Welcome to the fourth blog of Theme 3, ‘From the land of Kanchenjunga & the Himalayas, mountain ranges of India’. As part of this theme, we have introduced a new Mountain Range from India every week of this month (May 2023). We started with the Great Indian Himalayas & covered Western Ghats in the last…
Category: Royal Rajasthan
For the night is dark & full of terrors; enter at your own risk: Haunted forts of India
Creaking wooden floors or swaying windows don’t create as much noise as silent hallways do. When it’s dark outside & no tourists are allowed inside, the fort becomes dead quiet. In that eerie silence, you can hear the cries & soul-stirring screams of a young boy asking for help, “Kaka mala vachwa” (Uncle, save me)….
Stories of haunted Stepped Stairwells: Dare to visit alone?
Vavs/ Baoris aka Stepped Wells are well-like structures that were designed to store water in olden days. These wells were often designed to be deep so that more & more water could be stored; the water was made accessible with a flight of stairs directly descending into water. In India, there are about 2500 stairwells…
7 tourist places in India that look like international destinations
Home to 28 states and 8 union territories, India is one of the most diverse nations in the world. The presence of Himalayas, being surrounded by water on the three sides and a rich, cultural heritage together make India incredibly unique. You can experience not only giant mountains, picturesque hill stations, beautiful beaches, forests, deserts…
The great wall of Kumbhalgarh, the second longest wall in the world: Incredible India
One of the seven wonders of the world is the Great Wall of China – next to none, a marvellous example of fine architecture and a must-visit destination on every international traveller’s itinerary. While the great wall of China has no other parallel in the world, I am proud to share with you a similar…
Live a piece of history and the unwavering faith in Gods, inside Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan
When you think of Rajasthan, it’s natural to think about delicious food, warm locals and stunning forts. Wherever you go in Rajasthan, there’s a fort waiting for you, ready to tell you stories of previous centuries, of Kings, Queens & royal staff who once lived inside these forts, of soldiers and commanders who fought to…
Of sandstone, stories and splendour: the stunning Mehrangarh fort of Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. It houses all my favourite things in a multitude of colours and variations. As I cover the distance, the stories & people change too along with the places. I feel like an explorer who’s always hungry to have more, and Rajasthan gives me…
From NDLS to Sawai Madhopur, a train journey of 5 hours but of a hundred old memories
I don’t know anyone in my huge circle (thanks to jumping schools every two years & changing jobs every three years) who doesn’t romanticise train travel. It all began with planning in those days. Papa would pack everyone’s luggage bags and mom would be in-charge of snacks. We (me, my sister and brother) would try…
Things you don’t know about the Golden Triangle of India!
Delhi- Agra – Jaipur — the golden triangle of India – popular amongst tourists, generally busy at all times of the year & home to many stories that have been told many times over. I have been going to Agra and Jaipur since the time I was a child. I have lived some 20 kms….
16 acres of adventure in the heritage resort of Sawai Madhopor Lodge
I am a recent convert when it comes to staycations and retreats. Rains in Noida and an insatiable spirit to break out of routine took us to a gorgeous Taj property – Sawai Madhopur Lodge. Spread over 16 acres, this is a 100 year old property. Say what?! 😅😀 Yeah, not kidding! This hotel was…
The flamboyant & the cinematic City Palace of Udaipur
Wherever you live on this planet – India, Asia, the US or Europe, chances are that you have heard of (or stayed in) this luxurious, heritage resort of India that floats on a lake – the magnificent Taj Lake Palace of Udaipur. Taj Lake Palace (formerly known as Jag Niwas) is known for many reasons…
Meet the prince of Jhalana – Rana, the leopard
Leopard is an interesting animal. It sometimes enters residential areas, attacks the pets & creates a terror amidst (otherwise terrifying) homo sapiens. Other times, it’s rarely seen. While you can certainly count the number of tigers in a forest, you can’t really ascertain the number of leopards. Why? Because it’s a super elusive animal, who…
In Jaipur – memories over many years!
I still remember that night when I first reached Jaipur. It was a trip with friends, and we had booked our seats in a Shatabdi from Delhi. Even though I was tired, hungry & lugging around a heavy bag, I noticed the colorful railway platform of Jaipur. The coolies wore a beautiful pagdi & the sign at the exit said, ‘Padharo Mhare Desh’.
