Thursday, January 17, 2008

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur


View from the fort looking towards the city palace and the blue city below.


Jalis and Charokas


Scaffolding of trees tied with rope


Handcarved screens called jalis are typical of the region. Each is unique and filter sunlight in geometrical patterns and allow air to circulate. It's impossible to look in but easy to look out. Swooping curved stone eaves called charokas, along with jalis are the traditional Rajput architecture. Systems of interlinked courtyards are typical with clusters of built spaces held together by courtyards at various levels.


3 comments:

Melissa Anna Murphy said...

These pictures and your descriptions are so amazing Heather! I'm jealous.. We miss you guys here, but I'm glad it looks like you're having a really impressive trip!

mcb said...

wow...keep it coming! and where are you staying at night? how are you managing to post?

hk said...

We're staying in beautiful havelis- old mansions turned hotels. Very nice, but modest in amenities. There are internet places everywhere but the connection is really slow. When we find one with uptodate computers with usb then I post pics. More later!!