[laluks]

Originally Posted by v&v

So finally your Rajasthan TL has rolled out. Amazing narration. I am glued to this TL. Did you visit Sambhar lake near Jaipur in this trip ?

Expecting some super snaps !

Thanks v&V.
Unfortunately no Sambhar lake visit this time.

About pictures - hope you guys like them. Architecture photography requires skill, which I feel I lack a lot.

[doctorque]

Heu Lalu, I hope you are doing well.

Special interest in this log of yours as this is my birth place and i belong from Rajasthan. Needless to mention, i have seen most places here, some multiple times and I cant wait to see them through your lens. I find this state as one which i personally can visit again and again and still not get over it.

Waiting for you to move on.

Cheers
K.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by doctorque

Heu Lalu, I hope you are doing well.

Special interest in this log of yours as this is my birth place and i belong from Rajasthan. Needless to mention, i have seen most places here, some multiple times and I cant wait to see them through your lens. I find this state as one which i personally can visit again and again and still not get over it.

Waiting for you to move on.

Cheers
K.

Hey I didn't know that.
Now, you can pitch in and help me about the places in detail as the log evolves.

Hope I'll be able to do a good job on the places I had visited this time. Another trip is on the cards too.

[doctorque]

Originally Posted by laluks

Hey I didn't know that.
Now, you can pitch in and help me about the places in detail as the log evolves.

Hope I'll be able to do a good job on the places I had visited this time. Another trip is on the cards too.

Sure Lalu, i will surely have my inputs wherever i have a know how.

I am confident of the justice you will do to the beauty of this state and excited to await how all of this unfolds here.

You also chose the right time to visit as its pretty cold in Rajasthan at the time and food tastes amazing.

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

From the previous day afternoon, we could not get time to have a proper meal. This midnight slot waiting for our vehicle with a 24 hour restaurant just outside the airport was like an amazing coincidence which we wanted to exploit. We decided to have a blast - what do we call this Dinner? Early Breakfast?

Our choices


We decided to have a lot "From the Runway" without any "Security Checks"



It was 00:15 AM when we gave the order.

The dishes look good too


A nice window model



By 02:00AM we started with our drive. We stopped after a while for some tea, to keep us and driver awake.


By 06:00AM we were near Jhunjhunu. As expected we had to drive through thick fog, and a white wall was all that we could see from the wind screen. But our driver Mukesh, was quite experienced and he drove through it carefully.


By 06:30AM we reached Sati Mata Temple at Jhunjhunu.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

We got down from the bus to a chilly foggy morning. It was definitely very chill.

The place looked inviting for a hot tea, but I kept my cravings to myself



Sati Mata Temple


It was foggy, some attempts to make the picture viewable!


Some information about the temple from the web

Rani Sati Temple Jhunjhunu
Shri Ranisati Mandir in Jhunjhunu has a history of more than 400 years and is a commanding testimony to feminine bravery and motherhood with rich tales of history that captivate the fancy of all tourists. Counted among the magnum opus temples of India, Ranisati Temple in Jhunjhunu is famous for its paintings. It is one of the earliest pilgrimages in the country. This imposing historic masterpiece is unparalleled in its appeal and is a delight to all eyes. Located in Jhunjhunu, Rani Sati temple in Jhunjhunu it is one of the magnificent temples in India. The temple enjoys the distinction of being one of the ancient pilgrimages in the country. The temple is a historic and unprecedented work of genius that warrants a special visit.

The Sprited one checking out the Entrance


We took two rooms from the temple trust office and got freshened up. The rooms were pretty cheap. We got the rooms on the top floor.

Some views of the Temple from our floor






Kiddies all freshened up and ready! Oh boy it was chilling!!


We saw a canteen serving South Indian food, and lo - the second breakfast for the day starts

Vada Sambhar on the table - and look at all the smiles


Masala Dosa too


continued...

[hvkumar]

Any idea which route he took from Jaipur to Jhunjhunu?

[laluks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Any idea which route he took from Jaipur to Jhunjhunu?

I am not too sure about that. Most of the time he was on small roads. I asked him if we are going via Nawalgarg, he said no. So my guess is he would have continued on SH 37. It was midnight and I was too tired and dozed off in between. So did not keep track of it either.

[amikacin]

Laluk sir congrats for the Rajasthan trip and thanks for this travelogue which I am sure is going to be pretty amazing.
I am from Rajasthan, Jhunjhunu district and my hometown is only 32 km from jhunjhunu.

