Born Indian, but having never seen India and without any connection (at
least not so close to demand a visit) that would have got us visiting the
land, we finally decided to opt for a package tour and India Tourist Spots
had the answer!
Rajasthan was our obvious choice, for the trip-advisor, Charlie, said, “Visit
Rajasthan and you have visited India”, and fleshed his statement with
many irresistible legends and lores. The 9-hr Air India flight from London
to Delhi, didn’t leave us as exhausted as we expected. Or maybe, in
anticipation of ‘seeing’ India for the first time did the
Redbull-effect. After a bit of shopping at Janpath (India is best for cheap
and best buys), we spent the evening at India Gate watching vendors selling
amusing gizmos and fellow Indians romping about in groups. Sarika’s (my
17 year old sister) try at the biscope (a black box that has Bollywood
actors photos coming one after the other) was however the most memorable.
Jaipur’wards...
Next morning, a mere five hour drive landed us right there at Rajasthan
Capital - Jaipur. No, not its legendary ‘pink’ that you notice
first, but lots of different colors - umbrellas, bags, decorated camels,
women wearing bright clothes, even food-stalls had different colored items.
The ‘pink’ begins as you enter the main city and trust me, every
thing there, down to the window panes and shops are painted pink. The City
Palace with its museum, the shops (Sarika bought 5 mini turbans as
souvenirs), was just the perfect Indian palace we so much heard about -
grand and beautiful. The Hawa Mahal was not quite the fascinating “Palace
on Wheels” we expected, but the hilltop Jaigarh Fort and the drive to
it was simply amazing. A sweeping view from there will convince you that you
are truly in some kingly city. The the world's largest cannon and Charlie’s
detailed war-tactic descriptions (like how they would pour hot oil from the
mini drains and shoot arrows from the holes in the wall) left us all
fascinated. We stayed at Chokhi Dhaaani and what an evening it was ---
puppet show, Ghoomar performance (god the speed with which they whirl)
followed by a typical Rajasthani thali. Eric (my husband) liked the kadi
(dumplings in a yogurt sauce) a lot. Oh yes, we shopped some amazing
tie-and-die skirts and matching tops.
Ajmer’wards...
A 3-hr early morning drive brought us to the Dargah (tomb) of the famous
Muslim saint, Khwaja Mounuddin Chisti was crowded but the religious fervor
was humbling and refreshing. We (Sarika and me) were not allowed inside,
while Eric went right upto the tomb. From Ajmer we bought Attar (perfume)
and Agarbatti (scented burning sticks) in bulk. Charlie’s Pushkar
stories were enticing, but since there was no Fair happening (Pushkar mela
or the great camel fair is held every November), we decided not to go.
Udaipur-wards...
Another 274 km drive and we reached Udaipur, the Mewar capital. Eric was
particularly surprised because he always thought Rajasthan had no water
bodies, at least not like what we saw out here --- endless azure lakes. And
yes, we spent one of our most romantic evenings in a boat (little Sarika was
tired and sleepy) that passed by the beautiful Shiv Niwas Palace (our
hotel). The breeze smelt of flowers and tiny cottages in the distance summed
up for a beautiful vista. “India is beautiful”, Eric gasped. I
corrected, “No, magical”, and we both nodded in total agreement.
Later that evening, classical music performance at the Hotel, enraptured us
completely.
Jodhpur’wards...
All I remember of Jodhpur is the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, its museum with
palkis (carriage) and weapons, and its wonderful shops from where we bought
bundles of lac bangles, many pairs of jootis (slipper-like embroidered
shoes), and a Bandhni saree for Mom.
Jaisalmer’wards...
Some 300 km away is Jaisalmer - where you find the real deserts of
Rajasthan. Here we spent the largest part of our journey - a) we never saw a
desert in our life, b) it was one in India (read ‘dreamland’). The
mammoth yellow limestaone Jaisalmer Fort, looks as if made of molten gold
with its blue (shy) backdrop. Eric’s camera went crazy clicking. The
Shekhawati paintings, the intricate carvings, quaint staircases shooting off
from almost everywhere, flock of Jain temples and the giant mansions of the
once rich merchants locally called ‘havelis’ left us completely
floored. The most fascinating (all three of us agreed on this) was the camel
safari and our photographs with that bride-like decorated camel. Sarika’s
camel, Kajal, was particularly pretty and decent. Must have been, for while
we roared with back-ache, Sarika kept boasting about her ‘trained-desert-darling’!
Oh, yes, we also tasted camel milk. The royal Rajputana ambiance could be
felt in almost everything and everywhere. We missed the Desert Festival,
supposedly the most amazing of the Rajasthani festivals.
Back to where it all began...
- After almost a week at Rajasthan, we were back to the
Indian Capital - Delhi. Our experience, the sights, shopping,
Kajal-safari, turbaned men with huge mustache --- all would flash before
our eyes on and off and every time they did, we would feel warm for our
nation (after all we are Indians no matter settled where) is simply
beautiful. Well, I had to cut it short for after Rajasthan our appetite
was only whetted for more and we headed for Kerala. Will write about it
some other time. As for now, let my share of Rajasthan-infatuation work
of you too. Go there and you will know those Kings and Queens of our
fairy tales still exist and some deserts have much more than mirages,
camels and caravans.
About our Author
Suzanne
Dravid is an Interior Designer with a leading UK based firm. A
Cancer-Leo cusp, she loves shopping, watching people wait for buses/
local trains, tattooed shoulders, the Irish cream flavored Baileys
(on-the-rocks), Eric’s hair (blond, unlike her jet black tresses)
and her family. Whether it is Charlie’s incentives or Suzanne’s
look-out for offers and discounts on her future India-tours, we can’t
say, but they are good buddies now, and on his behest she scribbled to
us her lovely Rajasthan memories to us. Thank you Suzanne! Read more
about Rajasthan and its royal heritage.. |
