My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
Near the exit of Amer Fort, two huge vats or vessels attract our attention. They look big enough to cook food, and we assume these are a couple of the relics left over from the olden days. However, the guide is quick to correct us. These are props from a film which was shot here - Jodha Akbar. He says they didnt take it back, and there was no place inside the fort for them, so here they are, where they will be noticed, but not really a part of the fort.
This is the portion of the fort which is allotted to the shops. There is a small museum shop which sells souvenirs, and then there are these vendors selling everything from clothes to wooden articles, to bangles... In more ways that one, the place allotted for the vessels seems apt. The bazaar is the place where the old makes way for the new... where the ancient and the modern both have their place... Most of the items sold here are inspired by the items used by the royals in the days gone by, but they have been adapted to suit the demands of the present.....
Earrings galore....
This young man obviously knew his customers well. He didnt as much as look up all the time we were there... but a couple of foreigners entered, and he was up on his feet with his sales pitch all ready!!!
Turbans, Kurtis, umbrellas, cushion covers.... a variety of textile products!
Bangles!! Oh how I was tempted!!!
These lac bangles studded with mirrors were once the signature of Jaipur. I still remember the first pair my uncle bought me. But these days, they seem to available everywhere....
Ditto with these beautiful mirror studded dolls which occupy prime space in our golu. This arrangement itself looks like one!
And then there are, of course, the precious and semi precious stones.....
I am always attracted to these bazaars at all tourist places, for the sheer colours and variety of items. It takes an awful lot of control to not splurge, which is why I take my camera along these days. I might not return with armfulls of the glittering knick knacks, but I have loads of photos which serve just as well!!
Lovely artifacts and curios. You have captured the colourful market well.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Thanks, Niranjan!
DeleteLovely. What did you buy for me, Anu? ;-)
ReplyDeletesorry Sudha!! I was hard pressed as it is, keeping my itching hands away from all these wonderful things! !
Deletenow- that's something that my sister would love to get lost and shop in. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!!!! even more so if you sponsor her shopping spree!!
DeleteIts always wonderful to roam around in Jaipur and look at all those wonderful things being sold!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Arti!! We had too little time to actually go and drool over all the wonderful things, but we still came back with our bags bursting!!
DeleteRajasthan full of colors & life, very nice ! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteTHanks Sapna!
DeleteWell captured..the jhumkas..the rings..longing to go there..
ReplyDeleteThanks Soma!!
DeleteTrust Rajasthan to spread out the most colourful of souvenirs. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Anuradha.
Thanks so much!!
Deleteone feels these blogs are among the best on amer,ought to prompt many readers tomake an early visit.
ReplyDeleteeasy to read,excellent photos....
between the link and the blog,i thought for a fleeting moment that the vats/cauldrons
must have been used to pour oil on the invaders!naturally disappointed to learn these're left behind by the jodha akbar group.
Thanks so much!! I was surprised too, which is why I remembered it!
Deletegood post, a different look at the Pink City, I wonder how I missed all this every time I have been there.
ReplyDeleteAmer fort is a great ancient monument, which holds great history of Mughal rulers . The architectural beauty of the fort has an enchanting effect and leaves person spell bounded. The fort holds a position of being a famous Bollywood shooting destination. Indeed your article has enlightened the market of Amer. Amer fort market has some beautiful collection of artwork, be it traditional Jewelry, handicrafts, miniature decorations etc. Each and everything reflects the traditional Jaipur’s Art work. The vibrant bangles, the colourfull Odhani’s are some of the best buys, and of course you need to have a good bargaining sense when it comes to shopping at such well visited monument of the city.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Thank God, I got some time to come here, Anu. Beautiful pictures :)))
ReplyDeleteGood to see you catching up, Julia... hope to see you on my other posts soon too :D
DeleteAmazing pics Anuradha.. How expensive were the earrings and other jewelry ?
ReplyDelete