Category Archives: Pushkar Cattle fair

Bikaner tour packages, Camel Fair Pushkar, Car Rental, Desert Rajasthan, Fair Festival & Events, General Information, Golden Triangle Tour, Pushkar Camel Fair 2021, Pushkar Cattle fair, Pushkar Fair, Pushkar Fair Festival, Pushkar Fair Tour, Rajasthan Group Tour, Rajasthan Honeymoon package, Rajasthan Hotels, Rajasthan Tour Package, Rajasthan Tourism, Ranthambore National Park, Top Attractions, Travel Deals, Uncategorized, Wildlife in Rajasthan

Magnificent fort in Rajasthan

Magnificent fort in Rajasthan

Bundi Fort – Bundi Taragarh Fort or ‘Star Fort’ is the most impressive of structures of city of Ajmer in Indian state of Rajasthan. A rather ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation, It was constructed in 1354 upon a steep hillside. There are three gateways to the fort, well known as Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza and Gagudi ki Phatak. Most parts of these impressive gateways are now in ruins. During its heyday, Taragarh Fort was renowned for its tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside. However, these tunnels are now inaccessible for want of proper maps. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or ‘Thunder from the Womb’. This erstwhile Chauhan bastion has some huge water reservoirs. These reservoirs were built to store water and supply it to the residents during time of crisis. The reservoirs have been carved out of the rocky base of the fort. Rani Mahal is a small palace within the fort complex, built for the wives and concubines of rulers. The Mahal has, however lost most of its charm as the shine of its spectacular murals and stained glass windows have completely faded away. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah. He was the governor of the fort and laid down his life in an encounter, in 1210.

BhanGarh fort Alwar– The Bhangarh Fort  is a 17th-century fort built in the Rajasthan state of India. It was built by Man Singh I (one of the navratnas of Akbar’s court) for his younger brother Madho Singh I. It was named by Madho Singh after his grandfather Man Singh or Bhan Singh. The fort and its precincts are well preserved

The Bhangarh Fort is located on the border of the Sariska Reserve in the Aravali range of hills in Alwar district of Rajasthan.The nearest village is Golakabaas. The fort is situated at the foot of the hills on sloping terrain. The ruins of the King’s palace are located on the lower slope of the hills; trees surround the pond area and a natural stream falls into the pond within the premises of the palace.

The fort is located 235 kilometres  from Delhi and the approach to the entrance gate of the fort in the last 2 kilometres  stretch of the road is an unpaved road.The fort is 32 km from Thana Ghazi.

 

There are two legends related to the history of the fort city, which is reported to be haunted, and no one is allowed to remain in the precincts of the fort at night, per a notice board put up by the Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance.One version of the legend is that a sadhu named Baba Balau Nath lived within the fort area. It was his injunction that any houses built in the precincts of the fort should not be taller than his house, and if the shadow of any such house fell on his house, it would result in destruction of the fort town.

In another version, N.K. Sinhai, the wizard who was adept in black magic, fell in love with Ratnavati, the princess of Bhangarh, who was very beautiful, and had suitors to marry her from many royal families of the country. One day the princess, at 18 years of age, went shopping with her friends and was buying Ittar (scent). The wizard saw this and replaced the scent with a love potion in order to ensnare the princess. He offered the potion to her so that she would take a liking to him and marry him. However, the princess saw through the wizard’s trickery, and when he offered her the bowl of potion, she threw it onto a big boulder nearby. As a result, the boulder started rolling down towards the wizard and crushed him. Before he died, he made a curse that Bhangarh would be destroyed soon and no one would be able to live within its precincts. Subsequently, Bhangarh Fort was invaded by the Mughals from the north and the city was surrounded and sacked; 10,000 people lived in the fort city at that time. All the people in the fort, including the princess, were killed. The present state of the fort is attributed to the curse of the wizard and people believe the ghosts in the fort are those of the princess and the wizard.

