(Rajasthan is the state that has all the elements tourists think of when you mention India:forts, temples, camels, desert, nomads, and colorful crafts. In spite of all the tourists it is a place we would like to see more of. Some of you might remember the temple of Eklingji on which I wrote a post later on. It is one of the places forever etched into my memory. ) 2/16/2014
Our first stop was the state of Rajasthan which is rich in magnificent palaces, ancient, crumbling forts, colorful bazaars, and tourists everywhere. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was shot here. More on that later. The desert dwellers of this part of India wouldn’t have survived without camels which have been used for transportation, beasts of burden, and as a source of nourishment from their slightly salty tasting milk.
Chittorgarh, a fort begun in 728 AD, was our first stop. It is the largest of the many Rajastan forts. In 1303, it was under siege by Sultan Khilji, who wanted the land as well as the beautiful queen of the present king. STUDENT ALERT: Remember that the Trojan War was fought over the beautiful Helen of Troy after Paris, the Spartan, kidnapped her. This story had no Trojan Horse to end the war. In the Indian story, when the beautiful queen Padimi realized that her husband’s defeat was inevitable, she and 13,000 of the women in Chittorgarh committed mass suicide by immolation (death by fire), rather than be dishonored by the approaching soldiers. Today, the fort’s filled with ruins of palaces, temples and hungry monkeys. We were warned not to put our hands in our pockets because that is a signal to the monkeys that you have food to give them, and they come to get it. Several students were hissed and snarled at through the clinched teeth of disappointed monkeys.
On the way to Udiapur, we stopped at several Hindu temples. One complex is Nagda which is known as the mother and daughter-in-law temples that dates back to the 11th century. The site was different because it was rural, in the midst of fields. We saw it at sunset which was stunning. Eklingji which has 108 (a Hindu lucky number) Hindu temples on the spot where a special blessing was given by a sage to the founder of the Mewer dynasty.
We were there at dusk and no photography was allowed. There were flower sellers at the entrance where we removed our shoes. The complex was sited between two existing buildings narrow at the front and spreading out behind the entrance into the main temple. The construction was marble and granite blocks. As we walked toward the temple, I noticed the high stone walls and cobblestone block walkway, I thought of pictures I have seen of the narrow streets of old Jerusalem, which I have not visited. This temple was to honor Shiva, who is one of the three main gods of Hinduism. The flickering lights, the sound of the gong, chanting, and the smell of incense were a continuing assault of the senses.
This is our camel friend whom we saw often delivering loads to the center of Cept campus in Ahmedabad. There was a near-by major street where camels were lined up to rent. They can go to places that trucks and cars would not be allowed. These magnificent beasts of burden are still worth a great deal in the slow/fast, ancient/modern life of India! Notice her necklace and anklets!
This Is Incredible India!
TalesAlongTheWay 
Nice one. Thanks for loving India. Good pictures too. 🙂
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It is very easy to love India……and especially the warm, gracious Indians!
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I love this post. I feel like I’m there! The little tidbits like the anklets on the camels…amazing! And the assault of your senses from the gongs, incense, etc. I love it!
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How lovely. That is exactly what I want to achieve with my posts! Smiles!
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😀
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Reblogged this on Experiences of Partha Majumdar and commented:
When I lived in Rajasthan, I also found Rajasthan amazing.
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I can see why! Thank you !
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A lovely account Anne. We never made it to Chittorgarh on our trip to Udaipur years ago.
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well, there is always another trip! India is so large and there are wonderful places all over to see. Even in a lifetime, I doubt a person could visit everything. My husband is an architect so the trip was heavy on culture and architecture.
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I loved the small bit of Rajasthan that I saw (Jaipur) and would love to see more of this intoxicating state. Thank you Anne, MM 🍀
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Jaipur is coming up after Udiapur. Those were the only color cities we had time for . Have you seen The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel? It was set in Jaipur and I really wanted to see the hotel….you will have to look for that post….he he!
Also Jantar Mantar…did you see the astronomical garden?
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Yes the astro garden was superb. I have the film on DVD but not yet seen it!
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Husband had 2 years towards a PhD in Physics before switching to architecture. He drags me to observatories all over the world. He also is into String Theory…..Opposites do attract, you know! There is another astro garden in Delhi but not as nice as the one in Jaipur. I was glad there were benches in the shade!
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It was very, very hot when we were there, but loved it. 🍀
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😎
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Wonderful series yet again…beautiful Anne.
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Well, I am glad to reblog and share these posts with all my new followers now. You are always so encouraging, my friend! Thank you !
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I really need to travel there…you are teasing me!
🙂
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Oh, go for it. I have some other posts coming up on Udipur, Jaipur….you will want to go for sure!
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Hi Anne, thanks for the follow. I am about to head to india myself and your posts are a great help.
Cheers,
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Where are you going? Why? For how long? Lucky you! Is this the first time?
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I am starting in nepal for some trekking then training to Varanasi. Havent got a definate track marked out yet but places on the lisst are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Dharamsala and I fly out of Kerala. Ill be there for around a month. I have always wanted to see India, my sister lived there for many years and loved it. Ill be reading up on your travels through the country.
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Sounds like a great trip. Rajasthan is wonderful…where the color cities are. Kerala proves that jungle is a Hindi word.
Check out the back water boat rides and definitely do one. Not sure of your budget but you can hire a houseboat for a night or two, food and servants included. We didn’t do that but everyone I have asked who has, loved it.
Varanasi is intense, but marvelous. Take boat out on the Ganges in the morning to see the sunrise on the far shore and the people bathing in the river on the other side. Take time to wander through the narrow windy streets. One of of the oldest cities on earth! The ghats, the crematorium fires. . . . . One of my favorite cities and I have traveled to lots of places! Enjoy
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Great photographs.
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Glad you enjoyed them!
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We visited Rajasthan last summer (Udaipur and Jaipur and places on route)…its pure magical sights for all the senses!
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Glad to bring back some great memories for you ! I loved it too. If we are fortunate to go next year, we want to spend more time in Rajasthan weekends and such.
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Beautiful country. I wish I could see it. My wife would love it too. Thanks for the pictures and the story.
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It is my pleasure to share incredible India. I had never expected to go either, but did. Maybe that will happen to you. Probably 200 of the 400 posts are about India. Just poke around. . . . Peace !
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