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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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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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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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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Hawa Mahal

Rajasthan has always been a place, where I wanted to visit and spend some time. Its forts and palaces, rich culture, unique festivals and desert safaris are something I wished to explore. After waiting so many years, I finally got an opportunity to visit the princely state. The opportunity came to me as official trip and the idea of going there with my colleagues was so exciting that I started counting the days.

Finally, the day approached when we were in this historical state which offers many attractions to its visitors. Some important cities which we could visit include Jaipur (the capital city), Ajmer, Udaipur, Mount Abu, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner.

While exploring these cities, I came across some of the fabulous forts and palaces and many other famous tourist attractions, which I of course, would like to share with readers.

Magnificent Monuments

Rajasthan is home to monuments including spectacular forts, palatial palaces, religious shrines, royal havelis and terrific temple. The architectural marvel of these monuments enthralls visitors from all over the world. All the cities are dotted with beautiful monuments. Some famous monuments of the royal state of Rajasthan are City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur, Mehrangarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Lalgarh Palace and Junagarh Fort in Bikaner.We also loved to explore Golden Fort in Jaisalmer and Fort Mandwa Castle in Shekhawati during our Rajasthan tour.

Amber Fort

Fabulous Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks

Having heard a lot about the wildlife of Rajasthan, I was eager to see it. However, due to short time in our hand, we could visit only Ranthambore National Park, situated in Sawai Madhopur. It is just 150 km from Jaipur. This wildlife sanctuary is a home to huge variety of birds, animals and reptiles. The park is popular for its tiger’s especially diurnal tigers. Fortunately, on our jeep safari, we could spot a tiger. The thrill, excitement and joy are beyond words to describe. Other wildlife sanctuaries and national parks include names like Sariska Tiger Reserve, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Desert National Park and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.

Colorful Fairs & Festivals

While we were on Rajasthan tour, we also got to know about some interesting festivals of the desert land. The state experiences the jubilation of some vibrant festivals. Some popular fairs and festivals of Rajasthan include Pushkar Camel Fair, Udaipur Elephant Festival, Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Jaipur Elephant Festival and Jodhpur Marwar Festival.Celebrated with great enthusiasm, these festivals reflect the rich culture and heritage of the state. The fairs and festivals are also major attraction of tourism, attracting many visitors to come during the festive season here.

Festivals of Rajasthan

Rippling Sand Dunes

Like other tourists, we were also enthralled by the Sand Dunes here, which are among most appealing attractions of Rajasthan Tourism. We opted camel safari to explore the sand dunes which was indeed a good choice. The adventure took us to explore some traditional villages of Rajasthan like Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

Based on my tour experience, I would strongly recommend relishing the traditional Rajasthani Cuisines like Dal Bati Churma, Ghewar, Jodhpuri Mawa Kachori and Mirchi Vada.

Truly it’s an amazing experience for us, which we will cherish for lifetime.

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City Palace Jaipur

Having read about Rajasthan in several books and heard a lot about the grandeur of Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, I too wanted to experience an oasis. My wish got fulfilled when I set forth to get a wonderful trip to the princely state of Rajasthan. This time, a group of my colleagues accompanied me on the trip.

The forts and palaces of Rajasthan have been living testimony of this heroic ground. The state is admired for wonderful destination cities like Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner and Chittorgarh. Embellished with rich architectural heritage, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan have made it achieve glory in the nation as renowned tourist spot. The forts of the place showcase distinct blend of Hindu as well as Mughal architectural styles. Expressive of the bygone era, these monuments are acknowledged for the great Rajasthan history.

A mark of rich traditions and culture, the monuments in the Rajasthan are one of the best ways to experience the royalty of this princely state.

Starting our journey from Delhi, we reached Mandawa in Rajasthan. After taking rest, we all were excited to experience the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, so we arrived at Bikaner.

Bikaner Fort
Bikaner fort is also referred to as the Junagarh Fort. Built by Raja Rai Singh. The fort comprises 37 bastions that are nicely complimented with different palaces, pavilions, towers and temples.

There is also an exquisitely carved Chandra Mahal. Adorned with mirrors and art works, it creates a beautiful scene. We also went to a museum inside this fort and came across a wide collection of ancient manuscripts, gems, carpets and royal weaponry.

