Gandhiji Are You Still Here?

Today was the first Saturday we've had completely ourselves. A whole day to explore. The weather called for it. It was a nice chill 85-90. The rain storm of last night with its lingering showers kept the day cool and refreshing.

The first stop was Raj Ghat. The place of Gandhi's cremation.


Its very difficult for me to find the words to describe this place. I'll try my best.

There seems to be this sense of clam, but that hardly nicks the surface of the feeling I am attempting to articulate. Its a silence that rises from within, yet you can feel that a source other than your self and "silence please" signs has encouraged this silence. But you are unsure of what this "other source" is. Reverence? Respect? Awe? I'm not sure. This silence is not the oppressive silence you feel in a place of worship that is not your own, a silence out of a well-intended, but not whole-hearted respect; this silence was different. You wanted it there, and it felt right. There was a somber feel, yet it was a content somber, one you felt ok with in your soul. Nothing was unsettling, everything just there; just being. I'm sure the overcast weather and gentle rain added to this tone.

A vague sort of description I know. But I'll let pictures do the more visually descriptive work.

After Raj Ghat we wandered across the street to the National Gandhi Museum. This place also had a feel much like Raj Ghat, but more a little more grounded in its historical aspect. Things here has a subtle historically awe-inspiring feel; like finding old, dusty family treasures up in the attic.

There were photographs upon photographs, lining the halls of the museum. Speeches, descriptions and poems intermingled with the photos and here and there were artifacts from Gandhi's life: cloth he spun, shoes he wore, a replica of his work/bed room, medals he was awarded, his law books, journals, utensils, etc. There were phones you could pick up and listen
to Gandhi giving certain speeches. There was a hall of artwork portraying his image.
Again, it is difficult to describe wholly the feeling this place gives.






Interestingly enough, it was at this, a monument to Gandhi, that we we approached by the most helpful rickshaw driver yet. He noticed that we were aimlessly walking toward a busy road. He came up to us and asked where we were going and if we needed a ride. We said that we weren't sure, but we wanted lunch. He mentioned that there wasn't really anything in the area, but there were two places we near that he could take us to. We opted for the more local and inexpensive place. Once we got there he said he would wait for us to eat and then take us where ever else we like. I realize that is a way for rickshaw drivers to make more money, but ferrying customers around, but it was nice to have someone ask us if we needed help, then be full of suggestions and basic English. It was quite funny, he asked and stated several times "Dress like Indian, but no speak Hindi?!" We would laugh and shake our heads, explaining that we were students here for work, so we needed to look Indian--which I feel we do most of the time since we are usually addressed in Hindi at first by most people. After lunch we decided to visit another famous sight in Delhi, but one with considerably less historical and spiritual weight: Lodi Gardens.

The gardens were beautiful, very green and jungly feeling. There were several old Mosques and stone tombs and fort-like structure scattered throughout the grounds. It was a relaxing walk. Oh interesting note: there were couples cuddling everywhere. This must be the lovers park of Delhi. It is usually a bit unusual to see PDA around the city, so this was quite noticeable.