IMG_0016.JPG
Date: 04/01/08
The focus of Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are Persian in origin.
IMG_0121.JPGA life size wooden baby elephant....only 800,000 Rs.
Date: 04/07/08
A life size wooden baby elephant....only 800,000 Rs.
The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets.
IMG_0114.JPGThe Yantra Mandir
Date: 04/07/08
It consists of a collection of architectural astronomy instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, for his own use, from 1724 onwards.
IMG_0113.JPGThe Yantra Mandir
Date: 04/07/08
The Yantra Mandir (literally the 'temple of instruments', and often called the Jantar Mantar), is in the modern city of New Delhi, Delhi.
IMG_0112.JPGA white elephant.
Date: 04/07/08
A white elephant.
IMG_0110.JPGWooden elphant form the front.
Date: 04/07/08
Wooden elphant form the front.
IMG_0109.JPGA wooden elephant with ivory inlay, form the front.
Date: 04/07/08
A wooden elephant with ivory inlay, form the front.
IMG_0108.JPGAndrea with a wooden elephant.
Date: 04/07/08
Andrea with a wooden elephant.
IMG_0106.JPGA wooden elephant with ivory inlay, from the side.
Date: 04/07/08
A wooden elephant with ivory inlay, from the side.
IMG_0105.JPGA miniature taj.
Date: 04/07/08
A miniature taj.
IMG_0104.JPGAnanaya drinks a coke.
Date: 04/07/08
Ananaya, Natasha's cousin's daughter, drinking a coke.
IMG_0103.JPGAlai Minar
Date: 04/06/08
The construction was abandoned, however, after the completion of the 24.5 meter high first story; soon after death of Ala-ud-din.
IMG_0102.JPGThe incomplete Alai Minar.
Date: 04/06/08
The incomplete Alai Minar.
Ala ud din Khilji started building the Alai Minar, which was conceived to be two times higher than Qutub Minar.
IMG_0101.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
The Qutb complex
IMG_0100.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
The Qutb complex
IMG_0097.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
The Qutb complex
IMG_0096.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
The complex was added to by many subsequent rulers, including Iltutmish and Ala ud din Khilji as well as the British.
IMG_0095.JPGA description of the Qutb Minar.
Date: 04/06/08
A description of the Qutb Minar.
IMG_0093.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
This complex was first constructed by Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty, and his successor Iltutmish (aka Altmash) in his new city called the Qila-Rai-Pithora near Prithivraj Chauhan's older city.
IMG_0092.JPGThe Qutb complex
Date: 04/06/08
The Qutb complex is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi, India, the most famous of which is the Qutub Minar.
Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
IMG_0090.JPGA temple in Delhi.
Date: 04/06/08
A temple in Delhi.
IMG_0089.JPGA bull in the middle of the street.
Date: 04/06/08
A bull in the middle of the street.
The biker is delivering gas to homes.
IMG_0088.JPGAnother family of three on a moped.
Date: 04/06/08
Another family of three on a moped.
IMG_0087.JPGA family of three on a moped.
Date: 04/06/08
A family of three on a moped.
IMG_0086.JPGIndia Gate
Date: 04/06/08
India Gate
The India Gate is a war memorial in New Delhi commemorating the Indian dead of the First World War.
IMG_0085.JPGNatasha eating a bear, no not the animal the fruit.
Date: 04/06/08
Natasha eating a bear, no not the animal the fruit.
IMG_0084.JPGA temple in Delhi.
Date: 04/06/08
A temple in Delhi.
IMG_0082.JPGThis is a statue in Delhi of one of the gods.
Date: 04/06/08
This is a statue in Delhi of one of the gods.
IMG_0081.JPGlizard close up
Date: 04/04/08
lizard close up
IMG_0080.JPGA lizard in Natasha's room
Date: 04/04/08
A lizard in Natasha's room
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Date: 04/03/08
The most powerful aspect of the gardens is the thousands of animal or humanoid figures made out of discarded materials, which stand in rigid rows like silent static armies.
