Color and tastes from India and finally some relax at the Maldives

Wandering around a small part of Rajasthan and <strong>New Delhistrong> via <strong>Agrastrong>, visiting the great monuments of the Mughal period. then enjoy a relaxing week in the Maldives

 

Departure

Why I chose India (who organizes family trips is signed, otherwise,,,, is likely to remain at home)? Perhaps because I am enchanted with the photos of the majestic Taj Mahal, perhaps for elephants (although African countries had met in Kenya), perhaps from Buddhism, maybe just wanting to know and visit another country, another continent and especially to other people with its cultures and traditions. Which the stimulating element does not matter, at the end of December 2007 contact my friend Carmen, travel agent Kuoni at Lugano for some information. This time I have betrayed my usual travel agent (Lino sorry) because Carmela has already taken the trip many years ago with a bag over his shoulder and he could give me advice proposito.Prenotato flights according to my request, starting from 12.00 am Milan-Malpensa, Qatar Airlines flight with a stopover in Doha and the arrival in <strong>New Delhistrong>, we pass the program on earth. I must say that I contacted a local tour operator www.viaggioindia.com (Travel in India Karni) recommended a number of tourists traveling to the case, then I decided to stay with Kuoni even if the cost was more expensive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ....


Travelogue

27.07.20208
... ... ... .... Saturday, 26.07.2008, and then we end up at Milan Malpensa to the ritual of check-in and boarding on the Quasar Airways flight at 12.00 with the first destination in Doha where he landed after 5 hours and 30 flight . Time to stretch our legs, around the airport and a small snack that we embark again and this time we reach the Indian capital Delhi at 03:30 local time. Baggage claim, meet with our local contact and the driver who will accompany us throughout the journey. Direction Crown Plaza Hotel is unique and unpleasant surprise of the whole trip: we do not have the room available if not for the night of 27/28.07.2008. Despite our protests, our contact leaves us in the chilly hall to &quot;sleep&quot; on the sofas. At about 07:00 from the reception (perhaps pity) inform us that a room is ready. Seize the opportunity and we take a nap until 10.00, and 11.00 hearty breakfast meeting with the first of several guides, Deepak. It starts in the first round of Delhi (the rest will be done at the end of the tour)

AGRA

Wake up at 8:30, breakfast .... Meeting with our driver Vidjay for <strong>Agrastrong>. At this time we are aware of the traffic in India. We are uncomfortable to drive on the left but what lies ahead leave us without words. Just think about that to drive the 205 miles from Delhi to <strong>Agrastrong> takes at least 4 hours. The streets are nearly unpaved two-lane but they become 3 or 4 depending on how many vehicles are put in passing (we saw a truck overtook a truck in its time overtaken by another truck and of course, and who comes to the opposite direction you have to move) Throughout the tour I closed my eyes twenty times, expecting the worst!). In addition to the vehicles on the streets are crowded with cows, buffaloes, dogs and pedestrians (who are not likely to make a move ... ... ... ... ... .. do wishy!).
In the late afternoon we arrive in <strong>Agrastrong>, northern India city of 1,259,979 inhabitants, the capital of the district of <strong>Agrastrong> and the <strong>Agrastrong> division, in the western part of the federal state of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of river Yamuna in the number of inhabitants of the city is a Class I (100,000 people or more). It was the capital of the Mughal Empire from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century.


