Copyright 2005 -- Rachel Saunders
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Jaipur: About TownJaipur owes its name, foundation and planning to the warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided the time was right to abandon his home at amber fort and move to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city according to principles set out in an ancient hindu architectural treatise. (Lonely Planet) --> Previous --> Next --> Home --> More Adventures --> India Index |
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In 1728, Jai Singh built the observatory that remains one of Jaipurs main attractions. In 1876, the Maharaja Ram Singh had the entire old city painted pink, a color associated with hospitality. Above & Left: The stairs to the top of the main attraction within the observatory-- a sundial which keeps time within 15 seconds. Right: Hawa Mahal -- constructed in 1799, this five story building overlooking the main street. It was built to enable the ladies of the royal court to watch life and processions in the city.
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Right:
And the shoes come off. At all temples, mosques, and most other places,
it is customary... and polite to remove ones shoes. For this reason,
flip flops are the order of the day. Easy on, easy off. |
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Left: Near the entrance to the city palace complex, Rajput guards stand at attention... for the cameras. The Palace complex has been modified and added onto over the years.
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Right: More guards. I believe that this guard main job was posing for pictures. After I snapped this one, there were about twenty people in line to take the same photo. It had occurred to me that I was neither the first, nor the last to get THIS photo.
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Left: Ok, well there isn't anything extraordinary about this guy. I just liked the way he sat on the stairs. He was evidently a street dog, gone uptown. He was adopted by an Indian merchant who loved him as much as any full breed, if not more. |
| Right: Just another beautiful scene in India. They are everywhere.
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Left: Some dancing ladies walking through the market near the outer walls of Jaipur's old city. Jaipur is a bustling city, people, merchants, dancers, elephants, cows, rickshaw, cars, motorcycles, etc everywhere the eye can see. |
| Right: No stall, but that didn't stop these ladies from selling their wares. --> Previous |
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