi, India. The Qutb Minar is 72.5 metres (239 ft) high, making it the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. Built as a Victory Tower, the construction began in 1192 AD to mark the Muslim rule in India, and continued by several succesors. Damaged by lightenings and earthquakes, it was restored by the British in 1848. The complex includes a mosque and several tombs of the rulers.
| ||
|
_ds200621172913.jpg  |
_ds200621173020.jpg  |
_ds200621173115.jpg  |
|
_ds200621173427.jpg  |
_ds200621173521.jpg  |
_ds200621173615.jpg  |
|
_ds200624160443.jpg  |
_ds200624160537.jpg  |
_ds200624160632.jpg  |
|
_ds200624160734.jpg  |
_ds200624161037.jpg  |
_ds200624161131.jpg  |
|
_ds220322152745.jpg  |
_ds220322152839.jpg  |
|
|
_ds200616172904.jpg  |
_ds200616175331.jpg  |
_ds200616175236.jpg  |
|
_ds220321154947.jpg  |
_ds220322152933.jpg  |
|