IMG_0078.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Rock Garden
IMG_0077.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Rock Garden
IMG_0076.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
It’s a series of interconnected rocky grottoes, walkways and landscaped waterfalls. All this demonstrates how urban and industrial waste can be fruitfully recycled and used in creative pursuit.
IMG_0075.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
It consists of man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap & other kinds of wastes (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, etc) which are placed in walled paths.
IMG_0074.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Rock Garden
IMG_0073.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
The little boy in the rock garden is Natasha's cousin's son, Agam.
IMG_0072.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Rock Garden
IMG_0071.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Rock Garden
IMG_0070.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
The Rock Garden is still made out of recycled materials. It is situated near Sukhna Lake.
IMG_0069.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
The authorities took over, and the garden was inaugurated as a public space in 1976. It is presently run by the Rock Garden Society.
IMG_0068.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
It was discovered by the authorities in 1975, by which time it had grown into a twelve-acre complex of interlinked courtyards, each filled with hundreds of pottery-covered concrete sculptures of dancers, musicians, and animals.
IMG_0067.JPG
Date: 04/03/08
The Rock Garden project was secretly initiated by Nek Chand around 1957.
IMG_0066.JPGRock Garden
Date: 04/03/08
Spread over an area of forty acres, it is completely built of industrial & home waste and thrown-away items.
IMG_0065.JPGChandigarh rock garden.
Date: 04/03/08
Chandigarh rock garden.
The Rock Garden is a sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India.
IMG_0064.JPGOne of the flowers in the graden.
Date: 04/03/08
One of the flowers in the garden.
IMG_0063.JPGMom and Tina in the front garden
Date: 04/03/08
Mom and Tina in the front garden
IMG_0062.JPGThe house nextdoor.
Date: 04/03/08
The house nextdoor.
IMG_0058.JPGThe park across the street form Natasha's house.
Date: 04/03/08
The park across the street form Natasha's house.
IMG_0057.JPGNatasha in the front graden
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha in the front graden
IMG_0056.JPGAdvice from mom.
Date: 04/03/08
Advice from mom.
IMG_0055.JPGNatasha with her brother, sister, and cousin enjoying teatime.
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha with her brother, sister, and cousin enjoying teatime.
IMG_0054.JPGNatasha and her cousin checking out the graden.
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha and her cousin checking out the graden.
IMG_0053.JPGAng and Natasha in the backyard.
Date: 04/03/08
Ang and Natasha in the backyard.
IMG_0051.JPGNatasha, Tina, and Mom
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha, Tina, and Mom
IMG_0050.JPGNatasha and her mom, eyes open.
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha and her mom, eyes open.
IMG_0049.JPGNatasha and her mom, eyes closed.
Date: 04/03/08
Natasha and her mom, eyes closed.
IMG_0041.JPGNatsha's house, her borther is coming to greet us.
Date: 04/01/08
Natsha's house, her borther is coming to greet us.
IMG_0040.JPGA rickshaw in chandiragh
Date: 04/01/08
A rickshaw in chandiragh
IMG_0039.JPGNatasha's sister Tina (right) and Aunt at Fatehpur Sikri with a random goat.
Date: 04/01/08
Natasha's sister Tina (right) and Aunt at Fatehpur Sikri with a random goat.
IMG_0038.JPGNatasha in front of one of the tombs marble windows
Date: 04/01/08
Natasha in front of one of the tombs marble windows
In the center of the tomb you tie a string to the window as you make a wish. All wishes are said to come true.
IMG_0036.JPGInside the tomb of Salim Chishti, I belive this is made of seashells.
Date: 04/01/08
Inside the tomb of Salim Chishti, I belive this is made of seashells.
IMG_0035.JPGNatasha inside the tomb of Salim Chishti
Date: 04/01/08
Natasha inside the tomb of Salim Chishti
IMG_0033.JPGInside the tomb of Salim Chishti
Date: 04/01/08
Inside the tomb of Salim Chishti, which is inside fatehpur sikri.
