Sunday, August 16, 2009

The People of India and the Taj Mahal

The people of India are beautiful, in every way, and we wish them all of the peace and prosperity that can possibly be achieved. We have one wall of a hallway in our house and one wall in Julie's office decorated with photos of the people of India. We showed some of them last week from Varanasi, and we will show a few more this week. This darling girl was dressed up to visit the Taj Mahal with her family. We got her father's email address and emailed the photo to him after we returned to the USA.
This tea vendor in Varanasi shows great character. The steam from his pot, his contented expression, his colorful scarf, and the color and patina of the wall behind him provided a composition that compelled us to stop and takes his photograph, with his permission, of course.
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, before the crowds arrive, is the best time to admire this exquisite architectural masterpiece. It is symmetrical in every way except for the tomb of its builder, Mughal emperor Shah Jihan, which had to be placed off center because in the center is the tomb of his favorite wife, in whose memory he had 20,000 people build the building (1631-1643). Tragically, he was imprisoned by his son and lived his last years in confinement in a nearby fort where he could see the Taj Mahal from afar.
These contemplative women had a moment to reflect just outside the 16th Century Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, in the north of India. We love the colorful dress of the women of India.
The intricate calligraphy on the five-story Qutb Minar tower has inspired worshipers of Islam outside Delhi since 1193.
The hotels of India are among the most luxurious anywhere. Cut flowers floating in bowls of water are common decorative touches.
These two boys were inside the 350 year old Jami Masjid Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Delhi and can hold more than 20,000 worshipers. Muslims are only about 20% of the population of India, but that still ads up to about 200 million people. India's muslim minority is the second largest muslim population , second only to the number of muslims in Indonesia.

9 comments:

B SQUARED said...

Wonderful photos and commentary. Indians are a fantastic people. I believe this century will belong to them.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post! With the exception of Varanasi, I've been at all the places these photos were taken. I really love all your shots! Great work!

Lois said...

Very nice pictures! The ones of the children are my favorites.

robert said...

काव्य-शास्त्र - a poetry-book of photography. making the wish to visit ever more stronger. thank you for sharing such beauty.
please have a nice new week.

Thérèse said...

It completes so well the pictures seen on Mr Blogtrotter
Beautiful pictures and nice commentary.

Gloria said...

I have always wanted to go to India and in particular to see the Taj Mahal. . . . I'm determined now to travel there within the next 12 months now!!!! Great shots and great blog.

brattcat said...

Fantastic glimpse of India. The Taj Mahal photograph is splendid as is the one of the two boys at the end. I'm so glad you've decided to create this blog.

Sahildeki Ev said...

Beautiful blog, beautiful photos. India has always a special place among all the places I have visited..

Cezar and Léia said...

Magnificent! Your pictures are wonderful indeed!
I would love to visit India some day!
Who knows!!!Thanks for sharing!
Léia

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...