Jaisalmer - desert safari.

Jaisalmer was once a thriving desert kingdom in the middle of the great Indian desert. This fort city was an important stop over along the ancient trade route that stretched all the way from the middle east to the far east. But after India's independence and its subsequent partition, four wars and continuing tensions between the two nations have completely wiped out this ancient route. Jaisalmer now stands isolated on one end of the Indian part of the Thar desert. Its economy now depends almost entirely upon tourism and although the golden yellow facade of the ancient castle still shines in the scorching sun, its ramparts remind us of the better days it has seen in the past.

Although geopolitics has changed its economic character, the colorful costumes worn by the local people and their music still leave a strong impression on the mind. In its modern avatar, Jaisalmer offers the complete package for the Indian desert safari. The desert camps at Sam sand dunes and the camel rides are exactly as you would expect. An additional attraction is the nearby Desert National Park which is home to many species of resident and migratory birds, mammals and reptiles, some of which are endangered.

#jaisalmer #desertsafari #desertroadtrip #rajasthan #desertnationalpark

Secret garden in the desert - Manvar

The Manvar Desert Camp is situated near Dechu on the highway that connects the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. We were on a long road trip in western Rajasthan and had decided to spend some time to cool our heels in this desert resort..

We had started from Delhi early in the morning and reached the camp just before dinner after driving a little more than 700 kilometers. We were received with a traditional Rajasthani welcome ceremony and after a sumptuous meal of traditional Laal Maans (red meat) we turned in for the night.

We woke up next morning to the loud calls of peacocks and after a quiet morning tea on the verandah, we decided to explore the premises. The Manvar campus is dotted with stone buildings with thatched roofs and surrounded by a lush green landscaped garden.

Manvar is ideally located for a quiet break if you are planning the famous desert road trip in western Rajasthan. The beautiful garden and the wildlife that flocks to it from the desert form a tiny microcosm that is a remarkable antithesis to its natural surroundings.

#desertroadtrip #jaisalmer #jodhpur #rajasthan #desertgarden #laalmaans #secretgarden

Chittorgarh - flashback into history

Standing on top of a hill in the beautiful Aravali hills in Rajasthan is the historic fortress city of Chittorgarh, a world heritage site and the largest fort in India. There are many forts in India but none that conjure a saga as poignant as this Rajput citadel. Any tale involving the Rajput kings is replete with accounts of chivalry, valour and tragedy and the story of Chittorgarh is grandiosely epitomical. 

As a fortress Chittorgarh was almost impregnable and withstood numerous attacks between the 7th and 16th centuries. The fort was captured three times by Allauddin Khilji, Bahadur Shah and finally by Emperor Akbar in 1567 after which it was abandoned. Every time the brave Rajput warriors rode out to face the superior enemy and were slaughtered to the last man, thousands of Rajput women committed jauhar by burning themselves to save their honour. What followed was plunder and devastation and the ruins that remain today still speak about the way of life that prevailed in the medieval kingdom. 

Chittorgarh is like a time capsule that opens a window into India's glorious past. It is a comfortable day trip from Udaipur and highly recommended for those interested in history, archaeology and culture.

#chittorgarh #history #archaeology #medievalindia