Out on the town, part 2

As if the roads are not adventure enough, we did manage to find our way into one or two other special places today.

First stop on the mini pilgrimage, Qutb Minar, site of the worlds tallest brick minaret in India, a veritable work of art which was built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. The surrounding structure is an impressive specimen of advanced architectural endeavor which is made all the more impressive when one considers that in the time this project was undertaken, there were nowhere near the modern conveniences, techniques and tools that we have at our disposal today.

Surrounding the minaret are the ruins of what must have been quite the place. If only the walls of that structure could talk, they might just paint a picture of glories once lived and of throngs who have visited over the centuries. All that remains now are ruins, shades of what once was, including evidence of a moat surrounding the structure, dry now, but perhaps once teaming with flowing water, particularly poignant in a place such as this which sees so little precipitation except perhaps during the monsoon season.

Having paid our respects to this venerated site, we were herded back into the van and whisked off to a nearby indoor market specializing in Kasmir rugs and scarves. There we were treated to a lesson or two in the weaving process which is followed by the artisans, and then of course an array of vibrant colours and textures, woven in intricate patterns, rolled out one by one for our visual and tactile pleasure.

Getting out of that place was a challenge, but once complete, our next stop was an outdoor market specializing in Kashmir scarves and other textiles. In this market setting, there definitely was no shortage of variety in colours, sizes and shapes. This was a bargain hunters Mecca, but buyer beware because the otherwise polite shopkeepers could be more than a bit persistent in enticing passers by to sample their wares, all the while hoping to unload some of their stock and take precious funds back to waiting family members in the Kashmir valley.

Lest we should think for a moment that there wasn't enough spice in today's adventure, our last stop on this tour took us to the Swaminarayan Akshardham, which we are told was built over the period of five years from start to finish, completed only two years ago. This imposing structure covers a vast expanse of property (100 acres in size) and is extremely well guarded. Visitors must leave all manner of hand luggage behind and even undergo a metal detector before they are admitted to the inner sanctuary. A place of peace, a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Delhi, this magnificent akshardham, constructed in tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE). No expense has been spared in creating this place of meditation and followers flock there to present their prayers, and to bask in its peaceful surroundings.

Then it was back to the fracass of the afternoon rush hour as we made our way back to the various hotels we're calling home for this week. It's been a full day, and a bit of evening rest and relaxation is in order. Some of us will have official duties tomorrow as the Tenth Annual International Mine Ventilation Congress gets underway. This is indeed the motivating factor for our presence here on the subcontinent. The rest of us, who have accompanied our friends will have our own things to do, places to go, and people to see. More on that score later.