Exploring India: life on the edge

In the spring of 2008, I visited India for the second time. It had been almost twenty years between my visits. This time, I toured in Delhi, Japiur, Ranthambore, Agra, Kajaraho, Varanasi, Cochin, Bombay, and points in between, with an Overseas Adventure Travel group for three weeks. India offers us a glimpse of life on the edge, with its huge population living simultaneously in both yesterday and today. It presents us with surprising and sometimes shocking incongruities that fuels both thought and camera. If you've viewed the ... (more)

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Jama Mosque, Old Delhi
Raptors swirl around one of the many towers of this mosque, the largest in...

At rest, Jama Mosque, Old Delhi
Hundreds of worshippers rest in the shade of the arcades surrounding the huge...

Asleep, Jama Mosque, Old Delhi
The marble floor below this slumbering worshipper makes a hard bed, but its...

Remembering Gandhi, Delhi
On this spot, known as the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi, father of modern...

Quthub Minaret, Delhi
This 240 foot high minaret, dating to 1193, marks the advent of India's...

The First Mosque, Delhi
The Might of Islam Mosque was India's first, built in 1193. Today,...

Raisina Hill, Delhi
This hill was selected by the British as the site of India's new capital....

Gridlock on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway
India's 1.13 billion people tax its highway system, particularly those...

Pilgrims bound for Jaipur
India's flag bearing religious devotees walk long distances to...

Schoolroom chase, Simode
Our bus was passing through the village of Simode, between Delhi and Jaipur,...

Sari, Jaipur
Sari's come in all colors and styles. In Rajasthan, the colors are...

Surrounded, Jaipur
An Islamic woman seems lost in a sea of men on this Jaipur street corner. I...

Painted elephant, Amber Fort, Jaipur
Dozens of elephants still walk the walls of this historic 16th century...

The spy, Amber Fort and Palace, Jaipur
The three story gateway to the palace features a sole window for women of the...

Walls and time, Amber Palace, Jaipur
The Fort and Palace of Amber, just outside of Jaipur, was built in...

Red marks the spot, Amber Fort, Jaipur
A intimate view of one of the many elephants that carry tourists around the...

Bus stop, Jaipur
Travelers of every age crowd the dilapidated buses that form the backbone of...

Cow, City Palace, Jaipur
Cows are sacred to India's Hindus. They have an honored place in society,...

Territorial claims, Jaipur
A cow faces down a flock of local pigeons in Jaipur's Old City....

Holi Bonfire, Jaipur
I made this photograph from a moving bus while rolling through one of...

Man of many colors, Jaipur
Holi is a wild holiday in India, celebrating the triumph of good over evil....

Road Risk in Rajasthan
Big trucks rule the rural roads of India -- people are somehow able to...

Ashram elder, Rajasthan
We stopped briefly at an Ashram, a community formed for the spiritual...

Wedding procession, Sawai Madhopur
As we were driving through the city of Sawai Madhopur, traffic came to...

Overload, Sawai Madopur
Indian trucks make the most of every load of produce. Not only is the...

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article published 4/18/2008

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Wonderful as usual
Thanks for taking us back to India, Phil. You whet our appetites to return to this colorful country. The only problem is that we never see a place as well as you do!
— Bob Fairbanks, October 29, 2008

As OAT veterans & fellow Phil Douglas travelers, we have been beneficiaries of an exceptionally talented friend. These pics are the best! Thanks, Phil.
— Ronnie and Richard Fassberg, April 25, 2008

Incredible
Your photos and their description are superb.
— Thesailor, April 20, 2008

Bravo
I wouldn't even comment on your images. They are superb, and that is what I expect from a professional. I am not a professional. But I really enjoyed your comments in the description part of each image. These show that you are not just another tourist visiting India. You have depth, you understand the culture of the country, and above all you have a good sense of humor. Personally, more than the images I liked that part of your article - your writing skill.

About the picture entitled "Branches, Varanasi" -- those are Neem (Indian name of a plant) twigs. And they are not used for any kind of religious offering. Many Indians (specially villagers) use them for brushing teeth. They first chew up one end of the twig when they become like bristles of a brush. Then with those bristles they brush their teeth. Neem twigs are not only economical, the medicinal properties of Neem prevents many teeth and gum problems, such as gingivitis!
— Shoban Sen, April 19, 2008

fabulous photos, phil... as usual.. i have a trip planned to india this nov..about the same itin.. hope to get half as good photos as what you've skilfully captured..
— Jon J. Tan, April 19, 2008