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

City Palace Jaipur

Stunned by the imposing facade of incredible Rajasthan I keep traveling to this land time and again. Completely absorbed by the royalty of the palaces of this land of raja-maharajas I decided to visit the famous City Palace of Jaipur. I had heard a lot about the architectural beauty and mind blowing interior decoration of this imposing structure. Now was the time to see it for myself.

Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur is a wonderful tourist destination of India. This capital city of Rajasthan is one of the most visited destinations of the country. Its colorful culture and glorious history make it internationally renowned. The City Palace is the most enchanting attraction of the city and is also a landmark of the city.

Exploring the City Palace was a great experience. It is a perfect combination of Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Several new structures were added to the palace by his subsequent generations. The palace complex encompasses several beautiful structures. The courtyards, gardens and structures of the Palace have their own unique charm. Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza is the fabulous gateway of the palace which is adorned with stone elephants.

Once the abode of the erstwhile rulers, today the palace is a stunning museum. It is a treasure-trove of rare and beautiful attractions such as paintings, manuscripts, weapons and textiles. While exploring the attractions I came across two huge urns of silver, said to be the largest vessels in the world.

As I moved inside the Mubarak Mahal in the palace complex I was astonished by the beautifully carved marble gate with heavy brass doors. The museum inside the Mubarak Mahal houses royal belongings, such as saris, chairs, overcoats etc, of the erstwhile kings and queens. The robe of Raja Madho Singh was too huge and I think at least four people like me can easily fit into it.

As I moved further I saw the Diwan-e-Khas or the Hall of Private audience and the Diwan-e-Am or the Hall of Public audience. Both of them were intricately decorated. The huge art gallery deserves special mention as there is a lot to see in it. It has amazing paintings, marble crafts and metal artifacts.

I also saw the arresting Badal mahal and Chandra Mahal which have their own beauty. In fact every structure of the City Palace has its own beauty and charm. I was completely overwhelmed by its stunning architecture, royal aura, peaceful ambiance and traditional decorations.

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Dilwara Jain Temple

I had heard a lot about the Dilwara Jain Temples in Mount Abu

which are famous for their sheer architectural brilliance. In fact, many experts even consider them superior to Taj Mahal when it comes to architectural beauty. And this increased my curiosity to see these temples manifold. The first sight of the temples left me with an expression ‘wow’.

The glorious history of Dilwara Jain Temples dates back to the period between 11th to 13th century. Reflecting the era of Jain supremacy, these temples are the most beautiful Jain temples in India. They are ideally perched on a hill in the midst of a mango grove. The most striking feature of the temples is the exquisite and arresting carvings in marble. I was left speechless at the sight of the carvings and ornamental work inside the temples. I think ‘EXTREMELY’ is the prefix which must be added to every adjective you use for the Dilwara Jain Temples and that too in capital letters.

Carvings of the temples:
Deserving a great deal of mention and appreciation, the carvings of the temples leave one thinking about the height of human creativity. Every nook and corner of the temples are adorned with breathtaking carvings. Looking at them I wondered how flawlessly and beautifully the artists transformed plain stones into images which look so mesmerizing. From pillars to ceilings, walls and floors, all the structure of the temples hold their unique charm and beauty. The carvings reflect the images of Jain saints, gods, goddesses, monks, devotees, flowers, royal courts, marriage processions, dance figures and several religious motifs. And the most fascinating aspect is that no design is repeated. Hats off to those artists who made this architectural wonder.

We visited all the five shrines within the complex of Dilwara Jain temples. Built in different centuries, the five shrines are Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pithalhar, Khatter Vasahi (Parshwanath) and Mahaveer swami. The first two are the most talked about temples which are completely made of white marbles with magnificent carvings.

Candidly speaking words are not enough to describe the beauty of Dilwara Jain Temples. One must visit them to experience what architectural beauty is all about.

