by Aanya from Jaipur asks Santa about sleigh clip art, learns about the Aravalli Range, and hears about Jaipur’s real history as the Pink City
Dear Santa, my name is Aanya and I am nine years old. I live in Jaipur, India, where my dadi says our whole old city was painted the same pink color on purpose, a very long time ago, and it has stayed that way ever since.
Dear Aanya, your dadi is entirely right, and I have admired that particular pink glow myself while flying over.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, can I get Santa sleigh clip art? My teacher wants festive images for our classroom presentation, and I offered to help find some.
The elves in the technology department handle exactly that sort of digital request, Aanya, and offering to help your teacher decorate the presentation sounds like a genuinely thoughtful gesture.
My second question is about our mountains. My teacher says the Aravalli Range runs near Jaipur. Is that true?
It is, Aanya. The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, stretches near Jaipur, shaping the region’s landscape. Flying near those ancient hills each Christmas Eve is a genuinely beautiful part of my Indian route.
My third question is about our city’s color. My teacher says Jaipur was painted pink to welcome an important royal visitor long ago. Is that true?
It is true, Aanya. Jaipur was painted pink in 1876 to welcome a visiting British prince, and the tradition of maintaining that distinctive color has continued ever since, earning the city its beloved nickname. I always find that particular pink glow rather lovely each time I fly over.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Aanya Sharma
Jaipur, India
P.S. Does the pink city look different from above at night?
Even lovelier, Aanya, softly glowing under the moonlight.
