A question about a mosque and a tree

proxyindian · Oct 16th, 2007, 04:03

I'm trying to write my notes to my pictures at Flickr but am completely stymied.

In the outer ring of Connaught Place in New Delhi, there's the strangest thing. Sitting like a nail in a bike tire, there's this mosque, Auliya Mosque, and then there's this tree growing next to and through it.

Does this mosque predate Connaught Place because it's just too much at odds with the rest of the complex?

If so, why wouldn't the British stick the mall over a little bit in order to preserve the "integrity" of the center?

If not, why was a mosque put in this place?

But then, exactly how old is the Mosque? How did a tree grow through it? Why not trim the branch? Or is it a sacred tree? But sacred to Muslims? Or did someone build a second floor but not want to cut the branch so they built around it?

(I've searched the web a wee bit but most every result refers to Nizammudin.)

I'm wishing now that I'd have been able to go inside and look at it from in there. Oh well....

Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions.

proxyindian · Oct 18th, 2007, 04:13

Well, if any of you plan to be in Delhi soon and are wandering around Connaught Place, stop in the mosque and ask.....

I would but - alas - I'm too far away.....

One week ago at this very time, I was in the air on my way back to the boring world. There's always next year.

Lugubert · Oct 18th, 2007, 07:28

News to me. Duly noted for a visit next time in Delhi, though.

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 18th, 2007, 10:55

I have seen this mosque..however never paid attention...as its common to see Trees coming out of walls of buildings..

It seems to be a 'Peepal' tree, and in hindu religion it is considered auspicious, not may people like to cut it .. even if the tree is there in a vacant piece of land and needs to be cut then no Hindu will dare to touch it..they will summon a muslim to do so..

I guess it might have been left in the mosque for communal harmony and respecting the sentiments of Hindus..

But again this is a guess..not sure about it...

jalebiwallah · Oct 20th, 2007, 07:23

A bit off topic, but the meat pullow stand in the photo is a spot I remember fondly from my last visit to delhi.....

proxyindian · Mar 23rd, 2008, 02:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalebiwallah

A bit off topic, but the meat pullow stand in the photo is a spot I remember fondly from my last visit to delhi.....

Thanks Shashank for the info. We'll be back in Delhi in 6 months so I'll go find out myself. The things about the peepul tree gives me a good way to start asking about the tree. I would love to see the inside of that mosque. Maybe they'll invite us in and we'll see how the tree looks inside a building.

Also, Jalebiwallah, we are not going to miss out on the pullow stand. Every time John and I go through the photos one of says, "Ohhh, we should have eaten there."

Now there will be next time!!!

the opoponax · Mar 23rd, 2008, 04:57

Very, very OT but if you're ever in New Orleans and are interested to see a tree growing through the dining area of a restaurant, seek out Cafe Degas, uptown near the Fairgrounds.

UPDATE -- it appears Hurricane Katrina may have taken down the tree. Go there anyway, it's one of my favorite French restaurants in the world.

Oct 16th, 2007, 04:03	#1
proxyindian Insomnia Cat Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 298	A question about a mosque and a tree I'm trying to write my notes to my pictures at Flickr but am completely stymied. In the outer ring of Connaught Place in New Delhi, there's the strangest thing. Sitting like a nail in a bike tire, there's this mosque, Auliya Mosque, and then there's this tree growing next to and through it. Does this mosque predate Connaught Place because it's just too much at odds with the rest of the complex? If so, why wouldn't the British stick the mall over a little bit in order to preserve the "integrity" of the center? If not, why was a mosque put in this place? But then, exactly how old is the Mosque? How did a tree grow through it? Why not trim the branch? Or is it a sacred tree? But sacred to Muslims? Or did someone build a second floor but not want to cut the branch so they built around it? (I've searched the web a wee bit but most every result refers to Nizammudin.) I'm wishing now that I'd have been able to go inside and look at it from in there. Oh well.... Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions. Attached Thumbnails

Oct 18th, 2007, 10:55	#4
shashank.aggarwal Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,928	I have seen this mosque..however never paid attention...as its common to see Trees coming out of walls of buildings.. It seems to be a 'Peepal' tree, and in hindu religion it is considered auspicious, not may people like to cut it .. even if the tree is there in a vacant piece of land and needs to be cut then no Hindu will dare to touch it..they will summon a muslim to do so.. I guess it might have been left in the mosque for communal harmony and respecting the sentiments of Hindus.. But again this is a guess..not sure about it... __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

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Oct 18th, 2007, 04:13	#2
proxyindian Insomnia Cat Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 298	Well, if any of you plan to be in Delhi soon and are wandering around Connaught Place, stop in the mosque and ask..... I would but - alas - I'm too far away..... One week ago at this very time, I was in the air on my way back to the boring world. There's always next year.

Oct 18th, 2007, 07:28	#3
Lugubert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 330	News to me. Duly noted for a visit next time in Delhi, though.

Oct 20th, 2007, 07:23	#5
jalebiwallah maha foodie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 58	A bit off topic, but the meat pullow stand in the photo is a spot I remember fondly from my last visit to delhi.....

Mar 23rd, 2008, 04:57	#7
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,052	Very, very OT but if you're ever in New Orleans and are interested to see a tree growing through the dining area of a restaurant, seek out Cafe Degas, uptown near the Fairgrounds. UPDATE -- it appears Hurricane Katrina may have taken down the tree. Go there anyway, it's one of my favorite French restaurants in the world.

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