We stopped on the outskirts of <strong>Agrastrong> where we meet our local guide and visit the Sanjay Sikandra, the Tomb of Akbar, the most famous and illustrious emperor of the Mughal dynasty. Sikandra was founded by Sikander Lodi, the Lodi Dynasty emperor who ruled the Sultanate of Delhi between 1488 and 1517. The Lodi dynasty came from Afghanistan and had settled in India in 970. Sikander Lodi proved an able Sultan extended his reign and leaving administered to the governors of individual territories, the amir (United), considerable autonomy. Under his empire arts and culture flourished. Sikander in 1504 brought the capital of <strong>Agrastrong>, the city built on the opposite side to that on which it stands currently. Sikandra returned to being a small villaggio.Fu the same Akbar to choose his place of abode after death. The tomb stands in the middle of a green and peaceful garden, where beautiful deer graze undisturbed. The monumental complex is entered through an imposing red sandstone portal, which is the most significant element of the work. The mausoleum is built in the architectural style of Persian origin, the grave-yard, with the form of char-bagh (literally garden in four square garden divided into four sections by rivers), introduced by the founder of the dynasty Mughal Babur (1483 - 1530). Tolerant and enlightened ruler, Akbar wanted to realize in the mausoleum of the royalties of his syncretic religious philosophy, which he called Din-i-Ilahi (God's religion), a mixture of Hindu thought, Islamic, Sikh and Christian, a kind of mysticism, liberal of universal and non-dogmatic religion, which announced in 1582 the emperor to his subjects, hoping to quell the bloody religious conflicts and unify the empire. Even in the lines of the building are obvious traces of the universal thought of Akbar, we see a harmonious blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural forms and decorative elements typically marry happily with Buddhist symbols of Jainism and Christianity. I agree with the guide also decide to visit Itamad Ud-Daula, so the next day we devote ourselves entirely to the two most famous monuments of <strong>Agrastrong>.
Mausoleum Itmad-ud-Daula said &quot;little Taj&quot;, is located along the Yamuna River, about a mile upstream from the Taj Mahal. It was built in 1628 by Nurjahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, to house the tomb of his father Ghiyas Mirza Beg, an imperial officer who had received the title of Itmad-ud-Daula, or &quot;pillar of the government.&quot; It 's the first Mughal structure entirely in white marble which made systematic use of the technique of hard stone

The "TAJ"

Wake up at 8:30, breakfast, and we end up with driver and guide us toward the so-called symbol of India, Heritage and the first among the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. To avoid the rains, the weather and pollution can damage the white marble of the Taj, you can reach on foot or by electric buses. Also nearby factories were closed for the same reason.
Let's say it's worth the wait, you run out of words in this building and admire the place, kept in perfect condition and pampered retreat from the bustle of traffic and if citizens: those who saw the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, but ... .. in spite of its beauty, is surrounded by the city and close, even the pyramids of Giza a time away from the traffic, the last time we visit we began to be surrounded by hotels and nearby buildings. We visit the site with the guide who then leaves us all the time we have to admire it. Having traveled far and wide for the building and gardens sit on a bench and look amazed at the perfection and stillness that gives us and we realize the large capacity of man, sin that exploited almost exclusively for weapons and wars.

There are many Indian tourists who visit us and fascinate the colors of the saris of women who stand on the white marble. One of them asked me to pose for a picture with her and her baby, and I gladly accept. The guide informs me that most Indian visitors from the south, not in the habit of meeting of the West. It will not be the only photos for which I lay. Here is the story of the Taj

The Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. The Taj is one amazing grace seen from any angle, but more details are amazing. Semi-precious stones inlaid in the marble, forming beautiful patterns, using a process known as pietra dura. The precision and care use in the design and construction of the monument are just as exciting if one admires the other side of the river or from two feet away. The building covered in white marble mausoleum decorated with delicate floral multicolored semiprecious stones, is built on a platform 250 meters wide, the angles of which rise four minarets and lies amidst gardens and ponds, in the best tradition of Islam. The octagonal dome is dominated by a large bulb. At the center of the building is the octagonal hall of the tomb, with niches and doors that open onto other rooms and are decorated with reliefs of white marble that would be the work of French sculptor Austin of Bordeaux. Here, however, is located only a mock burial of Mumtaz Mahal, surrounded by a screen of pierced marble, inlaid with 43 types of semi-precious stones, and beside the Centotafio of Shah Jahan. The tombs in which lie the bodies of Mumtaz Mahal really and Shah Jahan are in the locked room in the basement below the main hall (it is forbidden to photograph the inner room). The interior reproduces the structure of the mausoleum of Humayun in Delhi, while the large door is shaped like that of the mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandra. The mixture of styles does not alter the charm of this stately mausoleum and the charm of its white surface that evolves with changing light.
The beauty of this construction is made even more fascinating by the legend that surrounds, it looks like a fairy tale. Taj Mahal means &quot;Crown Palace&quot; and is in fact the most beautiful and best preserved tomb in the world. The Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who was originally a princess of Persia. Mumtaz Mahal died 'while accompanying her husband to Behrampur, during a campaign to crush a rebellion. He had just given birth to their fourteenth child. His death was a tragedy for the emperor, so that his hair and beard in a few months became completely white with pain. While Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, the Emperor had asked four of her promises if she died before him. First he asked him to promise to build the Taj, the second was that he would have married again to give a new mother to their children and the third was promised that he would always be good and understanding with their children, and the fourth, which he always visited his grave on the anniversary of his death. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were employed in its construction and was designed by Iranian Istad USA. The best way to appreciate its stunning architecture and its precious ornaments, is to see with eyes of love that the 'Emperor had for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It 's definitely a &quot;symbol of eternal love.&quot;

