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

Elephant Festival Rajasthan

For a taste of royal lifestyles of raja-maharajas of Rajasthan, I set out on a heritage tour to this culturally rich land of India. And fortunately my tour coincided with the famous elephant festival (which coincides with Holi) celebrated with great fervour in the capital city Jaipur. The capital is at its best when decked up for this colourful and unique festival. After reaching Jaipur I was eagerly waiting to participate in the festival.

To experience the royalty at its best I stayed at Alsisar Haveli, which is one of the finest heritage hotels in the city. Its Rajputana look, traditional architecture, stunning interiors and warm hospitality left me speechless. Staying at this hotel was in itself a royal experience. Everything from bed to the mirror in the washroom had a royal touch to it.

To begin with I along with Manoj, my guide, visited the City Palace, a fabulous example of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace complex houses several stunning palaces with dazzling interiors. Further we headed to Jantar Mantar, a collection of astronomical instruments built in stone for measuring the planetary movements and time. Then we explored Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a pink coloured five-storied structure pierced with 955 windows. It was built in 1799 to enable the royal ladies to view the city life, without being visible themselves.

Then we moved on to Amber Fort, the huge fort with several arresting structures built under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, a fascinating experience.

Next day I was ready to be a part of the famous elephant festival, commemorating the glorious past of the city. The view of the elephants adorned from head to toe was a sight to behold. The elephant race was simply overwhelming. They also played the royal game polo and a procession of elephants is taken out. I felt as if the elephants were also enjoying themselves. For me the most fascinating part of the festival was playing holi on an elephant’s back. I also enjoyed traditional folk dances of Rajasthan. I was completely soaked in the hue of Rajasthan.

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Colour coding seems to be an age-old tradition in the cities of

Jaisalmer City

Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer. Jaipur is painted pink, Jodhpur is famous for its blue and Jaisalmer has a desert yellow hue, which beautifully blends with its rustic surroundings.

All set to get enchanted by the beauty of Jaisalmer attractions, I began my journey in the morning. My first halt was the Jaisalmer Fort, which is visible from almost every corner of the town. It’s a huge fort, which is one of the largest forts of the world. It stands majestically in the middle of the unfathomable Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill. It has three layers of walls. It looks like a part of the desert itself because of its golden yellow colour.

A few steps ahead of the entrance gate locals sell handicrafts like music instruments and anklets. One woman literally got after my life to buy the anklet. I ignored her and moved quickly from there. While exploring the fort I dined at one of the roof top restaurants in the fort. The restaurant offered wonderful views of the town.

The next attraction I visited in the fort was Laxminath temple. It has exquisitely carved stone pillars and an open courtyard. The inside walls of the temple are adorned with paintings of Lord Krishna. I also saw the Royal Palace.

Located outside the fort is the mesmerizing Patwon Ki Haveli , which is intricately carved. Built in yellow sandstone, the haveli boasts of around 60 balconies and flawlessly carved lattice work. In the evening I went to scan the bustling bazaars of Jaisalmer to buy colourful and beautiful handicrafts.

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Ranakpur Jain Temple

Sweeping across the colourful land of Rajasthan, I witnessed the ancient monuments, royal Rajputana glory and the distinctive lifestyle of the locals. I was seeking for something different, that could refresh my senses and break this monotonous desert tour. While going though the Rajasthan travel guide, the ‘Pilgrimage Town’ of Ranakpur seemed quite appealing. I was quite excited to explore this Jain site and spend some time in divine peace. Though the township of Ranakpur is situated about 96 km from Udaipur, but instead of hiring a taxi I preferred travelling by train. I arrived the Phalna railway station at 7:15 am and hired an auto-rickshaw for the Jain Temples, which are approximately 20 km from the station.

Ranakpur holds a special reverence for the Jains, as it is one of the five renowned Jain pilgrimages in India. I stopped at a village dhaba for breakfast where I had delicious aaloo-puri and a huge glass of thick lassi. Almost all the Jain Temples in the complex are exquisitely carved in Amber stone. Built during the rule of Rana Kumbha, these Jain temples date back to the 15th century. The autowala asked me to start exploring the shrines from the Chaumukha Temple. This four faced temple, dedicated to Adinath Ji (the first Jain tirthankara), is spread over 48,000 sq. feet. The temple with a four-faced statue of the tirthankara, is simply an architectural wonder. It is highly frequented for its 29 huge halls and 1,444 distinctly carved pillars. A corridor around the temple also has carved images of 24 tirthankaras. In that beautiful temple, I could feel the celestial music created by the light wind breezing through its corridors. The four small shrines, with 80 spires supported by 420 pillars, are another fascinating feature of the temple.