Sign up for a visual treat at Pushkar fair, 2018
Somebody said that all good things in life are free. I couldn’t agree enough – a warm sunny afternoon in December, or dipping your feet in a gushing stream of water, or the colorful spread on an otherwise clean sky on evening – all are free, and the best of experiences. I thought I had seen…
The ever so young & ever so wise – Amer fort of Jaipur
Situated at a height & spread across an area of 4 kms., Amer keeps a watch on Jaipur, from 11 kms. away. Amer probably never goes to sleep, partly because it stands guard over Jaipur, but mostly because it’s always thinking of the good times, remembering it & taking pride in it. Decades of royal…
Mehrangarh Fort: a photo story
My close friends tell me that I am an old soul. And they are right for I am an old soul. I love all ancient things & I see the beauty in them even if they are broken, ruined or chipping away. But some old things are as good as new. Ain’t they? Mehrangarh Fort,…
The Golden Sunset from the old Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
One of the many luxuries that travel brings with itself – is the gift of time. You could wake up at your own leisure. Go, take a walk, come back, rest some and then leave for the sight seeing. There’s just no better way to relax than this. Right? Well, no. Wrong! While we might…
Where they worship a Royal Enfield: Incredible India
India is an incredible country. We got all sorts here – admiring cows, paying respects to Banana & Banyan trees, marrying little girls to the idols in temples, worshipping in a place riddled with mice or bats & planning excursions to places with large ice bodies. And we do all that in style, in faith…
The poetic Chittaur of Meerabai
मेरे तो गिरधर गोपाल दूसरो न कोई॥ जाके सिर सोई। तात मात भ्रात छांड़ि दई कुलकी कहा संतन ढिग बैठि बैठि लोक ई॥ किये टूक लीन्हीं लोई। After many battles & political tug-of-war, Chittaur was rising again but this time with the melody, like never before. Chittaur by then had witnessed many episodes of pride, valor…
Hungry for travel? Here’s your 2018 bucket list!
2018 is here and with that comes 16 long weekends and at least 20 days of paid leave for us – lesser beings – who have to work (supposedly) 9 am to 6 pm, five days a week to earn a living & thus the means to – travel, travel & travel. No matter how…
Game for some bird watching in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary?
Freedom is a funny thing. You only get to appreciate it once you don’t have it. The more you fight for it, the more you crave it. How does freedom feel like? To me, it is – spreading my wings & flying high with nothing to control me or pull me back. The sky is…
The legend of Chittaur: Maharana Pratap
पड़ी अचानक नदी अपार¸ घोड़ा कैसे उतरे पार। राणा ने सोचा इस पार¸ तब तक चेतक था उस पार।। I grew up reading about the mighty horse that would often figure in poems and stories of my childhood. Chetak was said to be unbeatable. He was faster than wind, louder than thunder & sharper than…
The mighty warrior of Mewar: Rana Sangha
Chittaur hadn’t celebrated to its full yet, and destiny played its cards. After the untimely demise of Rana Kumbha, Chittaurgarh came under dark once again and silently watched itself getting broken into parts. Now, all Chittaur had to do was wait – wait for its redemption & resurgence. Luckily, Chittaur didn’t have to wait for long….
Great wall of Kumbhalgarh – of King Kumbha of Chittor
Enter Mewar and look around – you will find yourself surrounded by forts to the point your eyes may stretch & beyond that. These forts are generally accompanied by lakes, ponds or bawris (stepped wells) now tended by localites who would don colorful attire from top to bottom. While ladies will be seen in tye-dye…
Chittaurgarh – the erstwhile capital, the house of legends & the birth place of warriors!
“Rani me Rani Padmini, baaki sab Ghadaiya Gadh me Gadh Chittaurgarh, Baki sab Gadhaiya” said the guide whose generations have lived inside the fort for centuries now. It’s the story of a place where they say, “Blood sells cheaper than water” because they are Mewaris who would battle and declare war but will never bow…
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa that figured in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ : Chand Baori, Abhaneri
At a distance of 95 kms. from the capital of Rajasthan, exists one of the world’s deepest stepped well – Chand Baori in a small village called Abhaneri. The legend has it that a bunch of ghosts created this stepped well, overnight, for reasons unknown. The stepped well, though situated in a remote area, has figured…
953 Jharokhas and one big Hawa Mahal
A king admires a palace & secretly wishes to build a similar/ better one in his own country and thus ends up building a beautiful, huge palace with many outlets to the outer world. The search for a ‘home’ never ends. A home – that’s yours, where you find peace, where you can be yourself….
The state of colors: Rajasthan
Like most kids, I also dreamt of fantasy lands where there were mountains of chocolates and taps full of Maaza. My fantasy land was perfect. I could watch TV all day, play whenever I want & roam around wherever I want. There would be no restrictions and I would feel at home in that place….
Where all that shines is Gold: Jaisalmer
The land is barren and the farms are dry. The weather is harsh and the temperature is very high. You would think that this can mar the spirits of the locals. But no ma’am, no. You are wrong. The place beams, the buildings shine & the locals,the locals sparkle under the hot Sun with a…
The aloof tiger and the lazy Python of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
15 years ago when I visited Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary for the first time, our guide told us about a tiger that lived in the sanctuary and came by the lake in the evening to drink water. It was an excursion trip organized from KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan). I was in 9th standard and for the…
Royal Rajasthan presents Dharohar Dance Show in Bagore ki Haveli, Udaipur
200+ years old Haveli (mansion), 100+ rooms & numerous colorful, glass jharokhas – that’s Bagore ki Haveli for you. Situated by Gangaur Ghat in the vicinity of Pichola Lake, the Haveli offers a travel, back in time when ‘art’ was exclusive & ‘culture’ was revered. The silent corridors, airy balconies & open terrace, tell tales of a bygone royal…
Majestic Thar: Sam, Sand & Sun in Jaisalmer
When you are finally in the Thar, there is nothing but sand all around. Camels merge with the sand & the only thing that stands out is the stroke of colors – Colorful beads around the suave camel neck, colorful attires of ladies singing & dancing, colorful bands in the sky before, during & after the sunset. You might not know but there exists a romantic in you. And that romantic manifests in the Thar.
Life on weekends- Home 