Picto Diary - 12 January 2016 - Kumbhalgarh and Chaumukha Mandir

Above: Comic Mom and TIMDT pose at Kumbhalgarh Fort. Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

The fort was constructed almost 2000 years ago and was dormant for 1500 years. It was rebuilt during the 15th century and enlarged through the 19th century.It is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar.

Pratap Singh, (1540 to 1597) was the ruler of Mewar, a region in present day Rajasthan. he is widely regarded as a fearless warrior and ingenious strategist, who successfully fought the Mughals and safeguarded his people. In Indian popular culture, he is hailed as an inspirational figure for exemplifying gallantry and resourcefulness.

Kumbhalgarh separated Mewar and Marwar from each other and was used as a place of refuge for the rulers of Mewar at times of danger. The fort remained impregnable to direct assault and fell only once, due to a shortage of drinking water, to the combined forces of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh of Amber, Raja Udai Singh of Marwar, and Mirzas in Gujarat. Even then, the fort was only occupied for two days, before being recaptured by the Merwaris.

Above: The walls of the fort of Kumbhalgarh. Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

Image captured from atop Kumbhalgarh fort. Our bus could not make it through a gate about 2km from the fort. Some of us decided to walk the distance. A safari car was hired to take the others. Between the walk to the fort and climbing to the top of the fort I estimate that we covered about 500 vertical feet. I was glad for the exercise.

The walls extend over 38 km, clamied to be the second-longest continuous wall after The Great Wall of China.

"The Great Wall of India?"

Above: Lemurs scrounge from offerings at Hanuman idol. End of mountain road. Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

Hunuman is a Hindu god and an ardent devotee of the god Rama. He is a central character in the Hindu epic Ramayana. A monkey, Hunuman participated in Rama's war against the demon king Ravana.

In an ancient Hindu text, Rama describes Hunuman's qualities:

Ablest sentence maker
Knower of all Vedas and scriptures.
Scholar in nine schools of grammars.
Possessing faultless speech and facial features.

Hanuman is worshipped by villagers as a boundary guardian, by Shiva ascetics as a Yogi, and by wrestlers for his strength. There are numerous temples for Hanuman, and his images are usually installed at all temples where images of avatars of Vishnu are installed. Hanuman temples are believed to keep the area and surroundings free of demons.

Hunuman idols are found on mountain roads (as pictured above) because it is believed that he protects people from accidents.

Above: "Persian Wheel." Road from Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur. Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

The Persian Wheel, operated by draught animals, is used to lift water from open wells.

The "Persian Well" was probably invented in ancient India. But, with its use also in Iran (Persia) it came to be called the Persian wheel. The device is mentioned in Indian texts that go back as far as third century BCE.

Seeing a device used 1800 years ago and still used in common practice today is sobering... one more example of the contrast of extremes that is India today... another example of India's constant assault on the senses... one of the reasons why India, as a travel destination, is so compelling, and worth returning to year after year.

Above: Bishop surveys Chaumukha Mandir. Ranakpur, Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

All marble Jain temple built in the 15th century. 1444 individually engraved pillars. One of the most important centers of Jainism in India.

Jainism is one of four religions birthed in India. 0.6% of the Indian population is Jain... 6 or 7 million.

Jainism came about in the 6th century BC, about the time of Buddha. Buddhism is also a religion founded in India. There is no founder, per se, of Jainism. Guru Rishabha was the first of 24 revered gurus... but the religion only took hold as a result of the teachings of all 24 gurus (called Tritankaras).

Jainism prescribes a path of non-injury towards all living beings. Practitioners believe non-violence and self-control are the means to liberation. Jains must observe five major vows: not lying, not stealing, chastity, truth telling, and non attachment.

Self discipline and asceticism are major focuses of Jainism. "The function of souls is to help one another," is the motto of Jainism.

Jainism rejects the idea of a creator or destroyer god and postulates an eternal universe.

A disproportionate number of top business figures in India and abroad are Jains.

Above: Shock and Awe... er, Bishop. Chaumukha Mandir. Ranakpur, Rajasthan, India. 12 January 2016.

Note behind us a few of the individually carved 1444 marble pillars.

When you think you've seen everything in India, something new, like this temple of staggering, complex workmanship pops up.

We visited a Jain temple in Calcutta a year ago, and another, in Chandni Chowk, a couple of weeks ago.

Addendum:


The pictures taken by Mom reminding me when Max was first on the slopes it was a great event; in fact I still look at the photos and smile deleted all are enjoying as much as I did -Max is a freshman at the University of Arizona time flies 😇

Mr. Z3,
Ojai, Ca


beautiful wild life thanks for sharing

LaDoc and LaPsy,
Los Angeles, CA

Steve,

You must have some powerful ju-ju to make a leopard pose for you. Remember our trip in southeastern Africa in Kreuger National Park when our lead South African guide, Rikis (sp?) declined to join us on our game viewing expedition and, with YOUR presence, we saw a leopard lying on a tree branch posing for us? Rikis couldn’t believe it- he said that he had seen all of the African “Big Five” except a leopard, even though he had been out there 15 times.

Gotta’ be your charm. Thanks for the shots,

Ahn Rhee, Larkspur, CA

Congrats....reads like a novel.

Bronx Girl, Pelham, NY

Thanks Steve! A truly exciting read!

Manhattan, Park City, UT

So impressive! Your decision, Nagani, and your reporting. Thanks

Espresso, Washington, D.C.

great shots Steve love the Robin composition.

Brand, Venice, CA