This week for Becca’s Sunday Trees I bring one that has probably witnessed history that continues to hold significance today – from the precincts of the famous Chittor fort. I have previously shared several visuals from this place earlier as well but this particular tree overlooks the Sati sthal on one side and Jauhar kund on the other. I could not bear to take photos of the place where women burnt themselves along with the dead bodies of their husbands or jumped into it for fear of rape and slavery by plunderers and victors of wars.
Hark! She Speaks
I can tell you
tales of brave
helpless women
Sending off their men
to wage battles
of honor and pride
Fasting and praying
for his victory
and
his long life
They were but
One soul,
one body.
If he died, she would
burn with him
if he lost, it was Jauhar,
for her
and her children
As the spoils of war
it behooved her
to embrace death
to protect her
dignity and honor
and
save them
the dishonor
of failing to protecting her.
Times have changed
The world has progressed
They educate her
indulge her
pamper her and
cheer for her as she shatters
One glass ceiling after another
But under the sheen
lurks a beast
that seeks to
subjugate her with
attitudes and mentalities
that are passed off
as our culture and
sanskriti
All said and done
it is still her duty
to uphold their honor
And his right to defile hers
it is her duty to bear it silently
to shield their bestiality
so that they can continue to
hold up their heads in society
She is still blamed
and shamed
Be silent
Or be silenced
remains the
unsaid mantra
Since the beginning of time
they have
hacked my branches
stripped me bare
And with cruel knives
carved out love notes
on my body
over and over
again
but did I die?
Did I hide nakedness?
Did I hide my face?
Why do you?
Silent
unyielding
unflinching
unapologetic
existence
is my DNA
What is yours?
Just another Neem tree residing in a palace courtyard with not much to do except litter the place with golden yellow leaves every spring.
Rooted to the spot and bored to her core, she yawns and rustles her branches. Oh the tales she could tell, if anyone cared to listen.
And lo behold she has gathered quite a few fresh green followers glistening with eagerness – now if only one of them could type ๐
Kalika Mata Temple an 8th-century temple at Chittorgarh Rajasthan India. The upper parts of the structure are more recent.
Vijaya Stambh is an imposing victory monument built in 1448 AD. Constructed of red sandstone and white marble, Vijay Stambh is nine storeys tall with a height of 37.19 meters and a base height of 3.0 meters. Another version and other details are in an earlier 
The inner structure of a modern day cafe
And now time for my latest craze – the teak leaf. It’s massive with such well defined structure don’t you think?
Howzz that for intricate structure?
A leaf decaying but the structure, unlike for other stuff, is the last to go.
The neat structure of a handmade woven stool made of reed and rayon strings
I am, in all honesty, not a big fan of roses but this one’s near perfect structure and symmetrical asymmetry was captivating.
I was, as you can see terribly enamored and bedazzled by this window and couldn’t resist sharing another look – the evening look. Missed the other one – 
Then there was this Coffee Zone right above a horror house. Don’t miss the wrapchics on the left – very innovative don’t you think? ๐
Next I have some jazzy colorful clothes for you to admire and gaze at with bedazzled eyes. No they aren’t for sale.
These jazzy dresses are meant for tourists to wear and pose for photographs. Most hill stations have these and once my son too was lured in and dressed up in a purple kingly gown wielding a sword. ๐
After those heavy dresses, time to give the eyes some rest by gazing upon the bare zigzag branches of yet another bindaas tree ๐
A warm winter afternoon on a long weekend – any guesses on how many would be dozing or snoozing at a time?
The zinc laden Aravali mountains in and around Udaipur, Rajasthan. Can you see it shining and reflecting the sunlight?
Those are the zorb balls – in case you didnt know. I didnt! Apparently they are the in thing and are available in aqua, ground and body versions. You can get in, singly or in groups and then enjoy being thrown around. Looks like fun – from far! ๐
Doesn’t she add four moons to the palace? ๐
On a closer look she looks even more impressive itching to tell loads of stories – can you not see the alphabets? I can see L, I, O, U, X, Y, V and P. What can you see? I do love the leaf pattern of the neem tree, and especially the reflection in the palace window.
This is the famous Haldighati pass that we all read about in school. Ghati all along I thought meant a valley but actually (in the local language) it means a pass or a narrow neck. This was the only way for the Mughals to pass over to the other side where the Rajput army was ready and waiting to cut down the single file entry of one person at a time. It was only when they used explosives to blow up the mountain were they able to pass through successfully and go on to win the battle and then lose to Maharana Pratap at the 
That’s the way to the Memorial of the brave and upright warrior Maharana Pratap still much loved and held in high esteem.
