Mention Rajasthan and the first images that come to one's mind are the vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert, the Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, the multi-hued and brilliantly coloured turban of the villagers, and ofcourse a picture of the staid and unaffected camel.
We got to see all this and more during our brief, highly hectic but memorable six-day tour of Rajasthan. It sure is a vast state. We covered close to 1500 kms but still could not cover the entire state!
We flew out to Jaipur from Bangalore and picked up a self-drive car (were lucky to get a less than a-year old Honda Jazz) from Zoom Cars. This was our itinerary-
Jaipur - Bikaner - Deshnok - Jaisalmer - Sam San Dunes - Jodhpur - Ajmer - Pushkar - Jaipur.
The roads were mostly good (except for a few patches) and with the new car, we averaged a speed of 70-80 kms per hour!
Every day we woke up in a different place, in a different bed! We freshened up, had breakfast and hit the road. We drove nearly 300 kms each day (except the first day), arrived at the next destination by noon and spent the day sight-seeing. Late evenings, we walked around the market place, took in the sights and sound of each town, did some shopping and sampled local food. We chatted up the small shop-keepers; it was very interesting to hear their opinion of life and politics - especially the effects of demonetisation.
We also found the people of Rajasthan to be extremely warm, helpful and highly courteous. Strangers offered us help and a cup of warm tea when our car got stuck in sand. Cab drivers spontaneously came forward to help fix a broken plate in our car and refused to accept money. Their comment was "You are guests of our state, we will not accept money!"
It was an absolutely amazing experience and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! Here are some pictures from our trip - that offer a glimpse of remarkable Rajasthan!
Day -1 JAIPUR
Day - 3 DESHNOKE, JAISALMER
Day - 4 JAISALMER , SAM SAND DUNES
Day - 5 JODHPUR
Day - 6 AJMER, PUSHKAR
We got to see all this and more during our brief, highly hectic but memorable six-day tour of Rajasthan. It sure is a vast state. We covered close to 1500 kms but still could not cover the entire state!
We flew out to Jaipur from Bangalore and picked up a self-drive car (were lucky to get a less than a-year old Honda Jazz) from Zoom Cars. This was our itinerary-
Jaipur - Bikaner - Deshnok - Jaisalmer - Sam San Dunes - Jodhpur - Ajmer - Pushkar - Jaipur.
The roads were mostly good (except for a few patches) and with the new car, we averaged a speed of 70-80 kms per hour!
Every day we woke up in a different place, in a different bed! We freshened up, had breakfast and hit the road. We drove nearly 300 kms each day (except the first day), arrived at the next destination by noon and spent the day sight-seeing. Late evenings, we walked around the market place, took in the sights and sound of each town, did some shopping and sampled local food. We chatted up the small shop-keepers; it was very interesting to hear their opinion of life and politics - especially the effects of demonetisation.
We also found the people of Rajasthan to be extremely warm, helpful and highly courteous. Strangers offered us help and a cup of warm tea when our car got stuck in sand. Cab drivers spontaneously came forward to help fix a broken plate in our car and refused to accept money. Their comment was "You are guests of our state, we will not accept money!"
It was an absolutely amazing experience and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! Here are some pictures from our trip - that offer a glimpse of remarkable Rajasthan!
Day -1 JAIPUR
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| Jaipur, the Pink City - its famous facade, the Hawa Mahal! |
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| Grain seller outside the City Palace, Jaipur - attracting plenty of pigeons! |
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| The majestic Amber Fort / Palace - a view from the road |
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| A view of the moat and garden from the steps leading to Amber Palace |
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| The impressive Ganesh Pol within the Palace |
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| The vegetable colours used in painting - bright and beautiful! |
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| At the entrance, turban-clad, on the steps of the Amber Fort |
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| Rajasthan's famous sweet - Gewar! Filled with paneer! Mouth-watering! |
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| A Gewar tower on display! |
Day - 2 BIKANER
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| On the road to Bikaner - big, voluminous and colourful cargo! |
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| Junagarh Fort, Bikaner! |
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| Inside Junagarh Fort - the Kings played Holi here! Lovely use of white and red stone |
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| A piece of marvel built with sandstone - Bikaner |
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| The King's royal quarters! |
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| The Room of Clouds! - in Bikaner Fort |
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| Our Princesses! |
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| The beautiful Lalgarh Palace - home to the present RajMatha of Bikaner. |
Day - 3 DESHNOKE, JAISALMER
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| Entrance to the Karni Mata Rat Temple, Deshnoke |
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| Rats enjoying 'prasad' in front of the deity |
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| 'Ksheera sagar' - feeding on a tray of milk! |
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| Patwon ki Haweli - palatial home built by merchants in Jaisalmer |
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| Framed in the ornate balcony of Patwon ki Haweli |
Day - 4 JAISALMER , SAM SAND DUNES
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| At the entrance to the Jaisalmer Fort |
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| A riot of colours! |
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| The exquisite 'toran' carved in stone - Jain temple within the Jaisalmer Fort |
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| Awe-inspiring design, built to perfection |
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| Jaisalmer Fort - the sandstone is almost golden in colour |
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| The Golden City of Jaisalmer - view from the Fort! |
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| The Golden-framed family! |
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| A weathered Rajasthani villager playing a traditional instrument |
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| As colourful as it can get - a shop within the fort. |
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| Welcome to the Desert! |
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| Camels - Hrithik Roshan and Babloo - taking us for a ride! |
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| Beautiful Sunset - picture courtesy Balu! |
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| Selfie Time! |
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| Our tented accommodation in Sam San Dunes |
Day - 5 JODHPUR
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| Passed Pokaran enroute to Jodhpur |
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| The fantastic Mehrangarh fort at Jodhpur - first glimpse from the road! |
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| Going up to 4 levels - impregnable certainly! |
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| Jodhpur, the Blue City. View from the fort |
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| Totally awe-inspiring. View of the fort entrance |
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| View of the city centre with the Clock tower in the middle |
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| Impressive rooms within the Fort |
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| Mehrangarh's Sheesh Mahal |
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| An elderly man with the hookah. |
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| Mehrangarh Fort - lit up in the evening! |
Day - 6 AJMER, PUSHKAR
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| At Moinuddin Chisti's Dargah, Ajmer |
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| With young Syed Aadil Chisthi - a descendant of the Ajmer Sharif! |
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| The shimmering bangles! |
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| Lake Pushkar, nestled in the Aravallis |
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| The sacred and famous Brahma Temple, Pushkar |