 

Amber Fort Jaipur – Amer Fort -Amber Fort is a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. Amer is a town with an area of 4 square kilometres  located 11 kilometres  from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in the Jaipur area. The town of Amer was originally built by Meenas, and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh I (December 21, 1550 – July 6, 1614).

Amer Fort is known for its artistic Hindu style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-i-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-i-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace.[5] The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Shila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604.

 

This palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the same Aravalli range of hills. The palace and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex, as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur – Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, is credited with the origin of Jodhpur in India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459 (Jodhpur was previously known as Marwar). He was one of Ranmal’s 24 sons and became the fifteenth Rathore ruler. One year after his accession to the throne, Jodha decided to move his capital to the safer location of Jodhpur, as the one thousand years old Mandore fort was no longer considered to provide sufficient security.

 

With the trusted aid of Rao Nara (son of Rao Samra), the Mewar forces were subdued at Mandore. With that, Rao Jodha gave Rao Nara the title of Diwan. With the help of Rao Nara, the foundation of the fort was laid on 12 May 1459 by Jodha on a rocky hill 9 kilometres  to the south of Mandore. This hill was known as Bhakurcheeria, the mountain of birds. According to legend to build the fort he had to displace the hill’s sole human occupant, a hermit called Cheeria Nathji, the lord of birds. Upset at being forced to move Cheeria Nathji cursed Rao Jodha with “Jodha! May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!”. Rao Jodha managed to appease the hermit by building a house and a temple in the fort very near the cave the hermit had used for meditation, though only to the extent that even today the area is plagued by a drought every 3 to 4 years. Jodha then took an extreme measure to ensure that the new site proved propitious; he buried a man called “Raja Ram Meghwal” alive in the foundations. “Raja Ram Meghwal” was promised that in return his family would be looked after by the Rathores. To this day his descendants still live in Raj Bagh, “Raja Ram Meghwal’s” Garden, an estate bequeathed them by Jodha.

 

Rao Jodha then invited the famous female hindu warrior sage of Charan caste, Shri Karni Mata, to lay down the foundation stone of the Mehrangarh Fort and the same was carried out by her. Today only the forts of Bikaner and Jodhpur remain in the hands of Rathors, both had their foundation stone laid by Shri Karni Mata. All other Rajput forts of Rajasthan were abandoned for some or the other reasons by the respective clans. Only the Rathors of Jodhpur and Bikaner have their forts with them till date. This fact is considered a miracle by the local population and is attributed to Shri Karni Mata.

 

Rao Jodha also granted villages of Mathania and Chopasni to the two Charan warlords who were sent by him to request Shri Karni Mata to come to Jodhpur.

Jaisalmer Fort –Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill. Before the days of the British Raj, the fortress city served as a refuge and way-station for caravans and travelers along the Silk Road. Its ramparts served as the backdrop for many battles in past centuries when the Silk Road still served as one of the main trade routes between East and West.the fort’s massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. The fort is located along the southern edge of the city that bears its name, and is perhaps one of the more striking monuments in the area, its dominant hilltop location making the sprawling towers of its fortifications visible for many miles around.

Ranthambhore fort -Ranthambore Fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the park being the former hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur until the time of India’s Independence. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments of Rajasthan. The fort is known for the glory and valor of Hammir dev of the Chauhan dynasty.

The Ranthambore fort was built by a Chauhan Rajput ruler, although the exact name of the ruler is disputed. A widely held belief states that the fort was built the reign of Sapaldaksha, in 944 CE. Another theory states that the fort was built during the reign of Jayant, in 1110 CE. According to Government of Rajasthan’s Amber Development & Management Authority, it is likely that the construction started in the mid-10th century during the reign of Sapaldaksha, and continued a few centuries after that.

Chittorgarh Fort-The Chittor Fort or Chittorgarh is one of the largest forts in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is today situated in the Chittorgarh town. It sprawls over a hill 180 m  in height spread over an area of 280 ha above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct has several historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.

