Day 38 Jaipur

We began with the trip to the Amber Fort that was begun in the 950's and worked on over the next 700 years.  It's really yellow because the dynasty here believes they are descended from the Hindu Sun God.

The Amber Fort:

The wall around the fort sits on mountains that surround 3 sides of the area and provide excellent fortifications, somewhat reminiscent of the Great Wall of China but no where the size.  The steep path to the fort was accomplished on the back of a female (better attitude than males) elephant who made 3 trips per-day before going off duty.

The ride up:

Very spectacular views of the lake and gardens surrounding hillside.  The main gate is topped by the Hindu blue Elephant God who displays wisdom (large head), ability to listen (large ears), uplifted trunk (ability to smell/feel the truth), and large stomach (because he slowly digests the facts before acting).

This elephant is a symbol to describe how to live ones life:

He has 4 hands holding the axe for battle and leadership, the lotus blossom for goodness that blooms despite muddy water, prayer beads to help meditation leading to God, and wheat bread to feed his people.  The Fort was built with excellent cross ventilation catching the mountain breezes and with really thick walls to insulate from the heat.

Queen’s bedroom gate, only for spring, one for each season:

On the gate to the fort castle:

Faces in the mirror:

They have no natural water source, so the Emperor built a lake from the rainfall runoff from the mountains.

Lake, herb garden, and drinking water collection pond:

 
Next we went to the City or Pink Palace, located in the heart of the planned city of Jaipur.

City Palace or Pink Palace:

Prince Charles the 7th visited the place in the late 1800's and the locals repainted all the buildings pink so the media named this the Pink City.  The  Prince liked everyone so much that he invited the Emperor to his coronation  in 1902 in London, but Hindus are not allowed to cross the ocean (Ghandi was labeled an infidel when he went overseas).  The Emperor consulted with priests and had 2 large silver pots made to carry sacred Ganges water with him to London so he could wash in the river every day as required.  The pots are in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver pots.

Largest silver pot in the world, 900 gallons:

There is a World Heritage site next to the Pink Palace, the Jantar Mantra.  It is an astrological wonder, built in the 1724.  It consists of 17 sun instruments, the largest and most accurate sundial ever created.

They observed shadows' consistent placement over time and used mathematical formulae to determine the exact placement of all astronomical bodies; this was important because Hindus have a deep belief in astrology determining our destiny.  They believe happiness comes from accepting their karma instead of trying to change it.
 
This was a short day out because Chris wasn't feeling well.  She loves the flavors and all the vegetables, but her body was a little off.  It was a good excuse to skip the shopping afternoon - it's hard to keep saying no to beggars and peddlers.  The hotel staff was very helpful and she was feeling better by dinner.

Summer palace on lake in front of our hotel:

Staying in this lovely garden and nearby pool is SOO much better than being out there with elephants and other beasts that could step on us!