Indira Gandhi International Airport

We reached the airport about 7.30 pm. We wanted to have dinner here since our flight was at 10.10 pm.   

An elephant and its calf

The Sun God

There is no good place to eat here

Lousy food at the airport

Our trip turned out to be much better than we have expected. Taj Mahal was great. City Palace in Jaipur was fantastic. And most of all, no Delhi Belly. 

White cars

I noticed that nearly all the cars in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are white.

I took this photo during a traffic jam

The cars in front and behind me are all white!

I wonder why?

Lotus Temple

We reached here at 5.15 pm and it was closed.

We have to be content with this shot

Waiting for our driver to take us to the airport

Talaqi Darwaza

This northern gate is also known as "the Forbidden Gate". It is said that no one is allowed to open this gate unless the king has returned victoriously from war. 

It has stairs similar to the Humayun's Gate

Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque

This mosque is a fine example of pre-Mughal architecture. White marble and red sandstones were used in the construction of this mosque. This demonstrated a transition from Lodhi to Mughal architecture.

It has a single dome and five doorways with arches

Quranic verses were inscribed on the wall

The mihrab

The dome

A lamp niche

Coloured tiles

More colourful tiles

The Baoli

The baoli was a major source of clean water for people living in the fort. The structure was built to keep the water clean and to reduce evaporation.

It is now closed to the public

There are 89 steps leading down to the water

Sher Mandal

This was Humayun's library. It is a double-storey octagonal tower built of red sandstone.

This is where Humayun fell and died

Humayun's Gate

This gate is popularly known as Humayun's Gate probably because it was built by Humayun or because it faces Humayun's Tomb.

Stairs leading to the gate

Purana Qila

Purana Qila literally means "old fort". Humayun built Delhi's sixth city on an ancient site that has been continuously occupied since 1000 BC. 

Bada Darwaza

An imposing gate built by Humayun

The centre of the fort

Map of Purana Qila

We entered Purana Qila through the Bada Darwaza and walked straight to the centre of the fort. There we turned right to Humayun Gate before going to the Sher Mandal, the Baoli and the mosque. We then went to the Talaqi Gate before exiting through the Bada Darwaza.

Safdarjung's Tomb

This is the last of the mughal monumental tomb in India. Safdarjung was the prime minister for Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. He became too powerful because of the weak Mughal emperor but was eventually ousted. The tomb was built in 1754 by his son after pleading with the Mughal emperor.

The main gate into the tomb

The three-domed mosque inside the complex

The tomb is not as grandeur because Safdarjung was not an emperor

Walking up to the tomb

Tomb of Safdarjung

Ceiling above the tomb

An isometric view of the mausoleum

This boy was trying to sell us flowers