Horseback Riding Vacation in India (Day 12)
Day 12 – A day is a short time to take in the elaborate architecture and the intricate stone work of this fairy book city. The trouble is that one’s capacity to absorb is limited and it is difficult to take in so much in a short time. The stone work on the facades of the havelis (dwellings for the families of the rich) is incredibly intricate. The affluent Jain merchants built many of these havelis where dozens or even hundreds of family members and servants were housed. The Jains also built a series of temples full of painstakingly carved stone figures which cannot fail to impress the viewer. The effect is somewhat claustrophobic as the figures seemed to press in on us as we passed in narrow passages. In keeping with their respect for all kinds of living creatures (they are vegetarians and do not use leather), we had to remove our shoes and belts before entering the complex.
