Colours of Rajasthan
Trip Start
Nov 15, 2004
1
30
70
Trip End
Nov 10, 2005
Jodphur,
India
Sunday, April 10, 2005
We arrived in Jodphur at 6 am and made our way to the excellent Yogi's guesthouse, a four hundred year old haveli with all the modern amenities one might hope for and comfortable, homely rooms (we promised Yogi we would mention it). Jodphur is particularly famous for the might Meherangargh Fort, which rises out of a hill and really hits you the first time you see it - generally leading to the expression of some expletives. We did the usual tour of the fort including the palace and temple, and on our second visit (it is that impressive) we were lucky enough to get given some prasad - temple food (specially prepared and blessed by priests) - delicious sweets.
The labyrinth streets of Jodphur are full of activity and colour (besides that all the buildings are painted blue) with life around the bazaars much like it has been for centuries. Life goes on at a frenetic pace, slowed only by the alarming number of very pregnant cows parked in the middle of the roads for impending delivery. During our stay, parades of women adorned in their finest jewels and bright saris and accompanied by musicians would periodically wander by (dodging the cows), for the Gangaur festival, where married women make offerings and pray for their husbands and young women pray for a good husband (Kate was slightly tempted to join in should it help her find that rich, handsome movie star husband she has been looking for ;-). The sights, smells and sounds of the street life engulfed our senses and put smiles on our faces - moments like these make you feel alive and glad to be in India.