I was quite surprised to see the two other temples, dedicated to Parasvanath and Neminath, facing the main temple. The exquisite figures, somewhat similar to the Khujarao sculptures, are the best part about these temples. The images of Adinath, Parshvanath, Ajitnath and Lord Mahavir Swami were incomparable. Another interesting attraction in Ranakpur was the Parshvanath Temple. Made of pure marble, this ancient temple is also known as ‘Patriyon ka Mandir’. This temple is best known for its pierced stone windows with ornamental designs.

Someone told me that the Jain community and their temple building activities were always patronized by the ruling Mewar dynasty. My short visit to Ranakpur was quite interesting as well as informative. Ranakpur Jain temples are the gems in the mountain ranges of Pali district.

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Jaisalmer Haveli

I was on a royal heritage quest, and my quest ended in Jaisalmer, which has wonderful gems to offer from the past. And the most fascinating are the havelis, which are a great testimony to the glorious past of Rajasthan. Recently on my tour to Jaisalmer I visited the three famous havelis of Jaisalmer and it was a perfect experience. Exquisitely carved these havelis were built hundreds of years back. Whether its their wood work or the stone work, everything about them is enchanting.

The three famous havelis are:

Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli
Truly an architectural marvel, Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli is worth a visit. Located in the heart of Jaisalmer, it was built in a unique style by the two brothers Hathi and Lulu in the 19th century. One interesting feature about the haveli is that there is a geometrical irregularity in the structure. The two halves of the structure were made separately and then joined together by a facade. Although this dissimilarity was a mistake but it turned out to be an attraction of the haveli. It made the haveli look more beautiful. Elaborately carved, this haveli has mesmerizing interiors.

Salim Singh Ji Ki Haveli
Once the residence of Salim Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Jaisalmer, Salim Singh Ji Ki Haveli was built in the 17th century. Its roof was fashioned in the form of a peacock, which is amazingly carved. Each of its 38 balconies are carved in different styles, leaving visitors awe-inspired with their architectural beauty. The front side of the haveli juts out like a ship’s prow, that’s why the haveli is also known as Jahaz Mahal.

Patwon Ki Haveli
It is the most luxurious and stunning haveli of Jaisalmer built in 1805 by a rich merchant named Guman Chand Patwa. Its complex consists of five separate structures, each having its own charm and beauty. Take a stroll through its 60 balconies known for their stunning lattice work. Some portion of the haveli is still occupied by the royal family. Two of the structures are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The mirror work and paintings of the haveli deserve mention.

There are several other havelis with brilliant architectural style and stunning interiors in Jaisalmer. The sights of these royal structures is truly delightful. Some of them have also been converted into heritage hotels to offer amazing accommodation options to tourists.

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Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan

36 km long boundary wall, over 360 temples inside the Fort complex, graceful Bengal caned marble columns, and delicate latticed balconies – Can anyone actually resist himself for visiting such an amazing place? After going through the Kumbhalgarh Travel Guide, I packed my bag and hired a taxi for such historically important destination. After a drive of 85 km from Udaipur, through the dense greens and fascinating valleys of the Aravallis, I finally reached Kumbhalgarh. The very first impression was marked to me by the entrance of the fort, which was as huge as I could ever imagine.

While taking the entrance ticket, I hired a guide and headed for one of the most surprising sites I have ever seen. Suresh, the guide, told me that this 15th century structure is the second most important fort in Rajasthan after the Chittaurgarh Fort and boasts of being the birth place of the legendary King Maharana Pratap. Snuggled over 6,233 feet above sea level, the fort was built by Rana Kumbha. While peeping into the royal structures inside the fort, we paid short visits to the Salim Mahal, Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Kishan Pol and Andheri Gate.

Badal Mahal is the highest place in the fort, built by Rana Fateh Singh in the late 19th century. I could actually feel the pleasant winds kissing my reflection on the pastel colored walls while I was gazing at the long serpentine lines of the fort walls and distant landscapes. It offers the best of scenic view of the entire city and dense greens of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The best view from such a high point was of the 36 km long boundary wall that boasts of being the second longest continuous wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. While having lunch at the restaurant at the entrance of the fort, Suresh told me that the entire fort comprises of about 365 temples. But as we were running short of time, I asked him to show me the most revered one. He took me to the Shiva Temple, which comprises a huge Shiva Linga (Phallic form).

Jal Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar and Suraj Kund were equally beautiful structures. The fort, with 15 large and 51 small towers, offers splendid bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Kumbhalgarh Fort and its ruins, positioned in the midst of Aravalli ranges, were far more appealing than my imagination.

