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I must be the easiest letter by far in the A-Z. It's a word all by its own self. Just like A. Spoilt for choice.  

In this instance though, I is for India Gate. Also an arch monument, but quite different from the Gateway of India which I mentioned in my previous post. 

India Gate is a war memorial to about 74,000 service personnel, mostly Indian, some British, who fell in WWI between 1914 and 1921 in the Far and Middle East and East Africa. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the main architect of New Delhi and also a member of the Imperial War Graves Commission.  Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy, inaugurated the memorial in 1931.

India Gate, New Delhi. The focal point for the Republic Day celebrations.
A few changes to the monument since independence in 1947.

Very popular spot with both residents and visitors.

Staying in Delhi, J is for Jama Masjid, a somewhat older building built by  Shahjahan, the same chap who built the Taj Mahal. It has played a political role during the colonial era and remains in active use even now. 

Contre jour at Jama Masjid. A mosque in a very typical Mughal style,
built in the 1650s. 

And for K, I have Kulfi, which is a traditional Indian frozen dairy dessert, sold by vendors known as kulfiwallahs and in restaurants throughout India, particularly popular during the hot summers. The recipe is from the Mughal era, records show that saltpeter and  ice, imported from the Himalayas, were used for refrigeration. 

Kulfi is made from evaporated milk and flavourings, packed into metal moulds and immersed in slurry ice. Originally the dessert was flavoured with cream (malai), saffron (zafran/kesar), cardamom (elaichi), rose and mango. Nowadays you get them in many different  flavours - strawberry, apple, avocado. This one hereunder is narangi kulfi - orange, at a favourite restaurant in Lucknow.

Narangi kulfi - loved it the first time!

 

So went back for seconds on the next trip!

Incidentally, kulfi is not whipped and therefore it is a denser dessert which keeps frozen for a longer time once unmoulded. Another must-try item if you're in India. 

That's I, J and K done. Hope you've enjoyed the photos. Happy A-Zing! - if you're participating. And happy cusp season to you, if you're not! 

Posted for the A-Z Challenge 2024