Jama Masjid, New Delhi

Jama Masjid in Delhi is the biggest and the most beautiful mosque in India was built by Mugal king Sahajahan during mid seventeenth century, during 1650 to 1656 to be specific. It is believed to be the last piece of Architecture by this Mugal King.
Originally, this mosque was known as 'Masjid-i-Jahanuma', which means 'The Mosque commanding a view of the world'. But it is popularly and also locally known as 'Jama Masjid'. 'Jama' means 'Friday', and it is mainly a Friday mosque as it is the holy day in Islam.
With a capacity of 20,000-25,000 people to pray(Namaaz) together, it is the largest mosque in India.

Describing the Architecture of this beautiful creation, it was designed by Ustad Khalil. Built with red and yellow sand stone the whole mosque stands on a rectangular platform raising the structure. The central paved courtyard measures around 75x65 meters and has a pool in the middle. The western side has halls for prayer and has decorated colonnade. The entry to the mosque is from three sides with the broad flight of steps from North and South. Eastern entrance is the main entry to the mosque. With some 260 decorated columns and 15 domes, it is a beautiful combination of Mughal and Hindu architecture.

Jama Masjid...


View from Southern Minarate...


The 'East Entrance'...


The Ritual...


The 'Panorama' of the whole Complex...

Where: Old Delhi
How to reach: It is in the old part of Delhi, popularly known as 'Purani Dilli' and is just opposite 'Red Fort'. It is around 4-5 kilometers from the Central part of New Delhi, Cannaught Place. Nearest metro station is 'Kashmiri Gate'. And it is advisable to use the public transport for ease.
Entry fee: Entry FREE, but you need to pay for videography and to climb on the top of Southern Minarate.
What not to miss: Don't miss to climb the top of the Minarate, it will give you an breath taking view of the Capital city of India.
Timing: All day, from Sunrise to Sunset. (Consider FRIDAY as the crowded day because of weekly Namaaz)
Time required: Some 2 hours is good enough.

Jain Carvings, Gwalior

'Jain Statues' carved in sand stone on the Rock in Gwalior are believed to be carved during 7th-14th century. It is really an attraction in the Gwalior city other than Sas-Bahu temple and Gwalior Fort. The statues carved on the natural hill are of remarkable sizes. The biggest statue seems to be 55-60 feet tall and is really massive.

These sculptures representing 24 Tirthankars can be noticed while ascending the hill for the Gwalior Fort. The place is worth visit and only one of it's kind. Among the Jain statues, a set of Lord Siva and Parvati statue can also be seen. A short stay and walk around this area will take you closer to these statues.

A panorama of the area...

Mutiny Memorial (Ajitgarh)

This memorial was erected by the British in 1863 in the memory of soldiers of Delhi field force who were killed during 1857.

This is an Octagonal tapering tower of Red Sand Stone constructed on the site of Tailor’s Battery (an artillery unit) during the siege of Delhi in 1857. It is on a two tier platform and is provided with stairs from inside to reach its top. The names of Officers and Jawans of different army units are inscribed on different slabs around the tower.

This memorial was renamed as ‘AJITGARH’ on 15^th August 1972 on the twenty fifth anniversary of India’s attainment of freedom and a new plaque was fixed here converting it in to a memorial for those martyrs who rose and fought against the British during 1857.

Source: Department of Archeology

It was a tough time for me to reach at this abandoned monument. Even local auto drivers don’t know this. People know it as just a structure erected by Britishers. The ‘Enemy’ word for our brave fighters during the Mutiny of 1857 might be the culprit. But it was then only, now it is ‘Ajitgarh’.

I liked this structure to some extent. You will find nobody except some local people who prefer to sit here. But if you go deep with the elements in the sandstone then you might find it interesting. The stair leading to the top of the monument is now closed, so you have to satisfied only from the external view.

The lovely stretch of road leading to the 'Ashoka Pillar'

Address: On Rani Jhansi Marg and about 500 meters from Hindu Rao Hospital (don’t confuse with Bara Hindu Rao Hospital).

How to Reach: It is a 5 minute walk from ‘Pul bangash’ metro station. Ask for ‘Ajitgarh’ or ‘Pahadi Road’ if you are hiring an auto-rickshaw.

Floating Vegetable Market, Srinagar, J&K

Jammu & Kashmir is said as 'Heaven on Earth'. Making the statement accurate, the state will never disappoint you with it's variety of surreal landscapes which ranges from mile long stretches of green fields, hills, lakes, mountains, barren landscapes, snow peaks and a variety of culture of course.

Srinagar, the summer capital city is famous for it's lakes like Dal lake and Nagin Lake. Dal lake is the focal point of the city attracting numerous tourists round the year. I personally visiting this place since last 8 years and also hope to keep the cycle rolling.

The beauty of the lake can't be described in words, you have to be there to realize it. There are also many scenic locations around the lake to visit, Nehru gardens, char chinar, lotus garden etc. are a few to be noted.The SIKARA ride and stay in HOUSE BOAT are something of it's kind. A romantic Sikara ride in the lake during the eve hours is an experience itself.

The lake covers some 18+ square kilometers and also being a part of natural wetland is the important source of economy for the state and city which mainly comes in terms of tourism and also from fishing and cultivation of vegetables in wetlands.

Many must not be aware of the variety of vegetable available in this area and from where they usually come. The floating gardens in wetlands are the main resource of cultivation here and these really grow variety of plants with it's fertile character. Sharing an amazing fact, there is a vegetable market which buys and sells vegetables daily inside the lake. Yes, it is a floating vegetable market. The market timing is 5am to 7am everyday and not to mention, the vegetables sold or bought here are freshly picked just few hours before. This is mainly an wholesale market, and only left outs are sent to street markets. The buyers, sellers everyone use their public mode of transportation 'SIKARA' to be there and all the shops are on floating boats. The activeness of the market only can be seen from morning 5am to 7am, or else it's another beautiful part of the beautiful 'Dal Lake'. Many tourists do visit this place mainly to freeze the frames, and one can not be lazy to miss this.

























Staying Options: I will personally suggest you to stay in a HOUSE BOAT for an experience of change. There are numerous house boats but you need to find the best deal. You even can opt for staying in Nagin Lake, this is actually a calmer lake when compared to Dal and also cheaper and at the same time it is more beautiful. And find the guide on Srinagar HERE.

Happy New Year 2011

Wish you all another GRAND year ahead...



This famous structure 'Tajmahal' never need an introduction. The beutiful piece of architecture symbolyzing LOVE has many stories to say... A detailed post on this will follow soon.