Today we got to sleep in a little, well actually a lot. We did have to be up and ready to go until 8am. I felt so rested compared to the morning before. I packed up my belongings from my room and checked out of the hotel.
After breakfast our tour guides took us on another small tour of Delhi. This time we got to see New and Old Delhi. There were a few very distinct differences. First, Old Delhi is much more densely populated. There were literally people everywhere, whereas in New Delhi there was much more room to wander and walk in. The types of people were also very different. In Old Delhi it was more of the common man, a merchant or small business owner along with people on their way to work in factories. In New Delhi it was mostly higher business men and government employees. Second, the architecture was different; New Delhi had British inspired buildings. While Old Delhi had many temples and places of worship, and boxy forgettable style store fronts. Old Delhi did have a few unique buildings though.
In Old Delhi the Red Fort is there. This is still a working fort for the India military. This giant fort is in the center of Old Delhi and can be seen for miles. It is made of Red Sandstone like the forts I saw yesterday in Agra. It had a beautifully manicured lawn and guards at every entrance. We just drove past this because we were tight on time. However, we did stop and get out at the monument dedicated to Gandhi. There is a whole park dedicated to major leaders of India. The strange ( well strange to us) part was that the park is only created after they pass away, and is at the place of their cremation. So, when Gandhi passed away his body was brought to this empty area of Old Delhi that had been saved for his memorial park, his body was cremated, his ashes were taken to the Ganges River, and a memorial was built in his honor. The memorial was unique. There was a walkway built almost like a ramp so that people could walk up and overlook where his body had been cremated. In the middle of this manicured lawn was a marble platform with flowers on it and a cast iron lantern hung next to it. This is where Gandhi’s body was cremated. There were also four patches of gravel on either side of the monument. I asked the guide what these stood for and he told me they signified where the river had once been. Delhi has gotten so large that actually rerouted the river to expand the area. I thought that was very interesting. It was really cool but strange to get to see where Gandhi had been cremated. It was clear to see that everyone loved him.
After this we went to another monument right inside New Delhi. This monument was built in honor of those who fought in wars. It was actually built by the British to thank the Indian population who fought with them. This monument has now become a place where people come and gather after dinner at dusk to play cricket, listen to music, and just hang out with friends. It has become a very neutral place to come together as family friends and country. Around the monument there are beautiful flowers. Again, it was so interesting to see flowers that we grow in America. It still something I just didn’t even think about when traveling abroad. After about a half hour or so walking around this huge monument my group left to go get lunch and head to the airport.
We had lunch at a very nice restaurant. I really enjoyed trying all the new foods that India had to offer. I have never been such an adventurous eater. However, this trip has helped me to learn to just try it you may like it. We got back on an airplane and traveled south to Varanasi.
Once we got to Varanasi we met another bus who took us around the city and told us so many facts that it was impossible to remember them all. By this time in the day it is almost 6pm. Our group was going to the Ganges River to see the sunset and watch an offering ceremony. While approaching the area near the river I immediately realized that this was the India I expected to see when you picture it in your head. There were cows, dogs, chickens all walking down the street. There were thousands of people and hundreds of store fronts selling everything from fabrics to spices. I thought, this will be an interesting ride to the river. Then our tour guide tells us that because it is so crowded we cannot take the bus all the way to the river. Instead they had arranged bicycle rikshaws to take us. So me and my friend Mike hopped on a rikshaw and traveled the few miles down the road to the river. This was one of the scariest and coolest things I have done. I think that rikshaws should be everywhere. I mean our driver was swerving around cows and people and cars I just couldn’t understand how we didn’t crash. It was really fun though!
Once we got to the river I didn’t even know what to think or feel. There were hundreds of people surrounding a platform with 7 men on it. These 7 seven men were offering the 5 gifts to Ganga the Goddess of the river. The men would perform the ritual to the river, then turn around and perform it to the audience. The ritual consisted of a small dance that went along with each of the 5 gifts. There was also a song that was sung by not only the men but also the audience members who knew it. It was definitely an experience to witness this ritual. There were hundreds of people in the river also in boats. Our group stayed on the land because we knew we would be in a boat tomorrow morning at sunrise. One thing that Mike and I did was make a wish. One ritual is to send all of your wishes into the River. To do this we bought these small tea light candles with fresh flowers all in a cardboard coffee filter like bowl. You make a wish and place the small bowl in the water. When the bowl disintegrates then the wish will come true. I really enjoyed getting to be a part of the ritual.
Once the ceremony was over we all got back into our rikshaws and headed back to the bus where we drove to a local hotel. By the time we got to the hotel it was almost 9pm! We ate dinner and then went to bed. We had yet another early start the next day to watch the sunrise.
the monument for the soldiers
my candle to go in the Ganges River
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