 

From 7th century, the fort was ruled by the Mewar Kingdom. In 1303, the Turkic ruler of Delhi, Alauddin Khalji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who later founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, the women are said to have committed Jauhar or mass self-immolation. Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children, between the 7th and 16th centuries. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies.

Kumbhalgarh fort – Kumbhalgarh (“Kumbhal fort“) is a Mewar fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in the Rajsamand district near Udaipur of Rajasthan state in western India. It is a World Heritage Site included in Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. Occupied until the late 19th century, the fort is now open to the public and is spectacularly lit for a few minutes each evening. Kumbalgarh is situated 82 km northwest of Udaipur by road. It is the most important fort in Mewar after Chittaurgarh. With a wall over 38 km long, the fort is among the largest wall complex in the world, and the second largest fort in Rajasthan after Chittor Fort.

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares
Bikaner tour packages, Camel Fair Pushkar, Car Rental, Desert Rajasthan, Fair Festival & Events, General Information, Jaipur Tour Packages, Jaisalmer Tour Planner, Pushkar Camel Fair 2021, Pushkar Cattle fair, Pushkar Fair, Pushkar Fair Festival, Pushkar Fair Tour, Rajasthan Hotels, Rajasthan Tour Package, Rajasthan Tourism, Ranthambore National Park, Top Attractions, Travel Deals, Wildlife in Rajasthan

10 Unforgettable Places To Visit In Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the largest state of India, it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in India. This state has great tourism potential and enthralls tourists and vacationers with its awe-inspiring tourism options in the forms of culture, tradition, temples, art & architecture, history, forts & palaces, monument, havelis, wildlife sanctuaries & parks, rippling sand dunes, Thar Desert etc.

There are many fascinating travel destinations in the state which can be visited, explored and enjoyed on your travel and tours in this royal state of India.

Let’s have a look at top ten travel destination of Rajasthan tourism.

Jaipur :-

Jaipur is the capital of this state.  Jaipur is also the largest city in the princely state of Rajasthan.It was founded in 1727, by the Kachwaha Rajput Ruler Sawai Jaisingh II, who was the ruler of Amber. Jaipur is also known by the nickname ‘Pink City of India’ which is due to the distinctive saffron or pink color of the buildings of city. The planning of the city was done according to the Vedic Vastu Shastra (Indian architecture). The well planned streets and detailed and artistic architecture make it one of the top preferred tourist locations.

Forts, monuments, temples, Gardens, museums and vast market places of Jaipur bring tourists who come from all around the world to experience the food, fun and frolic at this wonderful town. Jaipur is also home to a huge no. of arts and craft with over 20 unique specializations. Jaipur is the state capital city and very popular tourist destination in India. Worth visit attractions in Jaipur city are                                         Amber Fort, City Palace, Albert Hall Museum, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Heritage Hotels And much more places to visit

 

Udaipur: –

Udaipur is also known as the City of Lakes. The city was the capital of the Sisodiya Rajputs of Mewar and it was founded in 1553 by the Sisodiya Rajput Ruler Maharana Udai Singh II. The Mewar Rajputs founded the city to relocate their capital from Chittor to a more secure location.

Udaipur city is known for its elegant palaces, forts, and lovely lakes. It is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in India. Key attractions of tourist interest in the city are City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Lake Palace, Pichola Lake, Fateh Prakash Palace, Monsoon Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Eklingji Temple, Nagda Temple, etc.

While in a few texts, it has been termed as the Venice of the East. Today, most of the palaces have been converted into hotels, thus attracting a huge no. of tourist crowd to this city.

Jodhpur: –

Jodhpur is also the second most populated city of Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city was founded in 1459 by the Rathore Rajput Ruler, Rao Jodha Singh of Marwar. The city was founded as Marwar’s new capital after the fall of the former capital of Mandore. Jodhpur is also called the Sun City as it enjoys a bright sunny weather all year round. Strategically, it is considered to be the most important city of western Rajasthan

Jodhpur is an important tourist destination as well. Jodhpur has been listed many a times in various tourism magazines and documentaries and has topped the lonely planet’s list of most extraordinary place to stay in 2014. The various hill forts, palaces and the old walled city are just a handful of attractions from the multitude that this wonderful city has to offer.

Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City of India, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state. It is a wonderful tourist place to be visited on Rajasthan travels and tours with attractions like mammoth Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada Memorial, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Gardens and many heritage hotels.

 

Jaisalmer: –

Jaisalmer is also known as the Golden City of India The aptly named “golden city”, which comes from its view during the day, the city of Jaisalmer lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. The city was founded by The Bhati Rajput ruler Maharawal Jaisal Singh in 1156 Ad. The city gets its name from the golden sands of the Thar Desert and the same golden colored sandstone used in the city’s architecture. The city is a famous tourist spot due to its magnificent architecture and the various arts and crafts which are unique to this region.

The city thrives on tourism, and can be called a home away from home for a huge no. of tourists from all around the world. Key attractions of tourist interest in the city are Its Golden Fort, Jain Temples, Havelis and an exciting trip to rippling sand dunes of vast Thar Desert.

The unique feature about the city of Jaisalmer is its architecture. It was built as a walled city which makes it one of the largest living forts in the world. The fort has numerous eateries that offer Italian, French and local cuisines. Visit during the months of November and December and you will enjoy this castle city to its fullest

 

Bikaner :- 

Bikaner is also known as the Camel City, Bikaner is a wonderful tourist place to visit in Rajasthan. It holds a prime position in boosting tourism in Rajasthan with major attractions like Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Havelis, and sand dunes.

The city of Bikaner was founded in 1488 by the Rathore Rajput Ruler Rao Bika. Rao Bika was the son of the Rathore Ruler Rao Jodha who founded Jodhpur.     The place is known for its forts and food. The various arts and crafts of this place are also unique, especially the intricately carved windowpanes called jharokhas.  It is one town we would personally recommend for you to visit if you want to experience the authentic taste of rajasthani cuisines. The various fairs held in Bikaner also attract a huge no. of visitors from all around India and the world.

Bikaner is a wonderful tourist place to visit in Rajasthan. It holds a prime position in boosting tourism in Rajasthan with major attractions like Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Havelis, sand dunes And  the famous temples like Karni Mata and Laxmi Nath Temple etc.

 

Pushkar: –

Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan. It is one of the most sacred cities in India with lots of attractions like Lord Brahma Temple, Gayatri Temple, Savitri Temple, , Pushkar Palace, Rose Gardens, Pushkar Ghats, etc.

Lying in the Ajmer District of Rajasthan, the holy City of Pushkar is often described as the king of pilgrimage sites in India. The town is located at the shores of the Pushkar Lake, which was created by the tears of Lord Shiva. The town is famous for its temples and various Ghats which are frequented by hundreds of visitors during the annual bath.

 

Chittorgarh :–

The ancient city of Chittorgarh also known as Chittor, was said to have been founded by the Maurya Dynasty. However its significance rose when the Ruler of the Sisodiya Rajput Clan of Mewar captured the city in 734 Ad and made it the capital of Mewar. The place is known to be the birthplace of many great warriors and historical figures like the Great Maharana Pratap and the Hindu saint, Meera Bai.

One of the major places to visit in Chittorgarh is the Chittorgarh fort, which is the largest fort in India. The fort was founded in the 7th century by the 1st Sisodiya Rajput Ruler Bappa Rawal and spreads over an area of 2.8 sq kilometers and its highest elevation point is 1,075 meters above sea level. The fort complex itself contains several palaces, gardens and temples most of which have a great historical significance.

Mount Abu:-

               The place takes pride of it being the only hill station in the desert state of Rajasthan. Mount Abu is situated in the Aravalli mountain range and is a part of the Sirohi District of Rajasthan. Mount Abu was known as the Arbuda Mountain, which has been mentioned in the Hindu Epic Mahabharata and is known for to be the place where the Great Sage Vashishta retired. The hill station houses many ancient sites and temples which are frequented by many pilgrims from across India along with many forts and lakes.

