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Published: September 19th 2006
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Tomb
Humayan's Tomb in Delhi Hi Everyone
Sorry for the delay, but it's certainly not easy finding internet cafes with both the software and hardware to enable us to put photos on the blog, (It's just no fun without the seeing the proof!!!)
We arrived in Delhi (from Sri Lanka, seems so long ago) and were collected by the owner of our hostel, The Blue Sapphire, so no hassles there!
As it was India Independence Day on the 15th we wanted to leave Delhi before then so early the next morning we went to the Rail booking Office to organize train tickets to Amritsar, our first stop in Rajasthan. Despite the long queues, it didn't take long to book the tickets, there are usually special ticket booths for women and foreign tourists and it has proven to be an efficient service, especially if you know the train numbers, which are available on the Indian Rail travel web site.
Later we visited Humayun's Tomb , the 2nd Mogul Emperor, a huge Hindu temple on the Holy River Yamuna, (there are 7 holy rivers in India), only opened 2years ago having taken 5 years to build , the carving was amazing! Also to a large Krishna Temple, which
Gun Shop
so close to the Pakistan border, there's always a need for a gun and they are available to buy in Amritsar!! was very busy as it was preparing for the celebration of Lord Krishna’s Birthday. that was enough sightseeing in temperatures reaching 38 degrees C?
Leaving most of our of our luggage in storage at the Blue Sapphire, we had an early start the next morning from New Delhi Train Station on a Shatdabi Express, booked seats with a/c and chair service. We didn't know what to expect but knew there would be food as we had been offered vegetarian or non vegetarian.
As the train left promptly we were each given a large bottle of water, next a tea kit cup and flask of hot water with a packet of biscuits, this was shortly followed by a carton of orange juice. About an hour into the journey the main breakfast arrived, veggie sausages, 2 slices of bread and a pat of butter & of jam. This was again followed by either a tea or coffee kit, we were very impressed by the service and the food, better than most airlines!! Plus it helped pass the time on the 5 hour journey.
The Grand Hotel was within easy walking distance of Amritsar train station, so again no hassles with any sort
Fine Moustache
A really fine example of a handle bar moustache which is complemented by the impressive head gear. of transport.
Having booked in to the hotel, we also booked up to go and watch the India Pakistan Border ceremony that evening. About 3/4hr taxi ride from Amritsar to just past the small village of Attari to the border control. Here a very large crowd were waiting with great excitement, women danced on the road between the stands of people and to huge cheers of encouragement ran with the Indian national flag to the closed gates that separate these two countries, there they waved the flags and shouted, what we don't know but then they ran back again to huge cheers and then another lady took over the run, all amidst lots of cheering and clapping.On the other side of the gate the Parkistanis were doing exactly the same. Then the ceremony proper started, with shouts of commands from the officers and much marching and stamping of feet and extremely high leg kicking, which bought loud cheers and shouts of encouragement from the crowds. This marching and posturing took quite a few minutes and eventually the gates were opened and the reason for the ceremony took place the lowering of the respective national flags. It really was almost a
Crowd
The people waiting expectantly for the ceremony to begin, and this is only on the Indian side. Notice the crowd of women dancing in the middle of the picture. comedy show, but the huge crowd enjoyed it immensely. We were told there it was even more hyped than usual as today, the 14th was Pakistan’s Independence Day and tomorrow is India’s.
Next day, after a massive thunder storm and the streets being flooded (our first taste of India’s monsoon) the highlight of our visit to Amritsar, the Sikh Golden Temple, here men and women have to cover their heads and wash their feet before entering this very holy shrine, it is always busy, but the day we were there was a public holiday so it was busier than usual. Men bathe in the waters that surround the golden temple and women are able to bathe in private behind stone grills. At every Sikh Temple simple food is freely available for pilgrims; and here at Amritsar they feed upwards of 30,000 people a day. Contributions can be given but are not necessary. We took food here and then watched as the rows of volunteers coped with the masses of food preparation and washing up.
We walked part of the way back to our hotel, just to see some of the old architecture and by now the streets had dried out
High kicking
That white shape in the middle of the picture is the Soldiers Putee, yes he really did kick that high, much to the delight of the crowd!! , amazing how fast the water rises and falls. Time to move on now to Bikaner , that’s the next blog from India.
bye for now, Arnie & Maggie
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