Khimsar Fort
This 16^th century old grand fort is a unique example of traditional Rajasthani architecture. This yellow coloured fort is now transformed into a heritage hotel. It offers a world-class accommodation with modern amenities for a royal experience.

Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156 A.D., the Jaisalmer fort is renowned as the second oldest fort in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh. The interior is decorated in typical Rajput style. The bastions, ramparts and the long-stretching walls of the fort dazzle amazingly during dawn and at dusk.

Mehrangarh Fort
As we entered in this wonderful fort in Jodhpur, we were stunned to see the marvels of architecture.

This majestic fort is among the finest forts of the royal land known for its imposing structure over 125 meters above rocky cliffs. It is sprawled over an area of 5 sq. km. For an easy access, there are seven gates.

City Palace
Situated in Udaipur, the City Palace is a heritage building. It showcases the finest elements of ancient Rajput culture and the arts. We entered through the ‘Elephant Gate’, which is popularly referred as the ‘Hathi Pol’. The architecture of this palace displays aesthetic beauty of the exquisite artwork.

Other Attractions of Udaipur, which we visited, include Jagmandir Palace, Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, Jagdish Temple and Folk Art Museum.

Chittorgarh Fort
On our Udaipur excursion, we reached Chittorgarh. We visited The Chittaurgarh Fort which is among the famous forts of Rajasthan. Located on a 180 meter high hill in the Chittor District, this fort boasts of the finest glimpses of architectural wonder. This fort has a majestic construction that just captivated our attention.

Amber Fort
Situated in Jaipur, Amber fort is a majestic and stately fort. Built by Raja Man and completed by Sawai Jai Singh, this fort is made in while marble and red sand stone. The fort houses a famous temple Jai Mandir which has Sheesh Mahal. When we entered in the mahal, we saw a beautiful hall of mirrors which are artistically set and illumine the hall amazingly.

Hawa Mahal
This architectural marvel is situated in Jaipur. Renowned for its five-storied pyramid-shaped facades, this palace has 953 small windows. These windows are referred as ‘Jharokha’ and adorned with tiny lattice work.

The tour experience of Rajasthan still fills my heart with delightful memories.

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Wildlife of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a place where you can feel the magic of ancient times. Its big palaces, rich culture, colourful festivals make it a must-see place. Opulence of flora and fauna make it a perfect destination for wildlife tour. The land of Rajasthan houses a number of attractions like Ranthambore National Park, Desert National Park and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Some of my friends planned a and they asked me to come along. Since the plan was for weekend, I gave my consent to this tour. When we reached Rajasthan, we all were excited to see its wildlife as I have heard a lot about the same. Thinking of adventures, we took a jeep safari and left for Ranthambore National Park.

Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is the biggest park. Our guide was answering our queries and sharing his knowledge about this park. He told us that this park used to be the most popular hunting spot of the Maharajas of Jaipur. We also took some pictures of tigers as the memories of our wildlife tour. Tigers and other animals were dozing under the sun and watching them was really thrilling. We saw many wild enthusiasts there, who were engaged in the study, behavior of these animals.

Our eagerness to see the wildlife of Rajasthan made us to move towards Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. The knowledgeable guide, who was accompanying us during this tour, told some interesting facts about this sanctuary. This sanctuary was considered as the hunting reserve of the royal family of the Alwar, Rajasthan. Animal viewing here is a great fun that gives you an enthralling experience. Being a home to many animals, you will find here various carnivores like Tiger, Wild Dog, Leopard, Jackal and Hyena. We were thrilled to see those animals, who were engaged in their daily activities. When we reached around Talvriksh, we saw numerous Rhesus Monkeys.

At last, we decided to visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which is also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. One of my friends already visited this place so he was briefing us about the same during our tour. A home to over 380 resident and even migrant species, Keoladeo offers you an opportunity to watch mammals like Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Striped Hyaena, Nilgai, Blackbuck and Sambar.

Certainly, this was the most memorable trip for us. The time we spent on watching tigers, lush green surroundings and a range of species of chirpy birds, was really a great fun and the memories of this tour still refreshes my mood.

