A trip out to the Hawa Mahal

Today, Rani and I set out to see the Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal is another of Jaipur's tourist sights. Also known as the Palace of the Winds, it was a palace built in 1799 by the Raj of Jaipur to allow royal ladies to look out on the city. It rests in the center of the Old City.

The building has five stories: Sharad Mandir, Ratan Mandir, Vichitra Mandir, Prakash Mandir, and, Hawa Mandir.

Inside, some of the windows have stained glass

There are also many ornately carved doors

Me in the Hawa Mahal

Rani in the Hawa Mahal

View out one of the many windows

View of Jaipur from the top of the Hawa Mahal

View of Amer Fort from the top of the Hawa Mahal

Selfie on the top of Hawa Mahal!

After the Hawa Mahal, we made our way out into the Old City. I knew we were by the Johari Bazaar (the bazaar Rani and I visited on Monday) and I was able to find the way through the bazaar to the restaurant we were going to for lunch, without a map. (and I only had to ask two people on the street!) The Lonely Planet guidebook recommended this place called Ganesh Restaurant. It's entrance is a tiny hole in the wall between two tailors, and you must walk up this narrow staircase until you reach the roof, and there is the restaurant!

 We sat outside and I ordered Gurda Masala, not really knowing what it is. (I later found out from Purnima, the cook, that Gurda is kidney beans.) It was in a spicy sauce and was quite delicious. Rani got a lassiwala (a sweet yogurt drink) and I got masala chai (tea with milk and spices). We also shared butter naan. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.

Gurda Masala

Lassiwala

 At the end of the meal, our waiter brought over these two dishes: one filled with green seeds and one filled with sugar cubes. He put a little bit of the seeds and the little bit of the sugar in our hands and motioned for us to eat it. We figured why not. Turns out it was anise seed (used in licorice) and sugar, meant to clean the palate. It did clean the palate, but it wasn't very enjoyable to choke down.

Anise and Sugar

After lunch, we found an autorickshaw and headed back to the home, just in time to leave for our project.