Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine October 2015 | Page 160

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Travel | Festival of Lights

Built in 1638, the red sandstone walls
of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33m
above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder
of the magnificent power and pomp of the
Mughal emperors. The main gate, Lahore
Gate, is one of the emotional and symbolic
focal points of the modern Indian nation.
The vaulted arcade of Chatta Chowk,
a bazaar selling tourist trinkets, leads into
the huge fort compound. Inside is a veritable
treasure trove of buildings, including the
Drum House, the Hall of Public Audiences,
the white marble Hall of Private Audiences,
the Pearl Mosque, Royal Baths and Palace
of Colour. An evening sound and light
show recreates events in India’s history
connected with the fort.
Dibangun di tahun 1638, Red Fort
(Lal Qila) yang terbuat dari batu pasir merah
menjulang setinggi 33 meter di Old Delhi,
sebagai pengingat atas kekuasaan dan
kemegahan raja-raja Mughal. Gerbang utama
Lahore Gate adalah salah satu titik fokus
emosional dan simbolis dari bangsa India
modern. Gang berkubah di Chatta Chowk,
bazar yang menjual pernak-pernik turis,
mengantar Anda ke dalam kompleks benteng
yang luas. Di dalamnya banyak terdapat
bangunan berharga seperti Drum House,
Hall of Public Audiences, Hall of Private
Audiences dari marmer putih, Pearl Mosque,
Royal Baths, dan Palace of Colour.
Pertunjukan suara dan cahaya di malam
hari menciptakan ulang sejarah India
yang berhubungan dengan benteng ini.

Diwali in Mumbai
Mumbai is the economic powerhouse
of India. It is the fastest-moving, most
affluent, most industrialised city in India.
Mumbai has India’s busiest airport for
international arrivals and departures.
However, it is most renowned globally
as the biggest film-producing city in
the world, overtaking even Hollywood
in the sheer number of films
released each year.
The formidable facade of
the aptly named Red Fort in
the centre of Delhi.
The Red Fort's
nigh-impenetrable walls
housed the residence of the
Mughal emperor of India for
nearly 200 years.

The western Indian state of Maharashtra,
of which Mumbai is the capital, has a
somewhat interesting set of Diwali rituals
compared to other parts of India.
The Marathi people herald Diwali with
Vasubaras, a celebration in honour of
the sacred cow, followed by the ritual
of Dhanatrayodashi, which involves the

womenfolk lighting diyas (the ubiquitous
small clay oil lamps) and offering the same
to Lord Yama (God of Death).
Narak Chaturdashi is observed on
the second day. And on the third day
prayers are offered to the Goddess
of Wealth, Lakshmi. The Marathi people
believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits every
house on this day. After the ritual
worshipping, the people of Maharashtra
visit loved ones and exchange pleasantries
with family friends and neighbours while
indulging in myriad mouth-watering treats
like keranji (a pastry stuffed with dried
fruit, semolina and coconut), chakali
(a super-crunchy deep-fried cracker
made from a mixture of different of flours),
sweet anarse (light and pillowy doughnut
balls), kheer (Indian rice pudding)
and much more!

© Mukul Banerjee

5 Senses – Sight
RED FORT

Mumbai is the economic
powerhouse of India.
It is the fastest-moving,
most affluent, most
industrialised city in India.