As a part of my Rajasthan Desert Tour, I visited some of
the prime regions in the state of Rajasthan. My cruiser started from Delhi.
I, along with my other two India friends, boarded a flight for Jodhpur.
Jodhpur
At Jodhpur, our stay was in Ajit Bhawan Palace hotel --- rich in its style
and architecture. We visited Jaswant Thada, Mehrangarh Fort and Umiad bhawan
Palace. Mehrangarh fort is one of the most impressive and formidable
structures of India crowned on the hilly terrain of Aravali Ranges at a
height of 125m. Evenings, we got some freak out time in the Jodhpur town-
where Mohini lavishly spent almost half of her savings in shopping the
Rajasthani stuff.
Jaisalmer Desert Camp
Amidst the golden sand of magnificent Thar Desert, there lies the city of
Jaisalmer. From there we headed towards the Fifu Desert Camp located at a
distance of 50km from the Jaisalmer town. Fifu is the beginning point for
the desert safari as told by our tourist agent. Riding on camel's back we
had a panoramic view of the setting sun. For night the accommodations were
set in the tented camps- a charm in itself. It was a cultural night full of
fun and folic. The rural dances and the folk songs sung by local artists
were adding charm to the whole environ. Mohini couldn't resist the
temptation and joined the dance, seeing her Mudit also joined the gang, not
sparing me too. It was just a fun - cannot be explained in words. The
bonfire was a source of energy on the cool sand- without the warmth of blaze
the night would have been freezing cold.
Our desert safari continued - we visited few desert villages, to enjoy the
nomadic lifestyle of the desert people, taking lot of video shoot during my
entire desert cruiser. I couldn't stop thinking - the hard life of the
desert people and their amazing tolerating instinct.
Return to Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer also knows as the Desert City, embellished with some of the most
beautiful Havelis, as told by 'Veersing'- our guide. The Rajwada Fort,
Patwon-Ki Haveli & Salim Singh Haveli are a unique masterpiece, about
300 years old. I had never seen such a minute and colorful carving on the
residential houses. Gadisar Lake was another charm of the city, Veersing
acquainted us with the fact that, the lake use to provide the entire water
supply for the city in olden days. The 800 years old Fort perched on the
Trikuta Hill was a heart throwing attraction, nearly encircling a quarter of
modern day Jaisalmer. Watching sun submerging into the horizon from the top
of the sand dunes was just a spellbinding experience at Sam Sand Dunes.
Climbing the dunes was equally tempting.
Udaipur
While proceeding to Udaipur - lake city of Rajasthan we had a holt at
Ranakpur famous as a holy destination. I capture some of the finest stone
carvings / sculptures of the 15th century Jain temples in to my cam. Our
stay was at Shiv Niwas Palace hotel in Udaipur. We also visited Nagda,
Eklinji, Nathdwara/ Nagda temples some of the 'magnum opus' in the region.
The City Palace, Jagduish Temple, Saheliyon - Ki- Bari were not less in any
way. After so much of sighting, we were still ready to take more, but our
legs stopped supporting us. Mohini wanted to return to the hotel but the
guide insisted us to go for a boat cruise on Pichola Lake. It was really a
worth cruise on the tranquil waters of the lake- that charged again our
sleeping sole - ready to take up next adventure. For me, this Rajasthani
trip was much more then a mere desert land. It's pristine beauty and simple
lifestyle charm refreshed my body and sole completely.
