Two of Jaipur's major attractions are the Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal (or Palace of the Winds).
The founder of Jaipur and who gave it its name, Jai Singh, had a profound interest in astronomy and so constructed an elaborate set of instruments in the 18th century to explore the heavens, and these are all located in a relatively small area. Its a world heritage site, although I have to confess that it was all a bit beyond my scientific understanding (based upon a grade B in 'O' level Physics, although I did try!). The design of the instruments is based on ancient Hindu Sanskrit texts, and they are visually stunning. They record time, and track the whereabouts of stars and planets, and include the world's largest sundial.
The Hawa Mahal is a palace built for the women of the royal household and was designed in such a way that it would enable them to observe street festivals and processions whilst simultaneously making it impossible for them to be observed from the street through the elaborate use of small stone windows. The purdah system meant that women could not be seen by men other than their husbands. The clever lattice work also enabled air to ventilate the palace effectively, like a modern day air conditioning system. The royal household were keen devotees of Krishna, and the frontal design with its five storey exterior is reminiscent of Krishna's crown.
I loved this place, so impressive yet couldn't help but feel a bit sad for these women cooped up here and not being able to venture outdoors while being tended to by a team of eunuchs. Such was the weight of their jewellery, they had to be wheeled around in wheelchairs from one vantage point to another. All seemed rather sad.
The founder of Jaipur and who gave it its name, Jai Singh, had a profound interest in astronomy and so constructed an elaborate set of instruments in the 18th century to explore the heavens, and these are all located in a relatively small area. Its a world heritage site, although I have to confess that it was all a bit beyond my scientific understanding (based upon a grade B in 'O' level Physics, although I did try!). The design of the instruments is based on ancient Hindu Sanskrit texts, and they are visually stunning. They record time, and track the whereabouts of stars and planets, and include the world's largest sundial.
The Hawa Mahal is a palace built for the women of the royal household and was designed in such a way that it would enable them to observe street festivals and processions whilst simultaneously making it impossible for them to be observed from the street through the elaborate use of small stone windows. The purdah system meant that women could not be seen by men other than their husbands. The clever lattice work also enabled air to ventilate the palace effectively, like a modern day air conditioning system. The royal household were keen devotees of Krishna, and the frontal design with its five storey exterior is reminiscent of Krishna's crown.
I loved this place, so impressive yet couldn't help but feel a bit sad for these women cooped up here and not being able to venture outdoors while being tended to by a team of eunuchs. Such was the weight of their jewellery, they had to be wheeled around in wheelchairs from one vantage point to another. All seemed rather sad.
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