25/02/2026
Exploring Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi)
We spent the day in Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad), a place that overwhelms the senses — noise, colour, movement, and smell all at once. It feels chaotic at first, yet beneath it there’s a rhythm that keeps everything moving.
Our first stop was a Jain Mandir, where we learned about Digambar Jainism and its commitment to non-violence. Some followers wear masks to avoid harming insects and follow strict diets that minimise harm to living things. Meeting a Jain saint and seeing this ethic lived so carefully was powerful.
From there we rode cycle rickshaws through Chandni Chowk toward the spice markets. The ride offered a close view of the city — packed streets, constant horns, endless commerce — yet people somehow moved together without collapse into disorder. At Khari Baoli, enormous sacks of spices were carried through narrow lanes, and from a rooftop we saw Old Delhi’s density: layers of buildings, activity, and history compressed into one space.
After Kinari Bazaar we reached Jama Masjid. As prayer echoed, the energy shifted instantly — from relentless motion to stillness and reflection.
Our final stop was the Kathika Museum in the Hamdard Building. Before anything began, Eddie unexpectedly sat at the piano and played a few soulful, jazzy pieces — an intimate and generous moment that caught everyone off guard. Inside, we watched traditional sitar and drum performances followed by Kathak dance, where rhythm and storytelling were carried through precise movement.
