Travel on the chaotic streets of Jaipur in Rajasthan and you can’t fail to notice an abundance of contrasts. Wealth and poverty, youth and age, ancient and modern. Here is some of the traffic chaos, shiny gas guzzling monsters, alongside tuk-tuks and hand carts, all relentlessly squeezing themselves in and out of one of the old city gates.
Next, not the best photo I’m afraid, the Palace of the Winds, what a romantic name. Also known as the Hawa Mahal, this five storey masterpiece was built in 1799 by Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh. It’s lattice windows were made so the the royal ladies had a window on the world without being seen as they were in purdah. Imagine the luxurious opulence inside compared to the lives of the ordinary people on the outside.
This post is for Ailsa’a Travel Theme, join in here, http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/04/19/travel-theme-contrast/
Lucid Gypsy 
I love going back to Rajasthan with you GIlly, lovely photo of the traffic in the gates …. and the palace looks magnificent … it is hard to get far enough back to capture the whole building! India is certainly a land of contrasts … for example in Rajasthan poor people caring for wildlife and the environment in a way that wealthy westerners who have lost respect for the Earth cannot imagine….
one of my daughters, an architect, was so excited to visit the palace in Jaipur – a landmark of architecture indeed …
Always so nice to see what’s going on in other places. Love the photo’s Gilly. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing hon. 🙂 *hugs*
Great examples. I see that a lot around London as well, not to the same extreme but it always catches my eye.
Great photos, Gilly. I love the contrasts in the streets, and the Palace of the Winds is amazing!
Haven’t been to Rajasthan. Thank you for the peek into this exotic world!
nice…love the architecture on the front of the palace of the winds….its quite exotic in comparison to ours…
Gilly this is perfect for contrast! I’ve been to Jaipur and you’re right, the contrast between haves and have-nots is stark! I think your Palace of the Winds photos is marvelous. Maybe I should get out my India pictures and see what I can find for Ailsa’s theme. I was completely stymied on this one. 🙂
These are great photos, Gilly. And I can’t even bear thinking about driving in that environment. It has to be stress with a CAPITAL ‘S’.
OMG, the Palace looks like a tiara. Unbelievable architecture, especially at that time. Looks in such wonderful condition.
Wow, what a beautiful pace, I love the colour of the red stones, and I’m imagining ladies behind these windows looking out longingly onto a bustling world…..
The contrasts in Indian cities are amazing…..great photos
You are so well traveled, my dear 🙂
The Palace of the Winds is incredible. I can just imagine the beauty and ornate carvings inside. Fabulous entry for the challenge. Nice post, Gilly.
Those streets are a smorgasbord of contrasts! Did you see any cows on the road? There are fewer these days though, across the country 😀
Wow, what fascinating architecture!
Excellent example of contrast, Gilly!