Sarkhej Roza

My first day trip in the city of Ahmedabad where I’m living was to a Muslim Mosque called Sarkhej Roza. It was absolutely stunning, but a slightly surreal and strange experience for me. After a 15 minute rickshaw ride, we arrived outside a slightly shabby looking path leading up to the entrance, which was lined with begging men and women. There were a few street-food stalls outside, and because the majority of women wear saris it was an incredibly colourful place. Because of religious customs, we had to remove our shoes before entering and wear scarves over our heads (being a little unprepared, a flatmate fashioned a kimono into an amusingly elaborate headdress). The design of the mosque with its different buildings is very clever, meaning that because of the positioning of a tree and monument you naturally walk to the left and continue round in a circle before reaching the most important building on the far right. The first building, like most, is made from a series of carved stone domes and pillars with beautiful intricate blocks making up the walls. These let light in while not allowing anyone outside to see in giving privacy, and keeping the rooms cool. We were quizzed by a group of adorable young girls as to where we were from, and I had no option but to shake hands with them all before they ran away giggling. Throughout the entire trip we were stared at, being the only white people there.

Walking amongst the tombs of queens, and seeing the stunning views over the dried up man-made lake and amazing stone carvings was wonderful. Many people were sitting around with their families while others prayed inside.

After sitting down for a little break on the steps – this being my first weekend and a poor little Scottish girl, I was melting in the heat – we were bombarded. Initially a few children came over to ask where we were from and our names, but soon a small crowd grew around our perch and next thing  I knew I had a baby sitting in my lap and several cameras in my face. When one started they all wanted photos and so we left in a hurry, collecting our shoes and grabbing a rickshaw outside. It is very surreal being the focus of so much attention, and although they were just curious I found it a little uncomfortable and claustrophobic with the heat and the amount of people. I have since learnt to just forcefully say no and shake my head, although sometimes it is quite fun to be a source of fascination.