The blessed minar – Jama Masjid

Shot by Sony DSC H10
Aperture: 6
F number: f/8
Exposure time: 1/2000
ISO : 100

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I had no plans that day. My entire Delhi trip was hapazard, unplanned. It served the purpose though. That day, I went to Jama Masjid. I wanted to feel it.. wanted to stay there for few moments, experiencing what it feels like to be inside the mughal magnificent architecture, that has endured centuries of sword slashing.

It was hot yet so peaceful. People, strolled the area, the guides helping the foreign tourists knowing the place. I made it a point to stay there till my heart wished. Was at the sanctum, sitting quietly noticing people. Loved it… few kids assumed me to be an “Angrez” 😛 But never the less, I had to dissapoint them. The place where the pigeons are fed is superb serene. The place for the ladies to pray, infront of the memorial of the fakir that conceptualised the Jama Masjid is peaceful, overlooking the busy street downways.

After few minutes of total calmness, I started taking photographs, once trying to overhear a guide only to discover that he spoke in Italian. The Italian guy was very friendly, didnot know much of English. The french girl who studies her masters in IIT Delhi and her entire family was very generous and friendly 😉 Met and interacted with few other tourists.

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The note worthy meeting shall be that with the fakir and 2 young kids. Photography wasnt allowed inside Jama Masjid, one has to buy a ticket of Rs 200 for allowance. I was unaware of it. I was caught and a bit harassed. A Fair came in, took me out, saw my photographs… the above being one of them, and instructed them not to take any fine from me 😉 He was very good and a curious person. I told him about Bengal and Bengalis, about poverty, about muslims here and how they live together. He told me how the Jama Masjid was made, the child who drew it, the fakir who conceptualised it, and Shah Jahan who approved it after having seen it in his dreams. The later part of the story said that the fakir, donated his life to fix Jama Masjid’s allignment which initially was not exactly as was planned. He is said to have pushed it by his feet and made it straight. This part of the story was something hard to believe.

Met two incredible broad hearted kids- Salman and Asif. Asif wants to be an IITian while Salman is working hard to be an IAS officer. It was great interacting with them, and being with them pulling other localites legs! 😛 We lunched at the Karim’s. With time , the two kids faded away, only to stay in my memory… along with the incredible peaceful Jama Masjid.