I was worried about overcrowding and poverty.
But the friendliness and warmth of the people can not be described and my fears were quickly put to rest.
We met these schoolgirls coming out of the National Museum in Delhi on our first day.
They wanted us to take their pictures, shake our hands, say hello, know where we came from.
Teenagers! Wanting to talk to adults!
Welcome to India!
The tranquil waterways span over 900 kilometers and provide a unique ecosystem that supports both human and wildlife habitation.
The surrounding landscape is dotted with lush coconut groves, paddy fields and traditional villages.
Life moves at a much slower pace.
India has one of the largest and busiest railway networks in the world, connecting cities, towns, and remote villages across the country.
Indian Railways carry over 8 billion passengers annually making it the backbone of India's transportation.
I have seen photos and videos of Indian trains packed to the brim with people overflowing out the windows and clinging to the roofs while the train is moving within feet of shacks which are people’s homes.
I was prepared for the worst.
They are often seen roaming freely in cities and villages.
India has the largest cattle population in the world.
Cows play a vital role in dairy production, making India the biggest producer of milk globally.
It was where Vasco da Gama first landed in 1498, opening the sea route to India.
It was at one time the spice trade capital of India.Kozhikode is also renowned for its lush coconut groves and vast plantations.
They are fortunate that the climate supports year-round production.
Coconuts hold deep cultural and religious importance.
There are stalls with typical products such as fruits and vegetables.
And then there are stalls with spices, natural dyes, perfumes, sweets and handcrafts.
For me, the most amazing section was the flower vendors.
It had been the seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, which ruled the Kingdom of Mysore, for centuries.
The original palace dates back to the 14th century, but, it was rebuilt between 1897 and 1912 after the original wooden structure was destroyed in a fire.
It has an area of 25 acres and the main building covers one-and-a-half acres. There are 340 rooms, halls, and corridors.
With that many rooms, it could be a great place to collect decorating ideas.
The Amber Fort was built in 1592 and was later expanded and renovated by successive rulers.
It is located on a hilltop in Amer, a town 11 kilometers from Jaipur, in northern India.
It is a huge fortress that is approximately 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles.)
The fort's massive walls and interconnected luxurious royal palaces make it one of the largest forts in India.
It served as the capital before Jaipur was established.
It contains 4 palaces and is a blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles.
Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
They were commissioned by the royal rulers for civic, strategic and philanthropic reasons to make it easier for the people to have access to water.
In regions where there is abundant fresh water during the monsoon season, but arid during the dry season, stepwells provided access year round to fresh water filtered through the earth.
Their cool interiors also provided relief from the desert heat. At
the bottom of the well the air remains 5-6 °C cooler than at the surface.
The wells were not only practical sources of water, but they also served as community spaces for social gatherings and religious rituals.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a revered Sikh shrine in Delhi.
Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh Guru, stayed here in the 17th century.
During a smallpox and cholera epidemic, he provided water and aid to the suffering.
Eventually he succumbed to the illness himself.
Today, the gurdwara stands as a symbol of selfless service and compassion.
It is because of his pivotal role in leading the country to independence from British colonial rule using nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.
His philosophy of ahimsa (nonviolence) and satyagraha (truth and firmness) inspired millions of Indians to unite against oppression without resorting to violence.
His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peaceful protest laid the foundation for India’s democratic values and earned him the deep respect and love of the nation and around the world.
Jama Masjid is one of India’s largest mosques.
The mosque is located in the heart of Old Delhi.
It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656.
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is the same man that commissioned the Taj Mahal.
It features red sandstone and white marble architecture, with three towering domes and two minarets.
The mosque can accommodate over 25,000 worshipers and is a central place for prayer and Islamic gatherings.
Strategically positioned along the banks of the Yamuna River, the fort also served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors until the capital shifted to Delhi.
Built primarily from red sandstone, the fort was commissioned by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and later modified by his successors, especially Shah Jahan (of the Taj Mahal), who introduced white marble structures within the complex.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.
Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, the Taj Mahal was completed 17 years later in 1648.
The structure symbolizes eternal love and is considered one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, blending Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles.
It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Delhi is located in northern India and is the country's capital.
As of 2025 Delhi's metropolitan area population is estimated to be approximately 34.67 million.
It is "estimated" because censuses are taken every 10 years, and in 2021, the census year, it was not taken because of COVID.
The population density is about 11,900 individuals per square kilometer, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
Delhi has a rich history, dating back over 2,500 years.
It has been the seat of many empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.
I have to admit, I felt intimidated.
