Sandwiched between documentation work, and the Annual NASA convention, we got a much needed breather for two days in Jaipur. Two days of exploring, eating, sleeping, and any other necessary fun stuff that we had sacrificed in the last few months.
Prior to Jaipur, we had a forty hour train journey, we took us all through North Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and then finally Rajasthan. We majorly caught up on our sleep in these two days, and ooh-ed and ahhh-ed at the beautiful sceneries that passed all along the way.
A game of dumb charades, a horror movie, and some hopping out onto platforms in between the journey, kept us busy, and helped time to pass faster.
We arrived at Jaipur on a foggy morning on the day of Sankranthi, all wrapped up in layers and layers of clothing. It felt like we had been thrown from one extreme of the thermometer to another. We checked into Zostel, a dormitory with painted walls of men in turbans, women covered with veils, and camels (of course), a comfy common lounge, complete with pink walls, bean bags, free WiFi, books, and musical instruments. Seriously, what else could be missing.
Here's Bhumi, my talented junior and roommate, playing around with the wall art in the kitchen.
As it was Sankranthi, there was a kite festival as well, and with more than four hours in our hand before check in, we headed straight to the terrace. It was cold, and breezy, and the sun was bright, making it hard to look up to spot all the kites.Music blared out from the speakers everywhere; a different song from different directions.
We were joined by the neighbours, each standing in their terraces, flying or getting ready to fly the kites.
As time passed by, and it became warmer, the people around increased and the number of kites, along with them. The sky became littered with various colorful dots, soaring above us. Here, have a look!
In the afternoon, we decided to head towards Amer Fort. A single bus ride and we were there. We drove through fort walls, crossed Jal Mahal, and up the dry hills, to finally get this view of the enormous fort.
The fort was located on one part of the hill, but the walls extended to the nearby hills as well, enclosing the city of old Jaipur within them.
It was a breathtaking view. The sandstone walls of the fort and the lake, glimmered in golden hues, reflecting the colour of the setting sun. And oh! Did I mention the birds?
They.were.everywhere.
Flying, pooping, swooping down. But oh God! They did make my photographs look beautiful!
We hired a tour guide, who took us around the fort, giving out more information on what movies and song sequences were shot, than about the actual fort itself.
I feel its hugely necessary and important to appoint a guide when visiting a historical place for the first time. It is helpful in understanding the whats, whys and hows of the ancient structure standing in front of us, rather than meandering around without appreciating or understanding the work of art in front of us.
For example, the frescoes were painted with vegetable dye directly on the marble. This gave a overall smooth touch to both the painted and non-painted parts, giving us no difference to the feel of the painted portion.
This art form of vegetable dyeing is still practiced today, (and has extended to cloth dyeing also) as a means of earning as well as promoting Rajasthani culture.
Another bus ride, and we got off at Jal Mahal.We walked the whole stretch of the lake, and I was particularly waiting for the sun to set, and the palace to light up!
Sadly, the palace was under restoration, so the lights hadn't been switched on.
Luckily, the fireworks started soon afterwards!
And the whole sky was glimmering in shiny orange dots - lanterns were floating all over the sky!
Across the road, there was a baarat as well, adding the showcase of the lights, with men holding the bright chandelier style lamps, along the small stretch of the road!
Next stop was Hawa Mahal, and some shopping.
The Palace looked eerie at night, and as we walked, the streets also got emptier, and most shops were closing off as well. The buzz of the day had gone, and the silent night had slipped in.
Closed shutters, empty roads, only the liquor shops were open, with some crowd around them.
Initially I was hesitant for all us (only) girls to go around an unknown city all by ourselves. Even with google maps, it is scary to venture out alone. But the people were very helpful. All the bus conductors made sure we got down at the right stop, and people also guided on where to go, and at what time etc etc. It helped us find and reach places quicker!
By the end of the day, we knew Jaipur better, and became familiarised with the areas!
Prior to Jaipur, we had a forty hour train journey, we took us all through North Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and then finally Rajasthan. We majorly caught up on our sleep in these two days, and ooh-ed and ahhh-ed at the beautiful sceneries that passed all along the way.
A game of dumb charades, a horror movie, and some hopping out onto platforms in between the journey, kept us busy, and helped time to pass faster.
We arrived at Jaipur on a foggy morning on the day of Sankranthi, all wrapped up in layers and layers of clothing. It felt like we had been thrown from one extreme of the thermometer to another. We checked into Zostel, a dormitory with painted walls of men in turbans, women covered with veils, and camels (of course), a comfy common lounge, complete with pink walls, bean bags, free WiFi, books, and musical instruments. Seriously, what else could be missing.
Here's Bhumi, my talented junior and roommate, playing around with the wall art in the kitchen.
As it was Sankranthi, there was a kite festival as well, and with more than four hours in our hand before check in, we headed straight to the terrace. It was cold, and breezy, and the sun was bright, making it hard to look up to spot all the kites.Music blared out from the speakers everywhere; a different song from different directions.
We were joined by the neighbours, each standing in their terraces, flying or getting ready to fly the kites.
As time passed by, and it became warmer, the people around increased and the number of kites, along with them. The sky became littered with various colorful dots, soaring above us. Here, have a look!
In the afternoon, we decided to head towards Amer Fort. A single bus ride and we were there. We drove through fort walls, crossed Jal Mahal, and up the dry hills, to finally get this view of the enormous fort.
The fort was located on one part of the hill, but the walls extended to the nearby hills as well, enclosing the city of old Jaipur within them.
It was a breathtaking view. The sandstone walls of the fort and the lake, glimmered in golden hues, reflecting the colour of the setting sun. And oh! Did I mention the birds?
They.were.everywhere.
Flying, pooping, swooping down. But oh God! They did make my photographs look beautiful!
We hired a tour guide, who took us around the fort, giving out more information on what movies and song sequences were shot, than about the actual fort itself.
For example, the frescoes were painted with vegetable dye directly on the marble. This gave a overall smooth touch to both the painted and non-painted parts, giving us no difference to the feel of the painted portion.
This art form of vegetable dyeing is still practiced today, (and has extended to cloth dyeing also) as a means of earning as well as promoting Rajasthani culture.
Another bus ride, and we got off at Jal Mahal.We walked the whole stretch of the lake, and I was particularly waiting for the sun to set, and the palace to light up!
Sadly, the palace was under restoration, so the lights hadn't been switched on.
Luckily, the fireworks started soon afterwards!
And the whole sky was glimmering in shiny orange dots - lanterns were floating all over the sky!
Across the road, there was a baarat as well, adding the showcase of the lights, with men holding the bright chandelier style lamps, along the small stretch of the road!
Next stop was Hawa Mahal, and some shopping.
The Palace looked eerie at night, and as we walked, the streets also got emptier, and most shops were closing off as well. The buzz of the day had gone, and the silent night had slipped in.
Closed shutters, empty roads, only the liquor shops were open, with some crowd around them.
Initially I was hesitant for all us (only) girls to go around an unknown city all by ourselves. Even with google maps, it is scary to venture out alone. But the people were very helpful. All the bus conductors made sure we got down at the right stop, and people also guided on where to go, and at what time etc etc. It helped us find and reach places quicker!
By the end of the day, we knew Jaipur better, and became familiarised with the areas!
