Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid), Delhi

Advantages: Historic example of Moghul architecture
Disadvantages: Rarely included in standard tours

...together and go and have a look. We had three days to kill before the flight back to London and so when we were offered a free half day with a minibus and a driver, we set off to see the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque). Setting the Scene ************** It was a hot day - hot in the way that only Delhi on the verge of the monsoon can be. With the temperatures pushing 40 degrees and the humidity at max, it really wasn't the best of conditions to go out and look at architectural marvels. Imagine going sightseeing in a sauna (but without the naked people). On the plus side nobody else was much in the mood for sightseeing either - so the Fort was not very crowded, the queues were shorter and the touts slightly less persistent. Getting there ************ We went by minibus but any taxi or auto-rickshaw will take you to the fort... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cosmopolitan, modern, rich history
Disadvantages: frenetic, unbearably hot during the summer

...Often derided by backpackers who see nothing of the city but the notorious Pharaganj district of dingy hotels and cheap roadside eats, Delhi is a cosmopolitan and historic metropolis that has seen nine cities come and go over the last 2000 years. Rather like Rome, Delhi's history goes back more than two thousand years to the fabled city of Indraprashtra, on the banks of the sacred river Jumna, now being excavated by the Indian Archaelogical Survey. Over time, invasion and counter invasion have marked Delhi's history with walled fortresses. The red sand-stoned islamic city built during the height of the Moghul empire by Shah Jehan dominates old Delhi, the twin minarets of the Jama Masjid pierce the skyline next to the imposing ramparts of the Red Fort. Further south, the legacy of another imperial power dominates. Lutyen's gardened... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Historic example of Moghul architecture
Disadvantages: Rarely included in standard tours

...together and go and have a look. We had three days to kill before the flight back to London and so when we were offered a free half day with a minibus and a driver, we set off to see the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque). Setting the Scene ************** It was a hot day - hot in the way that only Delhi on the verge of the monsoon can be. With the temperatures pushing 40 degrees and the humidity at max, it really wasn't the best of conditions to go out and look at architectural marvels. Imagine going sightseeing in a sauna (but without the naked people). On the plus side nobody else was much in the mood for sightseeing either - so the Fort was not very crowded, the queues were shorter and the touts slightly less persistent. Getting there ************ We went by minibus but any taxi or auto-rickshaw will take you to the fort... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Historical place, Simple people, cheap life and beautiful seens
Disadvantages: It can be a little awkward dealing with some people

...are The Great Mosque "al-Jami' al-Kabeer" as the name indicates is the largest of them all. There are several other important mosques such as "Masjid al-Haimi", "Masjid al-Abhar", "Masjid Mosa", "Masjid al-Qala'a", "Masjid al-Zumoor", "Masjid al-Shahideen", "Masjid Dawood", "Masjid Aqeel" and others. It was interesting to find out that many of the mosques in the old city have a water well attached to them and gardens that reflect the beauty of the place. The Turkish style baths or "Hammam" in Arabic distinguished with a large white dome and stone sinks as well as the underground room which feeds steam to the whole of the bath. Some of these baths are "Hammam al-Maidan", "Hammam Saba", "Hammam al-Tawashi", "Hammam Shukor" and others. There are about 14 of these baths. The way these baths are designed helps in curing many illnesses relating to back... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful