Cal and VA | Adventures | India

Previous Day Prev P

Next Day Next N

Monday, December 10, 2018 - Toorji Ka Jhalra (Toorji's Step Well) is right next to our hotel - we could see into it from the room!!! I enjoy exploring the many step wells of India, so I spent a lot of time next door.

india2018 — Toorji's Step Well

india2018 — This step well is nicely decorated with platforms, balconies, and patios to enjoy the water.

india2018 — There were many fish in the water - so there were many fishing birds hanging around.

india2018 — Stepwells were not only sources of drinking water, but cool sanctuaries for bathing, prayer, and meditation.

india2018 — As the fish attract the birds - the birds attracted dogs. The dogs were fun to watch as they hunted the birds on the steps. They did not even come close as the birds easily flew away.

india2018 — Looking for breakfast

india2018 — As we packed up to leave the sun touched the fort and I could not resist another picture.

india2018 — Driving along a road to Udaipur we happened to see these two heading the opposite way.

Sandosh was a great driver - and the Indian roads were pretty chaotic.

india2018 — On the road to Udaipur is the Ranakpur Jain temple

india2018 — Our guide, Sanjay Gupta, met us at the Jain temple where we learn that the Jain represent only 4% of the population in India - 80% are Hindus.

india2018 — We learn that Adinot was the first prophet of Jainism which has two sects - Monks who wear white and Nuns. Their main tenet is to respect all living beings and not to kill anything. Whether you are human, an animal, an insect, or a plant - all are considered sacred. Jains worship the 7 Chakras of the body.

india2018 — Depiction of Kalpavriksha - is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hindu mythology

india2018 — The Cobra prophet has a halo of 1000 cobra heads.

Priests were present in the temple and busy burning sandalwood to place the ashes on the foreheads of the idols and mark the foreheads of those touring the temple. This is a sign of welcome and an expression of respect and honor. The head is considered the most important chakra, and ashes on the forehead help one stay centered and focused. Who wouldn't benefit from a little help to this area.

india2018 — This temple is considered one of the most beautiful in India.

Construction began in 1439 and it took 27 years to build the completely marble structure with round-the-clock labor each and every day. The pillars at each of its four doors of entry facing North, South, East, and West are all unique but similar.

india2018 — There are 1,144 columns throughout the temple. One column was left slightly tilted as it was believed that its imperfection would help ward off evil spirits. This imperfection affirms that, like most of us, this structure is not perfect.

india2018 — As you look at the main statue of Adinot, he looks very similar to Buddha, sitting cross-legged on a book. There are a total of 24 prophets all sitting on pillows adorned with lion and moon carvings.

Walking around the temple, we could see yellow and red-robed men who are Hindu and priests (Brahmins) taking care of the Jain temple. The temple remained unused for 300 years and then 80 years ago it became active again.

india2018 — We learn that Awrangzeb was the Muslim Moghul who destroyed the temple. Awrangzeb is the son of Shah Jahan, the man who built the Taj Mahal in Agra to house the tomb of his favorite wife.

india2018 — Beautiful carved marble ceiling

india2018 — I tried to get the elephant and ceiling in the same picture - just overwhelming artistry

india2018 — A central courtyard allowing the sky in

india2018 — A courtyard in the temple with a fig tree reaching for the sky.

india2018 — The footprints of the prophet

india2018 — As we wandered the temple we came across a wedding party from Udaipur visiting as we were. This young lady posed with Virginia Ann.

india2018 — Roses surround a small statue set of monkeys

india2018 — There were many carvings of elephants in the temple, which is a symbol of prosperity.

On one of the elephants rides a woman who is Adinot's mother. The story goes that when Adinot became enlightened, she rode the elephant into the wilderness to greet her son.

india2018 — We were not allowed close to this statue which was in the area sacred to the Jain. It is decorated in flowers and silver.

india2018 — Small footprints representing the prophet on a simple statue in the hills overlooking the temple. We hiked up to get the picture of the temple in the jungle.

As we drove away from the temple, we were on roads that cut through an animal preserve where monkeys, panthers, bears, and antelope live.

The area is surrounded by the Arayeli Mountain range, the world's oldest mountain range. Udaipur, our next destination, is on the other side of these mountains.

india2018 — Our hotel was accessed via a boat across Lake Pichola - it can be seen over the bow on the water's edge. A day prior to our arrival it was at capacity with wedding party types.

We learned that the daughter of India's wealthiest business person, Mukish Arbani, CEO of The Reliance Group, was married in Udaipur just days before we arrived. Many dignitaries and celebs were in attendance including Hillary Clinton, Tim Cook, Taylor Swift, and John Kerry to name a few.

india2018 — The royal palace from the water.

india2018 — How incredibly cool is it to travel to your hotel via a boat? The ride itself was brief, romantic, and the welcome we received as we disembarked at the Leela Hotel pier was beyond imagination.

More of the city palace - it is very big - we will visit tomorrow

india2018 — The city palace from our hotel at sunset

india2018 — The Water Palace - which is a hotel on an island from our hotel.

Previous Day Prev P

Next Day Next N

Top

Top

Cal and VA | Adventures | India

© Cal and Virginia Ann Holman All Rights Reserved 2000-2025

Modified last on Aug 17, 2025, 6:36:43?PM