This morning we boarded the Indian Railways Jodhpur Express! While Indian trains have a reputation for cheap overcrowded second class cars, with cramped bench seats, and passengers pressed to the doors and windows, there is another option: Chair Class Cars. These carriages offer pre booked, airplane style assigned seats for a reasonable price.
The Indian Railway system has proved to be an efficient and affordable way to travel between cities. There are, however, a few unusual features such as the vendors walking through the cars offering “Chai (tea),,,Coffee…Chai” or “Snack…Chips".
We have thoroughly enjoyed riding in these trains full of locals and of course watching the Rajasthan landscape roll by. Arriving at Jodhpur junction, the main railway station, we are now looking forward to seeing what this city will reveal.
After a short TukTuk ride to our accommodations, we checked in, and then set out to explore the nearby Stepwell. As the name suggests, the Stepwell is a series of steps that lead down to a large 300 foot deep pool of water. The Stepwell built in 1740 by a queen consort of the Maharaja Abhay Singh, was once an important source of water especially during periods of drought in this desert area. Today the Stepwell is a popular curiosity for tourists and a favorite spot for daring local boys who jump from the highest point into the deep water.
At the entrance to the Stepwell I found this musician playing the Ravanahatha, an ancient string instrument played with a bow. This ancestor to the violin uses a gourd with a stretched goat skin as a sound box and offers a unique sound which exemplifies the spirit of Rajasthan.
Now for a brief musical interlude with the Ravanahatha:
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