2. Tag in New Delhi

2. Day 07.10.2024

For breakfast, there are two bananas. Many Indians have their breakfast on the way on the street. Especially near the metro, there are many small stalls that prepare their dishes fresh. However, I do not feel ready for that yet and stay in observation :)

In the metro, I get a day ticket quite easily and head towards Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Afterwards, I weave through the small alleys until I reach Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. A large street populated by bicycle rickshaws and many shops. Fascinated, I pause in front of a Sikh temple and observe the worshippers and the old gentlemen with their long beards and colorful turbans, sitting scattered all over the ground. The large crowd at the entrance keeps me from peeking inside for now. Instead, I visit a Jain temple at the eastern end of the street. I can't go inside here either; I would have to leave my bag, belt, etc. According to Jain principles, every living being is sacred, so no animal products (leather, etc.) are allowed in the temple.

I float along with the crowd a bit longer before heading back towards the B&B. Around noon, the humid heat (35 degrees) is no longer tolerable. In the early evening, I set off again with my destination being India Gate. I did not account for the peak hours on the Delhi metro. It's another impressive and overwhelming experience that I only indulged in on the way there. For those who like numbers; the Delhi metro transports about 4.6 million people daily. It's crazy how calmly people squeeze together.