lovely dawn light on the Gateway of India Mumbai © Shelley Dark

he looks like a solider who has just stepped out of history in the time of Shah Jahan. © Shelley Dark

the view from our hotel room in Agra © Shelley Dark

in the grounds of the Taj Mahal Agra © Shelley Dark

at every turn in India, there are wonderful colour combinations - here complimentary red and green play against neutral stone walls © Shelley Dark

an improvised stove in a doorway © Shelley Dark

arguably the most glamorous pool in the world © Shelley Dark

at every turn, another shrine with flower offerings © Shelley Dark

She went with him everywhere and died in the birth of their 14th child. He built this in her memory, and never remarried. © Shelley Dark

a cloister in the City Palace Udaipur © Shelley Dark

the natural elegance of both Indian men and women with their innate sense of colour and style © Shelley Dark

the crumbling grandeur of beautiful buildings in Mumbai © Shelley Dark

a chilly Ganges morning - these women were reluctant to get wet © Shelley Dark

two Indian men in deep conversation © Shelley Dark

Indian weddings can be huge and colourful over a period of many days © Shelley Dark

A young man selling vegetables with a colour-coordinated backdrop © Shelley Dark

in the pink city of Jaipur, two flower sellers discuss a solemn matter © Shelley Dark

the colourful Indian street displays © Shelley Dark

provincial visitors to Mumbai visit the Gateway of India © Shelley Dark

when an elephant's makeup is better than your own! © Shelley Dark

The colourful turban of an Indian mahout © Shelley Dark

City Palace Udaipur © Shelley Dark

Although India is densely populated, there are large areas under farming © Shelley Dark

Indian wedding flowers of chrysanthemum layer cakes with gyphsophila icing © Shelley Dark

Indian weddings are huge colourful affairs, and the groom rides up on a decorated horse. © Shelley Dark

Although sahdus renounce worldly goods, this one did not renounce fancy watches or mobile phone © Shelley Dark

Frateh Prakash Palace Udaipur © Shelley Dark

a jumble of pots © Shelley Dark

A sahdu poses for the camera with me © Shelley Dark

Throughout country India, cooking fires are fuelled by dried cowpats which are arranged artfully on the ground and roofs. © Shelley Dark