Photo Gallery: 'Motorcycle Diaries ni Jay Taruc' heads to India

For the second anniversary of ‘Motorcycle Diaries ni Jay Taruc’, the show is taking viewers to India—one of the world’s most populous countries, with a rich history and culture. Even more appropriate: In India, motorcycles are the main form of transportation.

Two episodes into the month-long series, Jay and Team Motorcycle Diaries have seen a museum dedicated to India’s trains, a father-and-son duo who restore vintage motorcycles, inlaid marble artisans who create masterpieces out of stone, and a slew of historical buildings with breathtaking architecture.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the things that caught the team’s interest:

Joining Jay for the India Expedition is Joey Almeda. Himself one of the leading riders in the Philippines, Joey previously joined ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ for the show’s first anniversary tour of the ASEAN region.

If Paris has the Arc de Triomphe, New Delhi has the India Gate. It was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, a British architect who planned much of New Delhi’s during the colonial period. Since India gained its independence in 1947, the Gate has served as a monument to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I and the Afghan Wars.

As of today, motorcycles are the main mode of transportation in India. In fact, 72% of all registered vehicles in India are motorcycles—that means seven out of ten vehicles on the road. ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ partner for this trip is the Philippine arm of KTM, an Austrian brand with an appropriate slogan for the expedition: ‘Ready to ride.’

When you say ‘India’, the first thing that often comes to mind is the Taj Mahal. Built over a span of 21 years, the Taj Mahal is one of the finest pieces of Mughal architecture—there is not a single meta frame or brace in the entire building.

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, an emperor heartbroken over the death of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was to serve as her final resting place, and he spared no expense in its constructions; while most buildings of the time were built with red sandstone, the Taj Mahal was built with white marble inlaid with precious gemstones.

That’s not to say the red stone buildings of India are any less magnificent. Agra Fort, located near the Taj Mahal, is the equivalent of the Philippines’ Intramuros—a city guarded by tall, thick walls of stone.

Inside Agra Fort, you’ll find the great palaces of the Mughal empire. No wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Above is a photo of the ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ team at the Fort.

When it comes to India’s leaders, few are as iconic and beloved as Gandhi. He led the Indian nationalist movement during the British colonial period; but instead of open revolt, he encouraged non-violent civil disobedience. Today, Gandhi is known worldwide for his peaceful philosophy seen in his speeches and writings: “Be the change you want to see in this world.”

Few countries are as diverse as India. Four of the world’s religions were born here: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhim; however, there are many Muslims and Christians, too. During the Mughal empire, the Muslim emperors built many mosques—even one with a 72-meter-tall minaret, the tallest in their time.

This, Jay says, is amazing: “Napakaraming relihiyon, pero nagko-coexist silang lahat. Payapa sila.”

Photos by Team Motorcycle Diaries

--

For more on Jay and Joey’s India Expedition, catch ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ every Thursday, 10 PM on GMA News TV. You may also follow the action on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #IndiaExpedition.

–Cristina Tantengco/CM, GMA News