Rajasthan

September 19, 2019

Rajasthan

Rajasthan, land of Kings is a largest state by area in northern India, known for desert, forts, artistic and rich traditions, Daal Bati Churma, Ghoomar dance of Jodhpur, Kalbeliya dance of Jaislamer and much more.
I went Rajasthan with my mom and visited JAIPUR-JAISALMER-JODHPUR.

DAY 1

JAIPUR

"The pink city", home to UNESCO World heritage sites including Amer fort and Jantar Mantar, magnificent forts and palaces, museums.

How to reach
By air:Jaipur International Airport
By rail:Jaipur Junction, Gandhinagar
#I boarded AF AII Intercity(4h25m) from Agra fort(5:05am) to Jaipur Junction(9:30am)

1.City Palace

Inside:Chandra Mahal-Mubarak Mahal-Pritam Niwas Chowk-Diwan i aam-Diwan i khas-Baggi Khana-Maharani palace-GovindDev Ji temple
A beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace is still home to last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of palace.
Diwan-i-Aam:Hall of public audience painted in shades of red and gold.

Diwan-i-aam

1.6m tall Silver vessel used to fill water from river Ganges for personal use of Maharajas during visits outside of India.

guns and arrows slacked like sun

Ridhi Sidhi Pol:Do not miss four small gates(Peacock, Lotus, Green, Rose) that are adorned with themes representing the four seasons and Hindu Gods.
Chandra Mahal:Seven floored building consists of Pritam Niwas,Sukh Niwas, Chabi Niwas, Rang mandir etc. Only ground floor is open to public and rest building is residence to former Kings of Jaipur.

Green gate(Leheriya) represents spring and dedicated to Lord Ganesha

Chandra Mahal

2.Hawa Mahal

The Palace of Breeze, made with red and pink sandstone constructed to enable royal ladies to watch life & procession of city, depicting 953 jharokhas.

This palace is situated parallel to road so its difficult to get full front view click from such traffic packed road.The top two floors(total 5 floors)are accessed through only ramp and other floors through narrow staircase.

Coloured glass work, when the sun light enters,the entire chamber fill with spectrum of various colours

topmost point of palace

Do not miss Kalbeliya costume(200/-) inside Hawa Mahal premises.

DAY 2

3.Amer Fort

Inside: Jalebi chowk-Sila Devi temple-Ganesh Pol-Diwan i aam-Kacheri-Jai mandir(Sheesh Mahal)-Diwan i khas- Suhag mandir-Zenana
(UNESCO World Heritage Site)Fort is known for its artistic style elements with its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, fort overlooks Maota lake which is main source of water.
Its a large fort and I entered fort through Sun gate(Suraj Pol) which leads to Jalebi Chowk where armies would hold victory parades with their war bounty on their returns from battles.
From the gate, I find stairway that leads to main palace(Diwan i aam), #here guide will leave you and you need to enter alone.
Do not miss turban museum inside fort which is free to enter.

Jalebi Chowk

Diwan i aam

Ganesh pol, leads to courtyard where royal families and their attendants used to live

Kacheri, 27pillared where officials recorded revenue petitions

view of Maota lake from Kacheri

Hexagonal garden flanked by Jai Mandir(Diwan i khas and Sheesh Mahal) and Shukh Niwas

4.Jal Mahal

On returning back from Amer fort, I came across Jal Mahal situated in middle of Man Sagar Lake but not open to visitors.You can only have view from road itself.

5.Nahargarh Fort

I was so tired after visiting Amer fort so I skipped this fort although it is nearby to amer fort.

6.World Trade Park

In the evening I visited WTP mall built in the heart of city.It have lots of attractive facilities such as food court with cuisines from 15countries, art gallery and museum and much more.

food court

toy train museum

street shopping corner

DAY 3

JAISALMER

We headed towards "Golden city", city of Thar desert.

How to reach
By air:Jodhpur Airport(300km)
By rail:Jaisalmer Junction
#I boarded train from Jaipur(11:45pm) and reached Jaisalmer(11:40am) in the morning.(Dli Jsm Express11h55m)

I booked a tent in Limra desert camp for Sam Sand Dunes excursion which is approx 45min away from Jaisalmer. They arranged a cab(1800/-) for pick up and drop up facility from station. Cab arrived at station and dropped us(me&mom) at a restaurant(Thakur Ji) near Jaisalmer Fort for lunch. Place was well decorated on Rajasthani folk theme with open roof top arrangements but we preferred AC chamber due to scorching sun.
Cab started from Jaisalmer at 3pm(before that temp at desert is torture) and dropped us at camp site. There were lots of camp sites and one need to choose according to budget and amenities provided by them.

Limra Desert Camp
On our arrival,they welcomed us with tika and pagdi and allocated a tent. That was my first stay at tent and as soon as I entered, there were unbelievable things. Tent was like a mini house with all sort of facilities and space with king size bed, floor fan, chair&table, big(room size) marble floored washroom with western toilet and shower facility. Outside room, there was balcony type with seating arrangement and net wall.

view from my netted balcony

Inside tent

balcony

In the evening, camp arranged for Sam Sand dunes sunset view with transport options: open gypsy(1800/- includes desert safari), Camel ride(free), Camel cart(free). Desert trip is incomplete without camel ride so I opted for that but my mother was scared of riding a beast so we switched to cart.

sitting camel waiting for me but let me give a pose..lol

We left for sand dunes and as soon as we reached there, sunset view was spectacular with dunes, tourists, camels etc.

Later, we returned back to our tent site to witness cultural programme arranged in an open auditorium with evening snacks(chai and pakoda).Artists performances were mindblowing but my favourite was Kalbelia dance. Later on, we were allowed to join them and all residents danced at their best.

Meanwhile, dinner was served comprising of typical Rajasthani cuisines such as Daal Bati Churma, Lahsun(garlic) chutney, Guwar fali saag, Kadi and lots more.
We left for Jodhpur in early morning to Jaisalmer Junction.

Package includes(1740/-):Deluxe tent, Snacks, Dinner and Breakfast(I missed), Cultural event, Camel/Cart ride

Jaisalmer spots:One may visit Jaisalmer fort, Patwon ki haveli, Gadisar lake etc(I missed coz of time constraint)

DAY 4

JODHPUR

'Blue City'/'Sun City'/Gateway to Thar, one of the most enchanting cities of Rajasthan.
How to reach
By air:Jodhpur Airport
By rail:Jodhpur Junction
#I boarded train from Jaisalmer(6:45am) and reached Jodhpur(1pm) in the afternoon.(Jsm Ju Express 6h15m)

After taking rest for a while in hotel, we headed towards Mehrangarh fort, one of the largest forts of India.One can easily get there through ola/uber.
There was a peculiar and best thing I find there amongst so many forts, there was lift on chargeable basis especially boon for senior citizens and disabled people to avoid such steep ramp walks and staircase.I myself opted for lift(100/-) as my mother have knee pain problem.