Perhaps the most iconic photo of Jaipur is that of the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds
It is very attractive, however none of the photos show that it is on a very busy street with the typical traffic just in front of it!
It is very attractive, however none of the photos show that it is on a very busy street with the typical traffic just in front of it!
Amber Fort is fantastic!
We drove to the top and watched the people ambling up on elephants.
There are only about 500 rides possible per day. Each elephant is only allowed to do 5 trips and there are only around 100 of them.
So the owners return pretty promptly for the next set of passengers!
The scale of it is unbelievable..............
Which looked a little like traffic on the roads! Three abreast at times! Jostling to get ahead!
They emerged into the large courtyard through a gate which did not look too wide but did accommodate two passing each other...surprisingly!
There are only about 500 rides possible per day. Each elephant is only allowed to do 5 trips and there are only around 100 of them.
So the owners return pretty promptly for the next set of passengers!
The Maharanas ( who knew.... .....a Maharana had 1000 villages and and a Maharaja only had a 100.....or so our guide told us!!) knew how to look after themselves. There was a summer part of the palace....
which was used exclusively for his private entertainment. Cuncubines, I think.
which was used exclusively for his private entertainment. Cuncubines, I think.
And in another area he had 18 wives and secret passageways from his room to each of them so that none knew which of them he chose to visit!
The rooms being guarded perhaps as they are today?....................
No-one was allowed in his bedroom. Which is being re-done at the moment......
Whichever wife was the mother of the eldest son seemed to have been #1 wife.
No-one was allowed in his bedroom. Which is being re-done at the moment......
by ladies!!!!!!!!
Whichever wife was the mother of the eldest son seemed to have been #1 wife.
There are lots of courtyards which were used for dancing entertainment.
From the Amber Fort we went to the Nahargahr Fort passing en route this working elephant......
This fort supposedly allowed one of the kings to entertain his concubines away from the prying eyes of the City Palace. He fathered 125 children but none at the palace....... so no heir!!
We found it quite delightful, particularly because there were very few tourists!
It had something we did not see anywhere else in India...... fireplaces!
And had fantastic views of the city from its windows..........
The road up was a little hairy at the speed they like to drive!
On the drive back in to Jaipur we passed some camels waiting for passengers......
And the Jal Mahal Palace
From the Amber Fort we went to the Nahargahr Fort passing en route this working elephant......
This fort supposedly allowed one of the kings to entertain his concubines away from the prying eyes of the City Palace. He fathered 125 children but none at the palace....... so no heir!!
It had something we did not see anywhere else in India...... fireplaces!
On the drive back in to Jaipur we passed some camels waiting for passengers......
And the Jal Mahal Palace
City Palace was a little of a let down after the Fort. It was certainly interesting but………
The raised flag meant that the Royal family was in residence..........perhaps waiting for Oprah to arrive for the Jaipur Literary festival!
Not much photography was allowed........ but these silver urns were of note..
These urns are the largest silver objects (each one 340kg /750lb) in terms of weight, in the world. They were commissioned for the then Maharaja who made a trip to England bringing with him enough water from the river Ganga so that he didn't loose his caste by drinking foreign water! This particular Maharaja was rather short and extremely, extremely overweight judging by his clothes on display!
Not much photography was allowed........ but these silver urns were of note..
These urns are the largest silver objects (each one 340kg /750lb) in terms of weight, in the world. They were commissioned for the then Maharaja who made a trip to England bringing with him enough water from the river Ganga so that he didn't loose his caste by drinking foreign water! This particular Maharaja was rather short and extremely, extremely overweight judging by his clothes on display!
However the Jantar Mantar, the Royal Observatory was fascinating. We tested all the means of telling the time and all were correct!
Driving around Jaipur was never boring…….. elephants, camels, TukTuks, large trucks, buses etc.
Passing an elephant....
And our Tuk-Tuk on one trip..... No! that was not the driver but was the son and came everywhere with us!
Passing an elephant....
And our Tuk-Tuk on one trip..... No! that was not the driver but was the son and came everywhere with us!
Nothing moved very far before grinding once again to a stop. 5 lanes of traffic in the space for 2, maybe 3 using the shoulder.
We went for lunch in Niro’s which apparently is one of the oldest and best liked restaurants in Jaipur. We enjoyed our lunch, however I didn’t think it was exceptional.
Dinner we had in the Haveli. OK food. Nothing like what they prepared in the Palace, unfortunately!
We were there for the Kite Festival which meant lots of music, fireworks and many kites landing in the hotel grounds..... even in our little courtyard.
We were there for the Kite Festival which meant lots of music, fireworks and many kites landing in the hotel grounds..... even in our little courtyard.
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