Wonders of RajasthanVibrant Rajasthan – Travel to the Land of History, Legends, Valorous Warriors And Heritage Hotels….

Come March and tourists head in droves to catch the Elephant Festival in Jaipur. We were among those tourists. Jaipur is a princely city of Rajasthan which takes immense pride in its famous Elephant Festival which is celebrated in March during the festival of colors, Holi. In keeping with the tradition of traveling frequently, I along with my friends reached Jaipur one day before the festival. We were booked in the heritage hotel Alsisar Haveli, which is a wonderful hotel. After seeing this hotel it would be no exaggeration to say that we had traveled back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. The royal treatment was overwhelming and something which I will remember for long.

During the celebration of Elephant Festival, the Pink city of Jaipur gets transformed in to a “famous venue” as tourists from far and wide come here to witness the charm of the colorful and royal Elephant Festival. It is the most popular festival which is celebrated with great pomp and show in the princely city. Dedicated to Elephants, this festival recreates the royal splendor of the raja-maharaja era. Jaipur’s Elephant Festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism every year.

On our way to the festival venue our guide Sukhvinder Singh said with strong conviction that we will surely enjoy the festival which is marked by elephant parade, polo match, tug of war, elephant beauty contest, folk dances and many more events.

As we entered the stadium we saw it was fully packed with visitors and tourists who had come to see this festival. The morning of this eventful day was marked by the procession of the breathtakingly decorated elephants in the Chaugan Stadium. Other animals like horses, cows and camels later joined the elephants in the parade. The music band was playing drums and elephants were marching royally. I was feeling as if we had stepped back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. The scene was perfectly royal. And then we treated our senses with wonderful folk dance performances. It was very uplifting. Everybody seemed to be in high spirits.

After the long procession ended, the exciting tug of war began. I found this session the most interesting as this war was between a female elephant and 18 tourists. I think it was not fair as the female elephant had to fight alone against 18 people. But this royal creature dragged the tourists and finally won. I was so happy to see that as I was on the side of this majestic creature. People, no offense please. I asked our guide how and when do the tourists sign up for this event. He said that one needs to apply for this 2-3 months before the festival and then around 18 tourists are selected from around the world.

Next event was the elephant polo match between two teams of Jaipur. In this match each elephant was controlled by a mahout who sat on the neck and the players sat on the back with a long stick to hit the polo ball. Well it was quite interesting. It was something unusual which we rarely get to see.

Now this last event was another session of the festival which I liked a lot. Holi on elephants! Sounds too exciting na! We sat on elephant’s back and threw powdered colors on the people below who were also busy playing with colors with each other. This day was full of fun, excitement and entertainment. It was one of the best trips of my life.

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Wonders are rare in this world! But when it comes to India tourism, you can find plenty of them. Obviously, watching the wonder monument Taj Mahal and enjoying a wonder safari while clicking the tigers in India is no less than a trip to heaven! So the story starts with my summer vacations this year when my friends planned a Taj – Tiger Tour.

As per the Taj – Tiger Tour Guide, we were supposed to wander through the mesmerizing monuments of Delhi before leaving to the Jim Corbett National Park. However, we were familiar with places like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Old Fort, Raj Ghat and India Gate. But it was fun watching these historically important sites again. The next morning, we left for the Jim Corbett National Park in the foothills of Himalaya. This renowned national Park is named after the renowned hunter and naturalist – Jim Corbett. The guide there told us that the entire park spreads over 1300 sq km and we had to hire a jeep to explore the main parts of Corbett.

We spend the entire evening while exploring the breathtaking Khinanauli range. The next day, we enjoyed the best jeep safari of our lives. The guide told us that there are very strong chances of spotting tigers or elephants in summers here, as the animals often visit the small lake inside the park. Lucky was how I felt when I spotted a tiger with its two cubs resting amidst the lush greens. I could easily click it with my tele-zoom camera from the outer boundary of the prohibited area.

That full day jungle trip was so charming and remarkable that I even had dreams of it in the night. Next morning, we headed towards Dhikala by Canter (16 seater vehicle) for a half day sightseeing trip to Jim Corbett Museum. This is the place that showcases the antique belongings of Mr. Jim Corbett and some of the rarest texts about him. While returning back from our tiger tour, we also enjoyed the superb elephant safari.

The last day of our trip was dedicated to Taj Mahal tourism and the wonder city Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. The true beauty of this city lies in the serene River Yamuna. Most of the Mughal monuments in Agra – including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri – are declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal – the symbol of eternal love and a tribute to Queen Mumtaz Mahal by Emperor Shah Jahan – tops the charts with its spotless beauty covered in pure white marbles. Sikandra, the tomb of Emperor Akbar, is also a real treat to the eyes in Agra.

