Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad

Just passing through Ahmedabad on the way to the airport, we stopped at the Gandhi Ashram. Arpana thought it was an amazing experience -- not only was it very moving but she also had an adventerous mouse run across her foot.

Sunset Point, Mt Abu, Rajasthan

Mt. Abu, a hill station was unusually crowded with Gujarati's celebrating Diwali.

Perfect sunset by the city palace fort, udaipur

Jal Mahal (Palace in the water - now a Taj Hotel)

Resting at the city palace, udaipur

Blake will help people move anywhere

City Palace-fort - interior photos

Getting in Touch with the Rajasthani Spirit

City Palace, Udaipur - exterior of fort

Another fort!! This time really packed with folks from Gujarat -- apparently entire state of Gujarat shuts down for 5-6 days for Diwali and being that Udaipur is so close (4-5 hours) from Ahmedabad, lot of folks came here for a vacation. We stayed here until dark for a "sound and light show." It was beautifully lit and narrated.

At the Saheliyon ki Bari

Pictures of us and our tour group

Saheliyon Ki Bari (Gardens of the Maids)

A series of 4 fountains each representing a type of rain from welcome rain, spring rain, rain with sunshine, and heavy rain. All fountains work on gravity and use marble pipes.

Look who is going native

Udaipur, Rajasthan (oct21-22)

Photos of the courtyard and the hallway of the hotel that we stayed at (Rajputana resorts) in Udaipur

Ranakpur on route to Udaypur, Rajasthan

It seems that Jain temples are characterized by incredible marble carvings on the insides of the temples. The exterior by comparison is relative unimpressive. This was done in order to avoid destruction by Muslim armies during the Mogul rule. The stone cutters/carvers were paid in an interesting fashion. The amount of marble dust that they created would be weighed and their wages were paid in gold at the same weight of the marble dust - so you can see the incentive for intricate carvings in these temples

Umaid Bhavan, Jodhpur

The Umaid Bhavan is the last palace built during British occupation in 1943. Currently part of the building is a very exclusive hotel, part is a museum, and part is the residence of the current king. The architecture is very interesting as it is a blend of India colonial and art deco styles

Jaswant Thada - Memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh !!

Built in 1889, this memorial is dedicated to Jaswant Singh the second.