My visit to Jaipur - the pink city - the capital of the Rajasthan - has been quite a short one dominated by Diwali.
I did visit the Old City - as above and I did do some sightseeing.
The pink city gets its name from the colour it is painted although pink is stretching a point I would say - more terracotta. The layout is interesting in as much as it was laid out as a new city for the Mughal Emperor who moved his capital from Ajmer because it had been out grown and because the water supply was inadequate. It has a straight wide main street connecting the Sun Gate and Moon Gate. Along the streets are colonnades under which are an incredible number of identically sized commercial units (shops). Everything is on sale and it is divided into specialist areas. Garments. Wholesale pulses, jewelry etc etc. But Jaipur Old City is no Paris. Again it has been outgrown. It is a lively place. A commercial place. There is now a huge city surrounding it.
I visited the Hindu Sun Temple above Jaipur and incongruously was shot by two cap pistol wielding little girls who thought it was very funny. It was. I also took some pictures of the Water Palace (hawkers make a living by trying sell bread pellets they make from white loaves.) The lake is full of small carp who errupt at the surface when the pellets are thrown in. The shoreline certainly needs a clean up but was very busy. The Palace of Wind has a very attractive fascade but time was running out as pressure of impending Diwali mounted.
My intention was to go to the famous Amber Fort but it was a 10k round trip. Diwali was on eveyones mind including the tuk tuk driver and he wad Islamic! I decided to miss out - a shame given how far I had come - but the hotel was too comfortable, the wi fi too reliable and I am girding myself for the onslaught of Delhi to come. ( I have been warned so I shall see for myself !).
Diwali in Jaipur was amazing to witness.
P's. Just had a wonderful lunch. Baigan Ka Bharta and mixed masala veg stuffed in whole tomatoes in a red sauce. Wednesday nights at Ryde Tandoori will never be quite the same! Last night it was Jodhpuri Gatta Masala - ha!
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| Wholesale chillies |
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| They turn up everywhere. Kings of the road. |
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| The rascals shot me! |
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| Stuffed tomatoes and minced aubegine. Wow! |
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The Hindu Sun Temple
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| The Water Palace |
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| The Palace of the Wind |
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