Wonders of Rajasthan

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 matchles...

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.   ...

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...

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...