Rajasthan
“The Claridges” New Delhi
“The Claridges” New Delhi
“The Claridges” New Delhi
Old Delhi
Jami Masjid - the largest open-air mosque in India, with a capacity of 24000 worshippers
There are more Muslims in India than in Pakistan itself
Humayun Tomb - a wife’s testament of love for her husband
Humayun Tomb - a wife’s testament of love for her husband
Banyan Tree the National Tree of India
India Gate.
The All India War Memorial
The All India War Memorial
Shiva Nataraja goddess of dance
Carpet Weaving
Keeping clean is not an easy process for many
The ToyTrain operates on a twisting, winding narrow-gauge track, taking us from the plains to Shimla.
Maharajah
Shimla, at 8000 feet, the summer capital of the British Raj, established to escape the heat of the plains
The Vice-Regal Lodge, the seat of imperial government in the summer
Hindu Temples are dedicated to literally thousands of different gods
Waiters
The Ridge, Christ Church and the mock Tudor public library
RAJ.061-Monkeys.jpg
Hindu Temple Jakhu Hill, dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman
“The Ambassador”, fifty years after it first appeared on British roads as the Morris Oxford
Shimla Bazaar, bustling with activity
The ToyTrain operates on a twisting, winding narrow-gauge track
Curious onlookers
New Delhi - Raisina Hill at dawn
Rashtrapati Bhavan - the Presidential palace
Raisina Hill - government buildings
The Gandhi Museum
"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for." Gandhi is assassinated here in 1948 .
Gandhi played a major role in reviving indigenous Indian cotton weaving
Sikh Doorman
The Railway Museum Delhi
Enthusiastic schoolchildren greet us everywhere
Enthusiastic schoolchildren greet us everywhere
Traditional Musicians
A Welcome
Marigolds are widely used in garlands
"The Palace on Wheels"
The Cabin is fitted out with twin single beds and adjoining bathroom with shower
Each carriage has only four compartments and a small lounge at the end with personal valet.
One of two restaurants serving Indian, Chinese and international cuisine
The Lounge Coach
Breakfast is served.
Jaipur - Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, where ladies in purdah could observe the street below
The howdah carries you side-saddle, swaying and jerking its way forward
Ganesh Pol, a shimmering three-story gateway, connecting to private apartments above for ladies in purdah
The gate is richly decorated with paintings
Diwan-i-Aam, the Hall of Public Audience
Jas Mandir, the Hall of Private Audience for Mughal emperors
Jaipur Amber Fort
“Jalis”, latticed windows, are incorporated everywhere to allow the free passage of cooling air and to ensure privacy.
Carpet Weaving of exquisite quality
Jaipur The Raj Palace, formerly a Mughal palace and now offering hospitality.
Jaipur The Raj Palace
Ganesh, the elephant god, the remover of obstacles.
Snake-charmers. musicians and buskers entertain us at every corner.
Snake Charmer and Ascetic
Traditional music
Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory calculating local time to an accuracy of 20 seconds!
Mubarak Mahal, in the City Palace, home to Jaipur’s rulers for over two centuries
Gadisagar Lake, an artificial reservoir capturing monsoon rains in an otherwise arid desert.
Jaisalmer, the Golden City, a remote outpost near the Pakistan border, in the Thar desert.
An exquisitely carved Jain Temple, built by the town’s wealthy traders.
Jainists believe in non-injury to living beings of all species.
Jaisalmer is a living fort.
Jaisalmer Market
“Havelis” ornately-carved mansion houses, are the legacy of the wealth generated by the Silk Road.
Patwon-ki-Haveli - lavishly decorated private rooms studded with reflective coloured glass
Patwon-ki-Haveli - the inner courtyard, well ventilated.
Patwon-ki-Haveli
The inner courtyard used to provide privacy for the women and children
Jaisalmer Old Man
Jaisalmer Street Scene
Jaisalmer Musicians
Jodhpur JaswantThada, cenotaph to Jaswant Singh II, who brought innovative irrigation schemes to the parched desert
Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort, rising sheer out of a 125 metre high rock
Mehrangarh Fort was described by Rudyard Kipling as the “creation of angels, fairies and giants”.
Jodhpur Mehrangarh Palenquin
Jodhpur Mehrangarh Palenquin
Jodhpur Opium Smoker
School Children always fascinated by our different colour skin, hair and eyes.
Jodhpur: blue-washed Brahmin Houses
Phool Mahal, richly gilded and used for royal celebrations.
Moti Mahal, the Hall of Private Audience
Jodhpur Umaid Bhavan Palace
Jodhpur Umaid Bhavan Palace
Traditional Music
Autorickshaw .... Tuk Tuk ....
Monkeys using their intelligence to get to water
Chittorgarh Ramparts
Chittorgarh
VijayStambh, the Victory tower
VijayStambh, the Victory tower
Chittorgarh Satbees Devari Temple
Bougainvilea
With the arrival of the Diwali festival, stations throng with travellers
Udaipur: Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens
Udaipur City Palace
Udaipur City Palace
Udaipur City Palace
Udaipur City Palace
The Peacock - the national bird
Udaipur Maharaja
Handlebar Moustache
Musicians accompany us everywhere.
Udaipur City Palace by the lake
Udaipur
Jag Niwas, the Lake Palace on Lake Pichola
Jag Niwas, the Lake Palace on Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola: “Gondola”
Udaipur Jag Niwas
Udaipur Market Stall
Rickshaw
Inventive transportation
Passengers don’t let passing trains dent their curiosity .......
Agra Jahangiri Mahal
Agra Red Fort
Agra Fort Diwan-i-Aam
Fatehpur Sikri - the Mughal capital for fourteen years .....
..... then abandoned for lack of water.
The Taj Mahal Gate
The Taj Mahal - the enduring testament of everlasting love
An eye-opening visit to Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, from the “chill” of the lower Himalayas to the burning heat of the Sam desert. A land of great contrasts, in scenery, wealth, creeds and cuisine.
