Incredible INDIA?
Rajasthan as, I believe, the rest of India, is a land of contrasts. Extreme poverty alongside with breath-taking palaces, tombs or fortifications. Bishnoi Villages with 100 inhabitants and nearby cities with millions of them. The colourful cities and souls comprise many deprived areas and people. You can either love it or hate it, but you will always be mesmerised by Incredible India.
I was told that Rajasthan puts together more history than the rest of India and I tend to agree with that. Actually only by the end of this journey I was able to understand a bit better the history of Rajasthan and the influence of different emporiums and religions. It is a land that was ruled by Hindu Kings, Islamic dynasties, Mughal emperors, Maharajas and the British India East Company, before gaining independence on the 15th august 1947.
Our 2 weeks dive into the Golden Triangle (New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) and Rajasthan were a lifetime experience. We started in New Delhi with its 25 million inhabitants. We explored the city on foot, rickshaw and cycling (Delhi by Cycle). Watching the Old City awakening while cycling was one of the top experiences we had and enabled us to visit the real Delhi. Red Fort and Jama Masjid in the Old City are not to be missed, as well as Humayun’s Tomb and Lodi Garden in the new city.
I was told that Rajasthan puts together more history than the rest of India and I tend to agree with that. Actually only by the end of this journey I was able to understand a bit better the history of Rajasthan and the influence of different emporiums and religions. It is a land that was ruled by Hindu Kings, Islamic dynasties, Mughal emperors, Maharajas and the British India East Company, before gaining independence on the 15th august 1947.
Our 2 weeks dive into the Golden Triangle (New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) and Rajasthan were a lifetime experience. We started in New Delhi with its 25 million inhabitants. We explored the city on foot, rickshaw and cycling (Delhi by Cycle). Watching the Old City awakening while cycling was one of the top experiences we had and enabled us to visit the real Delhi. Red Fort and Jama Masjid in the Old City are not to be missed, as well as Humayun’s Tomb and Lodi Garden in the new city.
From Delhi we headed by train to Jaipur, the Pink (orange if not due to the Queen) City. Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the local bazaars are the main attractions. Take one day to walk in the old city and visit those attractions, acknowledge local life and bargain for some colourful textiles. The next day, a 16h tour took us to Agra, with a stop-over in the beautiful and abandoned city of Fatephur Sikri. The afternoon fog/smog in Agra while visiting its Fort and the Mehtab Bagh gardens almost ruined our visit to the Taj, but when we arrived at this impressive, unique and “perfect” mausoleum, the sun was shining and we were able to capture all its beauty. No trip to India is complete without a visit to the Taj. True fact.
In and around Jaipur we visited Amber and Jaigarh Forts, spend a few hours with elephants at a local farm, explored the Monkey temple where 5000 friendly and not-so-friendly monkeys live and had an impressive overview of the city from the Nahr Agh fort. The best meal in India we had with our good friends Ajit and Pooja, followed by paan that either you hate or love.
In and around Jaipur we visited Amber and Jaigarh Forts, spend a few hours with elephants at a local farm, explored the Monkey temple where 5000 friendly and not-so-friendly monkeys live and had an impressive overview of the city from the Nahr Agh fort. The best meal in India we had with our good friends Ajit and Pooja, followed by paan that either you hate or love.
From Jaipur we headed to Jodhpur with a 4 hours stop-over at the holy-city of Pushkar. This quiet Hindu pilgrimage town is excellent to relax and enjoy the views over the religious lake. Check-it out, although 3 to 5 hours are enough.
Unlike Jaipur, Jodhpur city centre near the Sadar Market and the clock tower has no charm. On the contraire the Mehrangarh Fort (and its museum) was probably the most impressive fort we encountered in Rajasthan. Located 120m above Jodhpur you can experience majestic views over the so called blue city. Nearby, we visited the Jaswant Thada and made a small trail inside Rao Jodha Desert Park. While in Jodhpur we had the privilege to stay at this amazing, very affordable (less than 50€/night) and luxury hotel: Ratan Vilas.
Around Jodhpur we spent half day in a Bishnoi Village and learned a bit about this Hindu sect that protects nature (Khejri trees) and animals. From Jodhpur we travelled to Udaipur, passing by the amazing Jain temple of Ranapkur and the impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort (with its 36kms walls).
Our last stop – Udaipur – is a laid-back city by Lake Pichola. Day-time should be spent visiting the City Palace and its museum and making a tranquil boat-trip with a short visit to Jagmandir Island. The evenings are ideal to have a romantic dinner in a roof-top panoramic restaurant or to lose yourself in the ancient bazaars with lively art scenes. On our last day in India, we spend the morning in the Krishna Ranch and made a 3 hours ride on local Marwari horses.
Unlike Jaipur, Jodhpur city centre near the Sadar Market and the clock tower has no charm. On the contraire the Mehrangarh Fort (and its museum) was probably the most impressive fort we encountered in Rajasthan. Located 120m above Jodhpur you can experience majestic views over the so called blue city. Nearby, we visited the Jaswant Thada and made a small trail inside Rao Jodha Desert Park. While in Jodhpur we had the privilege to stay at this amazing, very affordable (less than 50€/night) and luxury hotel: Ratan Vilas.
Around Jodhpur we spent half day in a Bishnoi Village and learned a bit about this Hindu sect that protects nature (Khejri trees) and animals. From Jodhpur we travelled to Udaipur, passing by the amazing Jain temple of Ranapkur and the impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort (with its 36kms walls).
Our last stop – Udaipur – is a laid-back city by Lake Pichola. Day-time should be spent visiting the City Palace and its museum and making a tranquil boat-trip with a short visit to Jagmandir Island. The evenings are ideal to have a romantic dinner in a roof-top panoramic restaurant or to lose yourself in the ancient bazaars with lively art scenes. On our last day in India, we spend the morning in the Krishna Ranch and made a 3 hours ride on local Marwari horses.
Our Imagined fairy-tale India was made real and it was a realm to our senses:
. Sight – the impressive Indian colours in people, monuments and food
. Smell – the memorable strong smell of Indian spices, but also of the pollution and dirty cities
. Taste – the Indian spices gave colour and taste to our journey. You can ask for not spicy, but you can’t get rid of it :)
. Sound – the 24h/day permanent noise from traffic (horn) and people, in contrast with the reminiscent silent in temples or small villages in the countryside
. Touch – a baby can end up on your lap as you are being asked to take a picture, for baby’s good luck and fortune :) your food will always be handed to you as if it was the most normal thing to touch someone else’s food… as they also eat everything with their hands.
Will we go back? Maybe in 30 years, but somehow we feel that much won’t change. Poor will remain extremely poor and rich will become even more wealthy.
I guess, the future in India is grey (for the vast majority), but lived, always, in a colourful manner!
Incredible India?
. Sight – the impressive Indian colours in people, monuments and food
. Smell – the memorable strong smell of Indian spices, but also of the pollution and dirty cities
. Taste – the Indian spices gave colour and taste to our journey. You can ask for not spicy, but you can’t get rid of it :)
. Sound – the 24h/day permanent noise from traffic (horn) and people, in contrast with the reminiscent silent in temples or small villages in the countryside
. Touch – a baby can end up on your lap as you are being asked to take a picture, for baby’s good luck and fortune :) your food will always be handed to you as if it was the most normal thing to touch someone else’s food… as they also eat everything with their hands.
Will we go back? Maybe in 30 years, but somehow we feel that much won’t change. Poor will remain extremely poor and rich will become even more wealthy.
I guess, the future in India is grey (for the vast majority), but lived, always, in a colourful manner!
Incredible India?