Jaipur, Agra, Delhi
Jaipur in Rajasthan is often dubbed "the pink city" and in
fact a great deal of the older part is built of a reddish stone which has
faded little over the centuries. In the main street stands the Hawa Mahal or
Wind Palace. Built in 1799, this is actually a high and intricately carved wall from behind
which the women of the royal court could watch, sequestered, the processions or
parades.
We recommend a trip to Jaipur when you come to India, as
everyone who goes to Jaipur loves it and enjoys the wonderful array of exotic
fabrics and garments that are available at reasonable prices.
There is a very
reasonably priced hotel which is very popular with western visitors and has all the
facilities such as STD, ISD, internet and e-mail access and as well
as good western style food on the menu including juices and salads. Our local
business contact will make sure you are able to find whatever you need in Jaipur
as well as provide an Aladdin's cave of garments
and fabrics. Jaipur is most noted for its precious and semi-precious stones and
handcrafted silver jewellery which are available in many shops dotting the
winding alleyways of the market areas. It is reasonably easy to get to Jaipur
from Tapovan via Indore. One can take a coach from nearby Dhule or Jalgaon to Indore and
then on to Jaipur by train or another coach. The whole trip is 24 hours of
travelling but really worth the effort...
Pushkar
A few hours away by bus or train is Pushkar, a delightful town on a
lake, surrounded by temples. It is a very popular retreat for foreigners and again the opportunities for shopping for unique garments,
shawls, gifts and jewellery are endless. Waking up in the early morning to the
harmonious sounds of various mantras floating across the lake is a rare treat in
India, as the other jarring sounds are absent in this holy pilgrimage place.
Sometime in November the famous Pushkar Camel Fair takes place, one of India's
biggest and most colorful festivals.
Udaipur
In
the south of Rajasthan lies the romantic city of Udaipur, known as the 'Venice
of the East.' It is famous for its fabulous Lake Palace Hotel, constructed in
the 18th century by Maharana Jagat Singh II on an island in the middle of the
placid Lake Pichola. Formerly the royal summer palace, today it is the ultimate
in luxury hotels, with shady courtyards, fountains, lotus ponds and even a small
mango-tree-shaded swimming pool.
Agra is the site of the world famous Taj Mahal. It is said to have been
constructed by the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his second wife,
Mumtaj, whose death in childbirth left the emporer so heartbroken that his hair
is said to have turned grey overnight. The Taj is definitely worth more than a
single visit as its character changes with the light throughout the day.
Although the Taj is amazingly graceful from almost any angle, at
close quarters it is even more beautiful than the pictures can indicate. Semi-
precious stones are inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns using a process
known as pietra dura. The precision and care which went into the Taj
Mahal's design and construction is just as impressive whether you view it from
across the river or at arm's length.
