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This being my first attempt on a Travelogue, I will try my best to describe my journey through less words and more pics. Not that I am a seasoned Clickr, but Rajasthan being so Vibrant and colorful, even the most amateur attempt, captures an interesting frame at all times.
It was 2008 November, and I was contemplating on a week long vacation, scratching my head on the suitable destinations. Thorughly bored driving on Uncle Sam's freeways, I was looking forward to scorching on Indian Highways (when I scorch I mean not more than 100 kmph clap:). I was reading through a lot of Outlook Travellers when my wife asked "Does Sonar Kella" really look Golden. What brought out that statement was the Satyajit Ray masterpiece playing on TV. Aghast that she hasnt been to the Mecca of almost any Bengali living on this Planet (and maybe on other planets too), my mind was made.
26/11 was keeping a lot of foreign tourists at bay, so was able to secure reservations at very competative prices. We had decided to start and end from New Delhi. I have just too many relatives at the Capital and spending some quality time with them was mouth watering prospect. Also my wifey is really fond of Train Journeys, Rajdhani being the fav.
Lack of time and having no such long driving experience on Indian Highways especally outside the state, I had decided to take my place on the rear seat. We rented a Mahindra Logan and set off.
Itenary -
1) Day 1 - Reach Delhi by 11:00 AM
2) Day 1 - Reach Jaipur by 10 PM
3) Day 2 - Jaipur
4) Day 3 - Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur
5) Day 4 - Jodhpur
6) Day 5 - Jaisalmer
7) Day 6 - Jaisalmer
8) Day 7 - Bikaner, Mandawa
9) Day 8 - Delhi.
Baraatis as we enter Jaipur
Only thing that I have realized is that Rajasthan has so much more to offer apart from Jaipur/Jodhpur/Ajmer/Udaipur that many folks dont think beyond these places. Your TL is just a starting point for all those folks to start thinking in that direction.
The roads are amazing in this state and people are warm (So is Mercury!).
But yes one explore this state in detail from North to South through its Geography. He/She would come out stunned !
Thats what my 15 years of stay in this state tells me so.
Chittorh/Baroli/Sawai Madhopur/Mewar/Bhilwara/Bikaner.....
The list is endless.
Waiting for more snaps.
PS: Your signature is apt. It says it all!
Bang on Ampere ... to cover the entire state and savour all its flavours you either have to plan a 20 day Vacation or visit at least thrice in your lifetime. I have promised myself at least 2 more.
We arrived at around 10 pm at Jaipur and settled ourselves at a Hotel in the quaint residential suburbs. Next day was dedicated to lots of Sight Seeing and shopping.
We started with the ever popular Amer Palace and Jaigarh Fort. Some Pics.
A brief stop at Jalmahal, I think maintenance could have been better.
Forgot to Upload this view from the top of Nahargarh
After JalMahal, we replenished ourselves with a typical Rajasthani Veg Thali and set off for City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Johri Bazaar. Another Veg thali later, it was time to call it a day.
PS - All photos taken on my Vintage, rickety but ever reliable Canon S2 IS.
Next morning, we are off to Jodhpur via Pushkar. The 5 lane Jaipur-Ajmer Highway was a treat, the Logan clocking 120kmph comfortably.
Pushkar was an experience on its own, NOT the lake, but just walking around the ghats and the town. Never seen such a concentration of foreigners in any Indian city. On further investigation I was told that this was the place where the tourists throgned to "BE HAPPY"lol:.
Enjoyed Shwerma and Avocado Sandwiches.
Reached Jodhpur at around 9PM.
Next morning was all about Mehrangar Fort and Jaswant Thada. I had planned on visiting a few more of the Sights, but 2 planned hours at Mehrangar became 6. The fort was awe-inspiring, we were completely mesmerised by its grandeur. The Audio-tour made things even better.
city palace 2 and squirrels are amazing capture. I loved the shine on the artefact in city palace 2 and the great reflection it casts! And you've managed to take it in such a way that you and your camera don't figure in that!
Nice pics. Gives a flavour of what could be in store for me since I'm planning a drive to rajasthan this winter. Mumbai - Udaipur. Have to still research and work out the route plan
Nice pics. This gives an indication of what could be in store for me as I am planning a drive to Rajasthan this winter. Mumbai-Udaipur. Have to still research and work out the route plan.
@MX6 - Actually we do feature in the city palace2 Photo, but on the MIRROR.
@CARvalho - You are in for a treat.
You came to Rajasthan and You missed one city and a very famous temple. yeah! the very one that I live in. :)
But now its gone from bad to worse. Last year whole rajasthan got very little rains. This year we are paying the price. ANd its 38 degree. we never had temperature above 31 in the hills
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