Jaipur, India, The Pink City.
It was established in 1727. When the current Moghul reign weakened the generals of the army established this separate city. At one time it was a world class city in the league of cities like Paris. When the British Crown Prince Edward visited the walls were painted pink to honour him. It is kept freshly painted and beautiful to this date, although I would call it more terra cotta than actual pink.
3 million people live in Jaipur.
The major Palace is the City Palace, still the home of the Royal Family of India, although in name only as they have no power or influence.
Originally the area was home to numerous Princes or Maharajahs. It was called the Princely States.
Later these states all united to form India under the first Prime Minister, Nehru, Much of their lands were forfeited and in the beginning the Maharajahs were provided an allowance in return. Later, under Gandhi, this allowance was taken away and they had to find ways to support themselves. Many turned some of their estate and palaces into hotels, museums and the like.
The City Palace was the home of the ruling Maharajahs, it is a seven story structure that sits above the pink walls of the complex.
In the late 1897 two of these huge silver vessels were made. They are the largest silver vessels in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Constructed by melting 14000 silver coins they took 2 years to make and are over 5 feet high and 10 feet in circumference. They were filled with water from the Ganges River and presented as a gift at the coronation of King Edward in London in 1902.
Many weddings for wealthy families are held at the palace. Couples pay 1 million rupees to rent the palace.
Jaipur is a good area for shopping. In addition to the normal street markets and vendors there are also government emporiums where items made in India are sold at fixed prices, with no haggling or bartering.
The streets and markets of Jaipur.
Beautiful fabrics and tunics.
Just outside the gates of the fort sits the Anoki Museum. Here beautiful handprinted fabrics are made. Stamps are carefully carved out of teak in a variety of images These are used to stamp patterns on fine fabrics which are used for clothing, draperies, bedding, etc. 
Back on board our bus for another bumpy, noisy five hour bus ride to Delhi and we will head our separate ways having made new friends and new experiences. We have been made very welcome in this country overrun with people. We have seen much poverty yet much happiness and contentment.
I am exhausted, my senses are buzzing from the overload of color, the constant noise level and the mass of people. I look forward to the peace and quiet of my little home in Port Moody. But I have experienced and learned so much about this wonderfully simple, yet oh so complicated country. Their history, their culture and their beliefs. I hope I am a little more tolerant, a little more understanding and a little more grateful for the beautiful country we call home.
Thank you for joining me on my journey and for Coming With Me.......
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| Ancient walls around the city of Jaipur, painted a terra cotta pink. |
Jaipur is a beautiful city in the province of Rajasthan. It is also called the Pink City because of the pink called walls that surround the city and The City of Palaces because there are so many beautiful and ornate palaces throughout it.
It was established in 1727. When the current Moghul reign weakened the generals of the army established this separate city. At one time it was a world class city in the league of cities like Paris. When the British Crown Prince Edward visited the walls were painted pink to honour him. It is kept freshly painted and beautiful to this date, although I would call it more terra cotta than actual pink.
3 million people live in Jaipur.
The major Palace is the City Palace, still the home of the Royal Family of India, although in name only as they have no power or influence.
 |
| The yellow structure that sits above is the residence of the Royal Family. |
Originally the area was home to numerous Princes or Maharajahs. It was called the Princely States.
 |
| Royal Residence. |
The City Palace was the home of the ruling Maharajahs, it is a seven story structure that sits above the pink walls of the complex.
In the late 1897 two of these huge silver vessels were made. They are the largest silver vessels in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Constructed by melting 14000 silver coins they took 2 years to make and are over 5 feet high and 10 feet in circumference. They were filled with water from the Ganges River and presented as a gift at the coronation of King Edward in London in 1902.
Many weddings for wealthy families are held at the palace. Couples pay 1 million rupees to rent the palace.
Jaipur is a good area for shopping. In addition to the normal street markets and vendors there are also government emporiums where items made in India are sold at fixed prices, with no haggling or bartering.
The streets and markets of Jaipur.
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| A Bollywood Theatre. |
Beautiful fabrics and tunics.
One last stop before we depart Jaipur. On to the Amber Fort, sitting atop the hills overlooking the river. It includes a huge walled fortress and a palace which was the residence of the Royal Family before Jaipur was established.
The fort has two gates, The Sun Gate and the Moon Gate and consists of four levels: the lower courtyard, the courtyard for public audiences, the Maharajahs's suites and the harem apartments.
The fort overlooks the river, gardens and village below.
We leave the beautiful fort and head back.
Just outside the gates of the fort sits the Anoki Museum. Here beautiful handprinted fabrics are made. Stamps are carefully carved out of teak in a variety of images These are used to stamp patterns on fine fabrics which are used for clothing, draperies, bedding, etc. 
Back on board our bus for another bumpy, noisy five hour bus ride to Delhi and we will head our separate ways having made new friends and new experiences. We have been made very welcome in this country overrun with people. We have seen much poverty yet much happiness and contentment.
I am exhausted, my senses are buzzing from the overload of color, the constant noise level and the mass of people. I look forward to the peace and quiet of my little home in Port Moody. But I have experienced and learned so much about this wonderfully simple, yet oh so complicated country. Their history, their culture and their beliefs. I hope I am a little more tolerant, a little more understanding and a little more grateful for the beautiful country we call home.
Thank you for joining me on my journey and for Coming With Me.......
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