Irish Landscape Artist – Love Irish Art
There will be a great variety of work available to purchase.
Throughout India’s history, religion has been an important part of the country’s culture. The main religions are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
The most dominant religion is Hinduism. This accounts for about 80% of the population.
About 2% of India’s population are Sikhs.
What I particularly like about Sikhism is that everyone has equal rights. This is irrespective of caste, creed, colour, race, sex or religion.
They have placed an emphasis on community services and helping the needy. They work towards universal, selfless love.
Everyone in the community is looked after and receive food daily.
Nobody is asked any questions. Nobody is judged.
The creators of Sikhism tried (unsuccessfully) to abolish some of the old Indian customs such as the caste system.
Every Sikh is expected to voluntarily contribute to their community by preparing free meals in the kitchen. The common kitchen is called Langar. In every place of worship, (Gurdwara) there is a Langar.
The meals are served to all and are eaten sitting on the floor.
This is to emphasise the point that all are equal.
Sikhism does not believe in fasting. They see the body as God’s gift to the human race.
Therefore, people must foster, maintain and preserve the body in good, sound condition.
I must admit it was a very humbling experience to be a part of this event. It was also a privilege to be invited to participate in the preparation of the food.
What a wonderful way to treat your people in you community.
The Sikhs are recognised by five signs. These signs are, uncut hair; comb; sword or dagger; bracelet on the right wrist and shorts.
The religious Sikhs dress, carry a sword. Most of the Sikhs, even today, have uncut hair and gather it in a turban.
It is situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. It is a World Heritage Site and has been declared a winner of the new Seven Wonders of the World (2000 – 2007 initiative)
It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658), to house the tomb of his (favourite wife !) Mumtaz Mahal a Persian princess. Her name means “Jewel of the Palace” or “Chosen One of the Palace”. She died having given birth to their 14th child. The princess expressed her wish to be remembered in a formal manner.
The Taj Mahal took approximately 20 years to build and 20,000 workers to complete. This surely was a true declaration of his undying love for this lady.
The tomb lies in the centre of the complex, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.
As you approach the Taj Mahal – its breath-taking beauty steals your heart. We were in awe and a quiet, respectful hush prevailed.
Once you reach the white marble steps, you can no longer take photographs (sorry about that). Also, you must wear special socks to enter the mausoleum as if you were entering a pharmaceutical plant or operating theatre! This is where you will witness the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.
The emperor’s tomb was later added to the mausoleum so that he could be beside his loved one.
Described by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as
“the tear-drop on the cheek of time”
The Taj Mahal attracts about 8 million visitors a year.
As the morning light began to change, all of a sudden we could see the reflection of the Taj Mahal in full splendour.
It was a special time!
The quiet hush subsided as people became giddy with excitement and cameras clicked and the reality of selfies were in full flow.
Princess Diana once visited the Taj Mahal and people flocked to get photos taken in the same spot where she had sat.
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This is just a taste of what we encountered on our visit to India and I hope you will enjoy the visit with me.
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Injections, medications, visas all in order before we set off on our adventure!
After a seven hour flight from Dublin to Dubai, followed by three and half hours to Delhi, then throw in a time difference of plus five and a half hours = exhaustion!
We begin our cultural visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret and Humayan’s Tomb dating back to 1193
Qutub Minar made of sandstone and marble elegantly reaches towards the sky. It dates back to 1192 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a 240 ft tower in five stories – How could they possibly have built such a tall and magnificent structure back in those days?
We really had some fun when we took a ride around Delhi in a rickshaw and got a real taste of India and the streets of old Delhi.
There were fruit traders, barbers, ear-wax removal, faith healers, people sleeping, people washing – mayhem and chaos. All life was on those streets – marginalised lives and daily survivors.
We didn’t dare to enter the market – it was enormous and felt we would definitely get lost in such a chaotic environment but it was great to observe from the bus. There were shoes and more shoes and even more shoes again!
We took a visit to the buriel site of Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Because of Gandhi’s allegiance to Pakistan, some Indians thought Gandhi was too accommodating. Among them was Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, who assassinated Gandhi on 30 January 1948 by firing three bullets into his chest. What a shame!
Raj Ghat
We also visited the Jama Masjid Mosque which dates back to 1644 and it took over 5000 workers to construct.
Did you know that there are 36 (28 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed) World Heritage Sites in India that are recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of August 2017.
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Irelands best contemporary artists at the Radisson Hotel, Galway for Two Days Only.
Sat & Sun 12th & 13th August 2017.
11am – 7pm.
Exhibits include Fine Art, Mixed Media, Jewellery, Photography. Free Kids Art Zone.
Meet, Appreciate or Invest in Irelands best contemporary artists. Free Raffle draw for Galway Piece.
Take a look at some of the paintings I will have with me:
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also you can like the Facebook page here
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A sample of some of my recent work:
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