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The land of sheer natural beauty
A testimony to the glorious history
A treat to the sore eyes
That’s Ranthambhore National Park!

I am sure you must have been to National Parks but a visit to Ranthambhore National Park can never leave you disappointed. Recently I visited this Park, which enjoys a wide variety of wildlife and captivating natural beauty. It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, and is 130 km from Jaipur. Once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, this Park is now a world famous wildlife destination where tourists come from across the globe.

Popular for its tiger population, the Park is also a home to a variety of wildlife such as Nilgai, Leopard, Indian hare, Mongoose, Sambhar, Chital, Jackal, Antelope, Langur, Black buck, Monitor Lizard and many more. The Park also provides shelter to crocodiles and beautiful birds.

Offering picturesque views, the Park is surrounded by Banas river, Chambal river and hills of Aravali range. Sprawling over an area of 392 sq km, the Park was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973. There are three lakes flowing through this Park, namely Raj Bagh lake, Malik Talab and Padam Talab. These lakes are the promising sites for sighting both birds and animals as they come here to quench their thirst. Jeep and canter safaris are organized twice daily and each safari lasts for three hours.

One of the interesting attractions inside the Park is Ranthambhore Fort
whose history dates back to the 10th century. It is considered as one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan built by the Chauhan Rajputs in 944. The Jogi Mahal within the fort has the second largest Banyan tree in India. The fort offers amazing views of the Park.

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It was the end of May, the scorching summer was at its peak,and I was far

Shopping in Udaipur

away from the noise, pollution, dust and the mad rush of hi-tech metros.

Although it was quite hot in Udaipur as well but the climate was bearable, in fact a bit pleasant, because of the cooling effect of the charming lakes. In Udaipur, my lungs loved the air. The city sounded uncannily quiet. What could be more interesting activity than shopping to explore the ancient culture and traditions of the Rajputs dipped in vibrant colours?

I got to know that Udaipur has countless shops and many interesting local crafts. My mother told me on phone that the city is also famous for producing furniture covered with silver and inlaid with mother of pearl and bone. It was certainly a big deal to carry that huge furniture to my native place from Udaipur. But I could buy some small artifacts and traditional handicraft items. Therefore, I started my hunt from the stalls at the Lake Palace Road. I found a umber of traditional Rajput-Mughal-style miniature paintings there. Those were designed in a variety of mediums such as bone, paper, silk, marble, and wood. The shops next to the Rang Niwas Palace Hotel and the Jagdish Temple are also famous for such artifacts and beautiful images of Gods and Goddesses.

My driver took me to ‘Hathi Pol’, which is the biggest market area of Udaipur. I bought a few exquisite items such as colorful dyed fabrics and hand printed textiles, wooden folk toys and silver jewellery for my mother and sister. The animated colors and themes painted on the wall hangings are famous all over the world, but I found them very costly. Clock Tower, Chetak Circle and Bapu Bazaar are other famous market areas, which are known for the best of traditional articles and handicrafts. The best attractions of these market areas were Bandhej sarees & suits, traditional jewellery, handmade papers, painted wooden box, marble and wooden carved doors, brasswares, beadwork and precious & semi precious stones.

I was surprised to see the wealth of ethnic crafts that constantly reminded me of Mewar’s royal traditions and ethnic grandeur. Rajasthali and Sadhna are two government emporiums that offer all the products under a single roof. You are offered the best deals here and you can capture the most of Rajasthan in these emporiums. There is a great opportunity for bargaining also. Shopping in Udaipur was an enchanting cultural experience as I interacted with incredibly talented folk artists.

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Before leaving for my tour to Rajasthan my family members had handed me a list of the shopping items they wanted from Jaipur. In fact they were more

excited than me about my tour. After experiencing the royalty of the bygone era by visiting the palaces, forts and monuments in the city, I decided to dedicate one complete day to shopping. There is so much to see and buy at the bustling bazaars of the city. So on your tour to Jaipur, the fascinating city of Rajasthan, don’t forget to pamper yourself with a variety of colorful handicrafts. I explored quite a few markets in the city and finally bought wonderful handicrafts.

Some of the famous handicrafts of Jaipur are:

Blue Pottery
Famous around the world for its beauty, Blue pottery is one of the special handicrafts of the city. The blue pottery consists of objects like mugs, surahi, jug, plate, tiles, flower pots, ashtray, lamp shades and other decorative articles.

Metal Ware
A variety of beautiful metal objects are available in the city but the objects carved out of brass are simply unmatched. Lacquered brass and carved brass are the two types of brass work done in the city.

