India 2012

Thursday1November

We leave the Darjeeling mountains. A vehicle blocks traffic, allowing us to enjoy the view once again

Bagdogra Airport

After a short flight, we are back in the capital New Delhi. The airport is under the late afternoon haze.

We have an appointment with our driver who will guide us and take care of the logistics during our three weeks in Rajasthan.

His name is Pritam Kumar but to simplify he asks us to call him P.K. (Pikey)!

You can visit his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pritam.kumar.52

We leave New Delhi upon our arrival to reach the city of Jhunjhunu heading west.

Friday2November

First Rajput awakening (Rajput means "from Rajasthan")...

A musician in local colors accompanies breakfast...  

our hotel Jamuna Resort

This temple is dedicated to "sati". Sati refers to the immolation of a widow who joins her deceased husband on the pyre...

This temple is richly ornamented but you will only see its exterior because it is forbidden to take photos inside.  

Inside, I won't take anything except this magnificent blue bird, an Indian roller (coracias benghalensis)

After this short visit, we head to the town of Mandawa, about twenty kilometers away.

In Rajasthan, riches are not only in the temples but also in the streets with the havelis.

These old residences (most of which are still inhabited) belonged to wealthy Indians. The walls were painted with frescoes depicting scenes of religious or daily life.

Residents of the neighborhood

This blue character is Krishna (center of devotion when depicted with a flute), the most revered Hindu God in India

Modern vehicles but also animals assembled to make another one  

door handle

This haveli has its room painted with gold  

An ivy crosses the courtyard

small opening but large door!

And what would India be without its sacred cows? It's not a cliché, they are everywhere and won't move to clear your path!

In this case, they are zebu (Bos taurus indicus), which means "hump" in Tibetan!

And that's a sacred cow dung  

For him, what's sacred is the nap...

And he has some serious ears  

The guardians of the fort

This fort, located in the heart of the city, was commissioned by the Rajput, Thakur Nawal Singh in the 18th century. It has now been converted into a hotel.

One of the hotel staff gives us a tour.

The market, colorful with its fruits and customers.

Lunch break in this small restaurant. We're starting to understand that all the dishes will be very spicy.   We'll have to find our favorite dish, the one best accepted by our stomach... For me, it will be the stuffed tomato, which isn't too heavily spiced; it's a kind of stuffed tomato without meat. Indeed, the cuisine is mostly vegetarian. However, chicken-based dishes can still be found.

By the way, that's what we'll have for dinner at the hotel: skinny roasted chicken legs.