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

Having a great interest in Indian Mythology, I read the literature off and on. While doing the same, I came across the importance of elephants. The animal is among the most revered animals.

Jaipur Elephant Festival

It was believed to be emerged from the ocean after the churning of the ocean took place between the demons and gods to attain the immortality.

Reading this, my memories of the tour to Rajasthan got alive. I was there with my husband during the time of elephant festival. Among the most popular festivals of Jaipur, it offers you the opportunity to view the grandeour of the city.

All royal guests were being taken to the renowned Amber Fort on elephant back. Not only this, but some special elephant fights were also conducted to offer entertainment for the guests.

This spectacular elephant festival in Jaipur is organized in March every year. The grand procession just enthralled us. The elephants were bedecked on their heads and the tips of tails with heavy jewellery, flowers and other ornamentation you could imagine.

To our surprise, they were also wearing anklets that tinkle once they walk down in all their glory.

We enjoyed being witness to the various games like polo, races and Holi. Splashing each other with bright colours, they create a wonderful scene.

What could be more fascinating than the performance of folk dancers! It felt like we were in a grand celebration that would never end.

Besides elephants, other decorated animals like horses and camels can also be seen there. The highlight of the procession was, it could be seen with all the original grandeur of the old era.

Rajasthani Folk Dance

With the end of the procession, we were invited to mount the elephants. Many other tourists like us also grabbed this wonderful opportunity and enjoyed a lot. Some enthusiastic visitors also started playing with colours.

We also joined in the parade. The whole atmosphere soon became jovial.

The musical notes of the folk performers also added charm to the festival. With much enjoyment and recreating the age-old legacy, the grandeur of the festival ended.

The memories of the elephant festival are still fresh and takes me to the world of royalty.

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Next day, we left for Udaipur, the city of lakes. As we reached there, the splendor of royal era grabbed our attention. The rolling hills, beautiful lakes and white marble palaces give Udaipur a special appeal.

We came across the spectacular monument-City Palace. Depicting the history of the city with honor, the palace boasts of its marvelous architecture.

Lies in the centre of Pichola Lake, Lake Palace is another beautiful monument of Udaipur. Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are also lying nearby. We also came across some old monuments like Bagore ki Haveli and Maharana Pratap Memorial.These buildings still showcase the local culture and tradition. The exquisite glass and mirror work done on the interiors is amazing.

Pushkar Festival

On our afternoon trip, we explored the Monsoon Palace. It rewarded us with amazing views of the lakes and hills. In the evening, we witnessed the Rajasthani folk dance and music that made us drawn deep in its authenticity.

The day started with Pushkar visit. Though it is a small city yet is has its own charm and appeal. This city offers a more serene escapade to visitors as compared to any other tourist destination in Rajasthan. We got to know the famous Pushkar festival, when we visited the Pushkar Lake. It is said that huge livestock like cows, goats and sheep are sold in the fair.

Neha insisted us to visit Brahma Temple; we both agreed and moved ahead. Counted among the most significant Brahma temples, it has the shrine of presiding deity of Lord Brahma. Built in the 14^th century AD, this temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma.

Thinking of our next destination, we landed in the dream world.

Next day, we headed to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It is the largest city of Rajasthan. It houses some magnificent forts and palaces which add to the place. Started from City Palace about which we had already heard a lot, we moved ahead inside the palace. Standing apart with its exemplary architecture, the palace complex covers a huge area. As we started walking ahead, we come across a series of gardens, buildings and courtyards.

Located near the boundary of the city palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is a worth visiting place. Khusboo was so excited to see this place that she could not help herself clicking some photographs. Named after Palace of Winds, this mahal boasts of its more than 950 huge windows. It was especially built in such a way to allow the royal women the views of the market areas.

Nahargarh Fort was another fort, which became a part of our exploration. Located on the aravali hills ridge, the fort was built by Jai Singh. This magnificent fort presents an enticing sight at night.

Chokhi Dhani

The most memorable thing of our Jaipur visit was Chokhi Dhani where we spend some time exploring the beauty of the place. Capturing the spirit of desert land, it ensures a perfect traditional Rajasthani experience. We enjoyed our food at this village resort. We relished authentic Rajasthani Food, which obviously had a lot of calories. Even I am very particular about my food though I could not help myself from enjoying the food with much ghee.

