Thursday, January 29, 2009

INDIA GATE

DELHI - FEBRUARY 2008

New Delhi was built between 1911 and 1931 as the new capital of India. The main architect was Edwin Luytens, who combined Western Classicism with Indian decorative motifs. The result is a somehow unique combination of classical form and English manner!




"INDIA GATE is a large war memorial, which was first dedicated to the members of the British Indian Army who lost their lives fighting in World War I and in the Third Afghan War. Since 1971, after the Indo-Pakistan war, it hosts the site of Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Amar Jawan Jyoti - the flame of the immortal warrior"


"CANOPY - King George V had his statue installed here in 1936 after his death"



"VIJAY CHOWK - From the Victory Square one has a great view towards the Raisina Hill and the Government buildings. Left the South Block, hosting External Affairs and Defense ministries; right, the North Block, hosting Finance and Home ministries"


"SANSAD BHAVAN - The round building seen on the photo houses the Parliament of India, at the continuation of Vijay Chowk"


"RAJPATH - Running from the Presidential Palace to the National Stadium through the India Gate, the Rajpath (King's Way) is a two-mile long avenue used for the ceremonial purposes, and the most important stretch of road in India. On January 26 - Republic Day - an important parade takes place on its grounds"


"NORTH BLOCK - The blocks are also named Secretariat Buildings"


"IRON GATES - It's said that Luytens copied them from some he saw in Chiswick, England!"


"RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN - The Presidential Palace was the former Viceroy's House. With 340 rooms, it's the largest residence of any President in the world! In front of the palace stands the Jaipur column"


"PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - And in front of the gate everybody takes a picture..."


"ELEPHANTS"


"SOUTH BLOCK - On the back side of the South Block, the Offices of the Prime Minister may be found"


"NATIONAL MUSEUM - Five millennia of Indian history can be explored at the museum, a quite impressive one"





"CONNAUGHT PLACE, officially known as Rajeev Chowk, is the financial centre of Delhi. Created in 1932 by Robert Tor Russell, chief architect to the Government of India, and modeled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, England, it's immediately recognizable on any map of Delhi as the big circle with radial roads spreading out in all directions. Eight separate roads lead out from Connaught's inner circle and twelve different roads lead out from Connaught Circus, the outer ring"


"SUNSET at Connaught Place"

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi everybody! I’ll be out till Sunday, so I won’t be able to reply to your comments and visit and comment on your blogs! I leave you, however, with a new post on Delhi, the last of this series. There will be another one just before taking-off, but that’s probably only in early March. Have fun, and a great weekend!!

alicesg said...

Very beautiful photos of India. The famous India gate looked so lovely. It is a must take photo when in India, I guess. Have a nice trip, trotter. :)

alicesg said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

That's some gate Gil. All stunning photos as usual. YOu make me yearn to go to India so much more. Beyond its poverty, there's so much beauty. Have a great week..or weekend ahead :D

Indrani said...

So many movies have been pictured around these monuments. You have some nice shots too. The gate and the sunset shots are beautiful.

Maria Verivaki said...

delhi must suffer from a lot of urban pollution - the air is so thick!

Light and Voices said...

It took my breath away to see the Iron Gates. Wow! Oh to see the sunsets in Delhi.
Joyce

Lara said...

long time no see indeed! but now I am back for a visual del(h)ight!

hpy said...

The itron gates are fabulous.

Olivier said...

magnifique série, une belle découverte,comme miss hpy, j'adore the itron gates

Venksh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Venksh said...

Gil absolutely amazing photo's, the sunset photo is very nice, u look good in that Raj Path photo, it would have been very nice if the post was published on the 26th of January "The Republic Day of India" have u seen the Republic day parade, its really awesome,

hope the next post is marvelous Taj.

kven
http://kollywoodmoviereview.blogspot.com/

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Some of India's power structures! Very impressive buildings!

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

These are some grand buildings in India! I detect a hint of colonialism in their government buildings...

lyliane six said...