Let not the Taj not look back for a second time to look at it and we stop at a factory of marble objects, then hungry, we stopped in a small restaurant consigliatoci from driving for lunch. In the afternoon we visit, the second great attraction of the city, the <strong>Agrastrong> Fort, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of <strong>Agrastrong>. It is located about 2.5 km north-west of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be accurately described as a fortified palace-city. The fort owes its name to the material used for construction: the red sandstone. Akbar the Great (1542-1605) was originally going to declare capital of the Mughal <strong>Agrastrong>, but once built the walls of the fortress and towers, stopped the work because he had already planned to build a new residence at Fatehpur Sikri, he left after ten years. Later he ruled from Lahore and only shortly before his death he returned to <strong>Agrastrong>. His successor, Jahangir, has not done much for the city, which enjoyed its heyday from the architectural point of view only with the latter's son Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1628 to 1658 and lived here from 1632 to 1637. Sensitive to art, the king ordered the demolition of many of the buildings of Akbar and replaced them with magnificent mosques and palaces of white marble inlaid with semiprecious stones. The lightness of the most fascinating examples of architecture almost musical originated during the reign of this monarch is the audience hall and the mosque of the pearl. A typical example of the style instead of the mighty Akbar Amar Singh Gate, main entrance, across the drawbridge on the stinking waters of the moat. The gate was built by Shah Jahan in 1665 to commemorate the bravery of Amar Singh Rao, brother of the Rajput ruler of <strong>Jodhpurstrong> and noble of the court. The walls are great, with a gap between inner and outer wall. We go out strong and we expect the ride on Tonga, a covered wagon pulled by a horse. Honestly, since she had to carry the weight by 5 people, the horse did not seem very robust and I was worth. During the ride surprisingly refreshing rain for about 20 minutes the hot day. At the end of the tour we find our vehicles and we are escorted to the hotel.

FATHEPUR SIKHRI - JAIPUR

Wake up at 08.00 and departure towards <strong>Jaipurstrong> (235 km). After an hour we are Fatehepur Sikri which we are about to visit and study:

Akbar, despite the 300 marriages, with clear intent diplomats (to create a climate of detente with the warlike Rajput local Hindu) and 5000 women of his harem, could not have sons, or rather those who had had all died at an early age. Desperate for this calamity, in 1568 Akbar made a pilgrimage to the village of Sikri, Shaikh Salim Chishti in, complaining about his misfortune and asking him to intercede for him. The holy calmed and predicted that Akbar would soon have three sons. The following year his first wife Jodhai Bai, returning from a pilgrimage to Ajmer fact, conceived a son who was named Salim in honor of the venerable seer. (On the death of his father Akbar, Salim would ascend the throne under the name of Jahangir). In 1570 was born the second son Murad and Daniyal two years after the third. Excited and happy for the fulfillment of the prediction, Akbar decided to build in 1571 near the small village of Sikri a new city, which he called Fatehpur Sikri, the city of victory, to celebrate the auspicious event and the defeat of the mighty Rajputs of Chittor . For 14 years, from 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire as well as an important commercial, cultural and administrative, obscuring the city of <strong>Agrastrong>, which remained only the military stronghold of the empire. The city was abandoned, apparently because of the enormous difficulties of water supply. Akbar moved the capital in the most convenient Lahore.

