Wonders of Rajasthan

After my lavish and pleasurable journey on the Palace on Wheels, I arrived at Jodhpur. It was my second visit to this enigmatic city of Rajasthan. Chayan, my friend, being very punctual, was waiting for me at the station. I hadn't met him for a couple of years, I guess. Being a bachelor, his flat in Jodhpur was actually disheveled and unkempt. Even so, I liked it, as it reflected the typical bachelor's freedom - to enjoy every bit of life. Courtesy: Rajasthantrip.com   Chayan's flat is close to the Polo Ground, which was hosting the three day International Desert Kite Festival . After a cool shower and a heavy breakfast, we moved on to the Polo Ground that was full of the kite flyers from India as well as all over the world. This International Kite Festival is celebrated every year in the month of January (on Makar Sankranti). People were gathered to reveal their kite flying skills with full enthusiasm and vigor. Air Force helicopters were also releasing a number of kit

Courtesy: palaceonwheelstrain.com While I was exploring the sand dunes and enjoying the unique fairs at Jaisalmer, a friend of mine, who resides in Jodhpur, invited me to come to his place for a sightseeing trip over the weekend. I asked the manager of my hotel to book me a ticket for the royal train ' Palace On Wheels ' to Jodhpur. It was Friday, 11:30 pm, when the royal train departured from Jaisalmer. I had already informed my friend to receive me at the Jodhpur Railway Station the next morning (Saturday) at 8 am. Palace On Wheels is truly a journey worthy of Kings. The train offers a vibrant journey through the royal land of sand dunes and regal palaces. I was amazed by the intrinsic ambience in the train that goes perfectly well with the majestic charm and beauty spread so lavishly all over Rajasthan. Rated as one of the top ten luxury train journeys in the world , it offers you a fascinating trip to the splendid forts and palaces of Rajasthan in seven days, along wit

Courtesy: jaisalmer.nic.in Tourist season was at its peak. Jaisalmer was now packed with tourists crazy for forts, festivals, feasts and safaris. I headed towards the Sand Dunes to explore the captivating beauty and lifestyle of the interiors of Jaisalmer in a closer way. Infact, to be part of the Desert Festival was perhaps the major reason, which could not be fulfilled on my last trip. I could devote another one day for the purpose. All the hotels were already booked, but luckily I got a small room in a budget hotel. The hotel, its services and amenities were not up to the mark, but the tariff was hefty, probably because of the season. The food was undoubtedly delicious. The essence of Rajasthani food itself makes it out of the world. Extra-ordinarily flavoursome! In the evening, I asked the manager to arrange a camel ride for me along with a guide. The guide took me to a small market area where several local people were shouting in high notes beckoning tourists to have a came

Courtesy: rajasthantravelto(dot)com Khimsar was left miles behind, but the sands are unaffected of borders. I stepped in Pokhran , the renowned spot for Nuclear Experiments and was welcomed with full “warmth” by the desert. The sun was about to set down when I arrived Pokhran, so atmosphere was not too warm but I knew it was going to be cold in night. Pokhran is located around 112 km,from the main Jaisalmer city. I remember the telecast of extreme Nuclear tests/explosions of May 1974 and May 1998 on television which drew international attention towards this small town. The town falls in the midway of triangular route between Jaisalmer , Jodhpur and Bikaner . I stayed in a guest house in the night and enjoyed the traditional teekha & chatpata (spicy) Rajasthani food. The local people in the guest house told me about the legendary tale behind the formation of these deserts. According to the myths, Lord Rama once wished to dry up the ocean of Sri Lanka to get a way to reach the

 Courtesy: ejiusa.com  Early in the morning I headed out for Ranakpur . A cup of tea en-route took away all my inactiveness. Far from the hustle bustle of the city, the rural regalia of the place was enchanting. Surrounded by hills, Ranakpur was cooler as compared to other of the cities of Rajasthan.   Evenings were extremely pleasurable here. The Ranakpur Jain Temple is the major draw for the tourists here. Built in white marble, the temple was probably the most spectacular structure I had seen till date. I was impressed to see the exterior of the temple whose charm could bowl over even the most seasoned traveller. I walked up the stairs and believe me when I say that the interiors were irresistibly splendid. Over 1400 pillars in white marble dot the interiors of the massive temple. What was even more amazing was the fact that every marble pillar was carved unlike the other. These carvings were so unique and so beautiful. Words fall short to describe its matchless gl

