Jaipur, India: Yep, I am officially sick. Slight fever, runny nose and starting to cough. Thankfully, with the advent of international air travel, I may be able to be patient zero in a new global pandemic. So, I have that going for me, which is nice. With that in mind, today will be a bit of a light day most likely.

Jaipur is named the Pink City due to its having been painted pink to honor a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. Personally, I would have probably gone with something like Ochre City given its current appearance, but what do I know.

• 

I began the day by walking towards the Jantar Mantar – a large, stone sundial and complex of astronomical instruments. Along the way, I passed through the market areas again. Within this area was a small market stand for chickens. Here there were both live chickens being sold and chickens being processed for customers.

• 

• 

And, although the advice I have always been given is to not give them chicken bones, there was also the most content dog I think I have ever seen.

• 

• 

Nearby, there was also a small stand preparing bread for the day’s customers.

• 

• 

Moving along pretty quickly I soon arrived at the Jantar Mantar. This complex of instruments was built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734. Given the importance of astrological predictions in the lives of the royal family, he wanted to ensure the most accurate predictions were being made. He had noticed that the zij (astronomical tables) used had gotten out of alignment with empirical observations due to the passage of time. He, thus, carried out the construction of five such complexes throughout India to assemble a more accurate zij.

The most prominent instrument within the complex is the enormous sundial – largest stone sundial in the world.

• 

• 

• 

• 

At the size of this sundial, markings are included down to two second intervals. However, given the blur introduced by the sun’s penumbra, such accuracy is not really possible.

Located nearby the main sundial are several instruments for determining the location of the sun within the celestial sphere. The sun’s position is plotted by means of a ring held over the instrument by four wires.

• 

• 

• 

• 

There were also a variety of smaller sundials and sundials of differing designs.

• 

• 

A number of other instruments were also used to determine the precise azimuth and altitude of the sun and other celestial objects.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Finally, there were twelve individual gnomon for each of the zodiac signs to plot the sun’s position relative to each. They varied in size, slope, and orientation, to account for the sun’s movement throughout the seasons.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Although I don’t believe any of this (typical response from a Leo, right?), I did make sure to snap a picture of mine.

Located near the Jantar Mantar is the Hawa Mahal.

• 

• 

I think this is the first attraction that I have seen on this trip for which I can safely say, “Yep, just look at the pictures, don’t bother going to see it.” In pictures, this is a beautiful palace. In person, it is a grimy looking building, surrounded on both sides by a number of shops. Crowds are gathered out in front all trying for the perfect background for a selfie. Save yourself the trouble and let Google images be your friend: images link.

Down the street from the Hawa Mahal was a knife sharpening shop. There I saw the vendor finishing up on an army officer’s sword and starting work on a pair of scissors for another customer.

• 

• 

I then headed back through the gates of the inner city to the City Palace.

• 

I will be brutally honest at this point and say that, although I am sure the City Palace is quite beautiful, my illness was beginning to get the better of me. I breezed through it a bit too quickly and did not take nearly as many pictures as such a location deserves.

Entering the palace complex through the back entrance, my first stop was the Hall of Private Audience or Diwan-I-Khas. Leading off of this area were several other courtyards and stunning gates.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Located within this hall are two large sterling silver vessels.

• 

These urns were made by melting down 14,000 silver coins. They were specially constructed for the king’s voyage to England in 1901. An extremely pious Hindu, he did not want to contaminate himself with English water during his trip. For this reason, he brought these containers filled with water from the Ganges for his use while abroad.

The City Palace is still in use today with a flag flown atop Chandra Mahal when the Maharaja is present.

• 

Passing through a set of brass gates, one walks through the archway to another courtyard.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Constructed of white marble, this gate and the nearby Mubarak Mahal are breathtaking.

• 

• 

• 

At this point, I was flagging pretty badly and decided to call it a day. Beating a hasty retreat to my hotel room, I snapped a few pictures on the way back.

• 

• 

• 

I knew I must really be sick when I decided not to climb the tower in the second picture. Especially since my ticket already included the entrance fee for this tower.

I went out to dinner late in the evening (about 10:00 PM) and had a Mutta Dosa that was delicious. However, on the walk back to the hotel I began to shiver uncontrollably and was very relieved to get back and hop in bed. Spiking a high fever I think the next couple of days may be interesting. I also pity the taxi driver who is taking me from Jaipur to Agra tomorrow. I will warn him to not breathe the same air as me.

Uncategorized India Jaipur palaces