Along the way to the next city in our golden triangle tour, we stopped at the waterwells of Chand Baori. This step well was designed to keep the natural water cool and was also used as a gathering place. Although symetrically beautiful, looking at it for too long inspired vertigo.
Once in Jaipur, Selma and I visited to the Amber Fort, with an awkward elephant ride up the gentle slope to the entrance. From there, views were breathtaking on the warm, sunny day. Inside the fort, we had a detailed explanation of life for one king living there. Apparently he had 12 wives, each living with a house and a courtyard that connected to the next wife. Pictures didn’t do the place justice, so you’ll just have to visit it for yourself 😛
The second attraction was Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1738. It has one of the largest sundials in the world, which measures daytime with an accuracy of 2 seconds. There were other sun instruments that measure astrological signs, an important aspect of arranged marriages in India.
I was told that 95% of marriages in India are arranged, and nearly all of them don’t divorce. The process is as follows:
- When the son or daughter is of age, the parents spread the news of their eligible bachelour.
- Parents research candidates based on their family, their caste and their education.
- The parents meet potentials’ parents and discuss details.
- A detailed study is performed, to ensure their astrological signs match. Couples need to have at least 18 out of 36 points in order to be married. If the points are less, they cannot get married.
- If everything is aligned, the bachelour finally meets the candidate for less than an hour before confirming their parent’s choice.
If you’re curious, out of the remaining 5% that don’t have arranged marriages, whom marry for love instead, 50% get divorced.
In other news, I caught a light Delhi belly, which force me to be consistently aware of the nearest toilet. Luckily the condition was manageable, and didn’t ruin any activities. Poop.
I loved this one. A story to last time, filled with ups and downs. Awkward gradual slopes. To poop.
Be well.
The one who married for love they had the choice to do it and also they have the choice to divorce
The one who’s marriage was arranged had no choice hence no choice to divorce. That might explain your numbers.
Yup. Gotta be careful in India. I was always ordering bottled beverages and no ice in the cups.
Cray driving too. Imagine rush hour in downtown Toronto. With livestock. And people. An no respect for lanes, driving directions or right of way. people do like their horns tho.