Safdarjung's Tomb, Qutab Minar and other Expierences

After my relaxing and constructive visit to the Lotus Temple last week I took my bicycle to see Safdarjung's tomb. There was just a small problem , already at start the temperature was 42C and still rising. After finding the tomb I first had to start a seach for drinking water. The search to the tomb took a while because most Indians will rarely tell you that they have no idea of what you are asking about and always give you a direction if right or wrong is not so important, the main thing you are happy.

The area of Safdarjung's tomb is like a park, of course outside there are works going on, but the buildings surrounding are in deplorable conditions. A few days earlier I learned that the sad situation of the Indian monuments and patrimonium is due the the climate change (Indian Times... not a joke). Of coarse each hidden corner of the building stinks for pee (not from dogs).

The main mausoleum is still in a good status and has some nice sandstone carvings. On the floor there were some intelayed marmor masterpieces , but the gems were removed.



After all I was a little disappointed and it was noon and I had to be out of the sun burning on my head. So I decided to drive to Qutab Minar , because I knew there is a park with large tree giving shadow. First I crossed Lodi , where I could admire one of the most dirty and polluted small rivers I ever saw. Although the swines obviuosly did enjoyed it a lot.



At Qutab I took a long rest in the shadow of a big tree, in the mean time the temperatore must have been 44C, but that time I still had my bicycle in view.
Than I made the visit to Qutab Minhar , more looking to the western tourist (they are now a little exotic in my eyes) than to the buildings.



But could once more admire the different pillars. Each pillar has a different design, I really would like to know the stoy behind that.



After the sun was making long shadows, I felt it less dangereous to drive home, but first had to unlock my bicycle attached with 1 chain and 1 cable to a metall pilar in the parking lot. I soon find out that the chain was broken (nicely moved into the plastic cover afterwards) and also the locker of the cable was destroyed (nicely put inside the opening afterwards). Now this cable locker is a German and has some additional protection: if the locker is damaged the cable does not open anymore never. So I was in big trouble. But some nice Indians saw my embarrasment and wonder of wonder one even had a metall saw in his trunk and could release my bicycle. Very tired I came home after an exhausting ride.
Later I heard that the ground temperature at Delhi domestic airport was 49C (I passed there close by)