Can you see the way? But actually I wanted to show you this because as a child I imagined the battlefield of Haldighati to be something like this rather than that in the first photo ๐
Time to move on to a real fort – the 
But at some places, I liked the placement of the stairs.
Stairway at Meerabai’s palace. Yes she too lived here married to Bhojraj, the son of Rana Sangha the powerful king of Mewar. But her devotion to Lord Krishna led to her being banished to the servant section.
Fascinating isn’t it? I wonder how they climbed these stairs or was there some other structure beside it?
The 
I couldn’t have a Cee’s which way challenge without a witch tree could I? ๐
And finally at Rani Padmini’s Summer Palace. This is one of my prized photos of how despite deeply ingrained traditions Indians effortlessly adopt modern technology regardless and oblivious to any conflict or what the moment. Did you get my point? Raise your hands before I elaborate. Sure? Got it? No?
A smoggy or is it foggy winter morning at 9.30 am! Thank God the worst seems to be over but it’s already time to brace up for the heat and dust ๐
Coming out from being cooped up in the office the whole day long, I snapped a quick pic of the sky where the feathery clouds had been busy painting it white.
On another day, when a demonstration turned a 10-min drive into a 30-min one I made the most of my time clicking pictures sure that Cee would certainly give me an opportunity to display them sooner or later ๐ Yet, I couldn’t get what I really wanted – off the birds flying home in beautiful formations. But don’t you think the sky looks lovely? Okay! Enough of skies for now – lets move on to something else before you accuse me of repetitive stuff.
An exquisitely hand carved temple. Can you imagine the vision, the planning and the workmanship that went into building such a marvelous piece of art so many centuries ago? I could simply look at the perfectly designed symmetry for hours and hours. Couldn’t you?
Can you see the yellowing leaves on the yellow-brown path? Actually I wanted to draw your attention to the yonder tree ๐
It was a very interesting and exciting tree (like most trees!) See those roots dropping down – just something Tarzan would love to shimmy down right?
Wait! There’s more. The roots got tired of just standing around so one particularly antsy one decided to indulge in some yoga on the way down ๐
A yellow butterfly from our garden at home captured by my sister.
Why? Well like I said Why Not? This photo was shared by my friend Svkuki while on her trip the States and has been crying for some screen space for quite a while now. Besides surely you can see the Y created by the shadow and the cacti in the background?
No! The focus is not on the tree (not this time at least ๐ but on the residents. Well did you see them?
Mamma nurses her precious baby while she chomps on some ill-gotten gains from some generous (or hapless) visitor.
Fed, the little one emerges from her mother’s arms while they continue to gossip. The other lady looks a bit displeased at her friend’s poor hospitality skills – but then she’s nursing – she consoles herself. Don’t miss the tail. Even the baby’s tail is longer than it!
At another place, two friends sit in silent contemplation of man’s vagaries and idiosyncrasies.
The entire family obligingly posed for a group photo against a spectacular background. But they had their conditions – only the right profile please ๐
Waylaying unsuspecting visitors
inspecting the confiscated goods before starting of on yet another raid ๐
This is not actually from another era but recently built in honor of Maharana Pratap (9 May 1540 โ January 1597) a popular Rajput King of Mewar or modern day Rajasthan in Udaipur.
Another angle of the temple with intricate carvings.
Most, if not all of the human figurines have been painstakingly damaged and trashed by the invaders of those times. They took what they could and destroyed what they couldn’t. But still their beauty shines through.
Another temple, another wall, another tragedy and another triumph.
I end this series with a picture of the Bagore ki Haveli at Udaipur flicked from my son’s collection (psst plijj dont tell him!). Last year he had visited Udaipur which inspired us to visit it this year. But unfortunately despite active efforts due to various reasons we couldnt visit this particular fort. Much to our absent son’s delight ๐
Open, closed and designer windows. City Palace from the outside
An elongated window to look out but not be seen – a common motif in most windows, although shapes and designs may differ.
A square window.
Another view of the world. Beautiful workmanship no doubt but may give a sense of being imprisoned don’t you think?
Ahh a breath of fresh air and uninterrupted view of the world of windows from a window ๐
There were open windows overlooking the city of Udaipur, or
Enjoy the serene calm waters of Lake Pichola.
A view of the fine meshed windows and the colorful shrubbery was an added bonus.
And talking of bonuses, a final Sun window over the stairway at the hotel.
Stories and more 