Pictures from my meanderings across India. From Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Varanasi and Gwalior.
Varanasi
Varanasi, a.k.a “Benares” is one of the holiest sites of Hinduism. This intensely religious and spiritual place, situated on the Ganges River, is known for its vibrant ceremonies by the water every morning and evening.
![Varanasi - Sunrise on the Ganga River](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Varanasi-Sunrise-on-the-Ganga-River-1024x602.jpg)
![Varanasi - Boats on the Ganga River in the early morning](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Varanasi-Boats-on-the-Ganga-River-in-the-early-morning-1024x634.jpg)
![Varanasi - Early morning on the Ganga River](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Varanasi-Early-morning-on-the-Ganga-River-1024x602.jpg)
![Varanasi - Women taking a morning bath in the Ganga River](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Varanasi-Women-taking-a-morning-bath-in-the-Ganga-River-1024x668.jpg)
![Varanasi - Hindu Priest](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Varanasi-Hindu-Priest-1024x681.jpg)
![Varanasi - Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Varanasi-Aarti-ceremony-at-Dashashwamedh-Ghat-1024x681.jpg)
![Varanasi - The Durga Mandir](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Varanasi-The-Durga-Mandir-1024x675.jpg)
![Varanasi - Morning bathers in the Ganga River](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Varanasi-Morning-bathers-in-the-Ganga-River-1024x660.jpg)
Agra
The Taj Mahal in Agra needs no introduction. When you enter the compound and see this incredible building, you go breathless, and not just the first time. I’ve been there twice.
Agra is also home to Fathepur Sikri, a massive walled 16th century palace and sacred site, featuring among other unique structures the Buland Darwaza, the world’s tallest gateway.
![Taj Mahal](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Taj-Mahal-1-1024x681.jpg)
![taj mahal 3](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/taj-mahal-3.jpg)
![Håvar Bauck - Mirror Image of Taj Mahal in Sunglasses](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Havar-Bauck-Taj-Mahal.jpg)
![Fatehpur Sikri](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fatehpur-Sikri-2-1024x476.jpg)
![Fatehpur Sikri Gate](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fatehpur-Sikri-1-1024x659.jpg)
Gwalior
Gwalior counts among India’s far off-the-beaten-track destinations. This city in Madhya Pradesh features a spectacular fortress that left 13th century explorer Ibn Battuta breathless. The hill below the fortress is richly decorated with the Gopachal Parvat rock monuments, a unique piece of Jain art.
![The Gwalior Fort - a spectacular 8th century fortress covering a vast hill in Madhya Pradesh. Far off the beaten tourist track, and probably hasn't received many foreign visitors since Ibn Battuta](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gwalior-Fort-Stunning-view-of-the-city-1024x618.jpg)
![Gwalior Fort - Collapsed Wall. When you see something like this, you know you are far off the beaten track for tourists!](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gwalior-Fort-Collapsed-Wall-1024x636.jpg)
![Gwalior Fort - Spectacularly situated above the city](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gwalior-Fort-Spectacularly-situated-above-the-city-1024x586.jpg)
![Gwalior - Sas-Bahu Temple](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gwalior-Sas-Bahu-Temple-1024x649.jpg)
![Gopachal Parvat](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Gopachal-Parvat-1024x632.jpg)
Udaipur
Udaipur is the former capital city of the Mewar Kingdom. Known as the City of Lakes, and referred to as the “Venice of India”, this spectacularly beautiful city should be on any travelers itinerary.
![Udaipur - The Lake Palace with the Monsoon Palace far away in the background](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Udaipur-The-Lake-Palace-with-the-Monsoon-Palace-far-away-in-the-background-1024x604.jpg)
![Udaipur - Lake Palace](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Udaipur-Lake-Palace-1024x353.jpg)
![Udaipur - City Palace](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Udaipur-City-Palace-1024x537.jpg)
![Udaipur - City Palace by Night](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Udaipur-City-Palace-by-Night-1024x563.jpg)
![Udaipur - The Lake Palace by Night](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Udaipur-The-Lake-Palace-by-Night-1024x525.jpg)
![Udaipur - Sunset at the Monsoon Palace](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Udaipur-Sunset-at-the-Monsoon-Palace-1024x681.jpg)
![Udaipur - City Palace 3](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Udaipur-City-Palace-3-1024x610.jpg)
Jaipur
![Jaipur - The City Palace Inner Court](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Jaipur-The-City-Palace-Inner-Court-1024x524.jpg)
![Jaipur - Royal Cenotaphs](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-Royal-Cenotaphs-2-1024x670.jpg)
![Jaipur - City Palace](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-City-Palace-3-1024x681.jpg)
![Jaipur - Krishna Temple](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-Krishna-Temple-1024x600.jpg)
![Jaipur - Lake Palace](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-Lake-Palace-1024x524.jpg)
![Jaipur - Observatory](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-Observatory-2-1024x702.jpg)
![Jaipur - Wind Palace](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jaipur-Wind-Palace-1-1024x681.jpg)
Delhi
![Delhi - Old Fort](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Delhi-Old-Fort-3-1024x591.jpg)
![Delhi - Lotus Temple](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Delhi-Lotus-Temple-1024x681.jpg)
![Delhi - Red Fort](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Delhi-Red-Fort-1024x666.jpg)
![Qutb Minar](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Qutb-Minar-681x1024.jpg)
![Humayun's Tomb](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Humayuns-Tomb-1024x657.jpg)
Mumbai
![Mumbai - View of the City from Kamala Nehru Park](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mumbai-View-of-the-City-from-Kamala-Nehru-Park-1024x631.jpg)
![Mumbai - Marine Drive at Night](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mumbai-Marine-Drive-at-Night-1024x441.jpg)
![Mumbai - Haji Ali Mosque](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mumbai-Haji-Ali-Mosque-1024x612.jpg)
![Mumbai - Gateway of India](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mumbai-Gateway-of-India-1024x607.jpg)
![Mumbai Haji Ali Mosque](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mumbai-haji-ali-mosque.jpg)
![Mumbai by night - Marine Drive](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mumbai-Marine-Drive-2-1024x578.jpg)
I have been to India three times, in 2009, and twice in 2016. The pictures from Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal) and Varanasi are from 2005, while the ones from Delhi and Gwalior are from 2016.