The Pink City

I only had 1 day in Jodhpur, but I was just beginning my visit to Rajasthan. After an amusing and somewhat awkward hotel check-out, I took a 1st-class train ride to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital and largest city. Jaipur lives up to its name as India’s Pink City. But pink is just the beginning. Vibrant Jaipur is an explosion of color.

Before my trip, I watched “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, among other movies I watched that are set in India. It turns out that the movie is set in Jaipur. Based on what I had read and heard about India, I thought that the movie’s Jaipur seemed like a unrealistic fantasy of India. And it’s true that the movie didn’t show much of India’s poverty and pollution. But I really had to say that Jaipur was a pleasant spot. It didn’t hurt that I loved the hotel where I stayed, the Hotel Pearl Palace. It had a lovely rooftop restaurant, a nice shop, richly decorated rooms, and super friendly staff.

Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal is Jaipur’s most famous landmark, and rightly so. It’s probably the pinkest part of the Pink City, and it’s just beautiful. It translates as “Wind Palace” or “Hall of Breezes”. The building was intentionally built very narrow so breezes could pass through, creating a cooling effect.

The front of the Hawa Mahal has 953 windows, adorned with latticework. The windows with latticework allowed the women of the royal palace to look out onto ceremonies and festivities going on out in the street without having to cover their faces.

A view of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal from the inner courtyard on the opposite side of the building. Jaipur, India, Asia. — A view of Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal from the inner courtyard on the opposite side of the building.

Jaipur UNESCO world heritage site, Jantar Mantar, seen from the Hawa Mahal. I visited this later in the day. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — Jaipur UNESCO world heritage site, Jantar Mantar, seen from the Hawa Mahal. I visited this later in the day.

View from Hawa Mahal of Nahargarh Fort, perched high over Jaipur. Just to the right, you can see the winding path leading up to the fort. Jaipur, India, Asia. — View from Hawa Mahal of Nahargarh Fort, perched high over Jaipur. Just to the right, you can see the winding path leading up to the fort.

Bazaars of Jaipur

The Pink City transforms into a Colorburst just south of the royal quarter. Everything is for sale. And the more colorful, the better!

A tiny jeweler's stall in the jewelry market in Jaipur. India, Asia. — A tiny jeweler’s stall in the jewelry market in Jaipur.

A colorful elephant at a temple in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — A colorful elephant at a temple in the marketplace in Jaipur.

Even though it's worn with time, this colorful mural is a marketplace temple in Jaipur is still fascinating. Jaipur, India, Asia. — Even though it’s worn with time, this colorful mural is a marketplace temple in Jaipur is still fascinating.

Lots of salt(?) for sale in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — Lots of salt(?) for sale in the marketplace in Jaipur.

Plenty of yummy stuff on offering in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — Plenty of yummy stuff on offering in the marketplace in Jaipur.

Plenty of yellow stuff on offering in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — Plenty of yellow stuff on offering in the marketplace in Jaipur.

Chilling out, yet totally vibrant, in Jaipur. India, Asia. — Chilling out, yet totally vibrant, in Jaipur.

A sumptuous feast for the eyes in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — A sumptuous feast for the eyes in the marketplace in Jaipur.

No need to go to the grocery store. Just head on down to the lively marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — No need to go to the grocery store. Just head on down to the lively marketplace in Jaipur.

Not just any colorful stuff in the marketplace in Jaipur. It's Holi powder! Holi, India's festival of colors, was coming up not long after my visit. Jaipur, India, Asia. — Not just any colorful stuff in the marketplace in Jaipur. It’s Holi powder! Holi, India’s festival of colors, was coming up not long after my visit.

Ishwar Lat, an 18th-century victory tower in the royal quarter of Jaipur. India, Asia. — Ishwar Lat, an 18th-century victory tower in the royal quarter of Jaipur.

Flower sellers in the marketplace in Jaipur. India, Asia. — Flower sellers in the marketplace in Jaipur.

This is just the 2nd day that I saw free-range cows in the street in India. I had first seen them the day before in Jodhpur. I don't know how I missed them my first 2 days in Delhi. Jaipur, India, Asia. — This is just the 2nd day that I saw free-range cows in the street in India. I had first seen them the day before in Jodhpur. I don’t know how I missed them my first 2 days in Delhi.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is an 18th-century observatory comprised of about 20 large-scale astronomical instruments. It is considered to be the finest of a number of such observatories in India. In 2010, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the 2 sunken hemispherical bowls that make up Jai Prakash Yantra, an instrument for making celestial measurements. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — One of the 2 sunken hemispherical bowls that make up Jai Prakash Yantra, an instrument for making celestial measurements.

Rashivalaya Yantra, a cluster of 12 instruments at Jantar Mantar representing the signs of the zodiac. Astronomers use it to measure the coordinates of celestial bodies. Plus it's just sort of cool-looking. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — Rashivalaya Yantra, a cluster of 12 instruments at Jantar Mantar representing the signs of the zodiac. Astronomers use it to measure the coordinates of celestial bodies. Plus it’s just sort of cool-looking.

A long view of Jantar Mantar, the giant astronomical observatory in Jaipur. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — A long view of Jantar Mantar, the giant astronomical observatory in Jaipur.

In case you’re wondering, Jantar Mantar means “calculating instrument”. Makes sense, right?

