Day 2 - Sightseeing in Delhi

We both woke early, still trying to adjust to the time difference and excited by the day ahead. Our trusty driver Vankar arrived with our guide for the day at 9.30am. We headed for the Jama Misjad, one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656 at a cost of 1 million rupees. The mosque was completed in 1656 AD with three great gates, four towers and two 40 meter high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble.The courtyard can accommodate more than 25,000 persons. 

Two young, but well dressed Indian men followed us around, eventually asking if I would pose for a photograph with them, this was to be the first of many throughout the day.

After leaving the mosque we had a unique glance of local life, exploring the bustling life of Chandi Chowk by rickshaw, this was quite an experience, racing along busy roads and very narrow but crowded alley ways. It was a little like a roller coaster ride.

During the wild ride, we stopped outside interesting shops for very brief photo opportunities. The sari shops were impressive and dazzling.

Another brief stop was at a tiny Hindu Temple.

The day was starting to really heat up and arriving at Humayun's tomb. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by Bega Begum. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and it was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993,

It was a very popular place to visit and their were many students on excursion. I particularly enjoyed talking with some second year university students who were studying architecture and drawing this amazing building.

Inside the tomb was equally beautiful.