Romantic UDAIPUR

Night View of Lake Pichola 

I felt that if a person visits udaipur his journey will be incomplete if he doesn't visit lake pichola, that splendid experience it. The Night view gives glowing views of Taj Lake Palace and many other hotels around the lake. The chill breeze over the lake will make you fall in love with udaipur. In the morning the lake appears like a white foam, and the Taj Palace appears like a white pearl floating on the lake.

Night view of Hotel Lake Pichola

Udaipur is often mentioned as the most romantic city of india, vennis of the east and many other titles. I felt that the description is justified. Having a breakfast or dinner at a roof top restaurants which are very side of the lake will be a memorable experience.

Lake Pichola

City Palace: Get into the gates and forget for some in which part of the world you are, the palace premises are damn clean and picturesque. But a note for budget travellers udaipur is very expensive.

The combo ticket for city palace museum, cristal gallery, vintage car gallery, and the boat ride to jagmandir palace is Rs 1050/- 

But If we take the ticket for the city palace museum we can roam all around the city palace by foot.

The Palace visit is an enthralling experience. I felt that all theses rajput rulers have a very good taste for selection of place for their palace construction.

An Restaurant inside the palace

   If you are an budget traveller and like sarcastic jokes go through the food menu hung outside it, don't get surprised if you see Rs 150/- Beside the mineral water. If you have a heavy wallet you wont understand my grief. 

Bagore-Ki-haveli: Do not miss to visit this small haveli which is just beside the entrance lake pichola, a short walk from jagdish temple. This Haveli was one of the best restored havelis. 

This Haveli have a grand collection of Colourful puppets, thermocol models of world wonders, rajasthani Turban, it has probably the worlds biggest turban. 

It has a grand presentation of marriage procession (How marriage takes place) of Rajasthan (Many other parts of India ).

Turban Gallery

Eiffel Tower made of thermocal

Rajasthani marriage possession

Painted Entrances in udaipur

We can observe these pattern of gate ways all over udaipur, some time they will an horse and elephant, sometimes soldiers, sometimes tigers on both sides. We can even observe graffiti on the walls. Infact we can see many art schools in udaipur.   

A Group of colourful Rajasthani women

Rajasthani's are literally colour lovers, you cant find a single dull shop in entire city, all the shops will be glittering with bright colours with the sarees and dresses.

An odyssey, CHITTORGARH FORT

View of chittorgarh fort

            Women of chittorgarh shows to the world that fidelity to their husbands is more important than being alive. In the attack of  bahadur shah during 1535 , when lose is inevitable Thirteen thousand (13,000) rajput women have done suicide as immolation for not being slaves to the enemy kingdom. 

             This legends of sacrifice of rajput women dates back much earlier than this, the legend is...

In the late 13th centuries Rani Padmini wife of mewar king rana ratan singh of chittorgarh is considered as the most beautiful women alive. Knowing this Delhi sultan Alauddin-Khilji decided to witness her beauty and came to chittorgarh. But King Rana Ratan Singh disagreed to show rani padmini to him, after many discussions raja agreed to shoe rani padmini's shadow in an oil bowl. But after seeing her shadow Alauddin-Khilji became mad in her beauty and decided to capture her which led to a great battle between kingdoms. 

               But it only led to misery, when defeat was inevitable rani padmini committed jauhar (Suicide by immolation), for not to offer herself to Alauddin-Khilji. Many noble rajput women followed her in the suicide. 

Ruined Rana Kumbha Palace

                The violence took place in the fort can be understood by looking at the ruined Rana Kumbha Palace. Many temples in the fort complex are constructed where we can observe intricate carvings, which shows the craftsmen skills of rajputs and mewars. The 6th century jain temple also resembles how rajputs respected religious forms. 

 

Tower of Victory

                 The most beautiful construction of chittorgarh palace is The Tower of Victory which was construct when mewars reclaimed their fort with a victory over Mahmud Khilji in 1440s. It is a nine storeyed exquisitely carved (Both interior and exterior) tower which gives excellent panoramic views of all the fort. 

Do not miss to observe the monkeys which are now the hosts of the nonresidential fort. 

An Unpaid Tenant of the fort

            The ruined fort (Now an almost abandoned temple) also gives an excellent views of the fort when climbed over the ruined staircase, do visit it.  

The Windows at the Ruined Fort

A Couple enjoying sunset at Rani Padmini's Palace 

           Padmini's Palace is very romantic in the evenings, i couldn't contend myself from envying the kings and queens for the times they have spent at buildings in between the water pools. Salute for their selection of such romantic landscapes and according construction of palaces.

