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Bikaner in Rajasthan is situated in the desert not far from the Pakistani border. Temperatures were warm during the day - we visited in December - but fell close to freezing at night. We saw more camels here than elsewhere, possibly because of the town's remoteness, or perhaps because of the camel research centre located there. We liked this camel for its typically haughty facial expression. He seems to be telling the world that he is king of the road, and perhaps in Bikaner he is.
When India gained its independence from Britain in 1947, rulers of the Rajput states, including Udaipur, chose to join the new Dominion of India. Since that time, there has continued to be a Maharana of Udaipur. He is the heir of the former Maharanas, and, though he has no formal position or power, he is deeply respected by the people of Udaipur. We were in Udaipur in 2007 when his 63rd birthday was being celebrated. At the City Palace, which continues to be his residence, there was a very long queue of well-wishes bearing him gifts.
The Peacock Square or Mor Chawk in the City Palace in Udaipur gains its name from the peacocks in vivid blue glass mosaic that decorate its walls. This is only one example of the many beautiful rooms we admired in India. The peacock is the national bird of India.
In 2007 the City Palace complex in Udaipur was one of the most interesting palaces we saw in India. We had a very nice, very informative guide all to ourselves for over an hour. The palace was built by the Rajput Maharana Udai Singh beginning with the royal courtyard in 1568. He was given the title of maharana in recognition that he did not submit to defeat by the Mughals. The palace complex is a blend of medieval European and Chinese architecture. It has buildings of immense beauty, as well as gardens and fountains - all well planned and finely executed over the years.
Our favourite place in India when we visited in 2007 was Udaipur in Rajasthan. When people think of the beauty of Udaipur, they immediately visualize Lake Pichola. This lovely pavilion on the lake is reputed to have been where the Udaipur Maharanas entertained their ladies.
This street scene, photographed in 2007, could be almost anywhere in India. Note the cow in the middle of the street at the very centre of things.
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.
UDAIPUR, RAJASTHANUdaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan on the man-made Lake Pichola. The Lake Palace, pictured in the first photo above, was built in 1743 by the Rajput Maharana Jagat Singh. Today, it is a luxury hotel. The Rajputs, prior to India gaining its independence from Britain, were rulers of states within what is now Rajasthan. These states joined newly- independent India, though they had not been part of the British Raj.The second photo shows beautiful Lake Pichola. It is possible to book a room in a lovely moderately-priced hotel that faces directly onto the lake. The City Palace complex, featured in the third photo, is the historic home of the Udaipur Rajput maharanas. The current Maharana, who continues to reside in the palace, has no political power but is held in great esteem by the people of Udaipur.
These photos were taken in Jodhpur in 2007. Mehrangarh Fort is in the first photo, while the second was taken from the fortress and shows why Jodhpur has been called the Blue City. The foundation of the fort was laid in 1459.
Golden Fort, so-named for its resemblance to a golden flame in the desert sun, includes Jain temples, a palace, a museum, and one-quarter of the houses in the Old City of Jaisalmer. It was built in the 12th Century and has now been placed upon the World Monuments Watch List of 100 endangered sites. Located in an area of meagre rainfall, the fort was built with a complex system designed to collect rainwater. However, it does not have the capacity to handle the volume of water now necessary to accommodate tourists and as a result the fort has become unstable. It is unclear if anything is being done to contain or reduce the damage.
This photo of an old mansion called a haveli was taken in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan in 2007. It shows the beautifully intricate stone carving that you often see on these old houses. I was fascinated by the many birds that perched on buildings everywhere in the city.
There is great diversity within India, but it can nevertheless be characterized as a country of farmers. Although Rajasthan is one of India's more prosperous states, you can see from the photo that life in rural areas is relatively primitive. Even with many government initiatives to combat it, rural poverty - along with indebtedness and suicide - remains a problem.
Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan on the man-made Lake Pichola, pictured above. The palace was built in 1743 by the Rajput Maharana Jagat Singh. Today, it is a luxury hotel.The Rajputs, prior to India gaining its independence from Britain, were rulers of states within what is now Rajasthan. These states joined newly- independent India, though they had not been part of the British Raj.