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Mount Abu Tourism

Last week on the Eve of New Year 2011, I visited Mount Abu with my two friends to celebrate new dawn of coming year and last dusk of a previous year. Mount Abu is a pleasant hill retreat amidst the lush forested hills. It is a green oasis in the barren desert state Rajasthan. This captivating hill retreat is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state. It is located in Sirohi district South West Rajasthan, 185 Km from Udaipur.

We boarded ADI SJ Rajdhani from Delhi on 30th December 2010 and reached the nearest railhead Abu Road Station next morning. From here we hired taxi and reached Mount Abu around 10 am after 2 hours of road journey. After taking refreshment at RTDC Hotel Shikhar, we went outside to explore the charm of this beautiful hill station.

The bone chilling wind and freezing weather almost shivered us, but at the same time it also heightens our joy and enthusiasm. The town of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is located at an elevation of 1220 meters above sea level. It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighboring state Gujarat for centuries. The salubrious climate and array of attractions calls on scores of tourists to this place from several parts of the globe.

The hills of this place are known for rich flora covering. The entire hillside includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs, which heighten the serene and scenic charm of this pristine hill station. Because of its remote location and scenic charm, this place has been home to many sages and saints for many centuries. We also experienced the calmness and scenic beauty of this place during our Mount Abu Tourism.

It is situated down on the Abu Road side. We took 750 steps down to the valley to reach this place. Small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow which designated this shrine its name. There is also a marble figure of the bull Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle. The tank here, Agni Kund, is said to be the site of the sacrificial fire made by sage Vashistha, from which four of the great Rajput clans were born. An image of Vashishtha is flanked by the figures of Rama and Krishna.

Next we visited Dilwara Jain Temples, which is another most popular attraction of Mount Abu renowned for its exquisite marble carvings. The older temple was built in 1031 by a Gujrati minister named Vimal and dedicated to the first tirthankar (Jain Teacher), Adinath. The central shrine contains an image of Adinath, while around the courtyard; there are 57 identical cells, each with a Budhdha like cross-legged image. The architectural intricacy and delicacy of the marble carving enthrall us most and kept us engaged for longtime.

Next we visited the Tejpal Temple dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd Jain tirthankar. For the first time in my life, I have seen such a piece of sculpture. The sculpture at some place was so fine that the marble becomes almost transparent. The lotus at the center of the dome is an incredible piece of work. It is difficult to believe that the huge lacelike filigree made up of solid block of marble.

After experiencing the interwoven charm of sculpture and spiritualism we headed towards our next attraction that is Sunset Point. It is the most popular attractions of this place where tourists come in a large number to experience the beauty of setting sun.

We also adieu the last sunset of 2010 with a hope that next sunrise will bring lots of fortune for us. After enjoying this place we rushed back to hotels to enjoy New Year’s party. At this electric party, we enjoyed a memorable night which was full of fun, thrill and excitement. After greeting everyone in the midnight, we went to our room and felt asleep.

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Ranthambore National Park

The glimpses of wild animals roaming in their natural habitat are full of fun, thrill and excitement that I experienced during my Ranthambore Tour last weekend. My closed friend Nitin invited me for the Ranthambore Wildlife Safari and without giving a second thought, I warmly accepted it. I and Nitin reached Ranthambore on Friday night through our own car. The car trip to Ranthambore from Delhi is itself a story because of the charm and thrill that we have experienced throughout the way.

Ranthambore National Park is among the most famous national parks of India located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. The park is situated between the Vindhya and Aravali hills and is bounded by the Banas River from the north and by the Chambal River from the south. There are many lakes in the park which supports a large number of flora, fauna and amphibians species. This sanctuary is one of the most visited attractions of Rajasthan Wildlife Tour.

When we reached this place in the night we stayed in nearby resort. Through the balcony of my room, I saw the wide expanse of this wildlife reserve, which reminded me the scene of a movie. The bright moon and twinkling stars created a dramatic atmosphere which robbed our heart. Though we were eagerly waiting for dawn but our unending gossip gave only few hours to sleep.

Next morning we wake up early and prepared ourselves for safari with our camera. We began our safari at 7 am through a jeep with 4 other visitors. Our guide Sohan Singh used to brief us every moment about the varied flora and fauna of this park. The excerpt of his introductory note was that the national park was hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, which became one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and a national park in 1980. According to government data this national is the home of 40 types of mammals, 320 species of birds both resident and migratory, 40 classes of reptiles, 02 amphibian species, 50 species of butterflies and 300 varieties of plants.

