Picturesque Rajasthan

 Journey to the romantic paradise Rajasthan with its magnificent forts, aesthetic palaces, artistic temples, vibrant textiles, and immense deserts is mesmerizing. The rustic charm of the well-preserved culture gives a real picture of the bygone era in Rajasthan. Dry and arid land comes alive with bright coloured dresses and sparkling trinkets. The rugged environs yet inviting culture make it a tourist paradise. The architectural wonders and the number of tourists visiting the place uphold the pride of people in their culture.

 

While driving through the long stretches of arid land, one sees habitation. The indistinguishable pink-coloured shops and houses, lined on either side of the road, impart the Pink City, its unique feature. Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, trademark blue pottery, and its regalia of precious stones market are some of the treasures of Jaipur. 

 

 The iconic Hawa Mahal, a spectacular palace of breeze overlooking the busy Bazaar, is an artisan’s masterpiece with its over nine hundred sandstone latticed jharokhas emitting sunlight all over the place. The small windows of the façade and the cooling effects in the chambers show the mastery of the architects. The sunlight glimmering out of the colored glass looks enchanting. The fountains enhance the beauty of the place. The Jal Mahal, built in the eighteenth century and located amidst the Man Sagar Lake overlooked by the Nahargarh Fort, is an architectural masterpiece that was used by the royals for duck shootings. The charm of the city is still alive and appreciated by one and all.

 

Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur is an architectural marvel atop a steep hill, commands rugged mountains, valleys, and the Blue City. The cooling blue color, a mix of the local limestone and indigo, is painted all over the city. One enters the fascinating world of the fort by the captivating music of the colorfully attired folk singers. Darbare Aam, Sringar Chowk, and Seesh Mahal in the fort complex are the work of great artisans. One cannot miss visiting the splendor of Umaid Bhawan Palace and museum with its lush greenery and glorious history.  

 Standing tall like a citadel in the middle of Thar Desert, intricately designed interiors, antique Jain temples, yellow sandstone Havelis, and a narrow winding bazaar full of artifacts is the Jaisalmer fort. Nature is merging beautifully with glorious history. Velour becomes a synonym of Rajasthani people when you hear the accounts of numerous battles. This fort has always remained in the limelight, initially built for security purposes, later its importance in trade, and now as a tourist destination. The Jain temples inside the fort, built in Dilwara style, are divine creations. This golden fort gleams like melting gold on sunset.

 On the outskirts of the Jaisalmer is a haunted village Kuldhara, abandoned overnight some three hundred years ago. The legend has it one of the ministers of the king wanted to marry the girl from this village, which was unacceptable by the people. They overnight left to an undisclosed destination. The eerie silence in the temple amongst rows of half-built houses makes one believe the saga.

 The sunset in the massive recurring dunes towards the border of the state has magnetism, a perfect way to conclude a memorable trip. The Sun and sand merging at the horizon look divine. The moonlit silvery dunes with musical performances add an aura of romanticism to this desert state.

 The experience in this spell-binding place will reverberate and reside forever in memory.