The first thing that impressed me most about this trip was the lush greenery throughout the regions I travelled. Of course, abundant rains this year is the main reason for it. After all, Rajasthan is not just about being a Registhan (desert)! Gazing at the lush Aravalli mountains range, especially on misty mornings, was delightful.
My tour included travelling mainly around Jaipur and Ajmer divisions of the State. My second visit to the capital Jaipur, exploring areas in and around Ajmer, spending an evening in Pushkar, a visit to the historical town of Neemrana in the Alwar District, and a day’s excursions to Nathdwara in the Rajsamand district sums it up.
The highlights of my trip are:-
1. A visit to Amer (Amber) Fort that I had missed for want of time during my last trip to Jaipur in 2007. I also got an opportunity to visit the Jaigarh and Nahargarh forts again. Forts do not fail to fascinate me, and Amber Fort is particularly impressive.
2. Staying with, and consequently getting an opportunity for close interaction with, a wonderful Rajput family for quite a few days. Together with some of their family members, I visited 3 different villages in and around Beawar in the Ajmer District: Borwa, Masud and Gudi. Gracious hosts, I could learn more on the true meaning of hospitality from them.
3. Zipping (Zip-lining) with the FlyingFox in Neemrana at its Palace-Fort. That was fun!
~~~Here are a few more of the many photographs of my travels:-
Chaos on a street in Jaipur with protesters intensifying their agitation (photograph shot from a moving vehicle on 14 September 2010)...
Lit up Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds and its so-called 953 jharokhas (small windows)...
The magic of lush green hills and still waters of the Maota Lake...
Passing through a village one late evening in Pushkar...
From posh city homes...
To humble village dwellings....
A view of Neemrana town from the Palace-Fort...
Of course, travels include other interesting activities like a taste of local cuisine and culture, arts and crafts, songs and dances, the Kesariya baalam and sarangi, the "special" badam milk and laughter to follow, and other obvious delights...
The next time I go to Rajasthan, I wish to have a pure Registhan experience.
The next time I go to Rajasthan, I wish to have a pure Registhan experience.
29 comments:
gr8 i hav also planed a bike trip 4m delhi jaipur ajmer blore as usual pic ar awesome luv th pic of hawa mahal & hav u shot any clip of zipping in neemrana
Samaresh,
Thank you.
Good to hear about your bike trip...enjoy!
Neemrana is at a distance of approx 120 km from Delhi on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, so you may like to stop by.
If you notice, the third picture is of the zipline over a part of the Fort. I have many more pictures, and shall post more in due course.
nice post! particularly liked the Hawa Mahal at night shot...
Thanks Charu.
And congrats again.:)
Rajasthan... I can never have enough of that place.
Such wonderful sights shared, thank you Celine. :)
Indrani,
Pleasure.
I agree with what you say, and am definitely returning for more experiences.
Mein Jitna bhi kahunga sab kam hoga iss post ke baare mein...from the pictures to the words used to describe them..everything in this post is just PERFECT:)
wonderful pics... rajasthan is a place which always gives so much pleasure... and the forts are just too awesome!
looks like you have had a great time..lovely pics..btw , could you pls share some of the details of yr hosts..
Chauhan-sahab,
Hahaha...dhanyavaad, for your comment here, and everything else too.
As always, you are generous with your compliments, shukriya.
Anu,
Thank you, and am glad you liked the pictures.
I do agree with your views on Rajasthan and its forts.
Lakshmi,
Oh yea, I did have a great time, thanks.:)
Some members of my hosts family in Rajasthan are my friends here in Kuwait. Do you need more details and any particular reason why you ask this?
Samaresh,
Sorry, I just noticed the word "clip" and got you now, Unfortunately, no, I was too busy enjoying myself instead of video shooting. On youtube, you could find quite a few clips of zipping in Neemrana, so also I think the website of Flyingfox has.
Hi,
Amazing photographs, and of course these show your interest in photography. Your night shot of Hawa Mahal is pretty impressive. Kesaria Baalam is the most famous folk song and I hope you would have liked it as well
SUPA !! thats all i can say
Sounds like a real good trip Celine. I am hankering after Jodhpur for some days now, let us see when I pull it off.
Saurabh,
Thank you very much. The interest is there indeed, and there is a lot more to learn.
As to Kesaria baalam, I love it. Have heard a few versions of it, and my fav is the one sung by Karsan Sagathiya in that lovely movie, Dor!
MOOS,
Well, thank you.
Mridula,
Jodhpur should be fascinating. I wish you a good trip.
rajasthan is always delightful..except a bit of the time in summers!!
neemrana is my fav till ate..but then i havent been to udaipur, jodhpur & jaisalmer yet...and to many of the other equally good places there!!
Very interesting trip. The shots are beautiful.
that sure seems like fun!
wonderful images!!
Wow, beautiful photographs! Thank you so much for visiting my blog.
Celine,
I think I envy you now. I have never been to Rajasthan except for Jaipur. And I want to do exactly what you did but all alone and wishfully for longer period.
As others have said, I too liked the night shot. Keep them coming. :)
Hi Celine! That Amber Fort on top is truly magnificent!! One day I'll finish my Rajasthan tour... ;)
Blogtrotter Two just left Sardinia 2009, but it couldn’t make it without showing you the incredible Porto Cervo and its yachts... Enjoy and have a great week!
awesome shot of Hawa mahal :)
Very different kind of glimpses. Great pictures.
Shooting Star:
Indeed it is, and I have to go to those places to...hope to do it all some day.
Rajesh:
Thank you.
Magiceye:
Thanks Deepak.
Ash:
Thanks for dropping by.
Nisha:
Thank you. I intend to check out the rest of Rajasthan at leisure too.
Trotter:
Thanks Gil. I'm sure a few of these pictures reminded you of your trip to Jaipur.
Indrani:
Thank you.
Rainboy,
Haha...good to see you around, and thanks.
lovely pics, especially hawa mahal. totally enjoying reading ur blog :)
Il semble que vous soyez un expert dans ce domaine, vos remarques sont tres interessantes, merci.
- Daniel
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