October 2, 2009 @ Jaipur, India



Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel, Jaipur


Building enroute


Transporting water bucket


Transporting water bucket


Gaitore


AKA The City Place, Jaipur


Gaitore is situated on the Jaipur-Amber road,
about 15 kms from Jaipur


There is a cenotaph for each Maharaja, built in his honor


It seemed that this place is best known only among private
drivers, definitely not a lot (if any) tourists


The cenotaphs are erected with a perfect blend of architectural
essentials of Islamic tomb and Hindu temple architecture


First section of Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan


Third section of Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan


A royal crematorium site for Jaipur*s magnificent rulers


A royal crematorium site for Jaipur*s magnificent rulers


Cenotaph


The royal cenotaph is known as *Chhatris*


Magnificent Rajasthani cravings


Magnificent Rajasthani cravings


Magnificent Rajasthani cravings


Chhatris


Chhatris


Swan craving


Chhatris dedicated to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II


Magnificent Rajasthani cravings


Magnificent Rajasthani cravings


Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh was actually cremated
behind the Chandra Mahal in the City Palace complex
his cenotaph was built here with the due respect


Some painting


Chhatris


Old City Wall around Gaitore


Old City Wall around Gaitore


Gaitore


Gaitore


Me @ Gaitore


Jaigarh Fort


Amber Fort


Elephant ride


Jaigarh & Amber Fort


Amber Fort


Kenneth was very popular among the locals


Amber Fort is located in Amber (Jaipur)


which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan


till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727


The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in red sandstone


Funky looking sheep


In 1592, construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I


To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground


Main gate to Amber Fort


The kids love to take pictures


Cute kids


I was popular among the kids too


View from Amber Fort


Shila Devi Temple is renowned for its glorious past, huge silver lions and silver doors


Singh Pol (Lion Gate)


Monkeys


Courtyard of Amber Fort


Diwan-i-Aam


AKA Hall of Public Audience


Hall of Public Audience is a pavilion with double row of columns


Beautiful craving


Ganesh Pol


Me @ Ganesh Pol


Kacheris aka Offices


Hall of Public Audience


Hammam aka Turkish Bath


Amber Garden


View from Amber Fort


View from Amber Fort


Ganesh Pol directs the way to the inhabited apartments of the King


Rasoda aka the Royal Kitchen


Kenneth @ Ganesh Pol


Diwan-i-Khas aka Hall of Private Audience


Upper and lower courtyard of Red Fort


Designed window


Designed window


Kenneth


Me overlooking Diwan-i-Khas


2 giant woks


View from Amber Fort


View from Amber Fort


Hall of Private Audience


Jaigarh Fort from Amber Fort


Jaigarh Fort from Amber Fort


Different craving on each window


One of the many watch towers @ Amber Fort


One of the many watch towers @ Amber Fort


Royal bathroom


Palace of Raja Man Singh


Artistic ceiling


Artistic ceiling


Another fans want to take picture with Asia girl


Palace of Raja Man Singh


Palace of Raja Man Singh


Kenneth @ Palace of Raja Man Singh


Zenani Deorhi


Aka Ladies Apartments


Lots of ladies @ the Ladies Apartments


Corridor


Jai Mandir aka Hall of Victory


Hall of Victory has a stunning ceiling comprised of mirror work


Hall of Victory


Hall of Victory


Hall of Victory has a stunning inlaid panel


Hall of Victory


Hall of ????


Hall of Victory


Me @ Hall of Victory


Hall of ????


Diwan-i-Khas aka Hall of Private Audience


Lower courtyard


Amber Fort


Stairway to Shila Devi Temple


Entrace gate to Amber Fort


Amber Fort


Amber Fort Garden


Amber Fort


School bus


Royal cows eating trash?


Jal Mahal


Aka Water Palace


A Rajput style architectured palace sits in the center of the Maan-sarovar lake


Jal Mahal


Jal Mahal


Me & FF @ Jal Mahal


Hawa Mahal


Aka Palace of Winds


Hawa Mahal is a pyramid-shaped facade with five stories


It has 953 small windows decorated with tiny lattice work.


The Pyramidal outline and replication of pattern makes it more attractive in appearance


Cow cart


Inside of Hawa Mahal


These pink sandstone windows commonly known as *Jharokhas*


The small screened balconies and arched roofs with hanging
cornices enhance the beauty of the Palace


The air circulation through windows represents the marvelous touch
of Mughal designing, which keeps the Palace always cool


Inside of Hawa Mahal


Inside of Hawa Mahal


Kenneth @ Hawa Mahal


Me @ Hawa Mahal


Watch tower @ Hawa Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal


Kenneth & Me


Colorful windows


Columns inside of Hawa Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal


Jantar Mantar from Hawa Mahal


Hawa Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal


Jantar Mantar from Hawa Mahal


Monkey!


View from Hawa Mahal


Hawa Mahal


Sunset @ Hawa Mahal


Prayer Hall @ Hawa Mahal


Hawa Mahal


Elementary school


Waiting mothers


Kids


School kid


They love taking pictures


our auto rickshaw driver Cairn Momatan & his friends


Waiting for school bus


Happy kids


Hors d*œuvre @ Sheraton


Coke is 20 INR per can ~ 40 cents USD


Public toilet on the side of the street


Tandoor


Handi Restaurant


Yummy dinner!


Kenneth & I enjoyed a good dinner after a long day sightseeing


Amber Fort


Jaigarh Fort from Amber Fort


Ganesh Pol directs the way to the inhabited apartments of the King


Lower courtyard of Amber Fort


Palace of Raja Man Singh


View from Amber Fort


Jal Mahal


View from Hawa Mahal