Abhaneri

Abhaneri is a village situated at a distance of 60 miles from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road. While this village isn't as well known as the larger cities in India, it should not be overlooked.

Our first stop in Abhaneri was a school that Gate 1 helps support and encourages member of the tour to provide schools supplies.



This school may appear very small by our standards, but it is very appreciated by children in this area.



The children's shoes are lined up outside of the class rooms.



Children recite their lessons as a dog takes a nap at the back of the class.



The classrooms

Chand Baori stepwell

Constructed in 800 AD, Chand Baori consists of 3,500 narrow steps over the 13 levels. It extends approximately 60 ft into the ground making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.





The north side of the well has a pavilion and resting room for the royals. Chand Baori is one of the oldest landmarks in Rajasthan, India and was dedicated to Hashat Mata, Goddess of Joy and Happiness.



This Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor) catches some sun as it watches the visitors to the stepwell.

Making Pots

While in Abhaneri we were given a demonstration of pot making using a traditional potter's wheel. The potter's wheel is a round, heavy stone that is spun up to speed using a stick to rotate the balanced stone. Clay is placed in the center of the rotating stone and the potter is able to make several small pots before needing to spin the wheel again.



Some of the hundreds of pots made on this potter's wheel.



We also visited the potter's home. The outdoor fireplace used to cook food. Mary tried her hand at grinding grain using a stone grinding wheel.



The potter's wife smoking her handmade clay pipe.

Lunch at Abhaneri Village Safari Camp

When we arrived at Abhaneri Village Safari Camp we were greeted by the pounding of a huge drum and moist towels to freshen up.



The dinning area was a large tent



Our lunch included organic veggies, chicken, eggplant, some curry dishes and was excellent.




The Safari Camp also offers camping in luxury tents that each include full size beds and indoor bathrooms with running water and flush toilets.



Camel rides are also available.

Abhaneri Market and Village

A machine used to crush sugar cane and produce a drink. When business turns slow at one location, the operator can shift some gears on the motor that run the crusher and drive to a new location.





Our motor coach is back on the road to our next destination, but the local traffic is heavy. After leaving Abhaneri we head to Agra which is 70 miles away.

Along the road to Agra

Dried cow "dung cakes" are neatly stacked along the roadside. The "dung cakes" are traditionally used as fuel in India for cooking food.



We pass many brick factories. Several tall smokestacks can be seen along with fields of bricks drying in the sun.



This is the main highway between Jaipur and Arga. A load of produce (looked like red onions) in a colorful truck and a tractor (one of many) with an over-sized load of bricks.


A man with his trained monkey entertain us at a traffic stop and a vehicle loaded with people passing our motor coach.


Link to our next stop, Agra