I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see the Akshardham Temple properly.

Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.
The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.(Source)

My coworkers and I were loaded up with our stupid Western gear but you couldn’t bring anything into the temple with you. We opted to stare from outside a bit instead of leaving our stuff in coat check never to be seen again.

From the outside the temple takes up a massive space. It looks incredible. It’s only when I returned home and saw this video did I realize what I missed. I’m so disappointed.

For the two weeks I worked at the host company’s office, my coworkers and I have had a fleet of cars to shuffle us back and forth to the hotel. On our last full day of work one of our coworkers arranged a surprise, cycle rickshaw rides. A cycle rickshaw is a pedal cycle with two rear wheels, supporting a bench seat for passengers. Most have a canopy that can raised to block the sun and rain.

Up to this point, some of the group had been on rickshaws already. The rest of us were green and kinda terrified. After experiencing the crazy roads, I was in the latter camp. The hotel organized a bunch of drivers that lined the street outside of the hotel complex. However, there were some drivers that tried to muscle in on the action. I shared a rickshaw with my coworker but most of the group went solo. One of the drivers tried to lure my coworker and I with the sounds of English words. Our driver caught wind of what was going on and a heated argument started. I called the hotel security over to shoo the man away. I didn’t want it to get violent.

With a line up of about 20 rickshaws along the side of a busy road, it was quickly becoming a Western spectacle. Indians were staring from across the street and a few feet away. It was a little disconcerting for me at this point. Until then, the staring didn’t bother me that much. Morning entertainment I guess.

It was an exciting and terrifying ride. Buses, motorcycles and cars rushed by mere inches from the rickshaw. Horns were honking like crazy. We feared for our lives, there was little laughing. Our driver expertly navigated the roads with ease. The video gives you a taste of the experience.

We got to the office safe and sound. We were given 50 Rupees to pay the drivers with. I had shared a ride with a coworker but I gave the driver the 50 Rupees anyway. I didn’t need it. As I was about to head into the building for work I saw the security guard harassing my driver. Then the driver came back over to me and tried to give me the 50 Rupees back. It was disheartening to be part of this little game. I couldn’t believe the security guard told him to return the money to me. I refused and told the driver he had to keep the money.

In the end I was glad to experience the rickshaw ride which is a major part of Indian life. It’s just something you have to experience if you are visiting, like seeing the Taj Mahal.

After visiting the Taj Mahal we were taken to a marble shop that specialized in created pieces using the same techniques that were used by the workers building the Taj. These techniques haven’t changed in hundreds of years.

Marble inlay consists of finely chiseling a small layer of marble away in the desired shape. Then semi-precious and precious stones are cut to shape and placed in the marble. These stones included Malachite, Cornelian, Jasper, Lapis, Lazuli, Sapphire, Agate, Mother of Pearl, Conch Shell , Black Onyx, Amazonite Indian Jade, Tiger Eye, Chrysolite, Heliotrope, Coral and Turquoise.

The technique is called Prachin Kari. The stones are cut using a moving metal wheel. Patterns in marble were drawn using henna dye because it could be washed off after the craftsman chiseled out the designs. A type of glue was used to bond the stones to the marble.

Many pieces of stone were used to create the detailed designs. It’s painstaking and tedious work. The Taj Mahal uses this technique to display the blooms, flowers and writing as seen in my photos.

The mausoleum of the Taj where the queen and king are buried really shows of the amazing Prachin Kari work. Like a chump, I obeyed the rules about no photography in the mausoleum so I have evidence of this stunning sight. Of course, all the Indians around me were snapping away inside. As on the road, rules just don’t apply I guess.

P.S. For those of you worried about how I am doing because I mentioned being sick, I’m doing much better. Thank god for antibiotics.