Headload Worker, Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Captured this scene in Srinagar while we are stopover for souvenir shop visiting. These two ladies carried a bag of green plants over their head and walked to the market. It would possibly fetch them the money for their daily living, however, the heavy load on their head which might have caused stress, discomfort and eventually head and neck injuries.

Headloading is a form of transport of goods that primarily involve a human being as the load bearer. The good to be transported is bundled and carried over the person's head and is balanced by the individual while walking from one point to the other. Materials normally carried by the men and women are water, bricks and vegetables. It can be seen in remote rural areas in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Africa.

Gulmarg, Kashmir, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Gulmarg is located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, about 57 kms from Srinagar, the capital city. It is close to the Indo-Pakistan border and stands at a height of 2,730 meters above sea level. During the winter season, Gulmarg is the popular venue for skiing enthusiasts. Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf courses. Visitors can enjoy golf by obtaining a short-term membership at the Golf club. As well as, the gondola lift that provides a high ride over the mountains and pine-clad slopes of the region and viewers can see an appealing view of Gulmarg.

City Palace, Jaipur, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


The City Palace is located in the capital of Rajasthan, the main palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The palace is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens, and magnificent building. The palace is now a fine museum. It houses a remarkable collection of textiles, paintings, manuscripts, and extraordinary weapons. On display are two largest silver silver vessels in the world. These were used for carrying water from the holy Ganges for personal use, by Maharaja (King) on his journey to England.

Dal Lake, Kashmir, Srinagar, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Dal lake of Kashmir, five miles long and two and half miles wide, is one of the most beautiful and pitureaque lakes in India. The second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir state, Dal Lake is encircled by magnificent mountains on three sides. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of houseboats which give an opportunity to tourists to enjoy the peaceful environment on the lake. The boats are served by Shikaras which look like small versions of the gondolas of Venice and are tasteful decorated.


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• Shikara Ride

Red Fort, Delhi, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi's most magnificent monument, the Red Fort or the Lal Qila. It was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. The fort lies along the Yamuna river, which fed the moats that surround most of the wall. The name Red Fort comes from the massive red sandstone walls. The wall is 2.5 kilometres long, and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side.

The walls have two entrances, one at the Delhi gate and the other one at the Lahore gate. Lahore gate is the main entrance point of the fort, leading to Chatta Chowk. It is a covered bazaar street where merchants sold their goods to the nobles of the court.

Red Fort is the popular tourist destination in Old Delhi, but it also has a very important purpose in the democracy of India. It is the site that is used for celebrating the Independence Day. The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation on August 15 from this very historical monument.

Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone capital of the Mughal empire, was built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Akbar near the city of Agra. The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique blend of different architectural traditions. Though the general layout and concept of the buildings conform to the Islamic style of architecture, the actual buildings (mainly palaces), their ornate columns, arches, carving style show a strong Hindu style in general. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edificies by seeing them.

Shikara ride, Kashmir, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Shikaras, or Kashmiri gondolas are the graceful wooden type of boat, which crowd the Dal lake. They can be found on other water bodies of Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir in India. Shikaras are used for multiple purposes, including transportation of people and are of varied sizes. The drivers use oars having a unique spade-shaped bottom to row the shikara. Normally, a shiraka seats half-a-dozen people with the driver sitting at the lower end. Like the Venetian gandolas, they are a cultural symbol of Kashmir.
We are used for getting back and forth from the houseboat and a cruise along the Dal.

The Taj, Agra, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005 (light photoshop touch-up)


The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra, India. It was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj is one of the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tombs in the world, one of the masterpieces of Indian Muslim architecture. Around the Taj, there is several other beautiful buildings, reflecting pools, and extensive ornamental gardens with flowering trees and bushes.

Every visitors have to undergo a security check and pat-down at the entrance to the Taj complex. All battery-powered devices are banned but cameras are allowed. In surrounding district of Agra, petrol motors are discouraged in order to cut pollution that could damage the historic building. Only those electric vehicles are allowed to carry tourists to the Taj Mahal.

The Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided us understand that it is the eternal enduring love.

India Gate, New Delhi, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


India Gate is the 42 meter high archway, made of red stone and has the name "INDIA" written on both sides located on the Rajpath in New Delhi. It is a prominent landmark in Delhi and as a tribute to the members of the erstwhile British Indian Army who lost their lives during World War 1 and the Afghan wars. The monument is surrounded by lush green lawns and park.

Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Amber Fort is the ancient fort high on the rugged hills, 11 km from Jaipur, Rajasthan state. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements. The fort is made in red sandstone and white marble. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. Visitors riding painted elephants can ascend to the fort to see the magnificent gateway, courtyards, pavilions, and a glittering chamber of inlaid mirror.

Man with "Erhu", India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


A man making a living with his bowed string instrument at Amber Fort in Jaipur. He has glasses and a gray mustache and is sitting on a concrete wall next to a set of steps. However, I have no clue on what to name this musical instrument, but the tune from the instrument is sound alike and closest match the traditional Chinese instrument played with a bow, Erhu (二胡).

Snake Charmer, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


In front of City Palace there was a cobra snake charmer. The cobra seems to be hypnotized by the pleasant sounds of the charmer’s flute. In fact, the cobra cannot actually hear the tune being played, though it can perhaps feel some of the sound vibrations as well as those from any tapping by the charmer. What the snake actually does is matching the movement of the performer's instrument.

Qutab Minar Complex, Delhi, India

One of the Delhi's most known landmarks, the Qutab Minar, though known primarily for the tower, but there are quite a few other buildings in the area. A few tombs, a madrassah, and famous iron pillar. Those buildings are constructed in red and buff sandstone and covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Holy Quran.


Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


The Qutab Minar, an attractive monument of Delhi, the world's tallest free standing minaret at 72.5 meters high and there are 379 steps. The diameter of the base is 14.3 meters while the top floor's diameter measures 2.7 meters.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, is a palace in Jaipur. It forms part of the City Palace and extends Zenana, the women's chambers. Its intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. It has five stories and is constructed of red and pink sandstone. The side facing the street outside the palace complex has 953 small windows, and the breeze (hawa) which circulates through these windows keep it cool even in hot months.

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2005


Jantar Mantar is an astronomical garden observatory, has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It was built by the Maharaja Jai Singh, and each instruments built by stone and marble with an astronomical scale on the inner lining of each device to observe the movements of sun, moon, planets and stars.