Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi

Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi

Background

Ever since I started posting an-image-a-day on Instagram, I have posted many series on different destinations. Notable amongst them have been my series on New York City (NYC), Paris, and Ladakh (you may check those out here – NYC Instagram | Paris Instagram | Ladakh Instagram).

As we draw curtains on 2017, here is one of those AGAIN. This time, it is Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi. Historically, it is not one, but 7 cities from different eras. As I call it my hometown now, I have covered the various attractions over the years. These images were shot while doing slow-travel (!) through my hometown.

I hope you enjoy Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi as much as my other Instagram roundups.

Results:

This series of 25 images ran from 29th July to 9th August 2017. While it ran, it got 2827 likes and 215 comments. During this period, my Instagram account got 30 new followers.

Here’s the Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi – Phase I

I begin my new series with a complete sequence of Lunar Eclipse against perhaps the most identifiable icon of Delhi – Qutub Minar. This 73-mt tall, 13th Century Minaret is one of the 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Delhi. Do you know which are the other two?

You may want to share it with your astrophotography-enthusiast friend. If so, please tag him/her in the comments.

As I pan along these cyclists, the background blur showcases the Parliament House of India. It is a disc-shaped building that has seen a lot of modern-day India’s history. Have you visited Delhi yet?

Misra Yantra (Mixed Instrument), Jantar Mantar, Delhi was used as the symbol of 1982 Asian Games. It is an astronomical Instrument that was used as a tool to determine the shortest and the longest days of the year. From some angles, it looks like two folded hands or Namaskar – a typical Indian greeting! Isn’t it a funky piece of architecture?

Though Ugrasen Ki Baoli (Ugrasen Stepwell) is in the heart of Delhi, it was relatively unknown until a Bollywood blockbuster – PK – used it as an important location for the movie. While we are at it, do you know why the step-wells were built?

Well well, what do we have here? Angry birds! Besides being a concrete jungle, Delhi NCR also boasts of some flourishing bird sanctuaries. This shot is from Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary! While visiting Delhi, did you happen to visit any of the bird sanctuaries?

A traditional Gurukul (school) scene, created in marble, at the Garden of Five Senses. Do you know about the gurukul tradition?

Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi – Phase II

Octagonal tomb of Isa Khan Niyazi is in close proximity to Mughal Emperor Humayun’s Tomb. Ironically, he was an Afghan Noble from Sher Shah Suri’s court, a Suri dynasty ruler who fought against the Mughals. What is so special about octagonal architecture?

Republic Day illumination at the President House complex. You may see this fascinating site every year between 23rd and 29th January. India’s Republic Day falls on which date – do you know?

An intricately carved verandah of a mosque inside Lodhi Garden. Do you know which script has been carved here?

Another look at the carvings of the mosque in Lodhi Garden. Figured out the script, or not yet?

Mughal Emperor Humayun’s Tomb – the first garden tomb in the Indian Subcontinent – is the second UNESCO site of Delhi. Now, can you guess the third UNESCO site?

The octagonal Dome of Humayun’s tomb. Notably, in Mughal architecture, the significance of octagonal structure is its symbolism of Hasht-Bihisht (eight levels of paradise). Do you know of any more Mughal octagonal structures?

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) has an association with the 8th Sikh Guru (Guru Har Krishan). The water of the tank inside the precincts is believed to have healing properties. Have you visited any Gurudwara? If yes, which one?

Rama Yantra (Rama Instrument), Jantar Mantar, Delhi was built to observe the position of any celestial object. To do that, the simple principle of aligning it with the top of the pillar and a calibrated point on the floor or the wall was used. Have you been to any Jantar Mantar? Do you know how many more Jantar Mantar are there?

Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi – Phase III

Besides being a concrete jungle, Delhi NCR also boasts of some flourishing bird sanctuaries. What you see here is a shot from Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary! While visiting Delhi, did you happen to visit any of the bird sanctuaries?

Jama Masjid, Delhi. This is the supreme mosque in India that issues all official Islamic rulings. This dynamic image has been shot during Ramzan (holy month), just after the Roza (fast) was broken and Iftaar (the feast after fast) had started. Have you ever been to a mosque for Iftaar?

Republic Day illumination at the President House complex. For those who may not know, you may see this fascinating site every year between 23rd and 29th January. India’s Republic Day is on which date – do you know?

Verandah of the mosque outside the Jamali Kamali tomb – the teacher-disciple spiritual pair from the Mughal Court. Most arched verandahs from Mughal era were architecturally stunning. Do you know the correlation between an arch and a keystone? If yes, please do share.

The ornate filigreed dome of the Jamali Kamali tomb – the teacher-disciple spiritual pair from the Mughal Court. The filigree work has lasted many centuries!

Verandah outside Qutub Minar. While some pillars are carved out of sandstone, some have been carved out of wood. Though it was built by the Slave Dynasty, interestingly, the Indian artisans who built this verandah used the carvings of Indian gods and goddesses, out of sheer laziness. Do you know of any other structure where icons of two religions have unwittingly got mishmashed?

Instagram Roundup – Classic Delhi – Phase IV

Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi. Safdarjung’s real name was Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan and he was the Prime Minister during Mohammed Shah Ahmed Shah’s rule. His tomb was the last monumental tomb garden of the Mughals. It was planned and built like an enclosed garden tomb in line with the style of the Humayun’s Tomb. Which stones have been used to build this tomb?

The cursed Tughlaqabad Fort. Legend has it because of the curse, no one could ever settle in this fort. Do you know who cursed it?

Diwan-e-Aam (House of Commons), Lal Qila (Red Fort), Delhi. Mughal emperors used to hold court here during the Mughal rule in India. And now the reveal – Red Fort is the third UNESCO site in Delhi. Do you remember the other two UNESCO sites of Delhi?

Diwan-e-Khas (House of Lords), Lal Qila (Red Fort), Delhi. Mughal emperors used to hold cabinet meetings here during the Mughal rule in India. While Diwan-e-Aam (House of Commons) was made of red sandstone, befitting the stature of Diwan-e-Khas, this structure was created in high-quality marble. Red Fort is the third UNESCO site in Delhi. Remember the other two UNESCO sites of Delhi?

Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temple) is an important centre for Baha’i Faith whose roots are in Israel, more specifically in Haifa. While lotus is an important symbol for Baha’i’s, it is also the national flower of India. It is also the election symbol for the current ruling party of India – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Fittingly, this monument has been built with marble. Do you know which UNESCO site is associated with Baha’i Faith?

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