The Goat at the Fort

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One day on my way back from exploring the magnificent Amer Fort in Jaipur, I heard this little fellow asking me to shoot a picture of him...

I did, and then he asked if I could take a shot of him gazing at the Aravalli hills...

Then he gave a pose of his side...

Then one more with the background to the entrance to the Fort...

And then when I muttered something to the effect that I've had enough of similar shots, the little fellow nicely changed direction and posed for me...

I descended with a smile after thanking my cute little model.

Green Rajasthan

I’m back from my Rajasthan trip.

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!

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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 Pink City

My posts on Jaipur, the Pink City, turned out more than I anticipated. Here's a list for quick reference:

1. Nahargarh and Jaigarh Forts
2. City Palace
3. Choki Dani
4. Elephants on streets
5. Camel on roadside
6. Guns n' roses (Authorblog's Post of the day)



Related posts:

- Incredible India Indeed (also in same Post of the Day)
- TDM: One, Two, and Three.

Tranquil Tuesday

Abode of pigeons
Nahargarh Fort Entrance Gate
Imperial history

Memories of Jaipur

The last set of pictures randomly shot in Jaipur city.

A street scene

Gate to Jaipur City Palace

Shri Ramchandra Ji Temple

Gardens in the city with watercourses

Gate to City Palace

Handicrafts at the Rajasthani Emporium

Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts

For those travellers interested in the majestic past of India, the Jaigarh Fort of Jaipur is a good destination. Known also as the "Victory Fort," Jaigarh Fort is located at a comfortable distance of 15 kms from the city of Jaipur.

The journey to the Fort includes a climb passing through forests. I watched the locals scaling the climb effortlessly even as the SUV I was in was struggling to gather momentum at the steepness at certain points. I stopped on the way and decided to stroll in the peaceful and inviting woodlands.

Peacock in the wilderness

Except for the sound of occasional vehicles passing on the road in the distance (where the SUV driver-cum-guide waited for me patiently), I enjoyed the walk through the wilderness for almost an hour. I particularly loved the solitude watching the movement of birds and animals. Sometimes they scurried past in spite of my quiet steps. It was an out of this world feeling to be all alone, in a remote corner of the world, listening to the sweet sounds of the many birds there. Upon returning the driver-cum-guide expressed his disapproval for exploring deep into the forest for so long, and that too, all alone.

Isn't he cute?

The Fort offers a wonderful view of the city below, which my camera was unable to capture well. (The unskilled, but earnest, photographer blames the camera).

Jaipur City view

Jaigarh or Fort of Victory was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1726. Jaigarh Fort was used as the treasury of the royal family of Jaipur.

The Diwa Burj watchtower offers an excellent viewpoint from where tourists can look across the town.

There is a massive wheeled cannon by the name of Jaivan, which is believed to be the largest cannon in the World and the main attraction of the Jaigarh Fort.

This Fort is on top of the hill, while Amber Fort is at the bottom. Many people regard the two as one complex however both of them are well connected with well guarded passages. Jaigarh Fort was made to tighten the security of Jaipur and Amber Fort, and due to this fact, some do not find this fort as artistic as other forts and palaces, but I found it certainly has its own charm.

Jaigarh Fort shot on the way down to Jaipur City

Nahargarh Fort is the first of the three forts built by Maharaja Jai Sawai Singh of Jaipur. The Fort stands at the top of rugged point of the Aravalis and offers a spectacular view of the City. The Fort was made to serve as a means of supporting the security of Amer. The term Nahargarh refers to “the Abode of Tigers” so it is also known as the Tiger Fort. The Fort was constructed mainly in 1734, however further additions were made to it, by the succeeding rulers in the 19th century.

Nahargarh Fort

There are numerous buildings situated inside the Nahargarh Fort and amongst them, Madhavendra Bhawan appeals the most. It was built by Sawai Ram Singh II and has a series of interconnected rooms with colorful corridors and hallways.

One of the many beautiful corridors

The geometrically designed Nahargarh Fort looks its best in the night, when it is dazzlingly lit and forms a remarkable backdrop of Jaipur.

Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts stand as symbols of the royal heritage of Jaipur and speaks of its majestic past. A visit to these Forts made my trip to Jaipur a memorable one.

City Palace, Jaipur

One of the major landmarks and famous tourist attractions of the Pink City of Jaipur is the City Palace Complex. The City Palace stands apart for its outstanding art and architecture. The architecture of the City Palace is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.


The City Palace complex covers a huge area and comprises of many palatial structures, courtyards, gardens and buildings. There are many splendid small palaces and halls in the complex, such as the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Badal Mahal. There is also a famous temple called the Shri Govind Temple and a museum inside, named the City Palace Museum.



Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, additions have been made to the palace complex by his successors.




A part of the exquisite Palace still makes home for the former Maharaja/King.


To the north-west is the graceful seven storeyed 'Chandra Mahal', or the Moon Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, Bhavani Singh. The Chandra Mahal provides a fine view of the gardens and the city. Paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional style adorn the palace.


To sum up, the City Palace is a structure of historical importance and a souvenir of the regal past. The palace, with its royal grace stands as a symbol of magnificence.