Bazaar, Jodhpur (part 1)

Our first encounter with the bazaar was by tuk-tuk (called auto-rickshaw in India), as we had to got through it to get to the hotel, and our minivan was too big to navigate it. The seven of us piled into three tuk-tuks (Dad and I shared one), and a fourth brought our luggage. It was a little hair-raising, as our driver nearly got us killed within a minute of leaving the carpark (by turning in front of a large van, which had to slam on the brakes). He also picked up a mate, who sat beside him on the (single) front seat and distracted him the whole way there. That particular driver is no longer retained by the hotel. (The others were very good, and tipped accordingly.)

Anyway, that afternoon, we left the boys with Dad/Gopa (they planned to go for a swim, but scotched that when they discovered how cold the pool was) and Mum, El, JD and I went exploring in the old bazaar.

Market gates, uphill (or hotel) side

Market gates (downhill side)

At the centre of the walled section of the market is a clock tower, apparently built by Maharaja Sardar Singh (after whom the markets are named).

Clock tower, at dusk.

I saw several sensible statements about tea (there was another one, in a small shop in the downhill gate itself, but I didn't get a photo, and now I can't recall what it said.)

(If that were true, both Mum and I would be exceptionally fit.) 

The market is divided into sections. One of the first JD and I encountered was the spice market. And, no, I don't know what half the things are. They're pretty, though!

I think that's asfoetida powder in the foreground (Hare Krishnas use it instead of onions and garlic;
be warned, there's a reason "foetid" is at the root of the word!)

Anyone know what this is?

No? How about this one?
(Actually, even though it looks like ultra-rich mud cake, I think it might be asfoetida resin.)

Here's a good description of it, randomly found on the web, which evokes the experience pretty well.