Jodhpur, The Blue City

Jodhpur, The Blue City. We arrive here and can instantly feel the presence of the maharaja. The city itself is the second largest city in Rajasthan next to Jaipur. We arrive at the Ajit Bhawan, opposite the Umaid Bhawan where the royal family still resides. The Ajit Bhawan was a cute hotel, and we stayed in the little huts outside the hotel which offered us a cottage-like feel to our stay.

The following morning we visited Mehrangarh Fort. This fort is remarkably maintained and still quite impressive. Note the sheer size and we walk through the gates.

Inside the fort, we are able to view some treasures inside the museum. Below is a palanquin, used by as a mode of transportation before rickshaws and cars were in use.

A door at the fort . . .

A view from the fort of the "blue" city. These buildings are painted in indigo. Traditionally, indigo was used in the paint as a natural deterrent to pesky mosquitoes.

From Mehrangarh Fort, you can see the Umaid Bhawan Palace where the current royal family lives in one wing, and the other is used for a posh hotel.
We leave the fort and venture out shopping. As we are lost, Paul attempts to get directions from the tourist assistance booth! Ha! However, the directions actually work and we get our bearings inside this crazy bazaar.

A bread stand . . .

Paul is on the hunt in search of textiles . . .

We end our day with a rickshaw ride back to the Ajit Bhawan for some cocktails.

Here we are enjoying some stout and peanut samosas before dinner outside our "hut."

The Road to Ranakpur

We left Udaipur around 10 am today to begin our drive to Jodhpur. The road we are taking will lead us to Ranakpur Temple, a Jain temple. The ride to Ranakpur Temple is breathtaking through the mountains. Along the way, we stop to really see India. Ranakpur Temple itself is also situated in a very beautiful, green, and mountainous region. The stop at Ranakpur is one of our favorite stops in Rajasthan.

We stop in this little farming community to watch these men pump water from a well using their ox.

The children quickly spot me. The pose for me as the rest of the group is at the well.

After about 1 hour more in the car, we reach Ranakpur Temple as you will see below.

Elephant carved in marble located near the rear of the temple.

Note the intricacy of the carving on the ceiling of the main chamber.

A father and son pose for a photo outside the temple. The mother looks in the opposite direction.

A Jain priest gives Paul and I tikka before we exit to wish us "good luck" in the coming year.

We leave Ranakpur and spot these women carrying their bundles of kindling on the way to Jodhpur. They work so hard carrying these heavy loads of wood.