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Trevor’s Crocodile Park, Nakki Lake, the most Famous Dilwara Jain temples, and the  Achalgarh Fort which was built in the 17th century is  the major attraction of city to visit

f natural Fauna has brought this place in this list. Major Attreaction Of city Are The Haunted Bhangarh Fort, The Karni Mata Temple, the Historic site of Pandupole, and the Sariska Tiger Reserve.  These destinations are very popular among tourists and vacationers from all over the world and various Rajasthan tour operators as well. You will surly love to visit, explore and enjoy these deserving tourist places of Rajasthan, the Royal State of India.

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares
Desert Rajasthan, Fair Festival & Events, Pushkar Camel Fair 2021, Pushkar Cattle fair, Rajasthan Hotels, Uncategorized

Desert Safari in jaisalmer

Jaisalmer THAR Desert Rajasthan

The best way to venture into the Thar Deserts on a camel’s back but if you are not comfortable with that then you can go for a jeep safari in the desert. But whatever way you choose adventure is very much a part of the journey. In Rajasthan the famous destination for desert safari is Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer is an enchanting city which attracts many a tourists from all over the world. It’s most captivating attraction of safari. Apart from this it is known for majestically carved havelies and Jaisalmer Fort. The rustic charm of Rajasthan can be best experienced here. To make the holidays of tourists memorable and adventurous camps are organized on the sand dunes. Stay in the camps under the star-studded sky, treat your eyes with traditional dance performances and experience the lifestyle of nomads on this tour.

 

Rajasthan is an enchanting land with amazing diversity in its geographical features. And the most fascinating of all is its desert with golden-hued sand dunes which create magic. If you are traveling to Rajasthan then Desert Safari in Rajasthan is something you must not miss at any cost. It is the star attraction of this land of raja-maharajas. The Thar Desert tour will take you to unfathomable sand dunes, isolated villages and enchanting historical ruins. On this tour you will get a wonderful opportunity to acquaint yourself with the people, culture, history and lifestyles of the people living in the desert.

 

pushkar-fair-

On this safari enjoy the traditional cuisine of Rajasthan and participate in the cultural programs organized for your entertainment. The sights of sand dunes stretching for miles and changing shapes under the influence of wind will surely leave you enchanted.

The Sam Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer is the most famous spot for those who wish to see the overwhelming beauty. Visit it in the evening and you will be greeted with a breathtaking sunset view which you will cherish for long. As the evening falls the sand-dunes look orange in color in the rays of sun.

jaisalmer-fort

And the charm of these desert of Jaisalmer increases manifold during the Desert Festival celebrated here in the month of February/March every year. During the festival the desert comes alive and looks colorful.

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares
Camel Fair Pushkar, Fair Festival & Events, Pushkar Cattle fair, Pushkar Fair, Pushkar Fair Festival, Pushkar Fair Tour, Rajasthan Tourism

Things to do In Pushkar

Pushkar, a rare grouping of sand dunes, tarn, hills and wooded area, is a quaint little town around Pushkar Lake. There’s a lot more to this oasis town than the Camel fair that it is mostly linked with. Walk through the labyrinth of alleys and lanes, its bazaar and the Ghats to discover the magic of this tranquil town. A few among the many reasons to visit Pushkar include its religion – taking a dip in the holy Pushkar Lake and visiting the only Brahma Temple in the country; its natural marvels – mesmerizing sunrise and gorgeous sunset over the sand dunes and the lake; its food – cafes overlooking the lake serve a variety of food shopping – some of the best variety of silver jewellery, traditional clothes and rose products can be purchased from Pushkar’s vibrant bazaars; photography – cheerful people dressed in vibrant dresses in the surrounding villages provides ample opportunities for some amazing pictures for photography enthusiasts art – find Bhopa musicians playing Ravanhatha in the market, around the lake or the desert and Kalbelia ladies performing dance in the dunes.

