In the Thar desert where the temperature can reach the mid forties, a simple structure providing shade can make a big difference.
I’m sharing for Becky’s June square roof challenge. Just a few days left to post yours!
Category: India
A final favourite
Isn’t it difficult to choose a favourite photo, from a vast archive? Some of the photos I love best are of my grandchildren, but posting those would add even more problems because I’d have to pick four!
So I decided to think about places I’ve been, and I think that our favourites are likely to be the ones that evoke the strongest memories. I’ll always remember the morning I took this photo and I’ve posted the story of it here and before.
I’m not sure if linking to the final weekly photo challenge is still possible, but I will really miss creating the posts. I’ve been blogging for 7 years and have probably only missed 20 in that time.
Thanks to WordPress and the amazing Daily Post team, I’ve made lots of friends around the world and learnt about things and places I’ll never see,
Hanuman Trio
Zoomorphic,one of Paula’s five words for Thursday’s challenge
having the form of an animal
of, relating to, or being a deity conceived of in animal form or with animal attributes
Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, is one of the most revered figures in the religion. Here are three that I found in northern India.
I love Paula’s magical propagating tree. Welcome back Paula.
#March Square 21
Amber PalaceLast night I watched treasures of the Indus and was inspired to look for an image of India for my March Square. This is a ceiling in the Amber palace, Jaipur.
I often say this of India, I wish I could go back with a better camera and slightly improved skills.
Twelve days left to join Becky’s square challenge!
#March square11
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is a section of a huge silver door, I believe to a temple, in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
A square full of squares for Becky’s March challenge, have a great day everyone!
Rajasthani Heritage
Amer or Amber Fort just north of Jaipur in India, is a splendid fortress on Cheel Ka Teela, the hill of eagles.
The approach to Amer
The fortress
Floating on the lake
The fort was built by ‘Raja Shri Maan Singh JI Saheb’ (Maan Singh 1), from 1550 to 1614, from red and white sandstone. The palace can be approached by taking an elephant ride up the ramparts, but this wasn’t for me, because I love elephants.
Amer has a mix of Rajput and Mughal influences and there is much to see.
It’s best known for the Sheesh Mahal, Hall of mirrors, a sight I’ve never forgot.
Hall of mirrors
Ceiling in the hall of mirrors
Sheesh Mahl detail
One of the stunning views from the palace’
Amer is hugely popular for tourists, and a World Heritage Site, said to be the most beautiful palace in India. Don’t miss it if you go to Rajasthan!
Rani Sati
October 2005, I find myself in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. It’s early evening and I’ve just had one of the most moving experiences of my life. The elderly lady in the photo below has hugged me, put a red bindi on my forehead, and entered the temple I’ve just left.
I’d seen an Aarti ceremony in the Rani Sati temple, after the congregation offered puja. The temple is at least four hundred years old and was built in memory of Narayani Bai who self emolliated and became Sati Ji.
The ceremony was incredibly loud, with drums and bells reverberating through every cell in my body. Water was sprinkled around, some of the crowd ran heir hands through flames, before circling the central shrine. We were welcome to take part but there were no expectations. Caught up in the atmosphere and the heady incense, I followed, with thoughts of Rani Sati, who was beloved to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga, running through my mind.
I have no words to describe the feelings, my journal that day had a line, ‘if I have to go home tomorrow, then it’s okay because I’ve had the experience of a lifetime’.
This post is for Paula’s Traces of the Past.
In Hope, a poem for Thursday
This Thursday instead of Lazy Poet, I’m re-posting a poem I wrote a few years ago, for International Women’s Day. Yes I know that was yesterday, but you know me by now, the other week that I got the day wrong for wordless Wednesday, and the syllable count wrong for LP!
In Hope
Cast aside your veil
Turn your face to the sun
Gather round the hearth
Your work today is done
Your sisters draw near
Feet planted to earth
They no longer fear
The lone walk on the trail
Your children breathe free
The mountains clear air
Well nourished with plenty
And wind blown away care
Your abundance is here
Take love in your stride
Future perfect and clear
Go forward with pride
Cast aside your veil
And no longer hide
A phone box in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, no matter how remote, the Road Taken will always have plenty of these.
Whether you travel the road on a bike, car, a camel or cow cart, you will find shops with fizzy pop, snacks and a public call office.
Haveli harmony
A haveli is a townhouse or mansion, a traditional style found in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Build with an inner courtyard space, rather like the riads found in Morocco, but with a more attractive exterior. There are very many in Rajasthan, particularly the Shekhawati area. It’s possible to stay in a haveli, some have been converted in hotels and guest houses. Like a riad, they would be a calm haven shut away from the bustle of the towns.
This one wasn’t a hotel unfortunately, but it was possible to look around and they also sold antiques, some very expensive and some accessibly priced.
Homes like this aren’t created in a hurry, they have to develop their ambience over time, don’t you think?
