Click on images below to enlarge:
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| A long shot across one part of the temple toward one of the enshrined
deities. The only reason I could take this shot is because the door to
the deity was closed. (The monks asked that the deities themselves not be
photographed.)
| A similar shot taken elsewhere in the temple.
| And another.
| A short panoramic movie of part of the temple.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| An oblique look past many pillars.
| More carvings around another deity's closed-off alcove.
Sorry about the sharp contrast due to the bright sunlight.
| I feel like I'm repeating myself a lot, but once again you should view
the full-sized image.
Can you imagine the patience required to
carve all these figures? Especially the seven rows of identical figures
in the middle section? (The carvings in the top and bottom sections are
different.)
The red thing visible through the opening is not the
image of deity; rather, it's a hanging lamp covered with cloth.
| Yet more detailed carvings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Looking straight up one pillar.
| A fuzzy picture of myself and J by an elephant.
| The carvings adorning the outside of one side of the temple.
Look closely: there's something surprising in this picture. Did
you spot it? I bet you didn't. One column is covered with a beehive.
The Jain respect all animals (including insects) and hence haven't had
it removed. In fact, the person who showed it to me said they harvest
its honey.
| Ranakpur's main temple as seen from afar as we were leaving.
|
|
| On The Road
|
|
|
|
|
| A video taken earlier in the day, between Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, that
shows the hills and valleys in this part of the state.
| Near sunset, we passed an unusual mound.
| Closer to Jodhpur, the land became flat and scraggly.
| Sunset.
|
|
| Hotel: Shahi Guest House
|
|
| A panoramic movie of our room in an haveli / heritage house that's been
converted into a hotel. Notice the style: the four small arched windows
(all shuttered), the many small paintings on the walls, and the valiant
attempt to keep the temperature under control with two fans and an air
cooler.
|
|
| Dinner at Bollygood (in Jodhpur)
|
|
|
|
|
| An excellent, crisp picture of a mansion, which I think was used
for receptions, adjacent to our outdoor dining area. I really like the
building's design. I also really like the lighting--it reminds me of
Mondrian.
| A panoramic movie of Bollygood's outdoor dining area. As you can
tell, it's very dark. A random movie played on a screen. Each table
was like an oasis of light and food.
| Chicken rara: chicken with a rich brown Indian keema gravy. N
really liked this dish.
Sorry about the fuzziness. I pumped up my
camera's ISO, but it was really dark--we were outside--and I didn't want
to use the flash.
| Kalmi kebab: chicken legs with cashew nuts, ginger and garlic paste, and
cooked in a tandoor. They were juicy and grilled well, better than most
we've had in India.
|
|
|
|
Amritsari bharwan aloo: scoops of potato "stuffed with chef's special
stuffing in gravy topped with cream." The stuffing appear to be
something like paneer or cashew cream. J liked the dish. I
definitely did too.
Again, sorry about the fuzziness.
|
We also had really good tandoori roti: light and fluffy. I usually
order naan because I want those properties and most rotis lack them.
(Most rotis, by the way, unlike naan, aren't cooked in a tandoor.)
Meanwhile rotis, being made from whole wheat, are healthier than naan.
It's nice to see that rotis could be both healthy and equally good.
|
|
| Fodder for Panorama of Kumbhalgarh Fort
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| Fodder for Huge Panorama from Top of Kumbhalgarh Fort (broken into two separate large pictures above)
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