This way, the Taj – Tiger Tour Package proves to be a true blessing for all the tourists who admire historical monuments, divine natural beauty, enchanting wildlife, thrilling adventure and traditional art & culture.

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Battlefields and war scenes of the cinema, the vista of chaos, actually drive me crazy. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies. My next trip, luckily, took me to a marvellous journey to India’s finest forts & battlefields. It was Rajasthan tourism. Though I had explored this desert land earlier, but it was worth visiting again & again.

This land of royals has a rich past and magnificent heritage. While going through the Rajasthan travel guide, I came to know that great personalities ruled various regions of Rajasthan and left marks of bravery, grandeur and valor. During my trip to the cities like Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur or Bikaner – I’d explored the classical monuments like City Palace (Jaipur & Udaipur), Chittaurgarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Taragarh Fort, Junagarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. Therefore, I decided to go for the conventional battlefields this time.

I started from Bharatpur, where the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary adjoins Deeg & Dholpur – the core elements of the Jat history of Rajasthan. Later I drove to Karauli, en route visiting Khanwa, where the Battle of Khanau was fought in the year 1527. This was the place where Babur defeated a formidable army raised by Rana Sanga of Mewar & established his rule over north India.

My next halt was Ranthambore where I first visited the Ranthambore Fort. After the defeat of the Chauhan King Prithviraj III by Muhammad Gauri in 1192, it was led by Govinda Raja, grandson of Prithviraj. Later after many battles & rulers, it came under the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1559. Later I headed towards Udaipur, en route visiting Chittorgarh. A guide there told me that after the Mughal Emperor Akbar captured Chittorgarh in 1568, the capital was moved west to Udaipur, in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. Chittor Fort is a live example of the battles between the Ranas of Chittor & Alauddin Khilji, Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat & Emperor Akbar.

Next I visited the Victory Tower, built in 1440 AD by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mohamed Khilji. This 9-storyed tower is adorned by sculptures of Hindu deities and is the piece-de-resistance of Chittorgarh. After that, I continued to Udaipur, which was founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh after his final unsuccessful attempt to defend the Mewar capital, Chittorgarh. Apart from the scenic & architectural beauty, it doesn’t have much to boast of. So I headed towards Kumbalgarh, the fort of Rana Kumbha that is surrounded by greenery & wildlife and is also within a short driving distance from the famous 15th century Ranakpur Jain Temples.

En route we also visited Haldighati (Gogunda) – the most famous battlefield of Rajputana where the most famous battle was fought in the year 1576 between Rana Pratap & the Imperial Forces of Emperor Akbar.

According to Rajasthan tour itinerary, Jaipur was next on my list. But I was running short of time, so I made a quick list of all the places to see in Rajasthan on my next trip. This short trip was quite exciting as well as informative. I never knew that addicted could be so pleasurable. I surrendered my soul!

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Jaipur Architectural Delight

On a way to Udiapur with my family we have taken 5 hours break in Jaipur so that we can explore the major attractions of India’s Pink City.  Jaipur is called Pink City of India because of several pink stucco buildings that lie in the periphery of this city. This Capital City of Rajasthan is well connected with India’s major cities via rail, road and airways.  I along with niece and cousins started our Udaipur journey from Delhi in Tempo Traveler.

We began our drive in early morning and reached Jaipur by 2 pm. This 6 hour journey was pleasurable because we got ample of time to gossip and many things to share because we all are meeting after the time span of 2 years. Throughout the ride we shared our past memories and pulled each other legs. Before embarking our Jaipur excursion we took traditional Rajasthani food in our lunch at roadside restaurant. The taste was so good that it is still lingering on my taste bud. After satisfying our appetite we went to see the Hawa Mahal which is the icon of this place. This is one of the most famous attractions of this place which is visited by almost every tourist who comes here.

Hawa Mahal is the man made marvel which is also known as ‘Palace of Winds’ or ‘Palace of the Breeze’. This is a pyramid-shaped five storied facade made up of red and pink sandstone. We were amazed by the beauty of 953 small windows popularly known as ‘Jharokhas’ which are decorated with tiny lattice work. One of our cousins who worked in Tourism industry briefed us about the whole structure along with its historical and cultural significance. She told us that it was built for the women of the Royal Families to watch various activities taking place on the streets. It is the wonderful Rajputana structure which was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.

After seeing this Rajasthan wonder we headed for Amber fort which is magnificent building and among the finest example of man made imaginations crafted out of stone carving and adorned with beautiful decorations.

