Delhi, Old and New
This was an intense day and not just because yoga started at 7am. Today was major tourist day! We started at the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, built in the 1640s, and even though it might not look so impressive in the pictures, it can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. That’s a lot of people in that courtyard…
After the mosque, our guide Shruti organized a rickshaw ride to the spice market along Old Delhi’s main thoroughfare. We weren’t allowed into the smaller alleys branching off the sides because everything is being setup for Diwali already and there’s barely enough room as it is. But maybe that was a good thing actually. The squeeze was tight enough on the big road!
Weaving your way through Delhi traffic on a bicycle is a whole other level of craziness that I wouldn’t attempt in my wildest dreams.
The spice market was of course fantastic. Aromatic, busy and everyone had a good sneeze. (Ideally not into the spices.)
Last, but not least, we went to the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a major Sikh temple in New Delhi, to do seva. This means literally “selfless service” or volunteer work. In our case we went into the giant kitchen and helped to prepare and serve food. Caring for others is a major tenet of Sikhism which means anyone can come to the temple for food or even sleeping And they will be received and taken care of. (Bare bones, obviously, but still...)
I chose to pass out the spoons which seemed like the safest option. (Safest for everyone else - I was terrified I’d spill the dal bucket into someone’s lap.) But even passing out spoons was a beautiful experience. There’s not much communication going on but everyone is quietly and humbly either doing their work or receiving their food. And then you go home again. Simple, efficient and very fulfilling.
Tomorrow we drive to Jaipur which will be in adventure in and of itself I’m sure.