The fabulous RAJASTHAN by Jutta Hartmann-Metzger (i can read book club TXT) 📕

Yes , here I am again , safe and sound - back from a foreign for us Europeans region. We started (as always heard my husband on such trips course included ) 26 October 2007 from Hanover with Austrian Airlines. An extremely safe airline with very attentive staff. When packing your suitcase , it is not only important to max. To ensure 20 kg. The medicine cabinet may also be important. Medication for nausea, diarrhea , patches, disinfection and wet wipes, sunscreen and mosquito repellent should definitely be there. Required Vaccinate speak from your GP . Hepatitis A + B , polio, tetanus should be self-evident.
 

In addition, you can take another malaria drug (about 60 euros) as a standby medication for emergencies. In the north of India is likely to expect during the monsoon with mosquitoes. Personally, I 've stocked up even with ear plugs because of the sometimes very loud air conditioning. Before this trip, each traveler should be aware that everyday life in India is not comparable with ours. At almost every corner and dirt, misery, poverty is waiting for you , what with the over-population (1.07 billion - with 358 people per km ²) probably surprise no one. Life often takes place on the roadside.

Beggars children please no money in the hand press . Especially the girls are very much at risk . You the money taken in any case - to sometimes brutal way by their own family members (brothers). Also keep in mind please that a running child next to you the sacrifice of camel or horse-drawn carriage or the jeep could be where you sit. Soap, shampoo and pens are rather the right gift.

Our room at the Hotel Claremont (New Delhi)

  Before we reached after 9 hours New Delhi, we make a stopover in Vienna. The time difference is 4 ½ hours and we are only just pleased to have arrived. After a short acclimatization and little sleep (about 3 hours) after breakfast we start our first tour.
 

It is first of all the Red Fort. It is a citadel of Shah Jahan (1592-1666). This Mughal emperor, who is also the famous Taj Mahal was erected by his favorite wife, Mumtaz, began about 1639 with the construction of a " seventh city Dehlis " - today one of the most densely populated areas in the world, 90 percent of all Muslims Dehlis live in this district, The Citadel is located on the eastern edge of the former fortified town. One enters the fort through the imposing Lahore gate through a wide square leads to the Diwan-i-Am. So the Hall of Public Audiences was named. The fort is relatively well preserved. To time of Shah Jahan, there were six main palaces, 5 of which still exist and connect directly to the audience area.

The music pavilion

The Pearl Mosque

   In the harem favorite wife Mumtaz now houses an archaeological Museum that gives us a glimpse into the Mughal period. Admire Shish Mahal, a small palace which has been exclusively decorated with glass. The Khas Mahal is the former private palace of the Shah. There are the chambers of dreams and the chambers of the beads. Areas that took advantage of the Mogul emperor to meditate. In the adjacent Diwan-i-Khas is the hall for private audiences. There was a jeweled Peacock Throne, which was, however, taken away by the Persian conquerors. It is close to the hamam (royal bath houses). We can still admire the Moti Masjid mosque, a Pearl Mosque, which was built of marble.

Indian visitors in the Red Fort

According to this already very impressive tour we take a rickshaw ride by New Dehlis streets. Yes, the selection of drivers is large, the condition of the vehicles are different, the pay is very low. We have paid double the price and still had a bad feeling: converted 2 Euro, 1 Euro would have been sufficient. The appropriate amount they learn - as we do - from the mostly German - or English-speaking tour guide. In our case this was Hanumant Singh, a happily married young man and proud father of a son. Mr. Singh also like supervised individual tourists and if you look on the internet, can be safely plan trips with his help. We can not recommend him highly enough .

Tour Guides Hanumant Singh

Saree shop in Old Town

Rickshaw ride



Begging girl

   

Proceed to Qutab Minar temple, the first Muslim temples in India, which was built in 1199 and is one of the oldest mosques in India. Also take a tour of Gandhi's cremation site is worth a visit and we remain here full of devotion. Mahatma Gandhi led 1947 completely non-violent people of the Indian independence. The British left the country and a 90-year colonial rule came to an end.

