India, Bundi, Teej, August 2009
I've read some accounts of travel, running on networks that Bundi is a horrible place, filled it smog, trucks and pollution. In fact, the arrival of Bundi is not più rassicuranti. Venendo da Chittor, la strada sembra breve: solo 150 km. In realtà non si arriva mai. Fra strade deserte e sabbiose, lavori in corso, tornanti e buche... ci mettemmo ben 6 ore per percorrerli, tanto che dalle due del pomeriggio arrivammo solo alle 8, con il buio. In effetti molte volte pensai che il nostro autista, mai stato troppo sveglio, avesse perso la strada e ci avese portato chissà dove.
Quando poi cominciammo a vedere una lunga fila di camion con le loro lucine, bè, allora fui quasi certa che fossimo finiti nel posto sbagliato. I camion non finivano mai, erano puzzolenti, polverosi: pareva che tutti i trasportatori del Rajasthan si fossero dati appuntamento là. Su questo, dunque, avrei potuto dare ragione the American traveler who wrote of Bundi.
But then the road is divided, crossed a bridge and appeared in the fortress atop a hill. She was beautiful, charming, even in low light at night.
decide to stay in a haveli in the heart, of course recommended by Lonlely Planet (Haveli Braj Bhushanjee), but an incredible crowd he hangs around and we all make mention that we can not pass. Notre-driver seems to have understood, but since he can not say a single word in English, we who fail to realize what happens. We go down and groped we decide to walk. We just in time to arrive all'Haveli, take the room and go back to recover a minimum of luggage, just the essential first step that is blocked completely. That evening we can not go because it is the festival of Teej.
India, Bundi, Teej, August 2009
I read that the festival is held in Nepal and that takes its name from a small red insect that comes out of the ground during the monsoon. Typical of Jaipur, but evidentemetne also celebrated in other parts of Rajasthan, Teej lasts two days. It 's a festival dedicated to women, because it celebrates Parvati, wife of Shiva and the monsoon that blesses the earth with water. Married women pray for their husbands, the young to be married.
India, Bundi, Teej, August 2009
For two nights, a procession of floats paraded through the streets while people watching from the windows, from above the walls, roofs, terraces. The idols, especially Shiva and Parvati, are carried in procession, while the wagons are dancers, boys dressed as gods, or representations of demons that frighten children.
The atmosphere is festive and fun, a little carnival. Everything, then, except that this inhospitable town of which I had read.
Apart from anything else, is beautiful even without Teej Bundi.
India, Bundi, Teej, August 2009
