Submitted by Dimple Swain on the 2024 Winter ENGL program in India …
Leaving Assam and the Golden Triangle
Our time at Parijat Academy was an interesting experience. We learned a lot about the handloom business. We went to a worm silk farm to see how different handlooms are made. The different kinds are muga, eri, tasar, and mulberry. The process of creating fine silk handloom is so intricate that the weavers should be given more appreciation for their work. Our time in Assam came to an end. My roommate and I learned a lot about our host mother and how cool she is: she ran a marathon, has modeled, and has participated in women’s car rallies in India. Departing our homestay was truly sad, but we were so thankful to have had a great host family.
We flew back to Delhi and from the window of the flight, we could see the Himalayas. This reminded me of our trek up the foothills and how far all of us have come since the last time we were in Delhi. Eager to visit Old Delhi, we were shocked by the loud, cramped, colorful bustling streets. We visited Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest shopping areas with markets full of various things. Seeing the beautiful dresses on the wedding street, I decided that I would come back here and shop for my wedding. After all, I will be having an Indian wedding. The next day was our free day. Some of the girls decided to get tattoos and piercings, while three of us decided to visit some nearby shops. Coming out of one of the shops, we were told that there was a great bazaar with many different traditional items that we would like, so we decided why not check it out. At first sight, I told myself that when I had enough money, I would buy all of the great handicrafts, but when it came to it, I bought “one of a kind” archived postcards from the British ruling that had handmade paintings on it with vegetable dyes. My friends and I were stunned and bought them, but after returning to the hotel, we realized that the place we were taken to, Indian Loom, was a scam. Classical India am I right?
Monday we set off for the Taj Mahal. Seeing one of the wonders of the world is a breathtaking experience for sure. I could not believe that after so long, I was finally able to see it. The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra. From the outside, no one can see the structure since it is surrounded by a boundary. That is how precious it is. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, ordered to build the Taj Mahal (“crown palace”) to perpetuate the memory of his second and favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is a tomb for her, but he was also burried there after his death. It is estimated that 20,000 workers helped build the structure, but after construction, it is rumored that Shah Jahan commanded to chop off the hands of all 20,000 workers in case of any replication. The marble and other beautiful gems on the fascinating piece are marvelous. The Taj Mahal was built using white marble, but it includes other gems, such as carnelian, jade, and lapis lazuli.
Now we are on our way to Jaipur, completing the Golden Triangle. I am so excited because I have always wanted to see Rajasthan. I cannot wait!!! (Submitted on January 28, 2024)
The Pink City and Our Farewell to Delhi
JAIPUR JAIPUR JAIPUR!! The Pink City. The capital and largest city of Rajasthan. Known as the Gateway of Rajasthan. The “pink” of the Pink City’s walls is Gerua (or ochre), in which the city was coated during the visit of the Prince of Wales. I have been most excited to see Jaipur more than any other place on this trip. Rajasthan is a beautiful state and I wish I could have had more time there.
Our first full day in Jaipur had a packed schedule. We visited the Amber/Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, markets, and the City Palace. Amber Fort is a jewel of Jaipur, with its majestic, beautiful architecture and rich history. The Amber Fort brought out the child in all of us, as we were running around the maze of a palace, trying to discover all the nooks. After, we stopped by at the Hawa Mahal, a palace built from red and pink sandstone. The five-story building looks like a honeycomb of a beehive and it is always windy inside, owing to the numerous windows and jharokhas. This amazing ventilation that the palace enjoys is the reason why it was named as the Hawa Mahal, which literally translates into the “Palace of the Winds”. The façade has 953 small windows, known as jharokhas, which are adorned with intricate designs. These windows were designed to allow the royal ladies to observe street festivals and daily life in the city without being seen themselves, as they were secluded from public view in accordance with the strict customs of purdah (seclusion). Today, Hawa Mahal is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur and a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
While some of us wanted to go back to the Old City the next day, we were unfortunately held back because the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, decided to visit Jaipur that day. We did, however, visit the Monkey Temple, where monkeys roam freely surrounding the multiple dieties. We also had the opportunity to watch a movie at the Raj Mandir Cinema, an iconic movie theater that has stunning architecture and opulent interiors with a seating capacity of over 1,200 people, making it one of the largest single-screen cinemas in India. We watched “Fighter”, a movie with my all time favorite actor, Hrithik Roshan. The movie, released just before Republic Day in India, is a movie about the Indian air force and national pride.
As we headed back to Dehli, I realized how close we were to the end of this trip. The last few days of Dehli were memorable. We made the best of it in such a short time. We visited Rajghat, a memorial complex in Dehli. The first memorial was dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi where a black marble platform sits with an eternal flame at the end of it.
We also went back to Chandni Chowk to buy some more little goodies. I got an 8-piece bangles set for 100 rupees, which is less than $2.00.
On our last day, I visited Sheroes Hangout Cafe, a place for Acid Attack Surviviors. I was able to speak to them and listen to their stories. For my research paper, I planned to write about the awareness of Acid Attacks, since many people in the States do not know anything about it. While their stories were deeply saddening, I was so happy to know that they have a support system now with people that will love them unconditionally. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)
