In the previous chapter, we covered our trip to Goa after visiting Pune and Mumbai. Now, let's continue our journey to Rajasthan, where we explore the stunning cities of Udaipur, Chittorgarh, and Jaipur. From indulging in delicious cuisine to exploring historical forts and palaces, our trip was an adventure full of surprises.
Upon arrival, the hilly region and lakes surrounding Udaipur gave us a unique impression of an Indian city. Our first evening was a bit rough as we stayed in an unsatisfactory hotel, but the following day, we reached out to a friend of my father's who owned a petrol station in the area. Not only did he show us around, but he also put us up in a luxurious place that was a significant upgrade from our initial accommodation. The best part was the delicious food.
Udaipur is home to the City Palace and a fenced, thick, almost impenetrable fort city that was built to protect Mewar, showcasing how India was once a powerful country of warrior kingdoms. I came across numerous shops selling armor, musical instruments, handicrafts, and fabrics, which made me feel like I was transported back in time.
However, it was also evident that Udaipur had a mix of desperation and aversion to tourism. The past few years during the pandemic have negatively impacted many shopkeepers' businesses, and some instruments seemed to have become dusty, with inflated prices compared to Delhi. It was fascinating to observe how either traders from Delhi had to get excellent deals, or perhaps I was being lured into paying more because I was traveling with a foreigner. In addition, many shops were selling paintings of local artists, and there was fierce competition that had forced prices down. It felt like there were too many shopkeepers competing for too few customers.
We also visited a wildlife sanctuary that felt more like a zoo, where we saw bears, tigers, and turtles. We observed that foreign tourists pay a premium to enjoy local pleasures compared to the indigenous population, which made us realize the privilege we had.
As the sun set, we enjoyed romantic dinners with a breathtaking view of the lake and city lights reflecting on it. Udaipur had some of the finest dining options as well. We also visited the Monsoon Palace, which was quite a journey uphill in vehicles, but our friend's son accompanied us, and it was worth the trip.
Our friend introduced us to a shop owned by a man named Asoka, who offered the most reasonable prices for handicrafts and paintings in Udaipur. I am still planning a little video for 3speak.tv, where I will share some images, tips, tricks, and insiders from our Indian journey.
We scouted the area for some vegan options and found a rooftop diner, which turned out to be a delightful surprise. It was clear that it was a place where yoga hippies would hang out. We didn't see many tourists, which was surprising, and we expected more. The pandemic had made people less enthusiastic about traveling to India, and it wasn't as restrictive as it appeared.
Chittorgarh was particularly exciting for me as it is where part of my ancestors is from, and there were plenty of gluten-free options available. The magnificent Fort was once India's pride, and some even called it the soul of India. It was the country's largest and most protected fort, but it was sacked several times by foreign invaders. There are many stories about how kings, queens, sons, daughters, and invaders fought for control over the Fort. I felt a strong connection to this place.
Finally, we took a night train to Jaipur, where we arrived early in the morning. We headed straight to our hotel, which was located in the heart of the city, and checked in. After freshening up, we set out to explore the city.
Our first stop was the City Palace, which is a beautiful palace complex that houses several museums and galleries. We spent a few hours exploring the palace, admiring the intricate architecture and learning about the history of the city.
Next, we visited the Hawa Mahal, which is also known as the Palace of Winds. This is a stunning five-story building that was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The palace has 953 small windows, which are decorated with intricate latticework, allowing cool air to flow through the building, hence its name.
After that, we visited the Jantar Mantar, which is an astronomical observatory that was built in the early 18th century. The observatory contains several instruments that were used to measure the positions of celestial objects and predict eclipses.
In the evening, we visited the Birla Mandir, which is a beautiful temple made of white marble. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and is located on a hill, providing a panoramic view of the city.
Overall, our trip to Jaipur was an incredible experience. We were able to witness the rich history and culture of the city, and we were amazed by the beauty of the palaces, temples, and observatory. We also enjoyed trying the local cuisine, which was a delightful blend of spices and flavors. We would definitely recommend Jaipur as a must-visit destination in India.
Thanks for stopping by
Amitābha
Rane
Graffiti of vanishing Dong Chang 东厂 aka Rane
“ Long ago, I had the opportunity to take a certain action, and now, with hindsight, I understand what that action could have been. However, my prolonged contemplation of this missed opportunity has revealed to me a multitude of other possible courses of action that were previously outside of my awareness. What if we were able to expand our consciousness to consider these previously unknown possibilities? Perhaps the only thing that separates our present and future selves is this expanded awareness. Imagine the possibilities if we all endeavored to explore the depths of our own ignorance.” —
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