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Udaipur City

Almost all of us love to celebrate occasions in a royal approach, as a friend of mine invited me to the reception party of his marriage at Lake Palace, Udaipur. Being an addict to celebrations and an explorer, I packed my bags and planned a tour to Udaipur – ranked as 2nd best city in Asia and 7th in the world. As the function was organized in the splendid white marble structure of Lake Palace in the middle of Lake Pichola, I started my exploration from there only. This island kind of structure was established in 1746 and was called Jag Niwas. Recently, it has been converted to a luxury hotel under the property of Taj Group of Hotels.

Next morning, I left for other major attractions in Udaipur. This royal city of Rajput Kings of Mewar has a huge 450 year old monument – the City Palace, located alongside the Lake Pichola only. I entered the palace through a triple-arched gate – Tripolia and came across lovely terraces, corridors and gardens. I clicked several wall paintings of Lord Krishna that were displayed in Bhim Vilas. Similarly, the architectural pattern of Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna Vilas were spellbinding. These grand palaces still retain the age old glory of bygone era in the form of antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils.

In the evening, I visited Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal for several folk art performances and puppet shows. After a tiring but enjoyable day, my last activity was boating in the splendid Lake Fateh Sagar. For dinner, I was served awesome Dal Bati Churma in my hotel.

Next morning, I planned for a half day tour during which I paid short visits to Maharana Pratap Memorial, Saheliyon ki Bari, Sajjangarh Fort (summer resort of Maharajahs), Jagdish Temple (a perfect example of Indo-Aryan architecture), and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Asia’s only solar observatory).

I had my lunch in Gulab Bagh (rose garden) where small restaurants serve tasty and spicy fast food. The trip was short but crisp. I marked all the untouched attractions for my next visit.

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I was thinking about my next vacation considering that I had

Nakki Lake, Mount Abu

only 2 days in hand. I was flipping through the pages of Srishti, the nature based magazine and came across an article on Mount Abu. I really liked the article and decided to visit Mount Abu in Rajasthan. One of my friends Monika accompanied me.

While on our way to Mount Abu I read a little bit about it. It is the only hill station of Rajasthan, the land of raja-maharajas. It was once the abode of saints and sages and it is believed that around 330 million gods and goddesses used to reside here. Also it is a place where 36 warrior clans emerged from the great Agni Kund or sacred fire pit.  I wondered what a rich history Mount Abu has! It is also an important Jain pilgrimage. After listening to the history I realized that Mount Abu is much more than a summer retreat.

We arrived at Mount Abu in the early afternoon. We were booked in Connaught House Heritage hotel. Its wonderful architecture and pleasant ambiance were simply overwhelming. After refreshing ourselves with tea and delicious snacks we decided to visit the Nakki lake. The climate was pleasant, just like the destination.

We had hired a guide named Shankar who was a nice chap. He told us an interesting legend about the lake according to which it was dig by a Hindu God by his nails and hence was named nakki, meaning ‘nails’. It was very rejuvenating to be at this lake, which offers picturesque views of the surrounding hills. We also enjoyed a boat ride on it. With gorgeous green surroundings in Mount Abu it is hard to believe that this place is in Rajasthan which is  a desert.

The day was drawing to a close and we now moved to the Sunset point, which is located at a short distance from the lake. We were all eagerly waiting for the famous sunset of Mount Abu and here it was. It was overwhelming!

Elated, we came back to the hotel and after a delicious dinner, retired to bed a little early. The next day we were slated to go for Dilwara Jain Temple, Guru Shikar, Mount Abu wildlife Sanctuary and Adhardevi temple.

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To pamper my shopaholic heart, I decided to go

Shopping in Jodhpur

on a shopping spree in Jodhpur. Being a famous princely city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur has a variety of colorful handicrafts to offer. And no wonder shopping at such a destination is such a pleasurable and satisfying experience. For shopping the city offers several bazaars, pavement stalls and handloom houses. Explore them and pick up some wonderful handicrafts. The city is well known for its antiques, bandhini, footwear and red chillies.

Once one of my friends told me that whenever I visit Jodhpur, I must get Jodhpuri Suit. I scanned a few shops and could finally select a beautiful Jodhpuri Suit for myself. It is a purple colored suit designed with zardosi and cutdana beeds.

