The Royal Rajasthan...

After a smooth four hour drive on the newly built Highway, a series of huge pink gate like structures and wide six sectored roads beckon you to the first planned city of India, located in the desert lands of Rajasthan.The neat and broadly laid-out avenues, painted in pink provide a magical charm to the place. Its rare to find a city where, not only the landscapes, but also the ambience and the architecture change at every few kilometres, like they do at Jaipur. The city transcends smoothly from the hustle bustle of the crowded Hawa Mahal area to the queit bliss of forts like Jaigarh and Amer.

These famous structures like the Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Jal Mahal and Jantar Mantar are ancient testimonials which remind us of the past ages. The royal lifestyle of the kings as described by the entertaining guides and the magnificient picture painted by the movie Jodha Akbar, reinforce the belief that the spirit and the vision of Rajputs is still alive. Artistic temples and gardens of Jaipur, marks the atmosphere of serenity and aestheticism to the lands of Rajasthan. The lively city observes its ethnicity by celebrating various festivals like Kite festival, Elephant festival and many others, of Indian origin. The city also boasts of rustic retreats like Chokhi Dhaani, a palette of brick red structures and terracotta pots and figures, deep greenery and brown earth that reminds you of your long lost connect with the Indian villages. The delectable Rajasthani cuisine served to you in the most hospitable manner is bound to leave you wanting more.

The wish to explore the sacred side of Rajasthan, found us at Ajmer and later at Pushkar. The former, rightly called “Madina of India”, invites devotees of all sects and faiths to seek the saint’s blessings. Pushkar on the other hand boasts of a beautiful temple of Lord Brahma, the only one of its kind.
This column shall be incomplete without a mention of the privileged company of my indistinguishable friends, 13 weirdoes who made this trip so beautiful. Each one of them, in their own special ways contributed towards making this trip very special. Striking scenery with great company makes Jaipur a perfect weekend getaway.