Iron Pillar in the Qutab Minor


Tomb Mahatma Gandhi

Humayun Tomb



Humayun's tomb (Note)

    In the evening we still take part in a stoppage of the Holy Book for the night. This ceremony will be held in New Delhi in Sikh Gurudwara Temple. The Sikhs are a group of believing Indians, but in contrast to living in the country Muslims and Hindus differ merely by the execution of the Baptism of them. And not only that: This religion was founded by Guru Nanak in the village of Talwandi in the vicinity of present-day Lahore / Pakistan 1469 AD .


The Sikh Temple

The Sikh Temple


Visitors to the Sikh temple

   Nanak was already not as a child many religious actions and accepted neither dogmas nor superstition. His religion should be focused not only on a spiritual life, but the faithful should also actively participate in worldly and secular activities. He was followed by nine holy men. The tenth and last Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 led a baptism. The Holy Bible was created by the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, 1601-1604. This Guru also built the famous Golden Temple Amritsar. During the 18th Century the Sikhs were persecuted by the then rulers. During the Mughal empire fell apart (the Afghans were in India) use the Sikhs this time to create their own empire.

   Under Ranjid Singh Kingdom of the Sikhs, which is about half a century remained until the British annexed it originated. The population of India is only about 1.8% of Sikhs. The five symbols of Sikhism are :

Kesha - the uncut hair under the turban
Kangha - a comb
Kara - an iron bracelet
Kachcha - a pair of trousers
Kupan - the sword

  The Sikhs do not believe in a caste system. Religion is monotheistic. It teaches tolerance and brotherhood towards all people . God is a God of grace and not the penalties. They reject pessimism and teach optimism and hope. Alcohol and tobacco , however, are prohibited. Although the wife equally their place in the community takes as absolute, adultery is a grave offense. Widows are allowed to marry , which is impossible by the Hindus again . The women do not wear veils and women by Muslims . The soul and to keep the body clean, is one of the components of spiritual growth . Diligence, wealth and social recognition are some of the goals sought by the devout Sikh .

Ceremonies accompany a Sikh by ​​his life. Among them are

a) the naming at birth
b) Amrit ( baptism )
c) Anand Karaj ( wedding )
d) death ceremony ( combustion )

  One expects from a Sikh that he in the morning every day - even before the sunrise - get up, meditate, after scrubbing and also in the evening and before bedtime. In addition once a day the Gurudwara (Sikh temple) visit . The Gurudwaras are enclosed community kitchens to output to all visitors eat. Whether rich or poor, educated or illiterate is insignificant in this case. The kitchens are funded by contributions devout Sikhs. So one tries to create social justice. The temple is barefoot foot and the head is to be covered. You bow to the scriptures, takes place. And now is recited from the Holy Scriptures . There follows a prayer. At the end of the service is a candy that is made of semolina, flour, sugar and butter spread.
 

The Holy Book is placed in a recent ceremony in the evening for the night . You can identify a Sikh temple on the yellow flag on the roof of the church , on the one Khwanda , the so-called double-edged sword , is presented. So you can easily distinguish a Sikh temple by a mosque. Also we lie down at night , because we also have to catch up on some sleep .

      After a somewhat meager breakfast we start towards Kota. Kota has about 700,000 inhabitants and is located about 500 kilometers southwest of New Delhi. Only this time we switch from the coach on the train. An Indian train ride is a special experience. For 500 km about 7 hours are needed. So no fast-paced ride.

     We are lucky enough to catch two berths - but use only the lower lying area. Is very good! My husband and I sit across from us, while the legs are extended. A little yoga succeed us already. Upon arrival in Kota and the occupancy of the hotel Umed Bhadwan it're off again. This rapid pace is maintained almost throughout the whole trip.