This decorative element at Jantar Mantar is not only pretty, it shows the Arabic influence with its Arabic numerals and symbols for degrees and minutes. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — This decorative element at Jantar Mantar is not only pretty, it shows the Arabic influence with its Arabic numerals and symbols for degrees and minutes.

Vrihat Samrat Yantra at Jantar Mantar is the world's largest sundial that's uses a shadow to tell the time. (Apparently, there are other types of sundials.) Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — Vrihat Samrat Yantra at Jantar Mantar is the world’s largest sundial that’s uses a shadow to tell the time. (Apparently, there are other types of sundials.)

A small shrine at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. And there's a furry worshipper! Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — A small shrine at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. And there’s a furry worshipper!

A feeder at Jantar Mantar. I think I'd be afraid of rabies! Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, Asia. — A feeder at Jantar Mantar. I think I’d be afraid of rabies!

City Palace

After my tour of Jantar Mantar, next on my itinerary was the nearby 18th-century City Palace. Although part of the palace is open to the public as a museum, much of the palace is still the residence of Jaipur’s royal family.

Mubarak Mahal ("Welcome Hall" or "Auspicious Palace") was built in 1900 in a combination of Islamic, Rajput, and European styles. Jaipur, India, Asia. — Mubarak Mahal (“Welcome Hall” or “Auspicious Palace”) was built in 1900 in a combination of Islamic, Rajput, and European styles.

On my brief walk to the palace, a number of tuk-tuk drivers aggressively offered to give me a ride. I said that I was just going across the way to the palace. One said that he’d give me a ride when I was done. I said, “Sure,” not expecting that he would still be waiting for me when I was done at the palace. Much to my surprise, there he was. He was pretty angry when I told him I didn’t need a ride. That’s when I learned that spending a lot of idle time was really worth it to the drivers if it meant they would give a Westerner a ride later on. That was, of course, because of the hefty rate they charge Westerners!

Colorful guards at Jaipur's City Palace. Jaipur, India, Asia. — Colorful guards at Jaipur’s City Palace.

You can bet these costumed staffers at the City Palace in Jaipur asked me for a tip for letting me take a picture with them. I was planning on it anyway, but no need for niceties when some extra cash from a Westerner was a possibility. Jaipur, India, Asia. — You can bet these costumed staffers at the City Palace in Jaipur asked me for a tip for letting me take a picture with them. I was planning on it anyway, but no need for niceties when some extra cash from a Westerner was a possibility.

1 of the 2 giant silver urns at the City Palace in Jaipur. They are the largest silver vessels in the world. They were brought to London in 1901 so the maharaja could bring the holy water of the Ganges with him. Jaipur, India, Asia. — 1 of the 2 giant silver urns at the City Palace in Jaipur. They are the largest silver vessels in the world. They were brought to London in 1901 so the maharaja could bring the holy water of the Ganges with him.

The Chandra Mahal is still home to the royal family of Jaipur. In the foreground, a stage is being set up for a special event. Jaipur, India, Asia. — The Chandra Mahal is still home to the royal family of Jaipur. In the foreground, a stage is being set up for a special event.

The gorgeous Peacock Gate at the entrance to the Chandra Mahal at Jaipur’s City Palace. Jaipur, India, Aisa. — The gorgeous Peacock Gate at the entrance to the Chandra Mahal at Jaipur’s City Palace.

A charming decorative element at Jaipur’s City Palace. Jaipur, India, Asia. — A charming decorative element at Jaipur’s City Palace.

The beautiful pink symmetry of the Diwan-i-Khas (“Hall of Private Audience”) at Jaipur’s City Palace. Jaipur, India, Asia. — The beautiful pink symmetry of the Diwan-i-Khas (“Hall of Private Audience”) at Jaipur’s City Palace.

Beasts of Jaipur!

During my 1st day in Jaipur, suddenly Jaipur–and India–turned into a real menagerie.

I saw my 1st free-range cow in the marketplace in Jodhpur, but it was all cows all the time for the duration of my trip from that point on. Jaipur, India, Asia. — I saw my 1st free-range cow in the marketplace in Jodhpur, but it was all cows all the time for the duration of my trip from that point on.

I was trying to capture pictures of cows, when suddenly this unexpected mode of transportation turned the corner towards me in Jaipur. India, Asia. — I was trying to capture pictures of cows, when suddenly this unexpected mode of transportation turned the corner towards me in Jaipur.

The monkeys of India decided I needed to start paying attention to them. From then on, I never stopped giving them attention. Jaipur, India, Asia. — The monkeys of India decided I needed to start paying attention to them. From then on, I never stopped giving them attention.

The trees of Jaipur are alive with the sound of monkeys! Jaipur, India, Asia. — The trees of Jaipur are alive with the sound of monkeys!

A very distinguished-looking fellow and ride in Jaipur traffic. Jaipur, India, Asia. — A very distinguished-looking fellow and ride in Jaipur traffic.

The monkey magistrate of Jaipur. India, Asia. — The monkey magistrate of Jaipur.

Govind Dev Ji Temple

Past the City Palace is the Govind Dev Ji Temple. It continues Jaipur’s pink theme. I got caught up in the rapturous throngs who were worshiping in a boisterous ceremony at the temple. Worshipers were shouting in ecstasy and singing in unison. It was one of those times where I felt privileged to be permitted to witness such a cultural event unknown to most in the Western world.