Travel Shot: After the Friday prayers…

Posted on by sudhagee

In a corner of a large walled garden, just before the main entrance to Humayun’s Tomb entrance in Delhi, is the Afsarwala Tomb and Mosque complex. I found myself outside this small complex after entering the walled garden through an enticing doorway one cold and drizzly afternoon in February

It was a Friday and the Jum’ah prayers were over. The mosque was empty except for a man and 2 boys who were rolling up the prayer mats.

Afsarwala Masjid, Delhi, Ramadaan Kareem, Jum'ah prayers, Friday prayers
Part of the Afsarwala tomb can be seen on the left. The mosque is right ahead and 3 figures can be seen rolling up the prayer mats

Initially all three of them were rolling mats on their own without any kind of interaction between them. Then, suddenly, the boys decided to do the task together. And amidst giggles and playful shoves, the two boys rolled up mats together, which the man then collected and put them on one side.

Afsarwala Masjid, Delhi, Ramadaan Kareem, Jum'ah prayers, Friday prayers
Two are better than one to roll a mat !

Once all the mats were rolled away, the man got down to the task of counting them. Meanwhile the boys started picking the dried leaves from the mosque courtyard in an attempt to keep it clean. But it was a windy day and the more leaves kept falling. The boys didn’t seem to mind and ran all over the courtyard chasing the leaves and each other and much gleeful laughter.

It is always wonderful to see children at play and I would have loved to linger and watch these two boys, perhaps talk to them and the man about the mosque and the service they carried out. But I had a meeting to attend as my cell phone alarm reminded me rather persistently, and I left rather reluctantly. For the remainder of the day, I was smiling away: right through the meeting, the return flight back to Mumbai that night… And I am still smiling as I type out this post.

Dear reader, tomorrow is the first day of the holy month of Ramzaan in the Indian sub-continent and I take this opportunity to wish you all Ramadan Kareem. 🙂

 

Published by sudhagee

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35 thoughts on “Travel Shot: After the Friday prayers…”

  6. you have beautifully captured these photographs Sudha. I am sure it would have been an awesome experience watching the kids gleefully offering mosque services. A very happy Ramadan to you as well 🙂

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    1. Welcome here, Jiggyasa. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. It was lovely watching the boys at work and play, so innocent and carefree. Thode few minutes of watching them was the highlight of my trip to Delhi.

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  10. I just love the entire campus of Huyamun’s Tomb. So much beauty and imagination in one place. During my DU days, I use to go there for walks, the calmness of the area use to just stay with me for so long. Your post just took me there.

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    1. Glad this post brought back happy memories, Avinash. 🙂

      Delhi remains unexplored for me. During this day trip to Delhi, I managed to explore Humayun’s Tomb and Lodhi Gardens. I hope that I get a chance to explore this fascinating city more often.

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      1. Yes, Delhi is one of its type. If you have not, try City of Djinns by William Dalrymple. It is the best Travelogue on Delhi and with William, we can connect all the dots of history

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