The place where it was built Fatehpur Sikri, a low hill at the foothills of the Vindhya mountain range, has long enjoyed the reputation as a place full of favorable auspices. Akbar's grandfather and founder of the Mughal dynasty, Babur, was here defeated the forces of the Rajput Mewar. She had so named the location Shikra, thanks. There are wide avenues and buildings that serve as reference point, it is a continuous change of environments and visions, court after court, with a few isolated buildings in a network of buildings and wonderful views. Perfectly preserved, this city gives vision of the Mughal style of life at the height of their power. The city was designed according to Persian princes, but built and decorated in patterns that develop Indian eclectic and elegant grounds. The city is divided into two parts: the area of the building and that of the mosque.
The palatal area in turn can be divided into:
• administrative buildings
• private quarters of the emperor '
• 's Harem
Administrative areas in the east, connected by courtyards of the districts 'emperor and the city, while that of' imperial harem is accessible from the area shielded corridors through which excluded any outside contact. The palatal area is surrounded by a number of service buildings and property, as common areas, laboratories, homes of the nobles, etc. markets., All enclosed in the walls.

After the visit we continue our journey to <strong>Jaipurstrong>, not ways to make them aware of how they live here, in case (if one may call it) which are crumbling in front of the carts of fruit vendors and waste of all kinds.
We arrive in <strong>Jaipurstrong> in the late afternoon (after about 5 hours) and overnight at Hotel Country Inn &amp; Suites where we make our first purchases of fabrics (Pashmina, tunics and even a sari with an initial price of Euro 30 was obtained at 15 Usd ).

JAIPUR

<strong>Jaipurstrong> is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded in 1728 by astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II now has a population of about 2.7 million. It is also known as the &quot;pink city&quot; for the predominant color of its houses. The city was built with modern conceptions, it has a grid plan with wide tree-lined avenues. There are many bazaars and markets, divided according to the many and varied crafts. To name a few: jewelry, precious stones, enamels, both printed and woven fabrics, carvings.

Wake up at 08.00, breakfast and depart for Amber Fort. We pass to the center (?) Of <strong>Jaipurstrong> to see the outside of the Hawa Mahal, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), <strong>Jaipurstrong> and symbol of an extraordinary example of Rajput architecture, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Five-story building that overlooks the main street of the bustling old town, is only the facade and little else. The &quot;Palace of Winds&quot; is characterized by elegant windows honeycomb pink sandstone, originally designed to help women of the royal household to observe the conduct of processions and daily life in the streets. Amber and reach an elephant (as expected by tourists) go up to the fort, a collection of palaces and pavilions, built from the 17th century, as their headquarters, the maharajah of <strong>Jaipurstrong> but subsequently moved to the nearby city The fort stands on a hill reflected in the waters of an artificial lake below. We return to <strong>Jaipurstrong>, stopping to admire the lake with a palace in the center
We arrived at the entrance of City Palace <strong>Jaipurstrong> and surprisingly the rain. Expect it to end but it seems he does not want to do it and we decided to visit the building running from side to side to go into different rooms. City Palace is the name used to describe the palace inside the fortified city.
Stopped raining and we have the opportunity to visit the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh II, the Maharaja with the 'hobby of astronomy and astrology was also responsible to Delhi, Mathura and Benares Ujjain. Jantar Mantar is derived from the Sanskrit Yantar (instrument) Mantar (calculation formula) and is a huge complex of astronomical instruments marked with enormous precision, the instruments of the observatory stands out among the Samrat Yantra, a large sundial also designed by Jai Singh, on which you can read not only the standard time of <strong>Jaipurstrong> (Indian Standard Time) to within half a second, but also the celestial coordinates of the Sun momentoIl at that time of the visit and the rain resumed, we decided to have lunch and then in the afternoon we take a ride in a rickshaw and then go back to the hotel