In the evening, there were some cultural programmes, which filled our heart with fun and enjoyment. The traditional performances and the puppet show just took away my heart.

With delightful memories, we left back for Delhi.

Lies in the centre of

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Rajasthan, the land of kings has always been my center of attraction. Its royalty, rich culture, glorious past, ancient monuments and warm hospitality have captivated my interest since my childhood. My most awaited dream came true when I embarked on this 14 days Rajasthan Tour with my two of my comrades-Khushboo and Neha.

We went to Rajasthan by car, and it took around five hours to reach there from Delhi. After reaching Mandawa, we took rest for sometime in our hotel. Then, we moved around the city to explore its fascinating havelis. The architectural splendor, the glorious past and the royal palaces just take you to a completely different world.

Our next halt was at Bikaner, which is famous for its magnificent forts and palaces. I was too eager to visit the Junagarh Fort for which I have heard a lot. We entered through the Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate, which is the main entrance of the fort. The fort includes 37 palaces and pavilions. It also houses a museum which has a rich collection of rare manuscripts, carpets, weapons, treaties, utensils and much more.

Lalgarh Palace Bikaner

While visiting the Lalgarh Palace of Bikaner, we were completely enthralled. Khushboo clicked some photographs at different locations. Some part of the palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel. The amazing filigree work and meticulous latticework speak volume about the fort. As I have already read a lot about the fort, so I was aware of the library that it houses. I could not believe when I saw the rare collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts. It reflects that how rich the city was in terms of education. People were really inclined towards education and got all the support from the kings in old era as well.

While relaxing at night, we all were sharing our knowledge about the forts and palaces we visited during the day. The magnetic charm of the attractions kept us delighted during the tour and soon we were in the next destination-Jaisalmer.

Popularly referred as the Golden City of India, it is situated in the heart of the Thar Desert. Neha had already been to Jaisalmer, so she decided for us the must visit places in the city. Trusting on her knowledge of Rajasthan Travel Guide, we followed her and reached Sonar Kila (Also known as Jaisalmer Fort or Golden Fort). We could see both the excellence of Indian artwork and the magnificence of military. Neha insisted us to go for a Camel Safari and her decision was good. Riding on a camel’s back is not only exciting but also it enables you to explore the glimpses of rippling sand dunes.

After taking rest in hotel, we moved forward to our next destination-Jodhpur. Mehrangarh Fort was the first attraction, we visited there. This huge fort is located just five km away form the town. It houses a museum that comprises an interesting collection of weapons, wood antique furniture, musical instruments, costumes, paintings and many more.

Umaid Bhawan Palace

When we reached Umaid Bhawan Palace, we felt as if we were in a royal era where all we could see the architectural splendor. Sprawled across 26 acres of land, the palace boasts of a marvelous architectural of ancient time. It has 347 rooms which reflect the marvel of the Indo-colonial and art deco style of the olden times.

A lie to the left of the fort complex is Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph. It is built of white marble. Some unique portraits of the earlier rulers of Jodhpur can also be seen here.

Enjoying each moment of the tour, we fell asleep and retired ourselves on the bed.

To be continued…

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My strenuous work schedule made me so tired that I felt like taking a break. To regain my energy, I thought of visiting Jaipur in Rajasthan. As history always interests me, what could be the better option than that of Jaipur. Renowned as the ‘Pink City’, this royal city has always captured my attention.

Jaipur City

The day when I embarked on Jaipur tour with my sister Ekta and a friend, Deepti was like a new day for me. We all three managed to take 3 days leave from our offices and got ready for a change. We took a bus from Delhi and reached there within six hours. The moment I entered the glorious city of Jaipur, my joy knew no bounds. The city is renowned for its Rajput heritage and culture.

Jaipur has numerous palaces that are renowned across the world for their architectural grandeur. The architecture beauty of these palaces showcases the perfect amalgamation of Rajputana and Mughal style. We stayed in a good hotel, which was equipped with all the modern amenities.