A private chamber at Padmini's palace

Sculptures on a temple

        

Villages of BISHNOI

Group of Bisnois

Before visiting this Bishnoi Village i wondered just for killing two, three black bucks why bishnois sent the indian super star Salman Khan behind the bars, instead they would have received crores of rupees as a bribe. I understood it only after knowing their touching story of khejarli massacre.

THE KHEJARLI MASSACRE

             The Bisnois narrate the story about the khejarli massacre that in 1730 AD A Bishnoi woman, 'Amrita Devi' came to know that a number of people had descended upon their village 'Khejarli'. They were sent by maharaja abhay singh, the ruler of the kingdom of jodhpur who wanted to get the wood by cutting the khejri trees and use them for the construction of his new palace. 

             Amrita Devi protested against the maharaja's men who were cutting green trees and made an agreement they can chopping off her head instead of the tree. She offered her head. the axes, which were brought to cut the trees, butchered her head along with her young daughter who also sacrificed her life for the cause. The news spread like a wild fire, the bishnoi of khejrali got infuriated and further extended the protest and decided that for every green tree to be cut one bishnoi volunteer would sacrifice his or her life. after intense hullabaloo the tree felling party return back to maharaja. Soon after maharaja learned about it he ordered the cutting of trees to be stopped immediately. by that time, Three Hundred and Sixty Three (363) bishnois, young and old men and women, married and unmarried, rich and poor, had already sacrificed their lives.

          In defence to their bravery, the maharaja apologised for the mistakes committed by his officials and issued an order that henceforth all cutting of green trees and hunting of animals within the premises of bishnoi villages was strictly prohibited. It was also ordered, that if by mistake any individual violated this order, he would be prosecuted by the state and a service penalty would be imposed on him, since then, nobody dares to tamper with the wildlife in the Bishnoi occupied areas.

Bishnoi women's daily activity 

Not only in the past but also to this day they remember the sacrifice of amrita devi and treat the animals and trees as part of them. 

Wall Painting of Bishnoi Woman in a house

   Recently in an incident a bishnoi was killed by the poachers when he tried to save the black buck. But his 75 year old father says that ' i miss my son but i feel proud of his death'.

Pottery

I was thrilled by seeing this man for the expertise he has got in making pottery. He explained us every thing in detail and made us understand. 

Carpet Making

This great skilled carpet maker explained me how they do it, the advantages of an handmade carpet.

Rajasthani Thali

Wall Painting in a House

After visiting to rural areas i felt that india is in villages, not in the metropolis. It is worth visiting the villages, knowing their skills, life style, spend time in the world of calmness and affection towards each other.  

City of Umaid Bhawan palace, JODHPUR

Night View of Umaid Bhawan

'If at all i want to own a house, it can be like this' this are my thoughts when i was sitting in the balcony of the hotel i've stayed. It gave view of giant umaid bhawan palace glowing like a raising sun and the back view was the mehrangarh fort which is glowing like a setting sun. The panoramic view from the terrace is an eye feast. The hotel was almost at the peak of the city. Any number of times i go to jodhpur i look forward to stay in that hotel. A small way beside the toilets outside the fort entrance leads to the hotel within five minutes.  (Hill View Guest House, Below the fort walls, 0291-2441763). 

Night View of Mehrangarh fort 

Clock Tower

The bazars itself are an attraction at the night, with uncountable foreigners roaming in the streets it gives an carnival atmosphere. The clock tower stands out in middle of glowing market. 

Any place we are in the city, we can get some or the other glance at umaid bhawan palace, such giant it stands out. But the nearer i get the more jealous i was filled with on the royal family who are living in the palace and the hosts of hotel taj umaid bhawan, as i was dying to see it but they are residing in it. Without a second thought i can say that umaid bhawan is one of the best modern constructions i've seen in my lifetime. 

Front View Of Umaid Bhawan Palace

The panoramic view the blue city from the missile point is sole of the mehrangarh fort. The view of sunset, the blue houses scattered in between the city, the row missiles which were used centuries back in cruel wars, did not let me go away from that place. The miniature paintings gallery in the fort, Palanquin gallery, elephant thrown gallery are admirable. We can see many palm readers busy searching lines on others palms.

Hanging stairs inside the fort 

Myself very much delighted

Double moustache, multiple coloured turban 

A missile aiming the blue city

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Golden City, JAISALMER

                    Even 22K Gold ornaments cant be on par with jaisalmer city when seen from a vantage point on a hot sunny day.
                    Jaisalmer proves that man can even turn a sand bowl into a golden garden, learn the hardest survival tactics and pass on a better living standard. Jaisalmer hosts the india's largest living fort. The city has grown enormously large and spread outside the fort walls.
                    Jaisalmer fort hosts finest havelis of rajasthan, it also hosts the finest cared jain temple. The canon point gives beautiful panoramic views of the golden city. Even in the way to the fort we can find many privately maintained havelis which can be worth visiting.
In the way to the city from the city there are many leather shops where we can find bags, dairies, hats which remain long, even as memories.

