Day Three Delhi

A very packed first day in Delhi. We started off with The Ghandi Memorial which was closed, due to an upcoming official celebration. Krish took us to the Ghandi Museum instead, which was very moving.


All kinds of artifacts, photos, memorabilia, including many spinning devices, at which Ghandi was quite adept. Posted were:
The Seven Social Sins
Politics without Principles
Wealth without Work
Pleasure without Conscience
Knowledge without Character
Commerce without Morality
Science without Humanity
Worship without Sacrifice
Some discussion about what is Karma, and how it is achieved.
And then the ultimate E Ticket. The Rickshaw Ride.


About an hour of hair raising, olfactory blasting, visuals you could ever imagine and never imagine. Being right in the middle of the eye of the storm of humanity.


I never felt afraid in any way. It was strangely safe and like a roller coaster all rolled into one. I just kept clicking the shutter and got some really amazingly beautiful shots. Mostly of the gorgeous people. I really got into photographing the ways people transport goods on their scooters and shoulders.


They have already won my heart with their inner sweetness on day one. After that ride, I had already felt like this was worth the price of admission, and that now everything was gravy.
I remember feeling this way when we went to Turkey with OAT, wondering how will they top this day. And they continued to do it day after day.
Next stop the Jama Mosque. We had to remove our shoes and put on robes to enter. So all the women were in "schmatas" provided by the mosque, and barefoot, or in slippers. A beautiful enormous space.
Then on to the Sikh Temple which was one of the more moving places I have visited.


The timing was just right. It was the end of the day, and there was a golden light turning to pink. It couldn't have been more spectacular. There is a pole which a Sikh is hoisted up many stories high to wrap with an orange fabric banner.


It is then cut and given to members to bless their children. He is hoisted up on this orange "chair" wrapping the pole all the way to the top, then reverses the process on the way down.


We then went into the "kitchen" which serves meals to the needy every day for 10,000 people. Yes ten thousand. We took a tour of this production kitchen and it was without a doubt the most amazing operation I've ever seen.


The cauldrons and pots and amounts of food and spices were gigantic beyond belief.


The stacks of trays-an architectural installation.


I was moved to tears by this operation.
Then finally dinner at a wonderful restaurant, and seeing an actual Tandoor, where Naan is baked.


I am just about out of gas, but full of beautiful memories. Can't wait to show you all the photos. I may have to set up an entire site for all of this.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Ghandi Memorial, Pedicab Ribe, Jama Mosque, Sikh Temple, Dinner