The dunes around Pushkar can be best explored on a camel. Riding through the desert atop a camel is an amazing experience. It’s a bumpy but a rhythmic ride through the quiet desert, the loudest sound being the swish of camel feet on the sand. I love to chat with enthusiastic camel men who are always happy to share their stories. If you want to know about the life in a desert village, these are the best people to talk to. Hear the mesmerizing stories sitting 10 feet above the ground, gently sailing through the desert.

These slow moving camels will take you through dunes to a point from where you can watch the beautiful golden ball dipping beyond the horizon and the sky changing colour from evening red to violet and then darkness slowly engulfing the whole expanse.

You can hire camels from the fairground or can ask your hotel to arrange for one. There is an option of camel cart too if you want to enjoy the ride with your friends or family. The best time to go on the safari is before the sun sets.

If you are in Pushkar around the fair you must take a balloon ride. This gives you an chance to avoid the crowds and at the same time experience the fair. Glide gently above the crowd over the vast expanse of the dunes to get an amazing bird’s eye view of the fair and the desert. Drift over the lake and the temples of this ancient sacred town and feel the magic of floating over this motley people.

The balloon ride is usually prearranged towards the end of the fair. The best time to take a ride is at sunrise when the soft rays of the sun slowly light up the temples, Ghats and the antique buildings surrounding the lake. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and capturing it all in the morning light is a dream-come-true for any photographer. Advance booking is recommended to get the best time slots.

Evenings at Pushkar are best spent sipping hot coffee by the lake side. Watch the day bidding farewell and a beautiful evening taking over. As the golden sun dips behind temples, the lake’s water mirrors the changing hues of the sky from blue to orange and then red and slowly black takes over transforming the day into a beautiful night.

Spend some quiet hours sitting on the stairs of the lake listening to the music coming from all directions – hymns and chimes from the temple, Negara beats from the ghat, gentle strumming of a guitar from some cafe and the sound of Ravanhatha being played by some bhopa musician sitting just next to you. While you are lost in the music, the lake turns gorgeous with the reflection of town lights and numerous stars. I love watching the day end by the lake side and being just with me; slowly pilgrims leave temples, tourists go back to the market or the hotels, sanyasis go hiding into their kutiya and you are left alone on the stairs gazing at the glittering sky and the lake. The calm cool air from the lake fills you with tranquility.

Travelers with a penchant for adventure must try jeep safaris. Jeep safari takes you through the rugged paths to explore interesting destinations of Rajasthan. Not only will you drive through barren desert landscape but you will also get an opportunity to explore the hidden charm of some of India’s most remote and colorful villages, ruins of magnificent forts and palaces, antique temples and uncommon wildlife. A refreshing dip in the local waterfall hidden in the trees refreshes you thoroughly after a tiring trail of approximately five to six hours.

Music is in the soul of Pushkar. While strolling around the lake in evenings, you can find many people learning and playing their favourite instruments. Around Gangaur ghat, look for coke-studio-fame Nathu Lal Solanki, the master drummer teaching the beats to drumming enthusiasts. You can join him and learn to play these local drums called Nagara. He still charges a negligible amount that he used to charge some 20 years back to teach Nagara. He considers this place his karmabhumi from where he has achieved the name and fame and it’s his tribute to the place and the art.

Do hike up the Ratnagiri hill in south-west of the lake if you have time. It’s a moderate hike of around 1.5 kms and takes around two hours to reach the top. Located on the top is the Savitri Devi place of worship dedicated to the wife of Lord Brahma. The breathtaking panoramic view of Pushkar town from here is worth the effort. Evening hours are best for this trek as you get an amazing sunset view from the temple.

If you like hiking and are game for some more, on a smaller hill on the northern side of Pushkar town is Gayatri Devi temple. It takes around 45 min for this trek and offers a lovely sunrise view.

