Jain Temple and the road to Udaipur

A bit of a lay in today meant that we caught up on some well needed sleep, even if it meant that we didn't get to see the village of Narlai as planned. The weather is a balmy 38 degrees here, made deceptively cooler by the air conditioning in the car.

On the way, we stopped off at a Jain temple in Ranakpur, which was a brilliant example of Jainist temple architecture, and had over 1000 columns, all intricately detailed on it. Never one to pass up this sort of detour, I eagerly accepted the offer of being driven here to see it, and I was not disappointed. It seems to be a tourist mecca though, as it was one of the busiest places we have visited whilst touring around Rajasthan, and for a change it was busier with foreign tourists than Indian nationals (unlike the forts, which was the other way around).  Entry to the temple means you have to adhere to strict codes of acceptability, like wearing trousers rather than shorts, taking your shoes off etc., and Sarah unfortunately couldn't enter the temple, which was a shame, but I think she was secretly happy with not having to traipse around another temple!

Jain Temple at Ranakpur - wonderful architecture, that reminded me of Cambodia

Once I got inside, I was soon taken to one side by a monk who "could feel my spiritual energy", which the cynical side of me took to mean he thought I might give him some money, and so he performed a chakra chant on me, giving me good health and strength (I think) - he was left slightly disappointed though when he asked me for a donation though, as all my money was in my leather wallet, and owing to no leather products being allowed in the temple, I had left all my cash in the car!! Still, his chant might well have worked, as I am feeling fine and dandy today, with no signs of the unpleasantness of 24 hours ago! So, I hereby promise to pop a few rupees into the next Jain temple I visit.

There were lots of columns at this temple, and idols too (but we werent allowed to photograph those)

After that visit we made our way to Udaipur. It is a smaller city than Jaipur (and even Jodhpur) so seems a lot more relaxed. However nothing could quite prepare you for entering the Lake Palace. To get here you have to go through the Maharana's (I think that is a step up from a Maharaja in terms of royalty) palace, which the mere mortals are not allowed past, and on his road there is no tuk-tuk beeping allowed, so it is a idyll of quiet and calm. our car drove us up to the jetty, as in order to get to our hotel, we have to use a boat taxi (it is a free 24 hour service provided by the hotel for its guests).

The Lake Palace - I was slightly disappointed we didn't approach it in a hollowed out crocodile a la Bond!

The Lake palace itself is unlike any hotel I have stayed in, it is not often you get to a hotel and your entrance to it they arrange for people to rain rose petals down on you from the roof! We then got a traditional greeting where they mark your head with a bindi, to bring you health and happiness, before giving us an orienteering session about the hotel.

Everything about it says plush. We have our own butler, who will help us out with anything we might want or need at the hotel (we are not that precious, so I am guessing she will have an easy time of it). We have a lake view room, which is lovely but they have upgraded us to have a lake view room overlooking the palace, which is the side you want to be at!! Also outside our front door, is the water garden, which is used in the film Octopussy (I may have mentioned that this palace was in that film before ;) ).

Our room! this is the way to live!! :D

The Water garden is outside our front door. Was used as Octopussy's swimming pool in the film!

Upon entry to the room, there were some people hastily arranging some pretty flower petal patterns on the floor (to welcome us) and also they presented us with a lovely cake and an umbrella for Sarah.  The flower petal business is the thing to be in in this country, judging by the amount of petals the Lake Palace get through!!

Beautiful petal arrangement on our floor to welcome us!!

Wonderful cake depicting scene from a Hindu love story.

Me doing the gentlemanly thing and holding the umbrella over Sarah.....

Nothing is too much trouble for the staff here, we can have food when we want and where we want it, drinks anywhere we like, they will be delivered to us. In all it is very relaxing here!!

A coincidence? Octopussy was on the telly when we arrived!!

We even get a menu for our duvet and pillows!