Some of the small temples and shrines around Gadi Sagar, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.  The early morning light gives the buildings a warm, golden glow.

A brother and sister pictured on the steps of a haveli in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Sunset over some of the temples in the hilltop fort of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

An old man sitting on sandstone ledge outside the Maharaja's Palace and Museum in the Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan.

Part of the City Palace complex at Jaipur, Rajasthan, which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Another view of the striking Rajasthani/Mughal architecture of the City Palace complex at Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Local girls posing for photographs in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

An ornate shrine on a small island in the middle of the Gadi Sagar lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.  This scene looks so peaceful, but a few seconds after I took this photograph (at about 8.45 am on 26 January 2001) the area was shaken by a strong earthquake.  I found out later that the epicentre was in the adjacent state of Gujarat where it was recorded as 6.9 on the Richter scale -- one of India's most devastating earthquakes.  More 19,000 people were killed and 166,000 injured. About 600,000 people were left homeless after 350,000 houses were destroyed.

A busker playing the tambura at Gadi Sagar, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.  Most of these buskers live off the donations they receive from passing tourists.

Camel owners prepare their animals for a camel safari in the Thar Desert near Sam village, Rajasthan.