Camel Resting in the sand dune after our tiresome journey

Camel Rides:
    (Don't expect that jaisalmer is in between the sand desert, you'll be disappointed). The nearest sand desert is sam dunes which is nearly 46 k.m from jaisalmer and khuri sand dunes 52 k.m.(Both not in one direction).
( Sand dunes will be Just with a radius of 3 k.m, Sand desert will not be there throughout our eye sight. But These are present in different places with jaisalmer as centre.) 
1) Day Trips: Trips can be hired from the tour operators near the fort or taxi can be hired from jaisalmer to sand dunes ( Return Rs-1000/-). Near sand dunes there will be uncountable camels for ride and rates depend on our bargaining power. Generally 400/- per camel for 3-4 hrs. Two persons can mount on a camel. Seeing sun set on a camel at the sand dunes will be a memorable experience.
* Packages can also be made from the taxi drivers or tour operators for
( Jaisalmer to sam dune (Taxi) +Jain temple+Villages + camel ride for 1hr to sunset point + Rajasthani Cultural show near the tents + dinner + return at night 9:00 p.m). 2200/- Four persons.
*There is a jain temple, and few villages in between jaisalmer and sam dunes which can be seen.
2) Night Trips: ( Jaisalmer to sam dune (Taxi) +Jain temple+Villages + camel ride for 1-1.5hr to sunset point + Rajasthani Cultural show near the tents + dinner + Night Accommodation in tents + Morning Break Fast + Return) 1200/- Per head (Min 4 People). rates inc and dec according to the number.
3) Two days Trips: Few travel operators run two day trips by taking to different sand dunes which includes food, transport, camel per person. Night stay on sand dunes. These give a great experience of the authentic desert life with the exposure of both the hot sun and nights coldness.
These operators are near the fort gate, left side after coming out of the fort.

4) Long Trips: Jaisalmer to bikaner trips can also be done who have abundant time and wish to do extreme adventure. It may take 15 days to reach bikaner.

Running Camel app@ 60km/hr

A Couple enjoying the sun set at sand sunes

A haveli in jaisalmer

Jain temple in the fort

Never-ending carnival, PUSHKAR

                                  When i knew that Brahma has only one temple on this earth dedicated for himself, i felt that he is very modest for himself, But only when i entered into pushkar i realized, though he was confined to one he made it with a magic which equals a hundred temples. He wrote the life of every residence of pushkar beautifully, its is filled with colour.
                                  With Shops filled with colours, shops with mighty rajput swords, grandly decorated chinese swords, colourful dresses, pushkar is undisputedly an neverending carnival. It has so much magic that i found almost 50% foreigners who doesn't even know who is brahma.
                            I felt the magic of brahma that he wanted my visit a joyful voyage.

Chunnis Hanging in a shop

Rajasthani Knife's

Picturesque Brahma Ghat 

Knife's and Shields

  

Colourful Dresses

City of Pink, JAIPUR

 

Like innumerable people who visited the pink city i felt like taking a few gallons of pink paint and start painting every house in my city, hoping it will turn out to be a hottest destination like the Jaipur (pink city), But only after roaming in jaipur i realized my plan will never workout even after centuries because jaipur have much more than just the pink city to attract like forts, palaces and most importantly the tourist loving people.

The Great Wall of Amber

     All the 11 k.m stretch from jaipur my eyes searched for the views amber fort, but the moment i reached amber fort my jaw dropped and my eyes started looking the other side of the fort at the majestic wall. The wall is almost 3 feet wide and stretches for kilometres protecting the fort. I was wondering can this wall be constructed in this period, but left the thought for the Royal kings of rajasthan.                                        

Albert Hall Museum

                                                                                                              We need not necessarily go to Albert hall Museum to see its artefacts and paintings in it, with plenty of pigeon lovers feeding countless pigeons in front of the museum building is a worth watching. The mythological stories on bronze, Ivory Sculptures of Achilles, Rajput and Egyptian paintings are worth Visiting.                                                                   

Egyptian Paintings in Museum

It city palace was beautifully painted and it shows vividly how luxuriously the kings used to spend their lives, a part of city palace is residence of the royal family.
I was dumbstruck when i went to jantar mantar and seen the astronautical instruments which the then king made by himself. It Has the worlds largest sun dial, which shows time with 2 seconds accuracy.

Sun Dial In Jantar Mantar

                       

Arch above the entrance door at city gate