I wanted to buy some saris for my mother and friend. My guide Shankar suggested me to go to the Sojati Gate as it is famous for wonderful tie and dye saris. The shopkeeper showed me bandhini saris in cotton, chiffon and silk. The saris were available in many vibrant colors and it was really difficult for me to choose as I liked all. Finally I could choose four beautiful saris.

Next I made my way to the Station Road, which is famous for leather articles, embroidered footwear and utensils. I bought embroidered jutti for myself and a leather bag for my mom. I also bought two beautiful paintings and a carpet.

Now was the time to pamper my stomach with typical Rajasthani food. I sat at one of the good restaurants to dig into the famous dishes of Jodhpur. I ordered the famous mawa kachori of Jodhpur along with a big glass of lassi. It was simply delicious.

The next item on my shopping list was spices. Knowing that the Clock Tower is the best place to buy spices in Jodhpur, I headed for it. I bought a variety of spices and decided to go back to the hotel as I realized that if I stay at the market for some more time, I will surely end up with no money. Well I think its not my fault as the enchanting Jodhpur has so much to offer.

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Soaring high in the sky, the colorful kites of different

Kite Festival in Jodhpur

designs,some huge some small, were really a treat to my eyes and lifted my spirits too. I embarked on the memory lane and recollected my childhood days when kite flying was one of my favorite hobbies. I was at Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year in the month of January starting on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. And continues for the next two days.

Some of the best kite fliers had gathered there from far and wide to showcase their talent. The Polo Ground was the venue for the festival and huge crowd had gathered to view the event. No wonder this festival is a big hit with both residents and tourists. People of all ages were present at the venue. The children present there were full of live and their faces were brimming with joy. They were completely engrossed with the event and their voices were full of enthusiasm. I was standing near a group of children who while enjoying the sights of the colorful kites were singing a line, “Rangeela rangeela desh mera rangeela”. I simply loved it. They also released many colorful balloons in the sky. Wow! What a sight it was.

The creatively shaped kites, all competing with each other were building up excitement among spectators. I think everybody must have chosen their favorite kites. There was a huge kite in the form of a sunflower, which I found very attractive. Its sight reminded me of the line which I cherish a lot, “Be cheerful suns of happiness”. I from the depth of my heart prayed for its victory.

The kites were flying higher and higher and suddenly a kite fashioned in the form of a peacock got cut. Quite bad, as I was thinking it would perform well. Anyway that’s a part of the game. Some flew high, some failed to fly and some got cut but the festival went on.

To add more charm to the festival, the Air Force helicopters released many colorful kites from above. It seemed as if a palette full of different colors was suddenly poured in the sky. It was truly a sight to behold.

Other attractions which I enjoyed here were the entertaining cultural activities like music and dance performances. Reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, the performances were a great delight.

I enjoyed the Jodhpur Kite Festival to the hilt and carried back with me some golden memories which will remain etched in my heart forever.

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“A blessing in disguise”, this is what I would call my trip to Jodhpur. For some official purpose I was told by my boss to visit Jodhpur. I was scheduled to stay there for two days for a business meeting but when I reached there I got to know that because of some unavoidable reasons the clients who I had to meet would be one day late. So my good fortune sneeked me one whole day to pursue my passion-travelling.

Popularly known as the “Blue City”, Jodhpur has amazing attractions to offer. On our way to the famous Mehrangarh fort, my guide Rakesh told me that Jodhpur is called a blue city because during the bygone era blue color was used to demarcate the houses of the Brahmin castes. And the other interesting reason he told was- blue color keeps the biting ants away. Interesting!

Dominating the landscape of the city, Mehrangarh fort is dramatically perched on a hill. As we were moving inside the fort, Ramesh told me interesting legends associated with the fort. The fort was built by the founder of the city, Rao Jodha, in the year 1459. Inside the fort I saw several mesmerizing structures with exquisite carvings and embellishments- Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana, and Daulat Khana and museum. It was great to visit the museum where I saw a collection of royal cradles, music instruments, miniature paintings, palanquins, howdas and the famous Kilkila cannon.

