Sunday May 4, 2014, continued
Ok, we have time to squeeze in a few more monuments before we go home...
Over 1000 years old, the Qutb Minar is the 2nd tallest minar (73 metres) in India. As the name suggests the tower was to serve as a minaret from where the Islamic call to prayer was issued five times each day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. On its upper levels it has decorative motifs showing both Hindu and Islamic elements.
The balcony.
A closer view of the calligraphy.
Enough old stuff?
Here is something modern. The curious 1986 marble clad Lotus Bahai Temple which is obviously inspired by the lotus flower.
Bahai's believe that there is one God, that all humanity is one family, and that there is a fundamental unity underlying religion. They anticipate an age for the establishment of world peace. Wait a minute, "fundamental unity underlying religion". Well it can be traced back to ancient Babylon. But as for religions coming together and establishing world peace... I think history speaks for itself.
Everybody wants a photo.
The interior of the building is structurally beautiful but sadly they do not permit photography...
The Isa Khan Tomb from 1547.
Humayun's Tomb from 1572 is the first example of Persian influence on Indian architecture. It contains over 100 graves earning it the nickname "Dormitory of the Mughals".
The exterior arch of Humayun's Tomb, showing niches on two levels.
The India Gate, originally called the All India War Memorial, established in 1921 and unveiled in 1931.
We were surprised to see so hundreds, if not thousands of Indians reclining and playing on the lawn around the monument. Apparently, it is a perfectly normal family outing on a Sunday afternoon.
Most of the architecture that we have seen in India, (the war memorials, tombs and burning ghats) have a common theme, death. It's millions of gods have done their worst but time is fast running out.
Our week in India has come to an end and we are very happy to be back home now. It was quite an experience and we have learned a lot. The people of India are vibrant and full of life. From our very limited glimpse their conditions are difficult to say the least. We feel for them and pray for God's Kingdom to come.
Lloydnalex
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