The magnetic constructions of white marble, red sandstone and delicate decorations make Amber fort a grandiose structure which lures scores of tourists to this place. Apart from this the Maotha Lake in foreground adds extra glamour to this structure which touches the heart of every visitor and we were among them. Again our cousin briefed about this heart gripping palace. The construction of this fort was commenced in 1592 during the reign of Raja Man Singh I but it was finally completed during the period of Raja Jai Singh I. Intricate carvings, minute mirror work and mosaic work throughout the complex utters the glory of Rajputana royalty and legacy who made this grand structure.

The major attraction of this fort is Diwan-e-Aam or the ‘Hall of Public Audience’ which is the forty pillared marquee built for Maharaja to meet the general public. Though there are many attractions inside the fort but Jai Mandir ‘Hall of Victory’ famous for stunning ceiling adorned with mirror work and an inlaid panel captivated our attentions for long time. The elephant ride is the best way to explore the diverse beauty of this fort. But due to lack of time we couldn’t enjoy the royal ride of gentle giant.

The visit to these two royal structures pleased our eyes and rejuvenated our mind but exhausted our stamina. So we dropped our plan to visit any more attractions of this historical city. On insist from cousins we went to Jauhari Bazaar which is among the best places of Jaipur to purchase tie-and-dye items. Here, we purchased some semi-precious stones, handcrafted footwear, costumes and handicrafts as a souvenir of this place.

After that we again embarked our journey to Udaipur in the same tempo traveler. On the way we stopped for dinner at roadside restaurant where we tasted some of the best Rajasthani food which again filled our appetite but not satisfied our taste.

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Heritage Hotel Devigarh Fort

It would be no exaggeration if I say that I am a lover of Rajasthan. This glorious land of raja-maharajas has always fascinated me and that is the reason why I keep traveling to this classic destination time and again. This time I and one of my friends Rahul decided to plan a tour dedicated to savor an experience of staying in a heritage hotel to experience the lifestyles of the raja-maharajas of the bygone era. So we browsed the Internet for finding out an authentic travel company to book our tour. We finally selected Caper Travel Pvt Ltd as it seemed authentic and reliable as it is a National Tourism Award winner. We decided to book the grand and majestic Heritage Hotel Devigarh in Udaipur. I had seen Udaipur but my friend had not so we choose to visit Udaipur.

As we reached the Heritage Hotel Devigarh Fort, we were given a warm welcome with a big smile, flower garlands, and refreshing welcome drink. The view of the heritage hotel was awe inspiring and as we moved further exploring the hotel we were enveloped in a feeling of rapture. As we headed towards our room the attendant who was escorting us told us about the hotel. It was built in the the year 1760 by the Rajpur ruler Raghudev Sing II. A perfect example of traditional and modern, the heritage fort offers 39 suites. Beautiful marble and semi-precious stones have been used as decorative elements in the suites.

We had booked the palace suite for ourselves. Just outside the suite was a traditional courtyard which was beautifully decorated. And as we entered our suite we were completely spell bound by its decoration and royal ambiance. Now the kingly feeling was enveloping us and we were getting drunk on it. As the attendant left we started using our skill, which was never there, to figure out the names of the semi-precious stones used in decoration. The furniture, the paintings, the floor, the bed, and even the glass of the washroom was so royal. The back door of our suite opened into a balcony which offers refreshing views of gorgeous green fields and the mountains surrounding the hotel. All the modern amenities were present in the suite. Traditional materials and motifs are used to create modern designs and white marble has been used liberally.

After refreshing ourselves we went for dinner to the restaurant of the hotel. The hotel offers several options for private dining. We opted for Sheesh Mahal for dinner. It was mind blowing, just like a stunning palace. It reflects the glorious history of Rajasthan in the form of beautiful frescoes and mirror work. Traditional low Indian seating and rows of candles added more charm to the setting making it a prefect place for dining. Sitting here and feasting on traditional Rajasthani food was itself a ’special occasion’ for us. This was the best dining experience I ever had.

For recreation of the guests this heritage hotel offers Spa therapies and massages, health club, yoga and meditation classes, beauty parlor, swimming pool, bicycle trips, camel safari, horse riding, trekking, kite flying, pool table, library, shopping arcade etc. Everything about this heritage hotel is royal and classy. We enjoyed our stay to the fullest and the next morning we were slated to go for sightseeing.

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Jodhpur Kite Festival

“Soaring high is my nature”, this is the slogan of my school which I used to proudly tell my friends and relatives. I would always take pride in it and I still do. This slogan sits smug on the colorful and wonderful Desert Kite festival of Jodhpur.

