Flown into Dehli, ... overnight train to Jaisalmer, ... breathing out in Jaisalmer

This room is better. ("Jain Temple View Guesthouse")

Jaisalmer: Indian delicacies, kachoris, samosas, barfi.

After having left Jaisalmer on bus, a night stop in Jodhpur, and a taxi ride, we have arrived in Jadan ashram. Next day we witness the "bhandara" Swamiji Maheshwarananda gives for holy men on the occasion of being consecrated as successor of his guru Swami Madhavanandaji who has passed away a fortnight ago.

A photo from the official "yoga in daily life" web site. Swamiji is a three-star-guru, as on Guru rating service, i.e. in the highest category.

"bhandara" means "feast for holy men", so food is the central part of the event and has to be prepared for thousands of visitors. Each and every visitor is served with a full meal of puri-kadhi-sabji-halwa. Here you see women preparing little breads which are deep fried - the so-called puris.

The pots are set over excavations where a wood fire burns. This is the sabji pot.

Pachmarhi bungalow. Left the ashram after five days and went to Pachmarhi.

Evening in Pachmarhi. I'm on a walk and hope that I'll reach my bungalow before dark.

Reached the bungalow just in time to capture the sunset view from there.

The attraction of Pachmarhi are the hiking trails in the surroundingg hills.

View above "Dorothy Deep"

The lake close to Pachmarhi village.
Was a little disappointed at how run down the hotels and bungalows were, how lethargic the caretakers, how desparate the guide looking to sell his services. Somewhat depressed atmosphere in general. Brainless taxi drivers whose most precious entertainment seems to be to drive at breakneck speeds on the one lane streets.

Pushkar temple. Having left Pachmarhi for Dehli via Bhopal, I meet up with Anna in good old sweet little Pushkar. In Pushkar Indians and foreigners meet in equal measure (nearly), and Pushkar being accustomed to the visitors for long already, they get along well with each other, which results in a nice and relaxing atmosphere.

Pushkar - girl sorting rose leaves. Roses are an important agricultural product in that part of Rajasthan.

Anna maintains the kids mostly enjoy being photographed. Seeing this picture I agree with her.

"Pen - chocolate - five rupees" I hope I am not being negative with this photo, but in this day and age isn't poverty one of the salient features of India. How I wish it wasn't!

Pushkar piglet. Does anybody know if the pigs belong to someone? And if so, what for they are kept? The Hindus being vegetarians and Muslims abstaining from pork, it can't be for meat.

Ooops, got too close. These placid animals have their dignity too, and a tourist cosying up for a picture "bull & me in Pushkar" is definitely too much.

Temple above Pushkar.

Self-confident Pushkar bull.

Pushkar lamb & Anna.