After reaching the hotel and catching up on some sleep, we drove down to Fatehpur Sikri. Now, let me admit something, I didn't know that Fatehpur Sikri actually consisted of two different structures, as in 'Fatehpur' referring to Salim Chisti's dargah* and 'Sikri', the complex consisting of palaces, and other utility buildings for the king.
Akbar had built three different palaces in Sikri, each one for his wife and each one integrating mughal architecture with the local architecture from the queen's native place. For instance, Akbar's Christian wife loved paintings, therefore her whole palace had been decorated with them. The intricate detailing and the different architectural styles merge beautifully as one.
Here are some photos from Sikri,
Fatehpur on the other hand consisted of a large complex with the dargah to one side and facing it, the grand and enormous Buland Darwaza.
It is said that anyone who prays at the dargah gets what he wishes for. That's why the jalis of surrounding the tomb are filled with knotted threads; each knot signifying one wish asked from God.**
*dargah = tomb/shrine of a Muslim saint
**knotted threads = each person knots the thread 3 times, signifying 3 wishes; one wish for yourself, one wish for your family, and one wish for other relations.
Akbar had built three different palaces in Sikri, each one for his wife and each one integrating mughal architecture with the local architecture from the queen's native place. For instance, Akbar's Christian wife loved paintings, therefore her whole palace had been decorated with them. The intricate detailing and the different architectural styles merge beautifully as one.
Here are some photos from Sikri,
Fatehpur on the other hand consisted of a large complex with the dargah to one side and facing it, the grand and enormous Buland Darwaza.
It is said that anyone who prays at the dargah gets what he wishes for. That's why the jalis of surrounding the tomb are filled with knotted threads; each knot signifying one wish asked from God.**
*dargah = tomb/shrine of a Muslim saint
**knotted threads = each person knots the thread 3 times, signifying 3 wishes; one wish for yourself, one wish for your family, and one wish for other relations.
Next up : Taj Mahal!
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