Dilli Haat

In the 90s, someone in the government came up with a very smart idea. A space was developed where the artisans( hope am using the right word) could showcase their work. Also artisans could come in direct contact with the buyers and sell their wares. So, this would become a space where the artisans from far flung areas of India could sell what they produce. Also, people from Delhi and visiting tourists could buy Indian handicrafts here. The range is huge. It is an enclosed space with food stalls so it could be a place for family outings too. The idea has gained huge popularity and now dilli haat has become a landmark in the heart of Delhi.

These are small shops that get assigned to an artisan for say a period of one month in a go

this is a food stall in the middle of it all

so you have food stalls from different states of the country and good seating space too

look at those colours

I blog about it because I quite like this place. Interesting place to visit especially if you are from outside India. 

A visit to Humayun's Tomb : Delhi

Humayun's tomb is a magnificent structure. Nowadays it is called the Humayun's tomb complex because of another very remarkable structure next to it - Niazi's tomb. We don't clearly know who Niazi was or why he was so important. Mr Tampi very kindly consented to take us around for a walk in the Humayun's tomb complex and started off with Isa Khan Niazi's tomb.( correction to my earlier comment. Niazi was an important noble in the court of the Sur dynasty)

The structure has an octagonal base to support the dome at the top. In the Niazi tomb complex there is a mosque. I went crazy clicking pictures of the mosque as the Sun was setting in the background. Needless to say the mosque faces the west.

The roof or the dome from inside

Mr Tampi explaining something to Aparajita Singh

I seem to have messed up the order a little. Before the mosque I should have gone inside Isa Khan Niazi's tomb. Here are the visuals.

Mr Tampi tells us that there is a difference between male and female graves. The ones with a small 'pen holding' kind of structure are male graves. By the way the actual resting places are usually much below. These are only indicative of where the bodies lie.

Ornate design of the roof

Notice the lattice work at the windows. Quite beautiful

There is an outer protective wall for the whole structure.

Now the actual monument

lattice work from outside

visiting party of the day with our generous tour guid

lattice work again

lattice work

Some other pictures

Tampi explained that this is a false arch and not as stable as a real arch. This is entry to Niazi's tomb

Mr Tampi waiting for us to talk about the mosque

Blue tiles are used here

you can see the dome in the background. This is the gate from where you enter Humayun's tomb

Again you can see the dome in the background.

By the way, did you know that Humayun's body was not buried here initially. Mughals had lost Delhi briefly. When they regained the control of the city, his body was brought back. He was buried here. The tomb was built at the initiative of his wife, indicating that the women in the royal household were pretty influential.