There are no cars or motorcycles in the medieval quarters of Jodphur, India, once the capital of a princely state. Contrasting the burnt orange of the Thar Desert, the old city is painted in brilliant blue. Local guides say the houses were painted blue to indicate the homes of the upper-caste Brahmins, but others say the houses were never painted blue in the first place. Allegedly painted white to begin with, the buildings turned blue after the copper sulphate was added to white lime in an attempt to deter nesting termites; a beautiful accident. It caught on and blues of every shade began to cover the city.
It makes you think that painting any city in shades of piercing blue, no matter where, would make it into a magical place. These are the photographs of the legendary Steve McCurry, the man behind the haunting portrait of the Afghan Girl.
For more Messy Nessy travel tips in India, see our India tips in the Destination Directory or check out what’s in the vault below ↓
