Adventures in India, Part 16a -- The City Palace

This set of pictures is out of order. I inadvertently skipped them back when I was doing Jaipur. They document our visit to the City Palace which incorporates the Chandra Mahal and the Mubarak Mahal, both constructed during the Eighteenth Century. Today part of the Chandra Mahal still functions as a royal residence, but most of the complex is open to visitors.

Then it was off to see the Birla Temple, constructed in the 1980's. It is an example of modern, as opposed to traditional Hindu temple architecture and even includes stained glass windows. Once again we were asked to take off our shoes, so many of our party, including me, remained outside which is why we have only an exterior view of the structure.

And on the hill overlooking the temple is the Moti Dungri Fort. It is closed to the public and still is used as a royal residence so this distant view will have to do.

That evening we again went out to dinner at a local restaurant where we were entertained by musicians and dancing girls.

And then back through darkened streets to our hotel for a good night's rest.

Adventures in India, Part 16 -- Lunch at the Palace

The next morning there was an optional tour to see the Jaigarh Fort, built in the eighteenth century to protect the larger Amber fort complex, but we stayed at the hotel and explored its extensive grounds.

Decorations in the hotel lobby.

Exotic plants...,

My tree! No! My tree! NO! MY tree! NO! MY TREE. Two squirrels in a dominance dance.

Hedges...,

Chess anyone?

After lunch we rode through the streets of Jaipur and witnessed a demonstration. It wasn't clear what they were protesting, but a lot of people were clearly upset.

Traffic in the center of the city.

Passing through arches into the Palace Cafe.

Lunch at the Palace Cafe.

Peacocks.

We passed these on our way out.

Then it was off to visit the Palace proper.

Adventures in India, Part 15 -- Exploring Jaipur

After leaving the fort we traveled back down to the city.

Our first stop was at the famous Jal Mahal, the "floating palace". It's not really floating. During drought periods the lower levels are visible, but during normal times only the top floor is above water. The original structure stood on the edge of a natural lake, but about four centuries ago, in response to a drought emergency, a dam was constructed and much of the structure was submerged. Then in the eighteenth century Maharaja Jai Singh had it rebuilt as a stone structure. There have since been many periods of renovation and neglect, the most recent was a massive reconstruction of the palace, the dam, the lake bottom and the surrounding countryside that produced the structure as we see it now. Like most Raja palaces in India it today is a hotel.

Across the street from where I photographed the Jal Mahal camels sat waiting.

Then it was off for another "shopping opportunity" to a gem and ceramics emporium.

A statue of Lord Ganesh, the god of good fortune.

Nothing special, just an interesting door.

Then through the busy streets of Jaipur...

To a local restaurant for lunch where we were serenaded by this family. He played, she sang, and the kid danced and begged.

We had the afternoon off and hung out around our hotel, but then in the evening several of us headed out into the city again and went to a local club.

There we had a delicious dinner and were entertained by a small group of local musicians and dancers.

Then back to the hotel and to sleep.

Adventures in India, Part 14 -- Exploring the Amber Fort

After dismounting from the elephants we climbed a staircase and entered the main part of the Amber Fort.

And all the time we were being watched from above.

From inside the fort you could see the extent of the city's defenses. Quite impressive for those who haven't been to China.

The main entrance to the living quarters.

Magnificent stonework.

I'll take door number one....

The royal sleeping quarters.

The walls were honeycombed with several levels of narrow passages -- easy to get lost in.

And always above us loomed the Jaiguhr Fort.

Emerging from the wall passages we found ourselves on balconies overlooking courtyards. This one is outside the royal sleeping quarters. From here the raja could look down on petitioners.

More passages....

And more balconies....

A ceiling decoration.

And at last we exited the fort, found a ride back to the causeway, and bade farewell to the Amber Fort.