We took a whopping huge bite of India and chased it with big gulp - covering 9 cities in 14 days between Christmas and the first week in January.   We flew in to Delhi on Christmas Eve - motored to Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, then flew to Udaipur (for New Year’s). Then flew to Aurangabad - to World Heritage sites of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, - then on to Hyderabad and finally to Mumbai. 

With an itinerary jam-packed from day break to sundown, we were whisked to mosques and temples, spectacular palaces, hilltop forts, bazaars, shops and museums filled with the treasures and antiquity. 

It would all go by in a blur, but for the documentation in photographs we brought home with us. 

What stands out most in memory?  Against the backdrop of minarets, shrines and dazzling palace domes, past the ancient city gates, the intricate carved stonework, and the lush gardens   . . .  there were the faces. . . youthful, aged,  delightful, beautiful, exotic, veiled, weathered,  bearded, mustachioed, curious, open, smiling...ever fascinating to watch, and a privilege to photograph.  

Sporting dueling Canons, my husband and I took more than 4000 shots.  Difficult to choose favorites, but what follows are just a few.  

India is young. More than 50% of the population of India is below the age of 25. 

India has more than 2000 ethnic groups, with every major religion represented, though 80% of the population is Hindu, 13% is Muslim and 2% is Christian. Indian life revolves primarily around agriculture and small villages, where about 72% of the population lives. 

 Our driver through Rajasthan.