There are over a billion people in India and I am sure the markets in Jaipur have at least one bangle for each one of them. Today, we examined every one! We bought a few as well.
We did have a good time shopping this afternoon. Jaipur is like one big marketplace. One area is all bangle shops.
While Dilmeet and I searched for just the right bargains, George patiently waited and snapped a few photos. This woman was making some jewelry outside one of the shops.
The bangle market was in a busy, congested narrow alley.
In addition to three-wheelers, motorbikes and people, there were some cows, pigs, dogs and a kitten.
Prior to shopping, though, we visited a most incredible historic site. This was the large, hilltop Amber Fort, about 10 km from Jaipur.
The walls of the fort stretch about 13 km on top of the ridges.
The fort was started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh I. Additions were make by succeeding rulers.
There are several buildings made of sandstone and marble, and several courtyards.
We went up the hill by car and walked the last couple hundred metres. People who got up early this morning to stand in line were able to get a ride up on an elephant.
The Amber Fort was the site of the capital of Rajasthan until 1727 when Sawai Jai Singh II built the City Palace in Jaipur that we visited yesterday, and moved the capital there.
Beautiful work of carved marble and semi-precious stones or natural dyes can be found throughout. This is similar to the decor at the Taj Mahal.
One courtyard had the vats that were used for cooking food.
Ladies of the day, of course, were not to be seen and so saw the goings on from behind these screens. This one overlooked the largest courtyard and had a small window. From here the queen could throw a bouquet of flowers to welcome her husband home from an excursion.
Water was used for cooling in the hot summers. Parts of the fort actually have trough-like structures through which water was poured as a cooling system. Our guide said that slaves would carry the water up to the top in buckets.
Sunil was our guide. He is standing in a structure that is in the centre of the Maharaja's wives' area of the fort. One Maharaja had twelve wives and he would meet them here to hear their complaints. A brave man!
The fort area is kept very clean thanks to people like this woman who agreed to have a photo taken--for a price.
One special feature is the Hall of Mirrors. Without electricity, it was difficult to light the many sections of the fort. Here, mirrors were worked into the design. Sunlight in the daytime and candles at night would reflect in the mirrors and create light.
We do manage to get guides who like to try different photography techniques. This photo of Dazzling Dilmeet was really her reflection in one of the mirrors.
This is not a reflection but, like Coca Cola, it's the real thing.
What a better way to end the tour than an encounter with a snake!! Ugh!
I don't think any trip to India would be complete without seeing at least one snake charmer. (Snake and charm do not belong in the same sentence!)
On the trip back to Jaipur, we stopped to look at Jal Mahal. This is another of the many palaces of Rajasthan. It has not been flooded but was actually built in the middle of this lake. Again, water was used to provide cooling in the hot summers.
At the moment, this one is closed to the public and we are told that it will be re-opented as a hotel.
