Amritsar - Golden Temple and Border Crossing

Asia-India-Amritsar  This is near Amritsar but in fact it is the border crossing at Wagah Border point. It is well worth the trip, About 45 minutes from the city . Great to watch the show on both sides , but as I was on the Indian side easier to see what was going on this side 

Posted in the Post Office in Amritsar. It is right in the old town . 

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Asia-India-Amritsar The Golden Temple was the main reason for my visit to this city . It is in fact a complex. Fascinating to see and lean all about the Sikhs culture and religion . A must see and a World Heritage Site. 

I usually do not put cards up without a postmark. But since my other card has a postmark , I decided to put this card up. It was also posted in Amritsar . 

Jaipur Capital of Rajasthan - India

Asia-India-Jaipur The Capital of Rajasthan  and historical city and gateway to India's most flamboyant state.  More selections here from the city of Jaipur. Certainly lots to see here and a very enjoyable visit . 

Not a very clear postmark. 

Jaipur - India

Asia-India-Jaipur The City Palace is amazing with a complex of courtyards , gardens and buildings . It is right in the centre of the old city. 

Posted in Jaipur . 

Asia-India-Hawa Mahall  Jaipur's most distinctive landmark. This is like a fairytale pink sandstone with a dizzying five storeys. 

Using one of the transport series I purchased in a booklet. 

World Heritage at Agra India

Asia-India-Agra This as you can see is Itimad-ud-Daulah, but when I was there no one called it that name. It was simply "The Baby Taj" . It has a beautiful delicate appearance and not to be missed. 

A hard to read cancel. Posted at Agra . 

Aisa-India-Agra  This is Fatehpur Sikri a magnificent fortified ancient city 40km went of Agra. This is really a set of Palace buildings peppered with Mughal masterpieces courtyards, gateways and ornamental pools. Both of these sights are World Heritage Sites. 

This stamp features a Temple in New Delhi 

Agra India - Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Asia-India-Agra I would say then when many people including myself think of India we think of the Taj Mahal. Many of my friends had seen this before me and said how wonderful it was. So it had a lot to live up to. Well , I have to say it surpassed my expectations. I would consider it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. A day never to forget. 

Visited the colonial Post Office in Agra. A busy place. 

Asia-India-Agra With the Taj Mahal overshadowing it, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. A must see place. 

Spend two days in Agra, which is enough to see the main sites. 

World Heritage Sites in Delhi - India .

Asia-India-Delhi  This is Qutb Minar complex which is something special. A soaring victory tower and minaret erected in 1193. This whole area is very interesting and when here was very busy with tourists. The highest stone tower in India. 

This stamp celebrates Children's day. 

Asia-India-Delhi Humayun's Tomb is the most perfectly proportioned and captivating of Delhi's mausoleums. This really did take my breath away. Amazing. Dates from 1564.

These stamps show traditional dancing from India and Portugal as it is a joint issue between the two countries. Purchased from the Philatelic bureau. 

India - Delhi Red Fort

Asia-India-Delhi This 42m high stone memorial arch is one of Delhi's iconic tourist sights. It is quite impressive and nice to walk around and take the view in. 

Purchased all these stamps from the Philatelic counter at the main post office in Delhi. These stamps were issued in booklets and sheets. But the sheets were sold out soon after release. These stamps "transport" are from the booklets. These are still bicycle rickshaws in Delhi. 

Asia-India-Delhi The World Heritage Site , "Red Fort" is well worth seeing. Had a good walk in and around. In Old Delhi this massive fort was also used by the British army. 

The Philatelic counter had a full selection of stamps. The staff were very helpful and always delighted to get that level of service. 

More Ahmedabad - India

Asia-India-Ahmedabad This is a second postcard I purchased in the shop at Gandhi's headquarters The painting of this image is on view. 

It's Olympic year so a good opportunity to use the latest Olympic stamps from India . One of the sports I had a big interest in is shown here. Badminton . I travelled Europe as a Umpire and enjoyed it very much. Apart from playing the game itself for many years. India won a Silver medal in this sport . The Postmark is a special postmark and is only in use if you mail at the postbox outside Gandhi's Museum/Headquarters. 