The place where you had stopped for tea on the way to jhunjhunu, Jhankar Hotel is pur regular stop for tea
whenever we are going or coming from Jaipur. The meals and tea that he serves are truly yummy and the best thing a highway traveller can ask for.

My place is famous for its peda (the sweet dish prepared from condensed milk) and i can spot in one of the pics the shop advertising the same.
I can not describe my sense of nostalgia on seeing the temple and all the familiar pics here on your T-log.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Any idea which route he took from Jaipur to Jhunjhunu?

Hvk sir, the most direct route from Jaipur to Jhunjhunu is via Sikar(NH 11), through Nawalgarh.
Actual route is Jaipur (NH 11) - Chomu - Reengus - Sikar - Nawalgarh - Jhunjhunu.
We usually have trips to Jaipur quite often, once every two months or so and it takes close to 3-3.5 hrs for us to travel this distance.

From Jaipur till Reengus, the road is being converted to four lane. There is bypass for Sikar that allows one to take the road to jhunjhunu.
From Sikar onwards, it is a two lane toll road and nicely maintained.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by amikacin

Laluk sir congrats for the Rajasthan trip and thanks for this travelogue which I am sure is going to be pretty amazing.
I am from Rajasthan, Jhunjhunu district and my hometown is only 32 km from jhunjhunu.

The place where you had stopped for tea on the way to jhunjhunu, Jhankar Hotel is pur regular stop for tea
whenever we are going or coming from Jaipur. The meals and tea that he serves are truly yummy and the best thing a highway traveller can ask for.

My place is famous for its peda (the sweet dish prepared from condensed milk) and i can spot in one of the pics the shop advertising the same.
I can not describe my sense of nostalgia on seeing the temple and all the familiar pics here on your T-log.

When I get comments by the people from the place that I have visited, I feel so happy. I am quite sure you'll pitch in with further details as the log progresses.

Jhankar Hotel was recommended by our driver Mukesh

Originally Posted by amikacin

Hvk sir, the most direct route from Jaipur to Jhunjhunu is via Sikar(NH 11), through Nawalgarh.
Actual route is Jaipur (NH 11) - Chomu - Reengus - Sikar - Nawalgarh - Jhunjhunu.
We usually have trips to Jaipur quite often, once every two months or so and it takes close to 3-3.5 hrs for us to travel this distance.

From Jaipur till Reengus, the road is being converted to four lane. There is bypass for Sikar that allows one to take the road to jhunjhunu.
From Sikar onwards, it is a two lane toll road and nicely maintained.

I thought so too. Hence I asked Mukesh did we come via Nawalgarg, he said no. I have not asked further questions, so probably he would have told me he byepassed it or so.

[SS-Traveller]

Aah... what a refreshing winter travelogue being dished out in the middle of a super-hot summer! Loving those pics of yours, Lalu, with fog and loads of cold-weather clothing. Looking forward to more, from a region I've also have had occasion to tour fairly extensively at one time.

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

Some more pictures of the Temple. We were not allowed to photograph inside the Temple.












I look down from the top of Sati Mata Temple Entrance


Teen Deviyan searching for their hubbies!!


They are amused that we were on top of the temple entrance clicking their predicaments


Sati Mata Temple Entrance


Tuk Tuks



Never fear shadows.... that always means there is a light shining somewhere


The road from Jhunjhunu to Mandawa


We left towards Mandawa.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

We reached Mandawa by noon. We wanted to explore the painted havelis of Shekawati, hence the visit to Mandawa.



The best guide that you can have to explore this place is a book by ILay Cooper - "The Painted Towns of Shekawati". ILAY COOPER WRITER - PURBECK, DORSET, UK








We were staying at Heritage Mandawa, a colourful painted haveli


Details of the hotel - Mandwa Hotels, Mandwa Heritage Hotels, Mandawa Accommodation
It was an interesting place with all the paintings on the walls. With additional beds for the kids it costed around Rs2600 per night.




The Hotel Heritage Mandawa




Some details of the hotel


Some activities that can be done


Friends at the hotel




The luggage waits to be claimed


Kiddies checking out the hotel


continued...

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

We took some time to check out the rooms.

First the Honeymoon suite




Paintings from the Honeymoon suite
Paintings are mostly of an erotic mood in this room.















The smile on our faces - priceless


continued...

[laluks]

Day 01
23rd December 2011
Jaipur - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa

We then moved on to check the Sheesh Mahal Suite






I wonder how one can sleep in all this glitter


Famous Five at Sheesh Mahal



More paintings






Charkha


Gramaphone


continued...