My first camel riding adventure did not take place in Morocco, Egypt or Mongolia… it took place last year in India! Thinking of India- meditation ashrams, yoga, Ayurvedic healings, Hindu temples and ceremonies, royal palaces and elephants,… all come to mind, not camels. But in the Rajasthan region of northern India, where the environment is arid and hot, you see Quasimodo animals as native to the region as cows pulling wagons. (more…)
GrrrlTraveler’s Postcard Diaries:
Karni Mata (”Rat Temple”), Deshnok, India
(2 min video)
Many animals in India are considered sacred. At Deshnok’s Karni Marta Rat Temple, I had to walk barefoot over sacred rat pee and sacred rat poop which at the time was the only option that allowed me to witness millions of rats take free reign over an entire temple (I know what face my Mom is making as she reads this…). The worshipers pay homage and take care of the rodents and luckily, the term “rat” defines more “cute mouse” than the giant NYC sewer types. Even some Indian tourists are taken aback with this temple and are here for the spectacle more than the spiritual tidings. Pointing fingers, jaws agape they are in shock. Mothers attempt to calm the crying children who are as frightened as any unsuspecting person would be surrounded by scurrying rodents. The locals and devotees take this more seriously however- the rats here are well cared for, given milk and treated as very benevolent and sacred.
[From the entry "Touristing Rajasthan"-- Click here to read actual blog...]
There’s a heart that exists in India- its here! My stay at Shahi Palace, Jaisalmer was one of my best memories of India and its heart. It’s not only about experiencing the desert calm (and Shahi’s wonderful camel safari to the Thar Desert w/ the “Camel Man”) but its truly about the people and the friendships that you make along the way. (more…)
Hawa Mahal (its literally, just a facade…)
Sept 25, 2008
In Jaipur, “the pink city”, elephants is more of the theme. They are the vehicles of the mughal royals and Jaipur is one of the homes of the Mughal empire. Our tour takes us sightseeing at all the well-known tourist joints: the Red Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, a (more…)
Sept 24: Rajasthan to Jaipur
All has been VERY hectic here with this itinerary… We haven’t had much access to internet ever since we’ve left Delhi.
My Drive by shootings: Seeing the Rajasthan region through a plate of glass while flying itinerary-speed across the highway is a blur and only as romantic as the music in Kul’s car. Itinerary: we are on our way to Jaipur- Bikaner/Deshnok (to see the Rat Temple)- Jaisalmer! The desert landscape and passing villages are a blur and while I am excited about the newness of this all, I DO spend half of the time sleeping sandwiched between someone’s body and the door, with my ass pinched tight into the back of a little Tata car. Shitty idea to take this tour. Myself, Regina and Dan (the biggest and tallest of the group) co-mingle sweat in the cramped backseat while tiny Margaret assigns herself to the freedom and luxury of the front seat AC. Don’t ask me the logic… The car (vs. the train) is supposed to offer more time and freedom to our travels, but it doesn’t feel that way for some reason. It offers us sights but not “experiencing”.
Rajasthan is desert region, farming and camels. Camels pulling farm carts share the same road with cars and women with baskets on their heads.
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