A Paradise on earth

Humayun`s tomb

Second mughal emperor Humayun died in 1556 following an accident while coming down in haste, he toppled from the stairs of his personal library at Purana Qila, Delhi, the place happened to be the capital of his empire. In the library at Purana Qila, Delhi he enjoyed studying and also used to feed the pigeons on the roof. He died at the age of 48.

The library at Puraba Qila,Delhi where Humayun fell from stairs

The tomb of emperor Humayun was initially built in Purana Qila, Delhi and was finally shifted to its present position. Construction of tomb was completed in 1572 under the supervision of his Persian wife Hamida Begum. The replica or cenotaph of the emperor is built in the main building and the main tomb of Humayun lies in the basement as per their religious rule. Situated beside river Yamuna it was engineered to meet the requirement of water to run the fountains and irrigation for gardens by lifting the river water.

New look of the renovated entrance of Humayun`s tomb,delhi

The tomb clad in red sandstone, with white marbles used for ornamentations is an excellent instance of spectacular works in Persian style. It can be called a garden tomb or a tomb spectacularly surrounded by garden which was first in India and that inspired many of its later architectures. The tomb was so designed by the architect, to look like a garden of paradise as per their belief. The garden tomb was built on a geometric pattern on an area of 26 acres, is a combination of four major square garden (Char -bag) and each square was divided into nine equal parts and on the area of ninth part of each major square, the enormous platform of the tomb was built, with an array of arches. The tomb is a World heritage site awarded by UNESCO. Through the ages the tomb complex undergone serial of changes and severe damages. Serious measures of restoration for revival of the tomb were carried out to bring back its original glory and finally the tomb was inaugurated on 18 September 2013.

Humayun`s tomb,Delhi

The resting emperor

Few kilometres away from the Taj Mahal it was a picture contrast at Sikandra, with no queue at the ticket counter or any tightened security at the entrance or without the overwhelming crowd of photo enthusiasts like the Taj Mahal the premises of the tomb of greatest mughal emperor at Sikandra looked like a palatial nest of eternal peace. Animals and birds in the premises of nicely maintained garden have added a natural look in the serenely imposing ambience.

Entrance of Sikandra,Agra

His long reign of nearly five decades forms the bright chapter of the Indian History during which the country made rapid progress in all walks of life. He introduced a new Divine faith (Din-i-Ilahi) combining the good points of all religions. The brave general and capable administrator of a huge empire, he was passionate for knowledge in spite of illiteracy, under his patronage art, architecture, literature attained new heights. He was Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the ablest kings the world has ever seen.

Sikandra,Agra

Akbar`s lifetime was associated with interminable incidents and stories in Agra, he founded Fatehpur Sikri, refurbished the Agra fort. Prolific examples of composite architectural styles within the Agra fort, Fatehpur Sikri, were his brain child. Akbar himself initiated the work of his tomb at Sikandra in his life time. Akbar died in 1605 and was buried at Sikandra, Agra and the tomb was completed by his son Jehangir in 1612 as per the design of Akbar.

Inside Sikandra,Agra

Sikandra has many features to mesmerize the tourists. Right from the entrance gate, the calligraphic inscriptions in Persian were eye catching, the environment was definitely an exception among the other crowded monuments of Agra. Dome less structure of Sikandra tomb was built on red sandstone, and its top only was made of white marble, with its four marble minarets at the gate were placed by Jahangir, believed to have inspired by the architecture of Charminar, Hyderbad. In the spacious room of the actual tomb of Akbar, the building acoustic was extremely fascinating. We heard an effect of sound to fade away soothingly after getting nicely reverberated in the surrounding. Not sunk under the burden of prestigious title, the four hundred years old architecture, housing the tomb of the greatest mughal emperor will surely reign in the heart of history lovers for an endless century.

view of the tomb of Akbar,Sikandra,Agra

Majestic

View of the Rastrapati Bhawan

The gloomy weather of New Delhi nearly ended our most awaited visit. As the drizzles of early morning turned into incessant rain. The weather saddened our mood. Despite the gloomy weather, our journey began on the rain doused streets of New Delhi and slowly the blue dome of Rastrapati Bhavan appeared, on the canvas of reality.

Rastrapati Bhawan,India

Through a newspaper clip and a TV programme, I came to know that Rastrapati Bhavan of India will remain open for public viewing for specific days of week and online request can be submitted for having a glimpse of the house, its museum and the Mughal garden. I conveyed my online request accordingly, to the secretariat of Rastrapati Bhavan and it was readily approved from their end, with a specific registration number, and a route map. So, before our New Delhi tour began, my request to visit to the Rastrapati Bhavan was accepted.

Rastrapati Bhawan,New Delhi,India

At the entry gate, after verification of registration, our vehicle got permitted to enter in the premises of Rastrapati Bhavan of India. Defying the odd weather, finally when we looked at the enormous architecture of Edwin Landseer Lutyens, it was indeed an inexplicable delectation. Wade slowly on the rain soaked sand paved entrance, though; I continued capturing our evanescent moments at the Rastrapati Bhavan. It was impossible to confine the entire face of the building within the meagre frame of camera.

Rastrapati Bhwan,New Delhi 

Compulsorily we had to deposit our mobile phone, camera, bag at the reception, and got our identity verified. As the huge door opened after all formalities, the guided tour of Rastrapati Bhavan began, accompanying only our inquisitive mind queued after the guide, leaving all the electronic gadgets behind. It went sometime under the basement, through the stairs, at the first floor, on listening the fascinating stories and comprehensible details on the spot about the historic halls, conference halls, reading room, dining hall. The museums had meticulous collection and discriminating display of gifts, painting, photographs, sculptures, many more to recall.

Finally, the story ended with collecting mementoes at the curio shop and our vehicle left the premises to join the crowd again. By the time, rain ceased pouring and Sunshine was slowly brightening the day from torn clouds.