Fairs and Festivals are inherently woven into the colorful fabric of the rich culture of Rajasthan. After a delicious breakfast I was all set to fly on the wings of entertainment in the wonderful Desert Kite festival of Jodhpur. It is one of the most famous festivals of the city which attracts scores of tourists and locals from far and wide. Youth takes the lead and make the festival a memorable event.

As I reached the Polo Ground, the venue of the festival, my senses were greeted with the sights of several kites flying high in the sky. Oh! It was so overwhelming to see the colorful kites fashioned into wonderful designs. The sight reminded me of a quote which I cherish a lot.“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” My sincere apology to the author of this quote as I don’t remember his name. This festival is truly uplifting as it unfolds many different meanings to many different people.

The kite festival is celebrated with great fervor on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Jodhpur. Makar Sankranti marks the end of winters and beginning of Spring bringing people great joy. Stretching for 3 days, this festival culminates at the stunning Umaid Bhawan Palace. It is an international kite festival which draws spectators from across the globe. Kite makers and fliers had gathered here from countries such as UK, US, Belgium, South Africa, Germany and Malaysia.

I had never seen such a colorful sky before. No wonder children eagerly wait for this festival which I could sense from their faces brimming with bright smiles. Children released colorful balloons in the sky and the Air Force helicopters released numerous beautiful kites. There was one more message that was being conveyed by the festival. The sky has no boundary, it is limitless. Similarly we as the human beings should embrace all without building the walls of cast, creed, color, social status, religion and nationality. We should broaden our thinking like the horizon of the sky.

The International Kite festival of Jodhpur packed my day with entertainment, fun and adventure and the memory of the event will surely linger on and on.

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Jodhpur

The royalty in the air and cultural richness oozing out of every structure are the alluring temptations of Jodhpur, the Sun city. When it comes to Rajasthan I never hold myself back and this time with two days in my hand I came to see Jodhpur with some of my friends. I had been to some of the other cities of Rajasthan but this is for the first time I was visiting Jodhpur. I was more than excited as we reached there one day before the Kite festival.

Jodhpur is a famous tourist destination of Rajasthan. It is the second largest city of this state which was once called Marwar. It is popularly known as the Sun City as it is blessed with sunny weather throughout the year. It is also called the ‘Blue City’ as most of its structures especially houses are painted in blue. It is the destination where tourists can see the perfect marriage between the Mughal and Hindu architecture, art and culture. From heritage structures to colorful fairs and festivals, everything reflects royalty in plenty in this city.

The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most fascinating attractions of the city. Dominating the city, it is located atop the Bakharchiriya hill. This majestic structure was built by Rao Jodha ( the founder of the city) in 1459. While walking through the fort our guide Rampal Singh told us that at one point of time the fort had eight gates for defensive purposes. And for confusing the enemy the fort also had a maze (complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost). We saw several beautiful structures within the fort which were decorated with wonderful carvings and paintings. The ones I like the most were Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Daulat Khana and Sileh Khana. The fort sprawls over an area of 5 km.

In the museum inside the fort we saw a rich collection of miniature paintings, howdahs , Kilkila canon, palanquins, music instruments, ivory shields adorned with precious stones and royal cradles.

It was such a wonderful experience to explore the Mehrangarh fort. After that we gorged on Rajasthani food and left for shopping in the bustling markets of the princely city. I bought a beautiful miniature painting and tie and dye fabric. When I retired to bed at night I was thinking about the kite festival we would participate in the next day. I was excited!

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Albert hall Museum, jaipur

Museums, being great centres for learning history, serve as entertaining & exciting place for all the history buffs. On my trip to Jaipur, I did not pay much attention to this element. But while making notes of pleasurable memories of my trip, I realized that the Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur was actually a great centre for learning. Serving as the oldest in Rajasthan, Albert Hall Museum showcases an exquisite collection of metal ware, decorative wares, miniature Rajasthani portraits, sculptures, and an Egyptian Mummy.

While glaring at the photographs, I started recalling each and every corner of the museum that mesmerizes countless tourists from all over the globe. Constructed in 1876, Albert Hall or the Government Central Museum offers a unique Indo – Sarcenic architecture. This veritable treasure trove was built by Maharaja Ram Singh under the supervision of Lt. Swinton Jacob (a British army officer), for his personal use.

When I arrived at Ramniwas Gardens (the place where Albert Hall Museum is located), I was amazed to see the age old Rajputana glory that is still retained in the monuments in the native area. Moreover, a zoo, greenhouse, aviary and a sports ground adjacent to the museum also add to the beauty of the place.

