TRAVEL, PHOTOGRAPHY
The Enchanting Lac Bangles Of Jaipur.
A Travelogue. Part 1.
‘’Traveling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller ‘’
Ibn Battuta.
The Ranthambore National Park and forest safari made me speechless and I am trying to find words to describe the quiet and deceptive charm of the forest!
My husband and kids planned a trip to The Ranthambore National Park along with some other family members. I insisted if they included Jaipur and Rajasthan also in the itinerary I would join in. My husband didn’t show any interest, a tug of war followed and I refused to join the trip and I forgot all about it. Their tickets were booked for the 19th of June. But on the 18th when my daughter started packing the bags I felt a pull which was too much to ignore. I gingerly asked my husband if I too can join them. My husband got my flight tickets happily. Probably he was feeling bad too. I am so grateful to him for this gesture of love. I too packed my bags and got ready in no time.
On the 19th of June, my family of four boarded a flight to Jaipur from Pune. The other eight members of our group were to reach Sawai Madhopur by rail. The excitement was palpable. I was visiting Jaipur for the first time. Jaipur is a royal city in Rajasthan which is called The Pink City and a place of great tourist attraction. I eagerly strained my neck from the window shutter as we approached Jaipur, to get an aerial glimpse of The Pink City.
I asked a sleepy student who was sitting next to me,
‘’ Why is Jaipur called Pink City?’’
She replied sleepily,
‘’ Some Prince was visiting this city long back, and city walls were painted pink to welcome him’’.
After returning from my short visit, I felt more curious about this great Prince who visited Jaipur and did my homework.
The city of Jaipur was painted pink in 1876 to welcome Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert. The walls and most buildings of the city are still painted in pastel pink. The beautiful city of Jaipur was made in the 1700s by Maharaja Sawai Raja Jai Singh II.
A patron of art, Maharaja Jai Sigh brought many artisans and craftsmen from all over India to the capital city of Jaipur. There are many majestic palaces and forts made from stone and crafted with great skill throughout the city made by thousands of craftsmen as they etched their soulful art into walls and pillars of stone.
Among them were artisans from the Manihar community whose expertise was making decorated lac bangles. These decorated bangles are a part of traditional accessories for brides even today. In the mythological stories, It is said that Lord Shiva gifted these ornate bangles to His wife Parvati at the time of their wedding!
Lac is a natural resin secreted by insects known as Kerria lacca. These beads of secretions are found on tree barks and branches. These are collected and processed to make Shellac flakes. Artisans melt the Shellac flakes and mold them into soft coils. These coils are heated and shaped into bangles. Intricate designs are then carved onto these bangles with small beads, pearls, and precious stones. The vibrant colors of these bangles match the traditional Bandhani textile of Rajasthan.
Unfortunately, A tour of Jaipur City was not on our itinerary. We went directly to Sawai Madhopur city from Jaipur airport for the Ranthambore forest safari. Needless to mention I missed visiting Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and the great shopping experience at Jaipur! I was aware of Jaipur’s beautiful Bandhani and lehariya sarees and handmade artifacts and lac bangles.
I kept silent as our car sped through a seamless highway surrounded only by miles and miles of barren fields which lay bare after the summer harvest. In miles and miles of nothingness was hidden a sense of great abundance! There was a fullness in the emptiness, which I longed to explore!
We went past villagers traveling in colorful tuk-tuks and tractors. Couples sped by on motorbikes. Women covered their heads with long and delicate yellow, green, and maroon Odhnis. Their odhnis stood out and brightened up the surroundings.
Odhnis are fine stoles with beautiful artwork, beads, and small mirrors embedded in them. Gagras (skirts) Cholis (blouses) and odhnis are essential parts of the traditional women’s ensemble in Rajasthan. Women covered their torsos, heads, and sometimes faces with odhnis.
After 4 hours of driving, we reached our hotel by 8 pm. Our group who were coming by train were delayed by 4 hours. I was tired but not out. There was a drizzle of the first rains of the monsoon. I captured the first impression of the haveli when I stepped out on that beautiful night!
To be Continued…
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