Jaipur, And then some...

When one hears the word 'Rajasthan', there are a few things that automatically come to mind - desert & camels, big turbans & bright colors, gems & jewelry, royalty & palaces. As I previously mentioned, I wasn't there for any of these things, but everyone kept giving me suggestions - things to see and do. I had all the time in the world but most of all, I'd taken such a shine to Jaipur, its people and their ways, I figured I may as well go and explore the sights of this city that feels like the home I always belonged to. So I ventured out into the blazing sun, armed with my sunglasses, water bottle, chocolate and camera.

The first place I visited was The City Palace & Museum. I'm not going to be a travel guide (have attached links for those wanting more information), I'm just going to share what I thought was interesting and cool. The enormity of this Palace is quite something. And being a Swiss-return Parsi, I wondered how they managed to keep every nook and cranny clean, how many people they needed to clean it etc. I know... Sorry. Moving on.

Walking around, from room to room, courtyard to courtyard, I could only imagine what life must have been like all those years ago. To be a Queen or a Princess growing up in all that splendor. I was in shock when I looked at the size of some of the Maharajas' clothes, I think one garment of his could easily fit 7 of me and a couple of kids... And then some!!!

As I made my way to the top of the Royal Residence in the Palace, I noticed the flag of Jaipur called the Panchranga (5 colors) flying in all its glory above Shri Niwas, at the highest point of the palace. There was something unusual about it though, it had a mini-me flag flying right above it. I learnt quite a lot about Jaipurs history and Royalty, thanks to Aridaman Singh who very kindly and patiently answered all the questions I kept bombarding him with.

Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur was given the title 'Sewai' by Aurangzeb. Every Maharaja from way back then to this date has carried this title in his name. 'Sewai' means quarter (1/4). You see, a man is a man, but if you're a Maharaja, you're a man and then some (a quarter)! Thus the names read H.H. Maharaja Sewai XYZ...  Which is what the mini-me flag symbolizes too! The Panchranga together with it's quarter, lets the people of the city know that their Maharaja (presently 15 years old) is in the city. When he goes to boarding school, goes on holiday etc, the quarter Panchranga is taken down. I'm so grateful I got to go all the way up to the Panchranga and its quarter and even see Sukh Niwas, the Royal family hall. (Thank you my angels - you know who you are).

So much history and culture here and that they keep certain traditions and practices alive, excites me. Keeping with the spirit of things, I hopped across to Jantar Mantar, got me an audio guide and about fifteen minutes later switched it off. Here's why:

First, I wasn't too thrilled that everything being said went smack bang over my head, deeply hurting my 'Intelligence Ego'. I wasn't amused.

Second, they tried to make it seem like a father was explaining things to his little daughter and kept giving stupid cereal-commercial like fake ha ha's saying 'wow you are so smart', just rubbing it in further, that some child can understand astrology faster than you. Whoever played the daughter, congratulations. No one has ever had such a high pitched, squeaky voice that made me want to rip my ear drums out, burn them and erase all memory of those fifteen minutes of my life.

Ummm... wow. Okay that out of the way, I just strolled around admiring the perfectly manicured greenery and over powering, huge instruments, thinking of the genius of how they constructed them and measured things with such precision in the early 18th century, now becoming a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. And with that, the sun set over the pink city and I decided to call it a day. After all, the night beckoned with the ever famous Rajasthani Lal Maas - homemade for me!

There's heaps more sight seeing to be done in Jaipur and tons more stories, connections and an unknown love growing deeper with each passing day...


PS. After trying to console myself with the being creative, using one side of the brain works more theory, I was most relieved to find out most people don't get Jantar Mantar at all (unless they're into astronomy and the likes of it). So guess who's back to being a gloating smart ass! Buahahahaha...

The Panchrang and its Quarter Panchrang flying seen from Sabha Niwas

The stunning Pritam Niwas & its various doors with finely detailed murals based on seasons.

Incredible detailing in the carving and paintings

Princess Ramona could totally get used to this. Calendar, khaana lao. And hellooo...someone press my feet already! 

Tada!! Right up there with the Flag of Jaipur - The Panchranga & the Quarter Panchranga.

The view from above - you can even see Jantar Mantar (Triangular Structure)

One of the astronomically large instruments at Jantar Mantar

It's very well looked after, see told you the green was well kept - hats off to the gardeners!

More fancy instruments

I don't know, these remind me of giant turtles.

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