Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Naulakha Palace had lifelike and legendary stone carvings. They symbolized brave-
ness (as brave as a lion), male ego (as proud as a peacock), religious symbols (Ganesha, the
Elephant God), "Door keepers.”
It's no wonder I came home from India with over 1,500 good photographs, after delet-
ing the real dogs while there. Naulakha Palace has been turned into a museum. Still out-
side, one, fast look at the Maharajah of Gondal's
horseandbuggycarriagecollection
; the
former
stables
with his horses' names prominently displayed. There appeared to be no end
to what money could be spent on.
Inside The Naulakha Palace,
We began touring on the upper level where the Maharajah would meet people and dignit-
aries once a week to conduct business, and grant favors. Think..."Godfather with a Jeweled
Turban.”
The main level had stuffed panthers and leopards (all shot by one of the Maharajahs
of Gondal), ornate furniture, and old family photographs. An entire room was filled with
silver and gold presents given to him by dignitaries including: a
silver
animal head camel
saddle, and
silver
elephant howdah.
Each room contained different objects. Clocks, porcelain, car trophies, even a vast collec-
tion of miniature cars that filled cabinets.
One of Travels With Sheila favorite exhibits
had
to be the
weighingscale
. Maharajahs,
Princes and other royalty (good old, extremely obese King Farouk of Egypt comes to
mind), had a custom. On special occasions, they would be weighed, and equal amounts of
gold would
have
to be given by their subjects to match their weight! The Maharajah of
Gondal was weighed on his 50th birthday.
Supposedly, the latest Maharajah was well-loved by his subjects, did a lot for the people,
insisted on education for women, and was a genius with umpteen degrees. Rich and a geni-
us? Some people
do
have it all.
Looming Khadi Cotton in Gondal
One last stop for the day in Gondal. Niru suggested a stop at a place where Khadi cotton is
loomed by machine. The noise was deafening in the courtyard even before we walked in-
side to see the process. Khadi manufacturing and weaving was begun to discourage Indians
from wearing foreign clothing. Mahatma Gandhi gave Khadi cotton a boost when he began
spinning the cotton himself. In fact, we visited his Ashram in Ahmedabad later in this trip,
saw his spinning wheel, and watched a demonstration.
FYI
: The Indian flag must be made
from Khadi material.
Originally, Khadi cotton had a coarse texture, but is now made with a softer feel.
However, Khadi cotton wrinkles easily and must be
starched
if you are planning to buy it.
This factory did have a store filled with different apparel, bolts of cotton, wool, silk, and
shawls.
