Arrival in Udaipur (Lake City)

LINK TO FULL UDAIPUR PHOTO ALBUM

We were up at the crack of dawn in Jaipur to catch our 7:00am flight to Udaipur. In Udaipur we stayed at the Leeela Palace Hotel which opened only seven months ago and is already the number one hotel in the city. The hotel car picked us up at the airport and as a nice touch the car is painted in the Leela colors.

Much to our surprise we were taken by the hotel car – not to the entrance of the hotel – but to a jetty on Lake Pichola at which a boat was waiting for us to take us to the hotel. Udaipur is known as the city of lakes and the most famous landmarks and hotels are located adjacent or in the center of the lake itself. The lake is actually very shallow and we learned during our stay that it actually dries up in the summer and people use it for farming, animal grazing, and basically as a public park where people play cricket.













There are two islands on the lake, Jagniwas Island, which is better known as the Lake Palace Hotel and Jagmandir Island which also has a palace that is rumored to be an inspiration to Shah Jahan for the Taj Mahal. The islands are still owned by the royal family still ruling the city and they lease the land to the companies who manage the hotels and restaurants now located on them.

I have to say, the arrival at the hotel was quite magical. Since we flew in so early that morning, the boat ride on the lake was very peaceful as we slowly made our way to the hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel entrance there were musicians playing in the outdoor reception area and flowers were tossed down from the upper level to shower us as we walked in. We were given garlands and you can see our picture taken here in front of the holiday tree. We were immediately escorted to our room – which is where the “check-in” happened while we were given fresh juice and refreshments. Our “floor butler” was also there waiting to show us around the room. The view – as you can see from the picture below – is absolutely stunning.









We spent the rest of the day relaxing in the outdoor areas just enjoying the view and tranquil surroundings. No wonder Udaipur is the #1 rated city according to Travel + Leisure Magazine.










The view of the city by night was just stunning.






Abhay took a great video from our balcony that night.

Jaipur (Pink City)

FULL JAIPUR PHOTO ALBUM

Jaipur, जयपुर, is popularly known as the Pink City, and the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. This is where we spent a wonderful Christmas.

The buildings in the city are predominantly a lovey shade of light pink.  For example, this building is part of a university but its architecture and design is very typical of other buildings in the city.


Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, it has 953 small windows called jharokhas that are decorated with intricate lattice work - the original intention of the lattice was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.


Hawa Mahal sits on one of the main streets of Jaipur.


The main sight to see is Amber Fort. The Fort is unique in that its outside, an imposing and rugged defensive structure, is markedly different from its inside, an ornate, lavish interior influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles of ornamentation.




This is the line to get on the elephants that take visitors up to the fort.


Interestingly, we were unable to ride the elephants because the drivers went on strike that day. Their friends who sell souvenirs to the tourists in line were stopped by the police - so in protest the drivers stopped taking tourists on rides until their friends were able to continue selling their trinkets.


This driver got into the Christmas spirit when decorating the elephant's trunk.


You can see the outside wall protecting the small town and fort.


We walked up the steep incline to get to the main part of the fort - this is the outside square.








The interior of one of the fort/palace rooms that is covered in mirrors - it was made so that the candle light at night would reflect and resemble lots of little stars.




Great views from the fort.


After Agra Fort we saw Jal Mahal - the Water Palace. Unfortunately, the lake is so polluted that visitors are not able to cross to see it up close but restoration efforts are underway.




Thanks to our guide - he secured us a ride on an elephant since we couldn't take one earlier in the day. To be honest, while the ride was fun, I felt really bad for the elephant - I don't think they are treated very well.


Our final site for the day was Jantar Mantar, a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built between 1727 and 1734.


Ahhhh, my holiday tree!


These are the collection of observatory instruments.


A really large sundial.


This is where the time is marked by the shadow.


This is the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple. We visited it the next day but it was beautiful lit up at night.


In the evening, our guide invited us to his home in a small village in Jaipur to meet his wife and children. They were completely adorable and we had a good time hanging out with them.

Afternoon in Agra

FULL AGRA PHOTO ALBUM
In the afternoon, we visited Fatehpur Sikri, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site This historical city was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. This site was also recently made famous as it was featured in the film, Jodhaa Akbar.

This is the hall of private audience.






This is inside the Diwan-i-Khas - famous for its central pillar with thirty-six voluted supporting a circular platform for Akbar. The column has symbols representing different faiths carved on it. In fact, through out the entire grounds lots of different faiths are represented - including the wives of Akbar - one was Hindu, one Muslim, and the last Christian. Each had their own places of worship at the site.




This building was the kitchen and our tour guide insisted that I should take my picture here.


and Abhay too...


This was one of Johda's rooms - Akbar's Hindu wife.


The gated entrance to the Mosque which is also part of Fatehpur Sikri.










After we were done sightseeing, we stopped at a shop that specializes in Agra inlaid marble. The craftsmen showed us how they make the designs prior to taking us around to see the work.


Upon leaving the city, we passed by a half mile long line of autos who were waiting for gas.


We stopped for a picture in a field of mustard seed plants.


Our driver even got into the picture.