To see the buildings painted in pink color is an amazing experience in itself. Our exploration of the city started with a visit to Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Built in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, it is the most striking palace of the city. Its five-stories, hanging cornices, arched roofs, 953 tiny windows and pyramid-shaped structure make it a worth-visiting site.

Hawa Mahal

The City Palace is among the most predominant landmarks of Jaipur. I won’t be wrong if I call it as a perfect illustration of architecture. The palace also exhibits museum which has a rich collection of royal costumes and Rajput weapons. Though we felt tired walking in the huge palace, yet the charm to see the other parts of the palace did not allow us to stop and we moved on. We explored the beautiful Art Gallery, Mukut Mahal, Chhavi Niwas and Shri Govind Dev Temple of the palace.

The old Amer fort was our next destination. It was truly a delight to watch the fort. We got to see a big wall of ancient times and the stunning Sheesh Mahal (the hall of mirrors), Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole. Ekta insisted us to go for an elephant ride. Taking a ride while sitting on elephant’s back was just wonderful and a great experience.

Another fort which we visited was, Nahargarh Fort. Perched high on the Aravali hills, the fort overlooks the city. It offers charming views that can be best seen at the time of sunset.

Sheesh Mahal Suite Samode Haveli Jaipur

Being a shopping freak, I could not help myself from shopping in Jaipur. Based on our experience, I can say that one must visit the lively bazaars of Jaipur. You can find here popular shopping items like brass ware, textiles, kundan, quilts and much more. I bought some jewellery and textiles.

At last, we decided to visit Samode as we had some time in our hand. Located at a distance of 42 km from Jaipur, it is a great place to see. During this, the famous Samode Palace became the part of our exploration.

Our tour was over and I was ready to get back to my hectic work routine but this time there was a big smile on my face.

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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 Tour

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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Kumbhalgarh Forts

Royalty and splendour of Rajasthan always captivate my imagination and fascination which brings me to this place time and again. Last week I with my two friends planned to spend our weekend at Kumbhalgarh Fort which is located 84 km from Udaipur. We reached Udaipur, popularly known as the Venice of the East in the morning by Mewar Express from Delhi. After reaching here we hired a taxi and reached Kumbalgarh Fort after 2 hours of road journey.

Kumbhalgarh is a fortress located in Rajsamand District of Rajasthan. It is perched over the Aravalli Hills and is the second most important fort, after the Chittaurgarh Fort, of India. Perimeter of this fort’s walls is extended over 36 kilometres in length which is longest in the world after ‘The Great Wall of China’. Inside the fort premises there are 360 temples out of which 300 are ancient Jain temples and the rest are Hindu temples.

We visited every nook and corner of this majestic fort without any guide. The architectural supremacy and grandiose construction of this fort stunned us during our exploration. The complex structure of this fort enabled it to withstand several attacks from the Gujarat, Malwa and Mughals armies. Built by Rana Kumbha, the fort is situated over 6,233 feet above sea level . It is also the birth place of the legendary King Maharana Pratap. While exploring this royal structure we paid a short visit to Andheri Gate, Suraj Pol, Salim Mahal, Chand Pol, Jai Pol and Laxman Pol.

Among all these places of interest the Badal Mahal is most fascinating aspect of the Kumbhalgarh Fort. It is highest place of the fort which was built by Rana Fateh Singh in the 19th century. I was totally mesmerised by the the view of pastel coloured walls and its changing shades according to sun inclinations. This place offers best scenic views of the entire city and dense greens of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. From this point one can also see the 36 km long serpentine boundary wall of this fort.

Some of the equally beautiful structures of this glorious forts are Salim Sagar, Nikumbh Mahal, Suraj Kund and Jal Mahal. This fort also houses a number of small and large towers which offer fascinating bird’s eye view of the surroundings.

The most absorbing part of this place is the resonating sound of Sarangi, Thori, Kamaycha, Ektaara and Mochng which narrate the heroic deeds and love stories of Rajasthan. Seated on the rooftop watching the magnificence of the royal culture with melodious background music was the most captivating part of this tour which will remain intact in my memory forever.

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