Wood Work
You can buy amazing wooden furniture such as table, chair, drawer chest, picture frame, mirror frame, carved doors and windows from the bazaars. Carved in traditional style and available in different shapes and designs, these objects can really give traditional touch to your house.

Carpets and Durries
Available in various fabrics, sizes and designs, carpets and durries of the city are famous for their quality and beauty.

Paintings
Shopping in a royal city like Jaipur is incomplete without buying the miniature or folk paintings. Made on various themes, the paintings look awesome.

Rajasthani Textiles
Tye and Dye fabric and Block printed textiles are a big hit in the city. Their grace, color and beauty attract not only Indian tourists but also foreigners. These textiles are available in a variety of patterns.

Marble Work
Meticulously carved marble statues of the Hindu deities, animals, human figurines, bowls, vases etc make a good buy in Jaipur.

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After getting high on entertainment in the wonderful Elephant festival in Jaipur, I with full enthusiasm was ready to see the fascinating architectural masterpieces of this pink city. As soon as I entered the unique and charming Hawa Mahal, I was greeted by the wonderful sights of Rajput style of architecture. The walls of the mahal are pierced with around 953 small windows boasting of beautiful lattice work. Carved flawlessly out of pink sandstone, these windows are commonly known as ‘Jharokhas’. They are fashioned in such a unique style that the building resemble a huge honeycomb. Air circulation through the windows keep the mahal cool even in summers. Another interesting feature of this mesmerizing establishment is the arched roofs with hanging cornices, which add more charm to its beauty.

I had read in books that these windows were constructed to facilitate the queens and princess of the royal family of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to watch the processions taking place in the streets below without being seen themselves.

Other such arresting establishments which I visited in Jaipur were:

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

It is the brainchild of the intelligent Maharaja Jai Singh who built it during the period between 1727 to 1733. One must see this largest stone observatory in the world. It houses a great collection of architectural astronomical instruments, which are used for measuring altitude, time, movement of the stars and planets and several other astronomical events. It is one of the National Monuments of India.

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Standing tall as the pride of Jaipur,
Amber Fort offers amazing views of
the beautiful Maota Lake. Maharaja Man Singh constructed this fort by combining the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. The most exciting mode of reaching the fort is an elephant ride which is quite common here. The captivating chambers like Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam and Ganesh Pol will surely leave you spell bound.

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While on a trip to Rajasthan, I was searching for a pleasant destination to escape from the hot summers. What else could be more beautiful and romantic than the ‘City of Lakes‘- Udaipur? Lakes and watercourses not only provide a perfect backdrop to Udaipur, but also give a sense of relief. These lakes add some more beauty and appeal to this charming city. As I arrived Udaipur, I wqas welcomed by royal palaces, swaying trees, balmy weather and sparkling lakes- a perfect mixture for relaxing holidays.

I first came across the famous Pichola Lake. Located in the heart of the

city, it is the oldest (built in 1362) and one of the largest lakes of

Udaipur. With 3 miles of length, 2 miles of width and 30 feet of depth, it is cradled amongst hills, gardens, havelis, temples and ghats. The mesmerizing beauty of Lake Pichola is capale of making you fall in love with it. I was also surprised to see the splendid beauty of Udai Sagar Lake. Built between 1559 and 1565 by Maharana Udai Singh, the lake extends to 4 km in length 2.5 km in width. The dam on this lake is connected to Berach River. I loved spending some quality time alonside the serene waters of this lake while having lunch at a small restaurant/dhaba.

When it comes to other renowned artificial lakes, the Fateh Sagar Lake (built by Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD) and Jaisamand Lake (built in 1685) stole my heart. The Fateh sagar lake has three beautiful islands dotted by hills and woodlands. It is a nice place to explore and tourists like to

enjoy the tranquil beauty of this lake. On the other hand Jaisamand Lake, 52 km southeast from Udaipur, boasts of being the second largest artificial lake in Asia. It is quite close to the Jaisamand Sanctuary (built in 1957), which serves as a home to several birds, panthers, leopards, deer, wild boars and crocodiles. I also paid short visits to Badi Lake (built by Maharana Raj Singh I in 1684 at a cost of Rs. 688,000) and Rajsamand Lake (built in 1660) and enjoyed boat-ride in the evening. Such pleasant activities leave soothing impacts on the tangled nerves of the tourists. A few local people told me that Lake Swaroop Sagar, Kuwaria Talaab, Badi Jheel, Dhoodh Talai, Rani Sagar and Kaka Kiwad were also popular watercourses a few years back, but they dried up with course of time. Presently these serve as thoroughfares for the people and grazing grounds for animals. With all these natural attractions, Udaipur is a favourite tourist spot of the honeymooners, and holiday makers.

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