It’s Holi Day. Holi is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours,  Love  and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna.  Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of  Vishnu  as  Narasimha  over Hiranyakashipu

It’s a quieter day today, as most monuments and businesses are closed for Holi Day, it’s a chance to rest. Our start is a little later and we have time to wander about the hotel gardens which are beautiful and extensive.

We visit a textile workshop which demonstrates unique block printing and carpet marking. Jaipur, the “Pink City” of Rajasthan, is one of the world’s premier hubs for hand-knotted rugs. The craft is a blend of ancient Persian techniques and indigenous Indian artistry, evolved over centuries into a massive cottage industry that supports thousands of rural artisans. The art of carpet weaving was introduced to India in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who brought Persian weavers to his court. While initially centered in Agra and Delhi, the craft eventually flourished in Jaipur due to royal patronage from the Rajput kings. Over time, the “Jaipuri” style emerged, characterized by a transition from traditional Persian motifs to more vibrant, Rajasthani-inspired aesthetics.

Hand-Knotting: Using a vertical loom, artisans tie individual knots onto the warp threads. The density of these knots—measured in Knots Per Square Inch (KPSI)—determines the rug’s quality and intricacy. A high-end Jaipur rug can have hundreds of knots per square inch.

They can be made from camel hair, Kashmir, cotton and silk.