Re: Delhi-a visit to my home town
Decided to visit the Juma Masjid in old Delhi.
The place was teeming with people, its like walking in the past(100 years). Took a cycle rickshaw (only they can move within those streets-it's impossible in car, too narrow streets) and after zig zagging reached the steps of Juma Masjid.
Stalls & beggers-young & old all around. Most of the women wore full burqhas, the place was filthy with rubbish all around. Anyway once inside it was BIG and clean!!
Decided to climb one of the minarets, a fee of Rs 20 was demanded and paid-no reciept given or asked for. The climb was narrow, circular and finally I was on the top. Surprisingly there were about 10 Europeans sqashed up there, enjoying the sights of old Delhi.
I looked all around-As a child I used to live closeby in Daryaganj-in Sir Syed Ahmed's house(probably evacuee property after partition!!) I could'nt see the house but the Masjids, Gurdwaras & Jain Temples was all around me. The Red Fort was also on one side. Chandni Chawk on the other side.
Decided to eat some food there in a nearby Muslim Dhabha/Hotel-a bit too greasy for my liking.. Most of the buildings were painted in Green, and though I did'nt see any Pakistani flags-somehow I almost expected to see one.