Le moderne à su se confondre avec l'ancien, ce n'est pas laid du tout.
L'arc ressemble bien à celui l'étoile à Paris.
La porte en fer est une véritable dentelle.
C'est comme au Japon, tu as intérêt à noter le nom de l'hôtel sur du papier, car pour lire la langue ce n'est pas facile, heureusement tout le monde parle anglais là bas.

Mariposa said...

wow i love the iron gates..and the susnset is BEAUTIFUL!!

Azer Mantessa said...

i was staring at these pics ... the area is spacious ... astounded me

very nice

eye in the sky said...

i agree with the comment above re: pollution. at 7PM when the street lights are lit, you could see particles floating around. i wish they would address this problem coz delhi is BEAUTIFUL. imagine, 3 UNESCO world heritage site in one city? and the metro is very comfortable even at peak hours - though it doesn't really reach the southern parts of delhi where the qutub minar, lodhi gardens, etc. are nearby.

i LOVE your photos here of the raj path. its always a pleasure visiting your site.

Lori said...

I love the photo of the schoolchildren in their uniforms. That's a classic. I'm struck by the amazing architecture there. What a fascinating place.

bindu said...

These are lovely pictures of Delhi. Thanks for taking us there!

S-V-H said...

Beautiful as always, Gil! Thanks to share all the beauty of India with us.

We will be on the road again at Saturday, more to the South. I don't know either if I will have some Wi-Fi connections again, like here to connect and to comment.
Susanne

Sue's Daily Photography

Shionge said...

Very majestic indeed and is it cold? I saw you with a coat there.

PeterParis said...

With all the beautiful things you just HAVE to show here, I understand perfectly that you have difficulties to catch up with the about one year's delay. (I guess the time lag must now be increasing again?) It's so nice to see how you really enjoy visiting places and make the utmost of it!

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

More great pictures, that sunset is gorgeous and those gates--awesome!

Rhonda

Raghu Ram Prasad said...

Beautiful photos of my capital of India.....INDIA GATE we have to solute that is great thing who devoted their life for country

MedaM said...

I am sorry that I haven't had visited your blog for a long time. I simply couldn’t find the time. I have just managed to see all the posts that I have missed and I am impressed as always. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful photos of the places where I've never been.

Dick said...

Great, I like the gate it's beautiful and the sunset is fantastic.

Baron's Life said...

You are a true citizen of the world.
What can I say?
Your blog speaks for itself and should be used by the United Nations to bring people together.

Tara said...

Thanks for helping me travel when I can't get to!

Tara said...

Thanks for helping me travel when I can't get to!

P.N. Subramanian said...

Stunning pictures Gil. It is amazing to look at the Rashtrapati Bhawan through the hume pipe. Thanks.

Lilli & Nevada said...

One thing about all your photos they all have such beautiful Architecture that is always amazing to me. Love that last shot.Thank you for your visit

alok said...

Wow! amazing picture collections from India and I am sure you have many more … thanks for sharing them with us. Its so refreshing to re-visit Delhi with your pics :)

You have a wonderful week ahead!

Joy said...

These are beautiful snapshots, Gil! I especially like the gate and the sunset!

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments.


joy
A Pinay In England
Your Love Coach
I, Woman

Ron said...

Very nice pics. I can't believe how modern looking New Delhi is. I expected something totally different.

Go Steelers!

Ron said...

Very nice pics. I can't believe how modern looking New Delhi is. I expected something totally different.

Go Steelers!

lv2scpbk said...

India looks like an interesting place to be. I really like the looks of the iron gate and the elephants.

Chuckeroon said...

.........weh hey! I'd better rectify this impression of a 2no show", Young Trotter!

The Iron Gates are pretty cool and the school uniforms are indeed totally Pukka.

Is this OK ;-)

indicaspecies said...

Hi Gil,

Am done with my exams and back in the blogworld since 4 days and it's a pleasure to visit you here again.

