If there is one street, one bazaar in our city that epitomizes shared heritage and secular values, it is Chandni Chowk in Purani Delhi (पुरानी दिल्ली). Look at this beautiful sight: the golden dome of Shree Sis Ganj Gurdwara Sahib as seen from inside the Sunehri Masjid right next to it. The Masjid is being repaired – special niches were added to enhance the view – and look at the कंगूरे (Crenellations) on top of the wall, the decorative element of a mosque’s outer wall. Ah, something to behold in Purani Delhi: a living example of साझा संस्कृति का सफर for nearly 400 years now. In less than a 700-meter stretch, people of different faiths celebrate their religious beliefs and ideologies in brotherhood, while respecting each other’s space. Starting at the eastern corner of Chandni Chowk we see the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, which touches the Gauri Shankar temple. Walk 150 meters diagonally and we find the Central Baptist Church. Diagonally across another 100 meters is the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib which shares a common wall with the Sunehri Masjid. Lastly, walk another five hundred meters to face the beautiful Fatehpuri masjid, built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, the emperor’s wife. In my book पुरानी दिल्ली: साझा संस्कृति का सफर you will find this and many other stories of Purani Delhi. Available from Leftword.com and also on Amazon.
Ankahi. Unsaid. 
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