A true unbiased and open-minded temple, this Hindu temple Birla Mandir in Jaipur combines 3 clear architecture features: the traditional tiered tower of Hinduism, the pyramid stupa of Buddhism and the dome of Islam. The marble sides were carved in figures representing not on the many Deities of Hinduism, but also Christian Saints and Jesus himself. Truly a place for all. We unfortunately did not get long to view inside as it was nearly closing time and the security were feverently shoeing people out!

This incorporation of different styles, if not full-blown religious segmentation as it appears here was a common scene in Rajasthan where centuries of influences from the Greeks to Muslims, Jains and Buddhists, Christians and tribals has fused. Tour guides often pointed out greek-taught column work with traditional Hindu carved figures (elephants often) at the tops holding muslim-taught domes and archways. And of course why not. If it works, is strong, asctetic and powerful, grab it. I particularly noted and took to theses lessons in the palaces, temples and forts we saw as it is good to remember that North America was not the original or only "melting pot" out there and cultures have been merging and bubbling for millennia. Too easy to remember only the British Victorian era of cultural segregation and the US's racial history as the way cultures always met and interacted, but that is not always the case.