It's delightful to check out your photos of one of my favorite places in India, the Raisina Hill. Every visit to Delhi must end for me with a leisure walk on the Raj Path. Thank you for sharing these and bringing back lovely memories.:)

 gmirage said...

Wow! Your photos made me see Delhi differently...I mean with all the bollywood movies and the bombings, I never thought there would be these fantastic views! love the last shot too, there were people but I didnt noticed at first! (Sorry for the delayed visits...Im going to school!)

~vagabond~ said...

The sunset looks so beautiful...thanks for sharing all the lovely photos of Delhi. :)

Ms.N said...

hey GMG,

thanks for dropping by. You've got some great pics of Delhi there. I've been to cannaught place quite a few times - and i didnt know it was modeled after the bath cresent.

for how long are you touring india? i hope u are having a good time!

lyliane six said...

Il neige ici ce matin, à Lisbonne il fait encore bon. Bonne semaine.

NormanTheDoxie said...

Beautiful! Have you seen Slumdog Millionaire?

Ash said...

Wonderful photos!

Anonymous said...

Splendid post, Gil!
I like very much Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Iron Gates.

JO said...

Sorry for mu delay in posting, my little one has been sick and restless.

You India pics are beautiful - I love the iron gates and the sunset is beautiful - stop by today and see my sunsets.

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

fantastic shots Gil,
I like DElhi and its buildings, they are great and who is that man on the picture ( wink :)

JoAnn/Holland

Lakshmi said...

Delhi ironically isnt one of my fav cities of India ...(I prefer Mumbai) but your pics do bring back nostalgic memories

Anonymous said...

Hi everybody! It’s always a great pleasure to read you here. Thanks for your comments and I wish you a great weekend.

Alice SG,
You’re right: India Gate in Delhi is a photo must!!

M.Kate,
You had better to start packing... ;))

Indrani,
It’s so beautiful, that there is no wonder that many movies have been made around these monuments... ;)

Maria,
It’s true that the pollution isn’t low in Delhi...

Joyce,
I agree with you: the iron gates are absolutely stunning!

Lara,
Glad to see that you’re back!!

Hélène,
Indeed!!

Olivier,
C’est vrai que les portes du palais sont vraiment admirables...

Kven,
Thanks for the compliment! I couldn’t see the parade on Republic Day as I only arrived on February 2008! But I actually published a post on India on January 26… ;)
As for the Taj, you’ll have to wait a bit; need to keep the interest on this blog… ;))

Rakesh,
True power!!

Jen,
The government buildings were designed by Edwin Luytens and built in the 1930s under the British Government in India…

Lyliane,
Tu as raison: l’India Gate est similaire à l’Arc et reçoit aussi la flamme du soldat inconnu! La porte-dentelle est superbe et heureusement tout le monde (presque) parle l’anglais…
Cet hiver est le plus mouillé dont je me rappelle; maintenant il fait bon et le soleil brille; mais il y a des averses et de la neige dans tout le nord du pays à partir de 600 mètres. Tu l’imagines? ;))

Mariposa,
Also loved that sunset at Connaught Place!!

Azer,
Imperial, it looks!!

Eye,
So you also experienced the pollution? It’s true, but is unequally distributed around Delhi; some spots are much more polluted than others… But it’s a shame for a place with three UNESCO World Heritage sites just around the corner!!

Lori,
A true classic that picture!

Bindu,
My pleasure!

Sue,
It’s always so good to read you here! Hope you are having a great trip with gorgeous pictures for us to see!! Enjoy and have fun!!

Shionge,
Well, for Indian standards, it was cold; I felt quite comfortable, as it was similar to our winter time… mild!!

Peter,
It’s true that the delay could be increasing, but as I’m almost trapped around here and don’t travel a lot, there a larger interval between trips and, unfortunately, I manage to catch up again… ;(

Rhonda,
Glad that you liked; the sunset (with some pollution) became even more striking!! ;))

Raghu,
I’m glad to see that the post made you happy!!

