India 2012

Friday9November

This Friday, we leave Jodhpur for Ranakpur. On the way, we pass by some wildlife landmarks.

On the left, Oriental bee-eaters (merops orientalis). On the right, a very, very wild frog!  

Again, Demoiselle cranes (anthropoides virgo).

Here, we are at the Jodhpur DCF wildlife. A protected reserve where different species coexist.

Wearing a turban is still deeply rooted in Rajasthan.

As for women, they wear saris and white arm rings in varying numbers.

Stop at the level crossing to let the train pass for a loooooong time...

And off we go, another little turn of the crank and we'll be able to leave again.

Finally we can start, P.K.'s mustache was starting to droop!

One of the most renowned Jain temples in the world. Unlike the temples of Jaisalmer where the corridors are narrow and the pillars close together, here the halls are spacious, and so are you. 

This temple was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to Shri Adinath, the first of the tirthankaras (Jain deities, 24 in number).

The white interior and the carving of the pillars, walls, and dome inspire great serenity. That's what you expect from a temple in the first place, isn't it?...

Hidden in their niches, the tirthankaras meditate discreetly.

If you come here, don't try to count the number of pillars... You'd spend the whole day! There are 1444 of them!  

A marble elephant in a pillar shop???

Detail of the writings engraved on the stone elephant

Circling the dome, the usual Jain dancers.

See the delicacy of the sculptures on each pillar.

The temple finds its openings to the sky with small courtyards where even a majestic tree has found its place.

Of the 1444 pillars in the temple, only one is not straight... Christophe won by finding it, here it is below.

This pillar was placed like this to show that man cannot be as perfect as God himself... (well, man is really not perfect because I feel like I've seen other crooked pillars...)  

The temple is surrounded by a beautiful park with other smaller temples.

You will always take off your shoes before entering a temple. And be careful to find your pair on the way out! Well, that's easy here  

This Suparshvanath temple is called "of the prostitutes" because it presents, to those who wish to see them, some unequivocal sculptures...  

The saucers used for offerings

At the Ranakpur dam, not far from our hotel, an old Bishnoi man in a turban demonstrates traditional weaving for us.

On the dam, a great cormorant (phalacrocorax carbo) waits for its moment to do a backflip...  

The Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat hotel, well isolated in its green setting.

And off to bed, tomorrow Kumbhalgarh Fort awaits us!