Journey to Jaipur

It’s early Thursday morning as we board the bus for the seven hour excursion to Jaipur. Remember, miles mean nothing in India, it’s the time it takes that counts…and that’s dependent on the time of day, the day of the week, the whim of the sacred cows, the holiday, and on.

Today is the Jain Festival, tomorrow is Good Friday and Sunday, Easter. It’s a four day holiday in India as everyone celebrates everyone else’s holidays.

The Jain religion is one of the smallest in the world, but extremely strong. It is a community mostly of business people with a reputation of honesty. In fact they control 60% of the business in India. They are also strict vegetarians, even covering their mouths so they don’t accidentally swallow any insects.

Jain Festival Procession to a Temple

Mangal Haladeva Temple is also a rest stop on our way. The statues of the Hindu Gods are enormous and beautifully maintained.

Shiva Looms Over the Visitors

Rama, Marsha, and Lakshmi

As we move on into Rajasthan Pradesh toward Jaipur a more desert environment is evident.

Camels Become Part of the Scene

"Mother" Cows on their Way to Work

Cows are sacred in India because they represent the Mother. The sacred cows we see wandering on their own are abandoned because they no longer give milk. The others, still considered sacred, work full-time. On the other hand water buffaloes do no work other than providing milk.

The (No So) Welcome Monkeys of Jaipur

This family has been rounded up and exiled from Jaipur, but they keep finding their way back…to join their “gangs” in breaking in and ransacking homes. People have to put bars over their windows to prevent the monkey scourge.

An Refreshing Afternoon Treat for Locals

As we reach the outskirts of Jaipur we see the sugar cane juices for the first time. Raw sugar can is ground into a pulp in the open air (along with flies and other assorted insects), mixed with water and other “things”, and sold. We’re advised not to try. OK.

As we approach the city the traffic becomes thicker and thicker, and turns into an chaotic “dance” impossible to comprehend by an “outsider’s” mind. Horns blow incessantly, mostly more as a courtesy than a threat. Aggressive jockeying for advantage is basically ignored. Nary an extended finger or a threatening glance. How do they do it? And they do it unscathed (for the most part).

We arrive in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It is a colorful city that thrives on it’s businesses, gem stones especially. The old part of the city is painted pink, the color of wealth. the women wear incredibly beautiful clothing (silk saris, etc.) even to do the dirty work like making cow dung patties. More of that next time. In the meantime I’ll be posting the second in the series of facts and factoids shortly.

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5 Responses to Journey to Jaipur

  1. Yasuko Margolis says:

    I can almost sense what is going on there as if I were seeing, hearing and tasting with my own eyes, ears, and mouth! This reminds me of some scenes from the Indian movies that one of former collegues of mine from India suggested to watch!

  2. Pauline Candaux says:

    Wow! Amazing photos.

  3. bob collins says:

    Looks like ur having big fun, as usual….In Cuba the crushed sugar cane juice is served over crushed ice, it’s sweet and delicious (sans flies) and called ‘guarapo’. also available everywhere on ‘calle ocho’ miami.

  4. Patricia says:

    Have finally caught up on the trip blog. Love the notes and keeping up with your adventures. What a whirlwind of sights–the heat doesn’t seem to have slowed you 2 down! Pictures are great as always. Marsha looks like she’s wearing a tablecloth in several of them–is this a cotton sari perhaps?
    Stay cool–
    Hugs,
    Patricia

  5. Larry says:

    Gee, and I thought NYC traffic was bad!

    Are your minds properly boggled yet?

    Loved the photo of Rama, Marsha, and Lakshmi.

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