The day started with a three hour drive into the middle
of nowhere. Along the way we saw the usual interesting rural life.
A real highlight was a stop to see a pair of bullocks walking in circles and running a water wheel used to irrigate some fields. The farmer was very accommodating and allowed several of us to ride the contraption (no idea what it was called).
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We also saw a couple of people in small boats who were harvesting water chestnuts.
And of course, since it was India we saw more monkeys.
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The destination was the Ranakpur Temple, another Jain Temple. The temple was built in the 15th century. Mogul invaders damage the temple, but it has been restored.
The temple has 1444 pillars with no two alike. One leans slightly to symbolize that only god can create perfection.
Every surface of the building was covered with carvings and statuary...
and the ceilings were particularly spectacular.
It is considered to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples.
A real highlight was a stop to see a pair of bullocks walking in circles and running a water wheel used to irrigate some fields. The farmer was very accommodating and allowed several of us to ride the contraption (no idea what it was called).
*******************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************
We also saw a couple of people in small boats who were harvesting water chestnuts.
The destination was the Ranakpur Temple, another Jain Temple. The temple was built in the 15th century. Mogul invaders damage the temple, but it has been restored.
The temple has 1444 pillars with no two alike. One leans slightly to symbolize that only god can create perfection.
Every surface of the building was covered with carvings and statuary...
and the ceilings were particularly spectacular.
It is considered to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples.
We then had lunch at 3:00 (way too late…we were all
starved) and then took the long drive back...with more monkeys to admire.
While the temple was beautiful we are still trying to decide if it was worth the very long time on the road (5 ½ hour driving for one hour sightseeing).
While the temple was beautiful we are still trying to decide if it was worth the very long time on the road (5 ½ hour driving for one hour sightseeing).
We got back too late to go to the cultural show so we
stopped at a craft emporium to see some “miniature” painting (actually regular
size pictures but with microscopic or miniature figures). The building also had marble and lots of
fabrics.
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