We started walking from the library.
Another library, the Lajpat Rai Library and Speakers House. 
Looks rather run down, eh? 
The East Gate but that’s not where we are heading. 
Turn left by the Baradari. 
Somebody is having a snooze in the winter sunshine
The Baradari
Goats. Yummy, Goat curry! 
Just like in front of the East Gate, we have this chabutra in front of the West Gate. 
It is in a really bad state. Made out of marble, its leaning away drunkenly. 
Beautiful marble filigree. If only this can be cleaned up, it would look like a shining jewel, but no, its left to rot. 
The West Gate. There was a traffic jam in the damn gate. 
The gate has been refurbished
As has the top of the gate. But the rains and pollution are already making heavy weather of it. 
Not fully, the mermaids (note that on the East Gate, there were mermen) haven't been touched up. 
One of the chattri’s has been made up as well. Another couple of mermaids. 
The other side of the gate has obviously not been restored, the fish look manky and rest of the plastering is falling off, showing the wooden planking underneath. 
The flower like protuberances are lovely on top of the gate. 
The roof is held up with angels (or women with wings) which are blowing what is looking trumpets. The figure on the end is an elephant. So how does the concept of angels emerge in Shia Islamic Oudh Art?
Similar lovely construction inside the gate. It is not painted with the lovely saffron golden colour as the East Gate. 
The roof which is gaping, is surrounded with fishes. 
The gate looks much better, at least the iron barred pieces. 
Beautiful scalloped arches. Floating away. Lovely work, look at the vertical pieces. 
Moving to the backside of the gate. One of the original doors is still extant. Lovely panels, I understand they were painted before, now its just dark weather beaten wood. 
The roof is near falling down. 
Peering up behind the arches. 
Looking at the back. 
Now this side is very well restored, looking very good. 
Now look at these metal mermaids. With wings no less. Holding up something that is no longer there, but I guess it was the crown. Looking amazing. But why fish tail here and not tentacles as in the shapes above? Curious indeed.
Fascinating work, look at the expression and facial features. Amazing work. 
Western Gate. Even the sign has been defaced. 
The plaster mermaids have not been restored yet. Or they might have been but not finished. 
At the bottom of the right hand side gate, there is another mermaid, which has been defaced and also the sad pathetic disgusting paan spits. Horrible. 
Elephants and Angels. 
Walking back out. Have you noticed that all the roof figurines are different? And why are they holding their breasts? 
See? each are different. Curious or what? 
There is the library. 
People flying kites off the Kaiserbagh. 
A stooped backed fellow taking it easy? A beggar counting his takings? A mentally disturbed fellow? Just one of the millions of people who float about in the Indian Cities. Here is the slideshow with more photographs.
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