Day 6 - Jaisalmer Continued
Slept in a deliciously air conditioned room before we all took a little trek up to the local fort for a tour from a local guide. The fort is the only living fort in India, meaning people still live within the walls. All other forts are heritage sites, museums, or hotels. 4,000 people call the Jaisalmer fort home.
Inside the fort we visited two more elaborate Jain temples and our guide explained the tenants of the religion and some of the symbolism.
Jainism has 24 profits, each represented as an identical human figure with a different symbol below their feet. The first profit has an ox, the second an elephant, etcetera. Below the identifier are two additional symbols: an elephant and a tiger. The elephant represents pride and the tiger anger. They are always depicted below the profit as they have suppressed and controlled their pride and anger and reached profit status.
The fort is divided into two parts: vegetarian for the Jainists and non-vegetarian for the warriors. On the warrior side was a beautiful view of the city.
We left the fort to do one of my favourite activities: shopping. Jaisalmer is famous for intricate patchwork and hand-stitched blankets as well as handmade silver jewellery. After many hours in many shops, Jill, Claire (one of the UK girls) and I found a shop just out of the tourist zone. The work was just beautiful, the prices reasonable and the staff was hilarious and fun! We each bought very different pieces. I got a hand-stitched blanket with various Indian animals in a circular pattern, Jill bought an elaborately patterned quilt cover, and Claire bought a smaller patchwork elephant blanket. They also ship directly and took credit card. Score! We told everyone about the shop and our purchases. They should arrive at my house in about 25 days. If not, our tour guide will go back and smack some sense into them.
We didn't really have time for the jewellery, but I'd like to see how it's made more than just shop.
After some shopping, we visited two Hiwalis (elaborate Jain mansions). We met the great-great-grandson of the prime minister that first occupied the Hiwali. He explained the building was designed and occupied by two brothers. They each designed half of the home in friendly competition. Although architecturally similar, each half has different details. Where on one side there are elephants carved in the borders, the other side has camels. It was tricky to see the subtle differences in all the intricacy.
After a simple dinner at a local thali place, a few of us walked back to the hotel together. Along the way, we heard music on the street and saw a group of children and families dancing user some streamers and lights in a small square. We snuck up quietly to try and watch without causing a scene. We were quickly spotted and asked to join by a couple local boys. Jill jumped in to try the stick dancing while I held the many, many bags and snapped photos.
I have never met people that are as welcoming and interested in us as the locals in India. It has been a truly unique experience.
Inside the fort we visited two more elaborate Jain temples and our guide explained the tenants of the religion and some of the symbolism.
Jainism has 24 profits, each represented as an identical human figure with a different symbol below their feet. The first profit has an ox, the second an elephant, etcetera. Below the identifier are two additional symbols: an elephant and a tiger. The elephant represents pride and the tiger anger. They are always depicted below the profit as they have suppressed and controlled their pride and anger and reached profit status.
The fort is divided into two parts: vegetarian for the Jainists and non-vegetarian for the warriors. On the warrior side was a beautiful view of the city.
We left the fort to do one of my favourite activities: shopping. Jaisalmer is famous for intricate patchwork and hand-stitched blankets as well as handmade silver jewellery. After many hours in many shops, Jill, Claire (one of the UK girls) and I found a shop just out of the tourist zone. The work was just beautiful, the prices reasonable and the staff was hilarious and fun! We each bought very different pieces. I got a hand-stitched blanket with various Indian animals in a circular pattern, Jill bought an elaborately patterned quilt cover, and Claire bought a smaller patchwork elephant blanket. They also ship directly and took credit card. Score! We told everyone about the shop and our purchases. They should arrive at my house in about 25 days. If not, our tour guide will go back and smack some sense into them.
We didn't really have time for the jewellery, but I'd like to see how it's made more than just shop.
After some shopping, we visited two Hiwalis (elaborate Jain mansions). We met the great-great-grandson of the prime minister that first occupied the Hiwali. He explained the building was designed and occupied by two brothers. They each designed half of the home in friendly competition. Although architecturally similar, each half has different details. Where on one side there are elephants carved in the borders, the other side has camels. It was tricky to see the subtle differences in all the intricacy.
After a simple dinner at a local thali place, a few of us walked back to the hotel together. Along the way, we heard music on the street and saw a group of children and families dancing user some streamers and lights in a small square. We snuck up quietly to try and watch without causing a scene. We were quickly spotted and asked to join by a couple local boys. Jill jumped in to try the stick dancing while I held the many, many bags and snapped photos.
I have never met people that are as welcoming and interested in us as the locals in India. It has been a truly unique experience.
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