Go for a good retail therapy session once you are done with all other designed activities. A good mix of ethnic and hippie culture reflects in Pushkar market. There’s a lot to shop for, so keep at least half a day exclusively for shopping. Pushkar is known for its traditional silver jewellery, ethnic clothes, leather bags and rose products. T-shirts, harem pants, wrap-arounds, kurtis, bandanas and funky accessories are also available in abundance at a very reasonable price. Do not forget to bargain to get the best prices. You can also shop for souvenirs like puppets, antique silverware or pottery stuff.

The main places to shop are Baza Bazar, Sarafa Bazar, Sadar Bazar and Kedalganj bazaar.

Pushkar is heaven for foodies with a range of roadside restaurants, rooftop cafes and eateries serving a wide variety of food. Some of the not-to-miss foods in Pushkar are malpua and kachori at Sarweshwar at mithai wali gali, Gulkand Lassi near the steps of Brahma Temple, lafa and falafel at Ganga restaurant near Rangji temple, muesli and fresh fruit juice at Sonu juice near bus stand and pizzas at La-pizzeria.

Pushkar is such a place where you can spend days just having good food and relaxing in cool cafes. Some of Pushkar’s most popular cafes are Honey & Spice, Funky Monkey Cafe and Out Of The Blue Cafe.

Collector’s Paradise is the only museum and art gallery in Pushkar where you get some rare cultural gems collected over 20 years by the recipient of numerous awards and camel decorator, Ashok Tak. The collection includes traditional dresses and textiles collected from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Pakistan and Afganistan and some rare stuff used for camel beautification. If you are fascinated by hand embroidered traditional textiles, then do take the time to go through the exhibits on display. A chat with Ashok Tak would give further insights into his journey and his passion for both camels and clothes.

The best way to relax after a fun filled day is to enjoy the Kalbelia dance performance. It is one of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan performed by the lively Kalbelia tribe, a nomadic community that was essentially a community of snake-charmers until it was outlawed by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. With their charm, unbelievably flexible serpentine shimmying and their lovely traditional black attire, they have the talent to absolutely mesmerize you. The beats and the movements will surely instigate you to join them in their dance.

Many hotels arrange the dance performances in their premises for their guests. Sai Haweli near Varah Ghat Chowk arranges this every Saturday. You can also contact the dancers directly and ask them to perform in the evening near dunes. You can find them roaming around in the market and the desert area .

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares
Pushkar Cattle fair

Magical fusion of music, spirituality at fest in Pushkar

Rajasthan will host a three-day music festival which aims at bringing music and spirituality on one platform at Pushkar from 14 November.

The festival ‘The Sacred’, which is the brain child of chief minister Vasundhara Raje, will feature artists from genres as diverse as sufi, Rajasthani folk, world music, Hindustani classical among others and would showcase how art and culture can transcend boundaries of religion and language.

“The idea was basically to try and bring together everything that touched upon the sacred and also show that spirituality crosses all religious boundaries. We wanted to look at both Pushkar and Ajmer at the same time, where two completely different religions are co-existing,” Sanjoy Roy, managing director, Teamworks Arts, the festival organiser, said.

“The suggestion came from Raje. Apart from the camel fair, there was nothing specific happening there. When I went and saw the Pushkar kund, I realised it is such a stunning backdrop,” he said.

Recommended By Colombia

“We wanted to create a space for people to come to listen morning and evening music and re-discover the pleasure of spirituality as your own space,” he added.

The festival line-up features artists like Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal, Nathulal Solanki with 52 Nagaras, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Yom & Wang Li, La Grande Chapelle, Jaisalmer Boys among others. The festival will also showcase Buddhist meditation by Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, guided Jain meditation by Tikam Chand Jain, Vayu Yoga by Capucine Redon and Pushkar Heritage tours.

“In today’s day and time, when we are seeing so much intolerance, it’s imperative that all of us in the cultural space come together to showcase music that crosses all boundaries of religion, language, of different kinds of differences that have cropped up,” he said.

The three days of the festival, which will take place at different venues, including the Raj Bohra Ghat, sand dunes and Ajmer Fort, will add up to the prevailing spiritual ambience of Pushkar.

Save

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares