A Clear Day In The Blue City Of Jodhpur

Even as I left, the scent of the marketplace clung to my skin.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

I arrived in Jodhpur with the rain, which made the city smell fresh and clean, as though it had been scrubbed free of sand and camel dung. After settling into my hotel, I headed to Pal Haveli, a noble family's home turned restaurant and hotel. The rain had stopped and the sky was dark and dramatic as I walked up to the rooftop terrace. Spread out before me was a panoramic view of Jodhpur's iconic fort, Mehran Garh, and the main city square. As fireworks lit up the night sky, I feasted on butter naan, chicken masala, and lentil stew.

2012-05-02-IMG_3216800x600.jpg

The Royal Crematorium is where all the members of the royal family are cremated and memorialized. A small lake leads up to the gardens that surround the monuments, used only by the royal family for cleansing. Then begin the smaller monuments, used to mark the site of cremation for the wives, children, and close family of the King. Each marker is set in a lush, green garden, with views of the entire city behind it. Finally, the large building set at the top of the hill belongs to the kings of Jodhpur. Removing my shoes, I slowly walked up the cool marble steps and entered the chamber. With its open windows and doors the room was light and airy, rimmed with photos of every previous ruler in Jodhpur. At the center was a throne, set with an image of the current king's father, and surrounded by flowers and silver ornaments.

It was a quiet, peaceful space, where locals and visitors could come and pay their respects to the late kings of Jodhpur.

2012-05-02-IMG_3364800x600.jpg

I then headed to Jodhpur's crown jewel, the Mehran Garh fort. Towering above me, the fort offered two choices: Walk up the staggering number of stairs to the top or take the newly added elevator. I decided to take the elevator up, and walk and explore my way down. The doors opened and I was let out onto a wide-open platform overlooking the entire city. Finally, a perfect view of the blue city itself. Originally painted blue to identify the homes of Brahmans, or priests, the rest of the city followed suit as a home remedy against mosquitoes, and in the hopes of cooling their houses down in the hot summer months.

2012-05-02-IMG_3437800x600.jpg

The fort wove its way slowly down and I wandered through the different quarters. There was latticework so detailed it resembled a piece of lace carved right into the stone walls. There were rooms filled with Howdahs, the giant carved seat used atop an elephant, and then there was the hall of mirrors, a room so ornate, you would be hard pressed to find a bare patch of wall. I took my final steps down the stone walkway and through the elephant sized gate to the soft, tinkling sounds of the local musicians. I felt like I could stare out at the city view for hours, but when Raghu asked if I was ready to visit the local marketplace, I knew that no view could hold me back.

2012-05-02-IMG_3606800x600.jpg

The central marketplace in Jodhpur is easily marked by its clock tower. Blankets and baskets overflowing with goods line the streets, and tuk tuks, scooters and bull-drawn wagons teem through the already busy area. If the sounds and sights were not overwhelming enough, the smells permeating the air from the spice stalls were enough to send my senses into overdrive. I wove my way from stall to stall, passing through the different sections of the markets. There were multicolored pashminas and bolts of fabrics, heaping bowls of saffron, rice, and dahl, and shimmering saris, embroidered with silver threads and jewels. I bought a golden pashmina for 80 rupees, less than $2, before I entered hub of pashminas known as Maharani Art Exporters. Utilized by some of the top fashion houses around the world, Maharani creates both custom pashminas and traditional Indian designs. With a showroom of eight levels, each wall crammed from floor to ceiling with carpets, scarves, embroidered shawls, and blankets; anything that you could ever imagine can likely be found here. Whether or not you'll find it in knock-off form, is hard to know.

I left with a soft as a cloud vicuña scarf in a pale white, and a bold red cashmere pashmina, perfect for the cold New York winters.

Arms bundled down with pashminas and spices, I took one last look at the brilliantly blue city of Jodhpur. Even as I left, the scent of the marketplace clung to my skin.

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE