Jodhpur, the Blue City

Jodhpur is known both as the Sun City and the Blue City. I've been here once before when it was not sunny, but rainy, but it was still definitely blue.  Quite an impressive sight, especially from Mehrangarh Fort, which you'll see tomorrow.

In the train to Pushkar

Credit cards accepted

Almost makes you feel like using your credit card for cash even if you don't have to.

Room for everyone

Don't you just love this?  This isn't our guest house in Rishikesh, but cows are welcome everywhere.

Snoozing...or not quite...in the shade

Still practicing my hip shots here in India, though this Buddhist monk was nobody's fool, since I think he may have known.  He is a monk at the Gyato Monastery of Tantric Buddhism near Dharamsala.

Offerings to the Ganges at Hardiwar

My posts are a little out of order since I am never sure where I'll find an Internet cafe. I am no longer in Dharamsala, but in Rishikesh, were the Beatles once studied with their maharishi.  Last evening we went to Haridwar, one of India's most holy Hindu sites, and watched the 'puja' ceremony (offerings to the Ganges) and it was an experience not to be forgotten, and to think it goes on every evening.  Chanting, incense, colors, music....and the people. In the photo you see a leaf basket filled with flowers and a candle that someone has set afloat on the rapidly-flowing river. I cast in my marigold 'mala' that I had received bought at one of the temples we visited.

And Happy Birthday today to my friend Marianne!

Golden Temple in Amritsar

From Dharamsala our small group took a 5-hour bus ride (one way....) to Amritsar, holy city of the Sikhs.  Above is the Golden Temple, an absolutely splendid place as you can well imagine from the photograph.

India-Pakistran Border Ceremony

 From the title you might think that the India-Pakistan border might be a dangerous place, and perhaps sometimes it is.  However, every evening just before sunset, both countries' borders stage a super show when they close their borders.  Lots of strutting, horn blowing, cheering from the packed crowds, and overall just plain fun....why can't this happen in real life?    Here you see handsome two strutting Indian guards.

Last day in Dharamsala

A sneak shot....old woman seated with her mala, which are prayer beads.

Norbulingka Institute for the Preservation of Tibetan Culture

Just outside of Dharamsala is the Norbulingka Institute for the Preservation of Tibetan Culture, a haven for artists of all kinds. In 2011 I showed you this close-up of a Buddha's head.  Don't mind visiting this place again at all.

Tibetan momos

I love momos, which are made from a simple flour and water dough and are filled with a mixture of vegetables, meat, or local cheese, then steamed.  They're usually served with some kind of spicy sauce.  My friend is holding hers. I ate mine  before I took the photo....