Few minutes after our safari began a group of 5 Rusty Spotted cats swiftly crossed our way. We were looking here and there to see other animals. This keen searching was broken by two leopards behind the bush. We stayed here for a while and took several snaps of playing leopards.

When we proceed further we saw other animals of this sanctuary like wild boar, sambhar, chinkara (Indian gazelle), spotted deer (Chital) and wild buffalo. But we were dying to see royal Bengal tigers the pride of this wildlife reserve. We requested Sohan to take away to that place we there are good chances to see the king of a jungle.
On our kind request Sohan took us 2 to 3 km northward of this national park where the chances of spotting tiger are high. But he didn’t guarantee it. He told us that it is on your luck. Our jeep driver was moving slowly so that we have a chance to see tigers.

Suddenly, one of our co-passengers screamed out after seeing the Royal Bengal Tiger behind the bushes. Our guide told us to remain silent and keep watching because any movement would be a provocative signal for nearby tiger, which could result anything.

After 15-20 minutes the king of a jungle vanishes into the bush, and our driver headed us towards the exit point because it is 10: 30 am, which means the end of morning safari.
With several memories in our heart and in our camera we returned to our resort. This safari will remain one of the memorable safaris for me because for the first I closely saw the Royal Bengal tiger and other animal species.

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Seeking a royal experience I stepped into the land of raja-maharajas, Rajasthan. Although there are several baits that lure me to this destination again and again but nothing compares the charm of its royalty. This time I was here to explore its stunning palaces and majestic forts, each having its own glorious story to tell. This time my sister Jyoti and my cousin sister Rubal joined me on the trip.

The first tour of Rajasthan on our itinerary was the Jaisalmer Tour. This city with the element of quaint romanticism fascinates tourists with its Golden fort, stunning havelis, Desert festival, Desert National Park and mystic sand dunes. Our guide told us that many Hollywood celebrities have also visit this city to see its attractions.

Jaisalmer is popularly known as the Golden City which was founded by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. At one point of time it was also an important part of a trade route connecting India to Egypt, Persia, Africa, Arabia and the West. Our first halt was Jaisalmer Fort which is known as Sonar Quila (the Golden Fort). It is still a living fort which makes it all the more attractive. The fort is no less than a town with hundreds of people residing inside it. The fort was built on Trikuta hill by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. And the fort derived its name from him. The fort is made of yellow sandstone reflecting the perfect amalgamation of Rajput and Mughal architecture. It is the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. Its fortified walls, ninety nine bastions, architectural beauty and glorious history make it a famous attraction of Jaisalmer. The view of the city from the top of the fort was awe-inspiring. We were completely mesmerized by the charm of this wondrous fort.

Next we went to treat our sense with the stunning beauty of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The havelis of Jaisalmer are renowned for their architectural beauty and age-old charm. We visited the most famous havelis –Salim Singh ki haveli, Patwon ki haveli and Nathmal ji ki haveli. We were overwhelmed to see their fascinating architecture and interior decoration. The carvings on the walls and ceilings, mirror work, lattice work and stone and wood work are their striking features.

Salim Singh ki Haveli: Built in the 17^th century, this haveli boasts of eye catching architectural beauty. There are 38 balconies in the haveli, each having a unique design. The Ship palace inside the haveli is a must-see attraction.

Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli: Designed by the two Muslim brothers Hathi and Lulu, this haveli was built in 1885 by Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. One interesting feature of this haveli is that the architect brothers made two halves of the building based on the same plan but they turned out to be dissimilar and were joined together by a façade.

Patwon ki Haveli: This opulent haveli is a structure with five different houses. The first and the most impressive section of this haveli was built in 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa( a rich merchant) and later new sections were added to it by his successors. Two sections of the haveli are still occupied by the successors of the merchant. The other two sections belong to the Archaeological Survey of India and the rest have shops in them.

Our last and the most enchanting attraction was a camel safari on the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. As we were exploring the desert on a camel I was feeling as if we have been transported to a wonderland. The dramatic surroundings, peaceful ambiance and adventurous journey left us completely spell bound.

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