T and I decided it was time..... we had visited Old Delhi when we were here 5 years ago but hadn't ventured in this time around. So last Sunday we headed in to see the Jama Masjid, the principle mosque of Old Delhi. As soon as you pass through Delhi Gate....... chaos ......and this was a 'quiet' Sunday. Many of the shops were closed, but where shops were closed, impromptu markets had taken their place on the pavement. These markets sold everything from household items and books to socks and shirts. There was even shops for used mechanical parts - everything has a use and a price here, nothing is wasted.
Our driver dropped us off at the mosque but also very near to our restaurant of choice, Karim's. But before we had lunch we had a walk up and down a couple of the streets. It is an overload to the senses.....we saw chickens in cages and tied up goats whose hours were clearly numbered, food stalls, kitchen appliance shops, hotels and all this while you are trying to avoid being cleaned up by a rickshaw or motorbike.
Curry anyone?
Pots, woks and bowls
Street food that I am not quite ready to dip into.... although it looks very pretty.
In case you are looking for accommy?
Face of Old Delhi
For lunch we ate at Karim's, an extremely famous restaurant that has been around since 1913. It is worth the fuss, the place is buzzing with local Indians and those who have just visited the mosque. The food is delicious. We ordered Tandoori Chicken, Chicken biryani (not great), naan and a qeema naan. All served with lime and red onion. We took the locals lead and ate with our hands (although as foreigners we did get given knives and forks which we proudly left alone).
Tandoori chicken
Qeema naan (mince naan)
Next time we get a curry - this is three of the curries on offer.
Following lunch we headed to Jama Masjid and on the way not surprisingly saw a local game of cricket
The Jama Masjid is enormous and wasn't too busy this Sunday - there was space for us to walk around and have a good look (and for everyone to have a good look at us). Not surprising given they made me wear a particularly bright unattractive, suffocating, polyester gown...(please note I had been culturally sensitive and worn trousers, a shirt and a scarf).
As of the 2001 census about 138 million Muslims live in India and it is the second most practised religion after Hinduism so this mosque is a fairly popular place to be.
Mother and children at the sacred pool
Seriously cute!!!
'Seriously cute' with her sweet big brother (I am getting my own back and taking pictures of other peoples children).
This guy wanted us to capture the memory of his hat and my bad outfit.
View of Old Delhi traffic from the mosque. Never complain about Punt Road again....
View of the walls of the mosque from the tower.
Sacred pool
Outside the mosque is a hive of activity - everything you could dream of is for sale clothes, jewellery, trinkets and dates....
Bicycle rickshaw with 5 young men aboard... poor bloke peddling.
Mr green shirt was very keen on getting our business and couldn't quite understand why we would want to walk anywhere.
This guy didn't want to take anyone anywhere - rancho relaxo.
So our first toe has dipped into Old Delhi and it was well worth the trip, after all it is the real Delhi and helps give a sense of the enormity of this city. So many people all trying to live and work in such a small space. No place for our little S but just incredible.
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