Asia-India-Ahmedabad During my desperation to find a card in Ahmedabad I purchased this one sided card from the Post office. As it happens I was here for Independence day and India issued a stamp. So in memory of that special day I had to purchase this miniature sheet. It is also inscribed "Tourism in India" 

Ahmedabad - India

Asia-India-Ahmedabad This is a postcard I purchased at Sabarmati Ashram the Gandhi's headquarters from 1917 to 1930 during the long struggle for Indian Independence.  I was in this city for work so had one day to see some of its charms. With a population of over 5 million it was near impossible to find a postcard . I did find none of the city itself or the state of Gujarat. I would suspect it is not a state with a big tourist draw. 

Unfortunately I had to cover up some of the text on the back of the card. I mailed this at the GPO in Ahmedabad. There was a philatelic counter, but it was not manned. So after a few minutes I discovered it was in fact within the Post office itself. So it was there I was able to choose from a good selection of current Indian Issues.

This is the inside of the Post office. A very busy office .  

One of the Post office vehicles  getting cleaned

 This should be the Philatelic Counter but in fact it was not manned. The line is for something else.

The Mail boxes outside

The Entrance to the GPO in Ahmedabad

Rare maybe the first time I have put a photo of myself at work. Always enjoyable.

The World Heritage site at Rani-Ki-Vav build in 1063. A magnificent step well. Well worth the visit . About 3 hours outside the city

Finally a icon of the city of Ahmedabad .. The window carved in stone . The Tree of life. 

Indian World Heritage Site and Pondicherry

Asia-India-Tamil Nadu-Mahabalipuram  This is a World Heritage site that one postcard can not do justice to. It is south of Chennai. Wonderful carved elephants out of rock. Pretty amazing . You can see a small part here. 

A fantastic set of stamps here. Lots of colour and interest. My views on Indian stamps have changed since this trip. Never knew there was so much variety.  

Asia-India-Ponducherry Union State-Ponducherry  A former French Colony. This area has such a french feel to it. Part of the town is like a set from a film studio. A very laid back hippy type place. Not like any other part of India at all. 

Pondicherry is the other name for Ponducherry and in fact that is the name you see mostly around the place in non government offices. I even found a stamp shop dealer here.. 

Andaman Islands and Chennai

Indian Ocean-Andaman & Nicobar Islands-Havelock Island  This is known as Beach number 7. Havelock is the main tourist Island in the Andaman Islands. You fly to Port Blair and then take a high speed ferry. It is a great trip. Most of the tourists here are from India. This beach is considered to be one of the best in the world and I would certainly agree with that. Stayed in lovely eco tourist hotel nearby.A sort of undiscovered Paradise.  Permits are required to visit Andaman Islands but you get at the airport on arrival. 

This Postcard was posted in the very small and hard to find Post office on Havelock Island. This is near the Ferry port. I had a overnight stay in Port Blair but arrived to late and left to early to visit Port Blair itself or the Post office. This Postcard was cancelled in Port Blair. 

Asia-India-Tamil Nadu-Chennai Had a brief stop here as flew from Port Blair to Chennai. 

Mailed this card at the Post Office at Chennai Airport . 

Darjeeling and Kolkata

Asia-India-West Bengal-Darjeeling  This town has to be seen to be believed. It has very narrow roads and surrounded by mountains as you can see in this postcard. Full of life and tourists. All trying the famous tea as well as visiting a plantation. 

I never knew India had such colourful stamps until I arrived here. Got a good selection is this post office. 

Asia-India-West Bengal-Kolkata  I tried everywhere to find a postcard with a view of the city. In fact Postcards were near impossible to find. So it is always a nice change to see a smiling face on a postcard. Kolkata or Calcutta is a fascinating city. Very busy . The Colonial buildings built during Queen Victoria's time are very impressive. I really enjoyed this city walking around and taking the life of the city in. Much more interesting then I had ever expected. 

Kolkata provided me with my only stop at a Philatelic outlet next to the main post office . I was surprised to find it very busy. Not often I can say that about Philatelic counters. They were most helpful showing me Souvenir sheets and stamps. Very impressed.