Getting Ready for Diwali - November 11, 2012

A couple of evenings ago, my friend, Ajay Shekhawat, of the Umaid Mahal Hotel,
took me out to see Jaipur's preparations for Diwali, celebrated by Indians in all
parts of the world.  Diwali, popularly known as "the festival of the lights", is a five
day celebration, very important in the Hindu world.  Families perform traditional
celebrations in their homes and small lamps are lit to signify the triumph of good
over evil.  To learn more about Diwali, go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
or:   http://www.diwalifestival.org/.  Puja or offerings are made to the gods/
goddesses and gifts are exchanged among family or friends.

As we rode through the street of downtown Jaipur and to one of the busiest bazaars,
I was reminded of our own Christmas.  Of course, it was a few days before Diwali 
and all the lights were not yet up.  They don't start a month in advance as our
retailers do in the U. S. It was noisy and crowded, though, at 8PM and I was told 
that in two days, vehicular traffic would be impossible and everyone would be on
foot.

My night photography isn't the best but, at least, you'll get an idea.

We rode from Bani Park, where I live, into town, in an autorickshaw

Here the streets aren't so crowded but it all changes in a minute!

Jaipur is so much less crowded than Mumbai or Delhi

I'd like to go back and see what it looks like now, two days later!

Jaipur has some of the most beautiful architecture.

Ajay decides we should switch to a bicycle rickshaw so I can get

better shots

This is the brave soul who decides he can pull me!

Even though I've lost weight, Ajay has a tight squeeze fitting

next to me!

Most Indian business communities begin their financial

year on Dhanteras, the day the festival starts.

One's house is cleaned to make the goddess, Lakshmi, the

goddess of wealth, feel welcome

Now, it is very crowded in the streets and stores are busy.

This could be last minute Christmas shopping in the U. S.!

There are so many motorcycles parked, it's hard to get to the shops!

Rajasthan does have a helmet law - but the chin straps are
rarely fastened nor do second ( or 3rd passenger  ) 
seldom have one ) and children don't wear them!

This is the only cow I saw wandering in the downtown area.
From the looks of him, he doesn't find much to eat.

Ajay says oil and cotton are put in these little holders to

make Diwali lights....doesn't seem to safe around children!

People shop for new clothes for Diwali

I'm not sure if these guys were just waiting for their wives or what!


Happy Diwali to all!

Mellow Yellow Monday #199- A Last Burros and a Bus

I saved my last burro picture because it was so perfect for Mellow Yellow 

Monday,crossing in front of that bright yellow bus.  I thought it interesting that,

while the group of six of them had some sort of collars around their necks,

they were walking unattended in the streets, staying with each other, but

no human seemed to be in sight, in attendance.  My friend, Ajay, manager

of the Umaid Mahal Hotel, tells me there are hundreds of burros in Jaipur.  I

just haven't seen them.

I am partiipating in that cheery Mellow Yellow Monday meme -

add your photo with a bit of yellow and join in the fun.

On Veteran's Day Far From Home - November 11, 2012

I'm still here in India on this Veteran's Day, remembering those near and dear
to me who have been in our Armed Forces.  Both my father and stepfather were 
Army officers, my oldest son's father was an Air Force officer and our son, Shawn, 
recently was promoted to master sgt in the Air Force reserves.  I am from Columbus,
Georgia, where  Ft. Benning is located.  It is the "home of the Infantry" and the
Army's Airborne School. I grew up as part of the military and watched thousands of
young men train and leave for Vietnam, many dear friends.  It has been the same all
 of my life, through other periods of conflict in the world - brave young men and women serving their country, many of them not returning to their families, making the ultimate
sacrifice for their country.

A friend of mine, a former California highway patrol officer from our old  Prodigy
"cops and crime" chat room, in which I participated, emailed me this video today.  I
found it very moving and I wanted to share it.  

On this Veteran's Day, my prayers are with those who have served, no

matter what country you are from - and to their families and loved ones.

Camera Critters #240 - Indian Burros - Saturday, November 11, 2012

When on my morning stroll up to the corner of our neighborhood in search of

fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, assorted chilis, ginger, and bananas
and apples,  I was suprised to see this little troup of burros stroll by, all on their 
own.  It felt like a scene from a Rio Grande movie shot on the Mexican border, 
not Jaipur, India.  The seemed to be out by thenselves,, without any human 
around them, stopping here and there to nibble at food thrown out for the cows.

I am participating in Camera Critters, #240.  Add 

your critter photo photo to join in the fun.

.  

My Evening in Jaipur Celebrating Karwa Chauth - November 8, 2012

Though it has taken me awhile to write about it and to show you the photographs,
I had the beautiful experience of being invited to share in part of the celebration of 
Karwa ( Karva ) Chauth by Geetanjali Rathore, who is part of my Jaipur "family."

Karwa Chauth is a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women, seeking
longevity, prosperity and well-being for their husbands.  It is practiced mainly in
northern and western India, especially Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh,
and Gujarat ( about.com: Hinduism ) and in other locales settled by Indians from
these areas.  Karwa Chauth takes place nine days before Diwali.

Women begin preparing several days in advance, buying cosmetics, preparing
their traditional ornaments and jewelry, and their finest clothing.  If the mother-in-law
lives in the home, she prepares the pre-dawn meal.  At dawn, the fast begins and
no food or water is taken after sunrise until the moon appears.  The day is spent
visiting friends, often exchanging gifts.  

In the evening, a women only ceremony is held, with the women dressed in their
finest attire, often in their wedding saris, their best jewelry, with lovely henna designs
on their hands.  They dance and perform special rituals.  Traditionally, the husband
gives the wife her first sip of water and taste of sweets to break the fast.  It is also
expected that the husband will give wife a lovely gift at the end of the evening.

I asked and there is no corresponding fast for the longevity of wives!!

I felt very honored to be part of this wonderful evening.  The women were so
beautiful in their saris and the traditional Rajasthani dress.  The colors were amazing!
They looked like blooming hot house flowers.  I've never seen such incredible
jewelry. After dinner was served, musicians played and the ladies danced.  As they
twirled about, other ladies waved rupee bills over their heads, then gave them to
the musicians.  They even coaxed me up to dance.

Being part of Karwa Chauth was a perfect end to my five months in Jaipur.  I'll still
be here for the beginning of Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated in India
and all over the world where Indians have settled - a wonderful farewell for me.

Photographs of deceased family 

Garlands are used at shrines, temples and memorials

Gifts for the ladies

I am not sure what was inside this!

The musicians for the evening who played traditional Rajasthani music

Beautiful hands and jewelry of our hostess, Geetanjali Rathore

Geetanjali and another guest - I wish I had written down all the names!

Making sure everything is in place

Mrs. Ranvijay Rathore in her wedding sari

Her day will come

This looks sort of like an accordion.

Geetanjali - lovely makeup and jewelry

This young lady stayed near me all evening, wanting to learn to take pictures

Women of Jaipur's lovely heritage hotels, Umaid Mahal and Umaid Bhawan

Geetanjali Rathore and her sister

Preparing the puja or offerings

Dining area

Let the dancing begin!

Longevity, prosperity and well-being to all Hindu husbands and to their lovely

wives as well.  Thank you for sharing this special event with me and letting me

appreciate another special event in your culture.

Thank you to :

bhttp://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/karwachauth.htm

and

http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/karwachauth.htm

for the information about Karwa Chauth.