First thing I came across in the compound was a Rajasthan village scene that is made lively with costumes, furniture, pottery and brassware. Another amazing part of the museum is the Persian Garden Carpet, which is certainly among India’s finest art treasures. A guide there told me that this garden carpet was made in Kerman, Persia in 1632. It is so beautiful that people call it ‘the garden of paradise’.

The guide also took me to Rabindra Manch, which serves as an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open air theater. It hosts a few cultural events on different occasions. In the inner courtyard, the galleries depict the uniqueness of the dresses and jewelery of all the classes and tribes of Rajasthani people. As I was running short of time, I started concluding my visit. But that was a superb experience. I had not been to any museum since I did my schooling. So it reminded me of my golden days as well.

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Khimsar Forts

I had already explored several enchanting destinations of incredible Rajasthan. Now I moved towards Khimsar to taste its rich cultural heritage. One of my close friends had told me about his tour to Khimsar and I really liked whatever he told me about this wonderful village. I wanted to experience the rural life of Rajasthan and the royalty too, So Khimsar was the best bet for me.

As my friend and I were on our way to Khimsar, our guide Surender Singh acquainted us with some information on Khimsar. It is a picturesque and peaceful village which was once a royal kingdom. It is located around 90 km from Jodhpur and is a great place to visit. It is best known for its mesmerizing Khimsar Fort.

Standing tall on the edge of the Great Thar Desert, the 16th century Khimsar Fort welcomes you for a royal and overwhelming experience. It is a majestic structure which is a testimony to the glorious past of Rajasthan. Its gardens are alive with gorgeous green plants, trees and colorful flowers and birds. The fort is a heritage hotel where royalty and grandeur of the raja-maharaja era is served in plenty. We were booked here for 2 days.

While exploring the fort the guide told me that this fort with fortified walls, turrets and stables was originally built for defense purposes. But later the royal family started staying here in the 18th century. A special apartment for the royal ladies was built here. Later a few stunning structures were also added to the fort. We enjoyed mouth-watering Rajasthani dishes on the rooftop restaurant of the fort and enjoyed the mesmerizing views of the surroundings. Also visited the museum inside the fort where a rare collection of royal belongings are displayed.

Next, the hotel arranged a camel safari for us and we explored the unfathomable sand dunes and the nearby villages. It was such a wonderful experience! I felt as if I had entered the wonderland where everything looked amazing. At the hotel we also saw the star-studded sky with telescope provided by the hotel.

The next day we stayed at the Khimsar Sand dunes Resort, located 6 km from the Khimsar fort. Set amidst sand dunes, this resort consists of sixteen huts with courtyards. There is a water body in the center of the resort which makes it look like an oasis in the desert. It was awesome! A stay at this resort offered us a great opportunity to experience the rural and royal sides of Rajasthan . Our tour to Khimsar was such a fantastic experience that its memories will linger on for this entire lifetime…

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Mandawa Haveli

Rajasthan is undoubtedly one of the most incredible and impressive tourist destinations of India. The moment you start exploring it, you come across amazing and fascinating attractions. The royalty and beauty of this land take the tourists to the times of raja-maharaja. Mandawa is one such destination of rajasthan where there is so much to see and experience as a tourist. I recently visited this place and came back completely mesmerized by its architectural beauty and pleasant aura.

Located in the Shekhawati region( well known for its awe-inspiring architectural work) of Rajasthan, Mandawa is a beautiful fort town. Tourists from across the globe come here to see its famous havelis( mansions ), temples, chhatris( cenotaphs) and frescoes. The glorious history of this town dates back to 1755. To give a royal taste to tourists the havelis here have been converted into heritage hotels.

My first halt was Mandawa Fort which dominates the land of this town. It has been converted into a heritage hotel known for its architectural brilliance. I was completely spell bound by the architectural beauty and royal ambiance of the fort. My guide Joginder Singh told me about the history of the fort and the interesting stories of the then raja-maharajas. The walls of the apartments of the fort are adorned with mesmerizing frescoes and paintings. The carvings and mirror work deserve special mention. One of the apartments named Durbar Hall fascinated me a lot with its wonderful paintings, carvings and antiques. The fort offers breathtaking views of the town. Here one also gets a chance to see the royal costumes of the kings and their fierce weapons.

My next destinations were the havelis of Mandawa which are like art galleries. From royal architecture to lavishly painted apartments, beautiful paintings touching various themes and exquisite carvings, all can be seen in these havelis. Some of the havelis I visited were jhunjhunwala Haveli, Murmuria Haveli and Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Each of the haveli had its own unique charm and beauty.

In the evening I explored the bazaar of Mandawa and bought a beautiful painting and a carved chair. It was such a great experience to travel to Mandawa.

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