Thursday 27th March 2008
Mandawa and Pushkar
An 8.00 am start was slightly punishing after a wakeful night... but the Indian
waiters highly recommended 'banana and yoghurt' to combat a weak stomach!
I thought I'd pass the tip as this was supported by several other Indians who saw me
a bit off-colour that morning...
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Our Mandawa guide was Mono, a smart young man from a local family of Artists.
Mono took us for a walk around
Mandawa while explaining the history of Havelis and showing us the best preserved
remains of this elaborate form of Indian Art.
Rajesthan is renown for its 'Havelis'. Havelis are sumptuous Indian private
residences which used to belong to the rich merchants of this area - situated on
the famous 'Silk Route' - from Xian (China) to the Mediterranean Sea.
To display their wealth, these rich merchants
had their houses decorated with the most elaborate murals painted on their facade -
and inside their courtyards.
Sadly, in spite of recent efforts from the Indian government,
the majority of these havelis are slowly
becoming derelict and their beautiful
hand-painted murals are fading or crumbling away...
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After seeing the Mandawa havelis, we took the road to Pushkar, passing again through
many vibrant villages. We saw an Indian wedding party - ladies and men in 2 separate groups...
Our drive took us in and around the Thar Desert. No mistake about that: sand, heat... and
more and more camels!
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At the end of the afternoon, we reached Pushkar, city of the Holy Lake.
In Hindu mythology, Pushkar is a holy location: it is the spot where the lotus dropped by
Lord Brahma (the Creator God) fell to the earth. A beautiful little lake is said to have
sprang out of the Thar desert when this happened: this is Pushkar Holy Lake, regarded by Hindus as one of
the most sacred sites in India.
Pushkar is also reputed for its Camel Fair (during the full-moon
late-October, beginning- November each year). 200 000 villagers from the desert region
make the trip in their finest traditional dress and some 50 000 camels change owners
during Pushkar Camel Fair!
images of the morning:
Mandawa (Havelis)
to Pushkar (Holy Lake) Slideshow (27 images)
