TRAVEL THE WORLD - JAIPUR, INDIA

While the city palace complex in Jaipur was not old or particularly beautiful, it was large, impressive and interesting. I was pleasantly surprised to see the nicely decorated Christmas tree (it was late December). The vessel in the second photo is one of a pair. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, they are the largest sterling silver vessels in the world. They are 5'3" tall and each one weighs 345 kg. They were taken to England by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II in 1902 for the coronation of Edward VII, apparently to serve as receptacles for the Maharaja's drinking water.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - AMBER FORT NEAR JAIPUR, INDIA

This view, taken in 2007 from the road leaving Amber Fort near Jaipur, brings to my mind images of India that seem familiar to me perhaps from books I've read or movies I've seen. It recalls stories from Kim by Rudyard Kipling, a book read years ago about the India Mutiny, and other images associated with the British Raj. Maybe it's that we are looking down on a beautiful view some distance away that gives it the air of mystery and enchantment that I have long associated with India.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - AMBER FORT NEAR JAIPUR, INDIA

These photographs, taken at Amber Fort near Jaipur in 2007, are yet more evidence of the beauty of Islamic architecture and design. The second photo shows the exterior of the Jai Mandir, and the first is taken in the Sheesh Mahal or Hall of Mirrors which is inside the building.

TRAVEL THE WORLD, JAIPUR, INDIA

I very much admire this cenotaph which is located at Gaitore near Jaipur, India. It was photographed in 2007.

INDIA VACATION 2007

INDIAN PALACES

India has many beautiful palaces. The one pictured in the first photo above is in Mehranghar Fort at Jodhpur and was built in the 17th Century. It is now a museum with many interesting things to see from the original palace furnishings.

The City Palace complex in Jaipur, part of which is pictured in the second photo, covers a very large area, and consists of gardens, courtyards and buildings. The Jaipur royal family continues to live in part of the palace.

The Jahangir Mahal in Orchha, seen in the third photo, is a fine example of Mughal architecture featuring typical stone latticework. Construction by the Orchha ruler, Vir Singh, began early in the 16th Century in honour of the Mughal emperor, Jehangir.

INDIA VACATION 2007

AMBER FORT, JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

The construction of Amber Fort began in 1592 in Rajput style with Mughal influences.
The Jai Mandir or Hall of Victory, pictured in the first photo above, is famous for its inlaid panels and mirror ceiling.

The second photo shows the beautiful view looking down from the road on the way to Jaipur from Amber Fort.

INDIA VACATION 2007

INTRODUCTION
My husband Paul and I took a five-week vacation to India at the very end of 2007. We traveled by train - taking six overnight trains - and by rented car with a driver. India was everything we anticipated and more. The most wonderful thing about the country, though, was the people themselves. Everywhere we went, they were kind, friendly, and charming. It was easy and enjoyable to engage in conversation and to develop a rapport. Second to the people, of course, was the great food.
The photo above is of the Gaitor cenotaph near Jaipur in Rajasthan.



THE HOLY GANGES AT VARANASI
There are more than 100 ghats along the Ganges at Varanasi, a city in the north of India. Here pilgrims come to pray and bathe. Varanasi (historic Benares) is the city of Lord Siva. Devout Hindus pray for the protection of Siva when they perform puja (i.e., pray) in the Ganges. Cremations are performed at the Manikarnika ghat where an eternal fire has been burning for 4,000 years. The belief is that the soul will than go to Nirvana and escape the cycle of birth, death and re-incarnation. The first photo below shows people bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi. The second photo is of the Manikarnika ghat.