Checking out Delhi

After Varanasi, I took the overnight train up to Delhi. I did a day-long tour to see the sights of India's capital (population 12 million) including:

• India Gate (huge stone arch with the names of the soldiers that died in WWI),
• The Red Fort (octagonal in shape, built by the Mughals in 1600's),
• Qutb Mintar (beautiful sandstone tower and mosque built by Afghan rulers in 1200 A,D),
• Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi (called Rajghat)
• Jantar Mantar (huge astrological observatory and sundail built in 1700's),
• Humayun's Tomb (built by the widow of a Muslim emperor in 1500's),
• Connaught Place (circular shopping district) and
• The beautiful Baha'i Lotus Temple (signifies equality of all world religions).

What I found surprising about Delhi was the amount of green space there. Most of the sites are surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens. I also found the main roads in excellent condition (especially in comparison to Kathmandu). There was of course horrifying poverty everywhere - many beggers, lepers, people picking food out of huge garbage piles and many street children.