Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels: Intoxicating India 2013

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Intoxicating India 2013 - Day 8

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Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels

Intoxicating India : 9th to 16th February 2013

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DAY 8 : 16TH FEBRUARY 2013

Today will be our last day in India, we had been quite fortunate that the weather had been kind to us for the past few days of our tour. So even though today it rained, I could not really complain. But it would have been better if it did not, for we would be visiting a few places, and the rain did put a damper on our plans.
For the last day, the tour company has cramped in quite a lot for us to visit. Starting with the Bahai Temple, to the Akshardham Temple, then the Ghandi Memorial, the India Gate and finally do some shopping before flying back to Malaysia.

A. THE BAHAI TEMPLE

As this will be our last day here, we packed our luggage meticulously and checked out from our hotel, the Park Plaza.

Our bus parked at a car-park opposite the temple. But it seems to double up as a dump yard, with lots of rubbish piled and strewn all over. The previous night's rain did not help, as the wet garbage was also giving out a stench. It was not a very good introduction to a temple that is suppose to be pure.

The Bahai Temple is in a large fenced-up, well landscaped compound. At least the grounds of the temple is clean and well landscaped - a marked difference from the car-park.

The grounds is large and we had to walk about one kilometer to the temple proper.

Nearer the temple, the footpaths are much wider and nicely tiled. No shoes are allowed into the temple, so shoe bags are provided here for visitors to take off and keep their shoes.

Within the inner compound of the temple (walled up by distinct dark red walls), are wash basins for devotees to wash their hands and faces before entering. Some even go to the extent of washing their feet in the toilets as they will be walking bare-footed in.

The Bahai Temple has a lotus-shaped roof, pure white in color. To some extent it has resemblance of the Sydney Opera House in it's architectural design.

We were short on time and as we had other destinations to go to, decided not to go inside the temple building.
On our walk out, I met a couple of friendly Indian girls who took a photo together with me. Now, at least I can say I met some Indian beauties.

Back at the car-park, we quickly boarded our bus to escape the stench of the rubbish; the overwhelming horrid smell suddenly erasing the Indian beauties from my mind!

D. SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARDHAM NEW DELHI

NOTE: The following photos of the Akshardham Temple are taken from their photo book which can be purchased from the souvenir shop. Due to security reasons, no electronic equipment, phones, cameras, etc. are allowed into the place.

The Swaminarayan Akshardham is a place of abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a torchbearer of Indian culture and spirituality, and who was born in 1781.

From the young age of ten, the Bhagwan was already astounding scholars with divine knowledge. At eleven, he embarked on a odyssey through India to search for spiritual enlightenment.

In his adult life, he spear-headed a moral, social and cultural revolution in Gujarat, inspiring many to lead a moral, social and spiritual re-awakening.

Side view of building with areflection pool.

From the Ashardham looks grand during the day...

... and even much grander at night.

If the outside is grand, the inside is majestic - with a large golden statue of Swaminarayan surrounded by golden statues of his spiritual elders. The walls are richly adorned, and the step risers are inlaid with semi-precious stones.

The statue of the Bhagwan sits at the center of the main hall, surrounded by opulent decorations and a beautiful ceiling.

To one side of the building is an interesting wall mural carving of elephant statues, each one individually distinct from the others.

C. THE RAJ GHAT - A MEMORIAL TO MAHATMA GHANDI

It had started to rain quite heavily. Fortunately by the time we reached the Raj Ghat, the rain has slowed down to a light drizzle. Still, many of my fellow tourists opted to stay in the bus, only a handful of us ventured forth. After all, we had come a long way, why let some rain spoil our visit?

Braving the drizzle, we walked into the park that holds the memorial. Though cold, it was a nice walk along a well landscaped boulevard.

The memorial park is large as it holds different sections for memorials dedicated to respective past Indian leaders.

One of the directional sign show where to go :
The Vir Bhumi is the memorial for Rajiv Ghandi;
the Raj Ghat is that for Mahatma Ghandi, it is also the place where he was cremated;
the Kisan Ghat is that dedicated to Charan Singh, the famous farmer leader.
The are other memorials dedicated to Indira Ghandi, Jawaharlal Nehru, etc.

As time was running short for us, we only manage to visit the Raj Ghat.

It is situated in a large lawn area with only a few trees - spartan and unpretentious like the man that it is dedicated to.

A zoom in of the Raj Ghat - it's a simple black marble, small memorial. A flame at the top is kept lit eternally.

D. INDIA GATE

Our next destination is the IIndia Gate, again the dark skies and drizzle dissuaded some from getting down - most preferred to view in the comfort of the bus from a far. Only me and another friend went on foot, walking about a half kilometer to the monument.

On the walk over, we passed by this structure called the Canopy. What is its significance?

The India Gate is a large arch, built in 1931 it is a war memorial to the Indian soldiers who fell during World War 1 and the 3rd Anglo-Afghan War.

The names of these soldiers are inscribe onto the walls of the monument.

At the bottom, protected from the weather by the arch monument is the Tomb To The Unknown Soldier - a memorial to all fallen soldiers.

Flower wreaths are placed here everyday, and a flame is kept continuously burning in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice of the soldiers. A soldier stands guard solemnly.

Leaving the India Gate, we drove pass the Parliament House, again time and the weather did not permit us to stop by here.

D. SHOPPING SOJOURN

Why the shortage of time? Well, most of my fellow tourists want to go to a shopping complex to do some shopping. Getting there was a hassle though, the rain had caused a terrible traffic jam in the city.

Seems like the Valentine mood is still in the air - a beautiful, bright red carriage, care for a ride?

We had a light, late lunch in the mall, me being biased ate at this place - Joe's Sizzlers - and it was sizzling good.

After about two hours at the mall, it was tea time! Or more accurately tea shopping time.
We went a tea-shopping at this shop, the Pekoe Tips Tea. It is quiet well known as many of my tour buddies requested to come here even though it is not on the tour route.

It must be a real well known shop, for inside the place was crowded with customers waiting for their orders; and most of the customers were foreigners from all over the world.

E. DINNER & DANCE