With its two sandstone-and-marble minarets towering above the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, it's no wonder that Jama Masjid is the walled city's most emblematic attraction. More than just a place of worship, it has also emerged as an important centre of social and political life in pre- and post-independence India.
My sister and I were about to walk away when a man came up to us and told us we could enter the mosque by another entrance.
Right at this moment, the gatekeeper looked over and beckoned for us to enter. We were pleasantly surprised as he had turned us away a few minutes ago, saying Jama Masjid was not yet open.
This was how we accidentally found ourselves in one of the largest mosques in India, built by the same Mughal emperor who had commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal, on one of the hottest days this summer, one hour before everyone else.
Oblivious to this fact, we skirted its large courtyard the whole time, trying to find shade in the arcade as I moaned about my stroke of bad luck - a friend had just texted me that my favourite Korean idol would be in Singapore while I was in India. We only realised how lucky we were when swarms of tourists started streaming in.
My sister, Wee Li, and I were on a two-week backpacking trip in India, and we were going to be in Delhi just long enough for us to buy train tickets to Jaipur. Unless you are on business or visiting family, the perennially chaotic capital - bemoaned for its bad traffic and overpopulation - is likely an afterthought for those flying into Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Two days later, we made our way gingerly on foot to catch our 6am Jaipur-bound train, the streets already buzzing with activity in the predawn twilight.
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.
