Jaipur - a unique fusion of traditional and modern
 

BY FLORENCE Wickramage

I was among a group of journalists who had the good fortune to spend 10 days in India as guests of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Press Association.

During our whole tour which covered three of the main Indian States - New Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh we were afforded an insight into Indian Culture and Society.

What was evident was that specially in the interior villages, high priority has been given to preserving Indian culture and traditions in the society's life-styles.

Indian women were always clad in saree or salwar kameez and men generally clad in their indigenous attire.

Those who had adopted western attire were minimal. Even where food was concerned priority was for Indian vegetarian food - Thosai, Chappati, Idley etc.- which dominated the main three meals of the day in the areas we visited. (In one instance efforts by us foreigners to find other types of food proved futile leaving us with the option of a tomato sandwich at the most).

Indian-made cars dominated the streets and trade was brisk on Indian made handicrafts, sarees, utensils etc.

Our first stop was New Delhi - India's National State Capital. The beautifully planned city houses India's seat of governance.

The tastefully landscaped city with its well kept highways and byways and historically important monumental buildings afforded a traveller an insight into India's majesty which existed in the country during the periods of mughal and Raj dynasties.

Leaving New Delhi we proceeded through Uttar Pradesh into the Rajasthan State. Right along our journey our eyes focused on green vegetation consisting of paddy fields and cash crop plantations which had helped the Indian nation to be self sufficient in food. Almost all available land had been put to good use.

We witnessed cattle grazing in well laid out pasture-lands and our guide informed us that they discourage the import of powdered-milk as cow-milk is available in plenty in the country. India produces her own tea and a good cup of Indian tea with cow milk is only Rs. 3.50.

One border of Rajasthan is fringed with a desert and the Camel known as the `ship of the desert' is used as a beast of burden in this State. Camels were seen drawing heavily laden carts, logs and other goods.

It is also another mode of travel as was witnessed during our journey.

Natives of Rajasthan have their own mode of dress and dominant colours in the material used by many women to cover their heads were red and orange, which was very striking.

Throughout our seven hour vehicle driven journey to Rajasthan we passed little market places and dwelling houses scattered here and there at long intervals.

Suddenly the sky was overcast and a heavy down-downpour refreshed the long parched dry earth to which our Indian colleague who was travelling with us commented "you Sri Lankans have come here with rain.

We did not have rain for a long period of time". We broke journey to refresh ourselves and the venue was a palatial building turned restaurant - this could well have been the luxurious home of an Indian nobleman of old.

We reached Jaipur long past evening and booked in at Hotel Aashish our resting place for the night. Incidentally Jaipur was the venue of the 61st National Congress of the Indian Federation of Journalists who was our host throughout the entire duration of our stay which was most comfortable and memorable.

The inaugural day of the congress ended with a cultural evening of Rajasthan classical music and dance.

Jaipur

According to records Jaipur meaning City of Victory was built in 1727 AD by Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II and is the capital of Rajasthan.

Initiating a new architectural style the city has been divided into nine rectangular sections said to represent the nine divisions of the universe. Even after centuries of existence Jaipur stands out as one of the few planned cities of the world.

Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City which replaced a fortified city atop Amber Hill to become the present capital.

Records also reveal that Pink City was designed and engineered by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya based on principles of city planning as laid down in the Vastu Shastra, an ancient architectural treatise.

The Pink City has been fortified with high walls and gates depicting the architecture in ancient sites of the Indus Valley civilization.

It is also learnt that Jaipur city was painted pink in honour of the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in 1876 AD and has since then adopted this unique colour scheme to earn its present epithet.

Jaipur is known as the entry point to Rajasthan and has gradually transformed itself into the metropolitan city of today contemporary in its ambience and upto date in its attitudes and lifestyles.

Jaipur is a busy city with trade and commerce flourishing. New buildings have come up side by side with the old and remnants of ancient archaeological sites still remain. Jal Mahal (water palace) located in a large lake in the city is a favourite with tourists and so are the business establishments.

The imposing Jaipur gate and the Red Fort and several old palaces are among tourist attractions that cannot be missed.

Equipped with Heritage Hotels, Fast Food Chains, Latticed Cottages and Multiplexes, Convention and Business Centres, Traditional Arts and Crafts Centres, Cyber Cafes and the world's best known brands available off the shelves makes Jaipur a unique fusion of the traditional and the modern.

Next: Taj Mahal and Mathu

Sorabora Gedera for privacy and tranquillity

REVITALIZE a dormant part of your mind, spirit and soul at the Sorabora Gedera. A must visit to every Sri Lankan who likes to experience something new and old. 'New' it is the Sorabora Gedera Hotel a star class hotel and the first in Mahiyanganaya managed by Leisure Resorts Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

The hotel is centrally located on the famous Sorabora Wewa para and it is a few seconds away from the manmade historical Sorabora Wewa. 'Old' it s the Veddha in Dambana, which is 30 minutes, drive from the hotel.

Standing in one acre of beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking the picturesque Knuckles mountain range sits the Sorabora Gedera with tastefully furnished eight air conditioned double rooms and two suites extremely comfortable for a relaxing stay. Outside the gardens a large swimming pool is built for pure leisure.

The hotel is 90 km from Kandy on the new Kandy Road driving pass three pictorial dams namely Victoria, Randenigala and Rantembe.

It's 60 km to Badulla and 90 km to Polonnaruwa from Mahiyanganaya and among the many other local attractions include the wildlife at Wasgamuwa National Park and the historical Mahiyanganaya Temple both of which are a few minutes drive away.

You could even pack a lunch and picnic at the Dambana and understand and study the way the Veddhas live.

Sorabora Gedera combines privacy and tranquillity with lush paddy fields and calming surroundings ideal to meditate.

Savour the authentic local meals or Chinese and Western at the newly opened restaurant with a host of fresh vegetables and fruits and excellent meat and seafood and it also boasts of its fresh teas.

Quench your thirst with a fresh juice at the Pool Bar or patronize the Sorabora Bar serving quality wines and spirit.

The hotel consists of a large open-plan banquet hall to host weddings, conferences or office workshops.