India Gate and Lodi Gardens

I don't think either of us slept particularly well. When we were both awake, we went down to reception to get Fiona checked in, and then up to the roof for breakfast. I ordered one of my favourites - puri bhaji - and Fiona stayed cautious and had tea and toast. She did try mine, though, and she enjoyed it, so I think she might not play it so safe next time 😂.

After breakfast, we went out for a walk. It was much calmer than yesterday afternoon, but it's still a lot to take in when it's your first time in India. I was relieved that Fiona seemed to really enjoy the chaos 😀.

We returned to the hotel to freshen up ahead of our tour of New Delhi. Our driver, Kalim, picked us up at 2pm and we drove through the city to collect our guide, Riaz. It was Fiona's first chance to see Delhi in daylight. We passed around Connaught Place, and decided to return tomorrow to have dosas 😀.

The first stop on our tour was Agrasen Ki Baoli, the only place that I had been to before. It was so much busier than when I was there a few days ago. Riaz proved to be a much more knowledgeable guide than the guy who was with me last time 😀.

Our next stop was at India Gate, formerly known as the All India War Memorial. It is a prominent monument situated on the eastern edge of the ceremonial axis of New Delhi India, officially known as Kartavya Path. It stands as a memorial commemorating the 74,187 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Around 13,300 servicemen’s names, including those of some British soldiers and officers, are inscribed on the gate. Designed by Edwin Lutyens, the memorial draws inspiration from ancient Roman triumphal arches such as the Arch of Constantine and is frequently compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Riaz insisted on taking several photos of us from all angles 😂. This was repeated everywhere we went - he was a proper David Bailey 😂.

From India Gate, we visited Lodi Gardens, a city park situated spread over 90 acres. It contains Muhammad Shah's tomb, the tomb of Sikandar Lodi, the Shisha Gumbad and the Bara Gumbad. These monuments date from the late Delhi Sultanate, during the Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451) and Lodi dynasty (1451–1526). As there is little architecture still standing from these periods, Lodi Gardens is an important archaeological site, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The park was laid out by the British around the original structures. They were respectful of what was already there, and they carried out sensitive renovations on the tombs. They did name the place Lady Willingdon Park, though, after the wife of a British dignitry 😀.

On Sundays, the gardens are a popular spot for family picnics. It was lovely to see so many locals enjoying the space. The tombs were stunning, and the setting was very picturesque.Leggi altro