Year 2016 started with a lot of work and new challenges.
Since 2011, I am visiting Jaipur in the month of January for the Literature festival.
This year also, I spent a week in exploring Jaipur.
Unlike, last few years, this time it was more exciting.
Day 1 started with attending the talk of legendary photographer
‘Don McCullin‘.
Next was Ruskin Bond, talking about his famous book ‘Room on the Roof‘.
People were so crazy to attend his session, that some didn’t mind to climb the trees also.
And those who couldn’t even get the sight from the trees, they stood in the queue for
getting the book signed by Mr. Bond.
Just like this young girl, Aparna.
The stock of his book was over just in one day. I couldn’t get any of his
famous book, hence, bought this collection of stories by Ruskin Bond in Hindi only.
All this just for his signature 😛
After the festival, I spent rest of my day at the famous cafe ‘Tapri‘ along with my friends.
Day 2, started with another master of photography ‘Steve McCurry‘.
People who couldn’t enter Durbar Hall, stood outside only in the queue for atleast getting the photographer’s signature on their book.
Fortunately, I also got my book signed by him 🙂
Stephen Fry was the other highlight of the festival. His sense of humor
made the sessions even more interesting.
In between, there were some political sessions as well.
I picked up some beautiful poetry books from the festival.
This includes a book by Gulzar sahab.
Unfortunately, this book is written in Urdu which I can’t read 🙁
But with the cover design and feel of the book, I bought this book for my collection.
Day 3, began with mad crowd for Gulzar sahab session.
Here you can listen to him :
Gulzar Sahab in the festival
I couldn’t grab a seat for myself, hence stood in the queue
to get his valuable signature after the session.
The venue ‘Diggi Palace’ was beautifully decorated with puppets and leheriya dupattas.
My love for Bougainvillea is much visible in my photographs.
Diggi Palace was lit up with that pink color flower.
This was the time, just after Makar Sankranti, when people fly kites in the city.
I noticed several trees with kites on their branch.
The minimal pattern on the tents were my favorite.
After 3 days in the festival, we started exploring Jaipur.
Our first stop was Albert Hall Museum.
Pigeons flying around the museum was a beautiful sight.
Next, we headed to the old market of city Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal, standing tall in the busy market was spectacular.
Rare things caught my attention in that busy market.
Like this radio on a rickshaw.
Next, was the famous Nahargarh Fort.
This fort stands on the edge of Aravalli hills.
The huge fort is on the peak, from where you can see the entire city of Jaipur.
We were there till the sunset. It was a magical view from the top of the fort.
On the way back, I got my eyes on the beautiful moon.
I couldn’t resist capturing the same in my camera.
On the way back to home, we stopped for some time at Jal Mahal.
Last but not the least, the beautiful couple with whom I could explore Jaipur this way 🙂
There are several other things, I came across in Jaipur.
You will find them all here on this platform in few days.
Just in case, you are planning to visit Jaipur,
do visit the forts and old market of the city.
As, I say the real gold is in the old markets and not the fancy high buildings.
Goodnight.
Ant!
