Shakti's Musings & Travelogue

Land of the Royals

I embarked on a grand adventure with my family to explore the wonders of Rajasthan. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the lavish lifestyles of the Kings and Queens, Rajasthan is the place to be! It’s like stepping back in time to an era of extravagant opulence and ingenious survival skills. The more I marvel at the architectural masterpieces of that time, the more I’m convinced that those folks knew how to stay cozy without relying on all the modern electronic gadgets. It’s like they were the original champions of “eco-friendly” living!

Since I’ve visited Jaipur a couple of times, we thought we’d mix it up and kick off our adventure in Udaipur. In Udaipur, you can soak in the grandeur of the City Palace, take in the breathtaking views of Lake Pichola, marvel at Fateh Sagar Lake, explore Jagmandir Island Palace, experience the monsoon magic at Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, enjoy the vibes at Ambrai Ghat, and pay a visit to the Karni Mata temple, because who doesn’t want some temple time, right? But let’s talk about the real highlight – chowing down on some top-notch Rajasthani cuisine at a rooftop restaurant. There are plenty of them around, but I always go for the ones with a buzzing crowd and killer ambiance. Who knew eating could be this much fun?

Next up is Kumbhalgarh, the land of the legendary King Maharana Pratap Singh. This place is nestled amidst the mighty Aravalli ranges and used to be the stomping ground of the Mewars. Kumbhalgarh fort is no joke – it’s so huge that you might need a lifetime to cover the whole thing! And if you’ve got dodgy knees or any other issues, you better strap on some proper footwear to make your climb smoother. I’d recommend kicking off your adventure in the evening around 3PM so you can catch a glimpse of the lit-up fort at night after you’ve conquered the whole shebang. Oh, and there are loads of temples too. If you’re feeling like a temple trekker, make sure to swing by Neelkanth Mahadev. And also check out Badal Mahal while you’re at it? It’s a fort-tastic time, I promise!

Since we spent two nights in Kumbhalgarh, we thought we’d dedicate a day to exploring Chittorgarh. If you dig into history, this place is basically a treasure trove of epic Rajput valor and passion. According to the local tales, “When it comes to forts, Chittorgarh is the real deal. The others are just pretending.” The place gained fame thanks to Rani Padmavati (the wife of Rana Ratan Singh), who went to great lengths for some privacy from an unwanted admirer, Allauddin Khilji. The guy was so smitten with her that he made quite a fuss, leading the queen to make a rather dramatic exit (Jauhar-Self Immolation) along with a whole cohort of ladies.

Off we go to Jaisalmer, the desert town of Rajasthan, famous for its Havelis! You’ve gotta check out the Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisagar Lake, Patwoon Ki Haveli, Tanot Mata temple, Bada Bagh, Kuldhara abandoned village, Longewala War Memorial, and Vyas Chattri. And don’t even think about skipping the desert camp experience, where you can catch a stunning sunset, hop on a camel, and conquer those sand dunes.

Finally, we culminate our adventure in Jodhpur, the land of majestic forts and not-so-majestic blue houses. Our abode, an Airbnb gem nestled in the heart of the city, turned out to be the residence of a whimsical Lt. Colonel and his delightful canine companions. While wandering through this city, don’t miss out on a visit to the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Ghanta Ghar, and the Umaid Bhawan Museum. Just don’t set your heart on finding those famous blue houses, unless you enjoy a good treasure hunt through the labyrinth of unpainted buildings!