Mughal Gardens of India: February 18 - March 5, 2016

**C* E* <C*@CatrionaTudorErler.com>**

Come travel with me to Northern India to experience the rich history of this remarkable country, and to explore the historic Mughal and Rajput gardens.  Highlights will be a tour of the former residence of the Viceroy of India during the British Raj (now called Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidentâs Residence) in New Delhi.  Only open to the public for one month a year, the 340-room palace designed in 1912 by British Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens is one of the largest palaces in the world.  The Mughal style gardens behind the palace covers acres and will be a treat to visit.  In Old Delhi weâll visit Humayunâs Tomb, one of the first Mughal gardens built in India, and the Lodi gardens an oasis in the middle of the busy city and a beautiful garden where ancient tombs serve as the backdrop.  Youâll also visit the relatively new Garden of the Senses.  A rickshaw ride through the ancient Chandi Chowk district of Delhi will leave a lasting impression. 

In Udaipur, youâll go by boat to the Jag Mandir Island gardens as well as visit the Gardens of the Maids of Honor and enjoy lunch and a tour of the gardens at the luxurious Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel.

In Jodhpur weâll visit Mehrangarh Fort.  Set on a mesa above the city, from there you get wonderful views of The Blue City where so many of the houses are painted sky blue.  Then youâll get into the city with a special tour of the markets, including exotic spices.

In Jaipur youâll stay in the Jai Mahal Palace Hotel.  Set in parkland, the garden was created with the advice of the late Elizabeth Moynihan, an expert on Indian Mughal gardens and the wife of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a former U.S. Ambassador to India.  Youâll have a private tour of the City Palace of the Maharajas, led by the Garden Superintendent, followed by a visit to Amber Fort. 

At Amber Fort youâll see the remarkable terraced, patterned Saffron Garden that appears to float upon Lake Maota. Inside the palace, behind a series of corridors and archways, lies another chahar bagh garden with parterresi built in white marble that form hexagrams and other complicated patterns. The most dominant motif is a star, a symbol of intellectual powers and life itself for the garden's ancient Mughal and Rajput inhabitants.  Also not to be missed is Samode Bagh, a 250-year-old garden centered on a canal with 42 fountains. 

Topping off the Jaipur experience (and newly added to the trip) will be dinner at Sankotra Haveli. This city-center mansion was granted to the Sankotra family by the Maharaja Raja Bishan Singh in 1668.  The Haveli has been the official residence of the Sankotra family for the past eight generations, and they maintain close ties to the current ruler. The 350-year-old house has twenty to twenty-five rooms in four wings, and is home to the family patriarch, with his four sons, and their wives and children.  As is the custom, the marriages were arranged. Youâll have the opportunity to ask questions of our hosts, and to enjoy the fascinating photographs of the family with the Maharaja and his family.

The itinerary concludes in Agra, where accommodations are at the ITC Mughal Hotel, which has 35 acres of luxurious gardens. We will watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, one of the worldâs greatest monuments, and stay on to enjoy the gardens that enhance this incredible monument. We also will tour the Agra Fort with its courtyard gardens that exemplify the peak of Mughal garden design.

This trip is a wonderful introduction to India and its magnificent gardens.  While there, I will be giving talks on the history of Mughal gardens, the symbolism and significance of flowers and trees in Indian art and architecture, and the history of the Taj Mahal gardens.  Click on the link for the brochure and more information.  http://gcvirginia.org/members/documents/announcement/Brochure%20India%202016%20final%20for%20web.pdf

Hope you can join me!

Catriona

Catriona Tudor Erler
965 Pintail Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434 953-6780
Catriona@CatrionaTudorErler.com
www.CatrionaTudorErler.com

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