Info: Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri ( = city of victory close to Sikri) is a 16 century capital, build by Akbar in a rocky area, at 37 km from Agra. Because it is a ceremonial capital, the city has been never reinforced. Fatehpur Sikri is unique in its set-up and architecture.The emperor built the city for the Moslem soefi-heilige Salim Chishti. It was dedicated to Salim Chishti, because he had predicted him that he would get three sons. And indeed Akbar got three sons. Oldest prince Salim, was the later emperor Jahangir.
It took many and many years to build Fatphur Sikri but in 1585, only 15 years after the first people lived in the city, it was left empty, due to a lack of water.
That's why this empty city is often called "Spook city".

We have a host in Delhi

Hi All,

As i already told in my first post, we will stay with some host families while travelling.
These hosts we find with the website: www.couchsurfing.com. It is really a whole community and i guess it is quite safe. When somebody has a negative experience you can also tell this on the website,...
In Delhi we will be hosted by a nice guy Kamal. He's got very good reactions and he even want to get us at the airport.
Thanks Kamal for your hospitality!! We really appreciate. (We will bring you a good bottle of wine ;-) and some belgian chocolates)

Elise

Info: Delhi

In this message i will tell a little bit more about our first destination in our trip: Delhi.
Delhi the second largest city of India.
Actually the city is divided in two parts. New Delhi, which is the capital of India and Old Delhi.
As the name already tell us this is the old part of Delhi and the most interesting to visit.
New Delhi is created by the English in the 20 st century.

Population : about 13 million people
Area : 1500 square kilometers


Most important places of interest:

• Chandi Chowk: This is the main street of old Delhi, crowded with colourful shops. Here india's largest wholesale market.

• The Red Fort: The emperor Shan Jahan's red sandstone fort is considered one of the most magnificent buildings in the country. It was build when Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi in the 17th century. Shaped like an irregular octagon, the fort is about 2 km in circumference. Its beautiful gates are master peaces of builders art. Nowadays inside the fort are splendid ornamented buildings, pavilions, gardens, shops and museums.

• Qutb Minar: This is one of the most famous landmarks of Delhi. A tower of victory and a minaret once used by the muezzins build in 1193. The 72,5 meters tall tower tapers from a base diameter of 14,4 meters to a peak diameter of 2,4 meters. The tower had 5 floors, 3 build of red sandstone and two of marble and sandstone.
  In 1326 the tower was damaged but luckily it was repaired. In 1368, two floors were added to the existing tower, using marble.
  

• Lotus temple: This spectacular building shaped like a lotus flower is a temple of the bahá'í. This comunity says all religions should be united. The lotus flower is build up in white marble and the building is surrounded by water. The adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. At dusk the sight of floodlit Lotus temple is simply spectacular.

• delhi haat: its a small market place in south part of delhi run by artisans from various parts of delhi (thanks Kamal for the info)
  
  

Oh this is it for today, more fill follow later on.

bye,

Elise