India 2012

We leave Jaisalmer to reach Jodhpur, located 300 kilometers away. We'll take the day to get there, enjoying a few visits to stretch our legs!  

Gadi Sagar tank is a water reservoir dug in the 13th century

The very photogenic water reservoir in the early morning

A commotion suddenly pulls us out of the ambient calm. An incredible scramble is taking place right at the water's edge... Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of catfish are coming to enjoy the offerings made by this Hindu woman.

Jaisalmer is behind us. The landscapes are deserted but we are not alone on the roads...

Here, we surprise two chinkaras (gazella bennettii)

And here, we make a spiritual stop, at least Pritam our driver comes to meditate in this temple not far from the village of Bhikamkor.

He will give each of us a ribbon that we will tie like hundreds of others on this mound to make a wish.

Around another bend, we come across a family of nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus), also called blue bull due to its coat. These are small-headed bovids, the largest antelopes in India.

What a success! Already one more spectator, appearing out of nowhere very discreetly...  

Others also try to be discreet... A goat... A lizard...

Lunch break in the city of Osiyan where we will also visit some temples

This Jain temple is dedicated to the founder Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara (Jain deity).

The niches where the tirthankaras are displayed.

A whole wall of drawing vignettes telling the life of Mahavira up to Nirvana.

In the middle of the temple, the altar and the all-golden representation of Mahavira.

Another temple in Osiyan where a ceremony is taking place. We join the procession.

The faithful pass before an altar where offerings are made. We exit at the top of the temple where a rose-ringed parakeet (psittacula krameri) controls the exits.  

After these quick visits, we hit the road again towards the city of Mandore.

And there, it's pure joy, my camera will click away. Monkeys share the park's paths with passing onlookers.

These are Hanuman langurs or sacred langurs (Semnopithecus entellus).

These monkeys are sacred in India and therefore benefit from all the goodwill of the city's inhabitants. They are entitled to small food "offerings" which must be distributed with caution, as the beautiful primates can get agitated at any moment...

Small, customary handshake session when school groups pass by.  

The cohabitation seems to be going very well between sacred animals...

Semnopithecus entellus

Hanuman langur and its baby with its pacifier-nipple in its mouth...  

The walk continues in the garden to these red sandstone cenotaphs of Maharajas.

Magnificent rose-ringed parakeets occupy the surroundings.

Finally, we leave the park not without greeting the photogenic Mandore langurs.

We get back in the car for the last stretch of road that will take us to the city of Jodhpur.