Courtesy: rajasthaninfo.org Tracing steps forward, I headed for a drive to Luni . Ramesh, my driver, proved to be a real blessing. He was my sole entertainer while I hopped places in Rajasthan . On my way to Luni, I was greeted by kids waving goodbye with big smiles on their faces. The horns blown by a never ending stream of buses passing by made the highway too chaotic to hear the music being played in the taxi. Continuing through Luni, I reached its most striking sight – Fort Chanwa . I decided not to stay overnight at the fort, now a luxury hotel. But I wanted to see every inch of this refined marvel of Indian architecture . So I decided to stay there till the evening. Carved in red sandstone of Jodhpur, the fort was massive. Immaculate paintings that adorned its walls transported me into the bygone era. I spent an hour at the beautiful garden. Yet another mesmerizing sight, yet another picturesque setting and yet another perfect sunset marked the end of my tour to Luni.   Afte

From Kota I traveled along a bumpy road to reach Mount Abu . Friendly locals, cool climate and greenery in abundance are marked features of Mount Abu. My hotel, Lake View offered a matchless view of the serene Nakki Lake . I could see several holiday makers enjoying a boat ride amidst the azure waters of the lake. Sagar, the guide for the tour took a group of tourists for spectacular sightseeing around the mountains. We were first of all taken to a cave amidst the mountains. I was shocked to know that we had to crawl through this narrow cave. I wiggled upto 10 meters in the darkness of the cave.  The experience was exciting as well as frightening. There were bats flying past in the pitch dark. Further, we visited Gaumukh Temple . Our next halt was the far famed Dilwara Jain Temples . All the five temples in the complex are extraordinary in architecture. The stunning beauty of the intricate carvings in white marble overwhelmed me. And the most amazing thing was that each of these car

A comfortable 150 kilometers journey from Ajmer brought me to Bundi – the desert's undiscovered gem. It seemed as if time had come to a halt as Bundi till date retains its traditional flavour. I saw a young man by the street side, unmindful of the world around him. I stopped to stare. His sporting long moustaches and bright turban made me think that he was a local. I moved on to explore the least explored town of Rajasthan – Bundi. It was early morning time when I drove into the town. Bundi had not even woken up properly. Most of the shops were unopened, some gradually coming awake with owners raising their shutters, making a creaking sound that disturbed the tranquility flowing within the aura of the town. Signs of life could only be observed around the Bundi Palace . The view of the Bundi Palace that I caught from the window of the taxi seemed massive. I stepped out the taxi and entered the palace. The interiors of the palace transported me to another age and presented before

After experiencing the royalty of the princely city Jaipur , I was scheduled to experience the wilderness of the world famous Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park. Thoughts of wildlife started racing through my mind when I started my journey to Sariska National Park. Known for a wide variety of wildlife, Sariska is one of the must-see destination of Rajasthan for wildlife enthusiasts. Tucked away in the beautiful Aravalli hills, Sariska was once the hunting ground of the Alwar Royals. It is not only famous for its wildlife but also for its ancient temples reflecting the rich architectural heritage of Rajasthan. Sweet aroma of wild flora, beautiful hills with thick towering bamboo trees, a feeling of venturing into the unknown and ample opportunities of sightseeing— this is what Sariska greets you with . I opted for Jeep safari and embarked on the adventurous journey into the fascinating world of jungle with the guide named Shankar. He acquainted me with some inform

Bags packed and I was all set for my Rajasthan tour. The flight from Delhi was pretty comfortable. On reaching the outskirts of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, I hired a taxi in order to reach the city centre. It was dusk by the time I reached the Jaisalmer City. I was fortunate to gaze at the sun go down, casting an ember glow over the desert horizon . As I stepped over the vast stretch of the gilded sands of Jaisalmer , my senses lay settled amidst the stillness of the place. It was as if I had entered a state of timelessness. The wind blowing away the flakes of golden sands unfolded the royalty and chivalry of the erstwhile Rajputs and brought alive the rich history of Rajasthan. Courtesy: Mayur (Pexels.com) During the night, I set out for shopping in the streets of Jaisalmer. Amazing artifacts in gold are something no tourist can miss to take along. Another shopping bag in my hand held some Rajasthani fabrics picked from Rajmahal . These were embellished with mirror work and some embroid

Courtesy:Jatin Verma (Pexels.com) An assortment of all colours with a splash of several emotions to it pictures the most beautiful and colorful desert of India – Rajasthan . A land where the golden sands speak of the legendary saga of the former rulers and the aura whispers the tales of romance . A land that offers a holiday vacation full of fun and frolic. Starting from a royal and exotic luxury to excessive adventure – a land where diversity in culture, faith and humankind has its complete strength and is esteemed in full insignia. The magical land of Rajasthan, India is one of the most favoured tourist destinations across the world.   Turbaned men and veiled women welcome you whole-heartedly to Rajasthan. With many timeless and spectacular forts and palaces that dot the desert landscape turn the state into a land of monuments. Forts and palaces are the major attractions of Rajasthan, India. Come Rajasthan and spend an unforgettable holiday. Stay at spectacular palace hotels like Uma