PUSKAR - JODHPUR

Swiss National Day. Andrea wears a red shirt and white with the inscription &quot;Swiss since 1291&quot; and the same hat. We start in the direction of <strong>Jodhpurstrong> (330 km 7 hours), but the road we stop at Puskar considered, along with Varanasi (formerly Benares, where the Ganges flows) the city 'more' sacred in India. And 'in fact known for its sacred lake and the only existing temple dedicated to Brahma in the world. Legend has it that this lake and 'formed where Lord Brahma - the creator of the universe in the Hindu religion' - dropped a lotus flower in a full moon day. The Hindu tradition considered auspicious bathing in these waters, especially during the full moon of autumn. <strong>Pushkarstrong> and 'thus became' one of the most 'popular places of pilgrimage not only in India but throughout Asia. And 'rich in temples, at least 500 in all, and 52 bathing ghats - steps, place of worship along the route of the River. Here, as in Varanasi, every day, hundreds of pilgrims come to perform their ablutions and rites of purification. But the difference with Varanasi and 'tangible in <strong>Pushkarstrong> ghat on that slope towards the lake, do not do cremations. Today unfortunately the time of Brahma is closed due to adverse astrological conditions. We turn to the streets with shops and bazaars, and then we come to the lake with the Brahmin to the place where we pray and leave our donation for the poor. The guide, Nandu, explains that `Puskar also famous for its camel fair. Every year, in November, coinciding with the period of full moon, thousands of camels, horses and other livestock are sold, among races, dances, music and other entertainment. There are about 200,000 people who arrive on time each year to attend the party. Over 150,000 animals driven by their owners, merchants and farmers, come from all over India. In a state based on a predominantly rural and agricultural economy, where many have a camel 'already' synonymous with wealth and prosperity, the <strong>Pushkarstrong> Fair is an opportunity most 'of the drip pan to make good money, for, in large part, to deal with the dark period of winter approaching.
Lunch trip to <strong>Pushkarstrong> and <strong>Jodhpurstrong>, where to stay at the Ajit Bhawan Palace, in a house situated in the beautiful garden of the resort that brings me back to the colonial period.

JODHPUR

If <strong>Jaipurstrong> is the Pink City, <strong>Jodhpurstrong> might be called the blue city, for the typical blue color of its houses. Initially, the color indicates the house of a Brahmin because many centuries ago, according to tradition, some of them painted their homes with this color after discovering that kept mosquitoes away. Today is the second city of <strong>Jodhpurstrong> in Rajasthan, but in many ways has not changed from the old walled city has developed at the foot of Fort Meherangarh. Wake up at 08.30. It's raining cats and dogs. After breakfast we find in the company of Vijaj Ashir guidance, direction Meherangarh Fort, majestic fort, perched high on a rocky slope 122 m. The fort is quite impressive, with its walls and towers projecting cylindrical, appears to be one with the rock on which it stands. Driving along a winding, uphill past seven fortified gates, you enter the fort. As mentioned, it poured and at the end of the visit we found ourselves soaking wet. Suffice it to say that the height of water flows through a terrace came to the calf.
We go out in the rain and we head towards the mausoleum of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, in fact built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, in 1899, the imposing white marble monument marks the spot of the royal crematorium. The four successive kings portray cenotaphs in memory of their bravery and their generosity.
Let's go back to <strong>Jodhpurstrong> for lunch with the hope that the rain stops, unfortunately is not true and we have to settle for a ride in a car at the Clock Tower and the city center. Before returning, the guide takes us to a carpet store? but when we enter and dark scenes in the basement when the lights we seem to be in the Aladdin's cave: a number of objects carved in wood, iron, marble and piles of fabric. Inevitably purchase two pashminas (and we are 5 start of the journey).