IMG_0032.JPGFatehpur Sikri
Date: 04/01/08
It was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water.
IMG_0031.JPGFatehpur Sikri
Date: 04/01/08
Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
IMG_0030.JPGMore camels
Date: 04/01/08
More camels
IMG_0029.JPGThe same two camels
Date: 04/01/08
The same two camels
IMG_0028.JPGAnother Camel
Date: 04/01/08
Another Camel
IMG_0027.JPGTwo camels in "the taj" parking lot
Date: 04/01/08
Two camels in "the taj" parking lot
Today, a major threat to "the Taj" is pollution, so you cannot drive directly to it, visitors must either walk, or take a rickshaw or camel the final mile.
IMG_0026.JPG"The Taj" with the bulls in the lower left hand corner
Date: 04/01/08
"The Taj" with the bulls in the lower left hand corner
IMG_0025.JPGSome Bulls on the Lawn at "the Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
Some Bulls on the Lawn at "the Taj"
IMG_0024.JPGThe gateway to "the Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
The gateway to "the Taj"
IMG_0023.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
It is alleged that on its completion, Shah Jahan ordered the right hand of the chief mason to be cut off so that the masterpiece could never be recreated.
IMG_0022.JPG
Date: 04/01/08
A view of Agra fort from "the Taj"
Shah Jahan, the creator of "the Taj" was born as Prince Khurram Shihab-ud-din Muhammad, in 1592 in Lahore. His son Aurangzeb led a rebellion when Shah Jahan became ill in 1657 CE (1067 AH) and publ
IMG_0021.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
Restoration of one of the outer walls.
IMG_0020.JPG
Date: 04/01/08
The Taj Mahal complex is bounded by crenellated red sandstone walls on three sides with river-facing side open. The Yamuna river is the most polluted river in India.
IMG_0019.JPG
Date: 04/01/08
The decorative elements were created by applying paint or stucco, or by stone inlays or by carvings.
IMG_0018.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
A ticket to see "the Taj" cost 20 Rs. for an Indian Citizen and 750 Rs. for foreign citizens. 40 Rs. = $1
IMG_0017.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
The exterior decorations of Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, a large pishtaq has more area than a smaller, the decorations are refined proportionally.
IMG_0016.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."
While the white domed marble and tile mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated symmetric complex of structures that was completed around 1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the principal designer of Taj Mahal.
IMG_0015.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
IMG_0014.JPG"The Taj"
Date: 04/01/08
The Taj Mahal (also called "the Taj") is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.
IMG_0013.JPG
Date: 04/01/08
During his reign, he eliminated external military threats from the Afghan descendants of Sher Shah (an Afghan who was able to temporarily oust Humayun from 1540-1555).
IMG_0012.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
Akbar, widely considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors, was only 14 when he became emperor, due to the death of his father Humayun.
Akbar the Great was the son of Nasiruddin Humayun whom he succeeded as ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605.
IMG_0010.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
Andrea in front of the dear roaming at Akbar's Tomb.
IMG_0009.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
A dear of some kind at Akbar's Tomb.
IMG_0008.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
Children picking flower's at Akbar's Tomb.
IMG_0006.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
A street in Delhi.
Crowded does not begin to describe Delhi. The city's crazy traffic will astound American drivers. Lanes, lines, traffic lights mean nothing. A "safe distance between vehicles" can be measured with a thumb and forefinger.
And then there's the honking which has a totally different meaning then we are accustomed to. In India a honk doesn't mean get out of my way. It means I'm about two inches from you, so if you jiggle the wheel we'll both knock into the moped carrying a family of four, the man pedaling a rickshaw, and/or a cow.
IMG_0005.JPG
Date: 03/31/08
A women hanging laundary, in Delhi.
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Date: 03/31/08
Cool looking cloud.
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Date: 03/31/08
More snow capped Himilayas.