Umaid Bhawan Palace

My next halt was the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace (now a heritage hotel), one of the India’s fascinating palaces. Sprawling over 26 acres of land, this palace was once the largest residence in the world. I went to see its museum where I saw a variety of weapons, clocks stuffed leopards, and a huge banner presented by Queen Victoria.

In the evening I explored the colourful and bustling bazaars of Jodhpur. The bazaars were spilled with a variety of handicrafts such as tie and dye fabrics with silver and golden embroidery, paintings, leather crafts, wooden articles, furniture, silver jewelery and juttis. I bought two beautiful paintings. This marked the end of my short but sweet journey to Jodhpur. For the next two days I remained busy with the clients for offical purposes.

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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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With the sun hitting Delhi mercilessly with its scorching rays, my mind was abuzz with questions- ‘where to escape’ , ‘where to escape’ and ‘where to escape’? I sat down to browse internet and finally decided to explore Mount Abu. I reached this wonderful hill station of Rajasthan by train. I was booked in Cama Rajputana Club Resort. I arrived in the room, dumped my luggage and rushed to the window to savour the panoramic views of  Mount Abu.

Post breakfast, I took a walk around the hotel. As I was enjoying the scenic

Dilwara Jain Temple

beauty and pleasant climate, one of the hotel executives approached me. He warmly greeted me and started a conversation. He told me about the history and attractions of this destination.

Located at an altitude of 1220 m, Mount Abu attracts tourists from far and wide. It is situated in the beautiful Aravalli range of Rajasthan and is a perfect place for nature lovers.

My first halt was the mesmerizing Nakki Lake, which is the jewel of Mount

Nakki Lake

Abu. It is believed that the lake was dug by the heavenly deities with their nails. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, gardens and rock formations, which add more charm to it. I decided to come back to the lake in the evening to capture sunset views. It is a great location for photography. Fashioned by nature in the form of a toad, the toad rock at Nakki lake is a fascinating attraction. The rock lies overhanging the lake.

Next I moved to the enchanting Dilwara Jain Temples, which are renowned the world over for their architectural excellence. Their intricate stone carvings are simply incredible. The carvings of the ceilings and the pillars are truly unmatched. The history of these architectural wonders dates back to the period between 11th and 13th century AD. The temple complex is surrounded by the gorgeous green hills.

Post lunch, I visited Gurushikhar, the highest point in the Aravali mountain range. From here I captured picture-perfect views of the town of Mount Abu and the Aravali Range. My guide Rahul also took me to the temple of Guru Dattatreya, which holds great mythological significance.

As the day was drawing to a close I reached the Sunset Point, which is famous for offering breathtaking views. I was completely bowled over by the breathtaking sunset views. Mesmerized, I came back to the hotel.

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Pushkar, the holy town famous for its only Brahma Temple in the

world and a colourful camel fair is a great destination to visit. My

Pushkar Camel Fair

curiosity to see the one-of-its-kind Brahma Temple made me decide to visit the town. After juggling a lot of dates, I decided to visit the town during the first week of November when the town was alive with celebrations of the world famous Pushkar fair. This town is the perfect place if you are seeking spirituality and enjoyment at the same time.

Pushkar lake in the town is a holy lake where I took a dip before visiting the temple. It’s believed that a dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake washes away one’s bad karma. Walking down the steps leading into the lake I experienced peace and joy. I felt as if some positive energy was embracing me. There are many ghats at the lake and the best part was that the lake was not very crowded. The lake is surrounded by several temples. The walls surrounding the lake read ‘Photography Prohibited’. All I did was enjoyed the views and captured them in my eyes.

Now was the time to enjoy the colourful and unique Pushkar fair, which is the largest cattle fair in the world. The sight of the camels adorned from head to toe was simply breathtaking. Other cattle like horses and cow were also a part of the fair. I even saw the exciting camel races and other

cultural events like dance performance by the known artists. It was pure fun. After that I pampered my taste buds with delicious rajasthani dishes available at the food stalls in the fair. I came back completely ‘contented’.

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