MedaM,
I’m flattered to read you back here! And I surely understand when one is busy to manage to surf the blogosphere; not always an easy task to find time available to see everything we wish… ;)

Dick,
A nice (and, it seems, agreed…) choice!!

Baron’s Life,
Come on, I’m thrilled, but don’t think I deserve such honours… You’re too kind!! Thanks.

Tara,
My pleasure! It makes me happy to know that this blog has some interest for people out there in the blogosphere!!

P.N.Subramanian,
I’m glad that your expert eyes enjoyed the pictures. Also loved that one you mentioned…

Lilli,
Not always architecture, but always something amazing… ;)) Definitely the sunset is a success on this post!!

Alok,
You can imagine that I have a lot more, not counting the deleted… ;))

Joy,
Thanks! Those two have been voted the best on this series of comments, and I won’t disagree… ;))

Ron,
New Delhi was created in the 1930s and was meant to honour the Empire… No wonder it looks modern and magnificent!!
Congrats on the Steelers win; it was hard though… ;))

Barb,
I’m not so sure I agree on the interesting place to be; but surely to get through… I’m not certain I would love to live there, at least with the heat and the monsoon… ;))

Chucker,
Absolutely first class… ;))

Celine,
You’re always a great ravel companion here! Happy to learn of the successful examinations!!
I’m sure you take a great pleasure on that walk down Raisina Hill into the Raj Path!! It’s a great stroll, provided the season is winter… Hot summer or rainy monsoon must be hard… ;))

Gizelle,
Hope you’re enjoying school… ;)
There were some guys dealing with cell phones, as always in India… but the sunset was awesome!

Vagabond,
You’re always welcome. That evening at Connaught Place was superb; the sunset was gorgeous!

Ms. N,
Thanks for your first comment here; hopefully the first of a very long series…
Connaught Place is actually based on the Bath Crescent, at least as far as I learned, but one is always learning… ;))
I was in India in February 2008, and for a very short period of time; but I’m good at seeing plenty in short… ;-))

Lisa,
I’ll try to see it this weekend, if I manage to take some hours off… ;))

Ash,
If you say it, I wouldn’t contest, as you’re the one who knows beauty!!

Pietro,
That’s quite a palace…

JO,
Hope William is better now!
Will check your sunsets asap! Sorry, but it isn’t an easy task to find time to do half of what should be done… ;))

JoAnn,
So, you noticed there was a man in the picture… Great eye… ;))

Lakshmi,
I haven’t been to Mumbai; one day on the way to or coming from Goa, I’ll make it… ;)) But Delhi was an interesting surprise to me… ;))

My Unfinished Life said...

India Gate and CP are my favourite hang out zones!!!!!......
lovely pics and description...

Anonymous said...

Shooting Star,
They're surely nice places to stroll around!!

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

Ony one word: Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Anupama,
Thanks!

adelynne said...

isn't the indian civilization simply so impressive? it makes me quite proud to be asian though i certainly ain't indian ;) i wonder how much edwin luytens earned as the architect of new delhi, hehehe. :P and i think that photo of the kids in front of the gate is cute! they're all dressed so smartly!

Anonymous said...

Addy,
Come on, forget the money... ;)) That doesn't seem so Asian... ;))
Smart dressing, indeed!!

Louise said...

Since I am catching up in reverse order, I may be less mesmerized by this than I would have been had I seen it before Jaipur. But it is still beautiful in its own way, especially the temples. And just the teeming amount of humanity is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Louise,
It's a different way of thinking the architecture, but the global impression is fabulous!!

A Lady's Life said...

Love the children the sunset and the palace.
There is supposed to be a book or movie, or both which tell the longest stoy ever told and after seeing or reading it you are supposed to recognise every type of human being that walks this planetand what kind of people they are. Never knew the title of it but people apparently went to watch it (so it must have been a movie) for many days.

Trotter said...

Lady,
The school children in their uniforms look quite nice!
As for the story, I don't remember hearing about it... Maybe a movie...