Rajasthan: The land of maharajas

First time I visited Rajasthan was in the nineties. And there were no cars just camels around used for transport.  There was no tap water only wellwater sellers carrying jars.

From the camels became well paid tourist attraction as well as the prices of the hotels arose. The cost of now the most fency hotel at the lake in Pushkar was back then eighty rupees, now might be a hundred euros. 

In the photo section you can see some of my old diascans and pictures from our last trip with Bibiana and our friend Jaro last year.

Rajasthan was created from ten rajput principates and is the largest state of indian union. Geografically is also considered to be a craddle of indian civilization which comes from Indus river valley. 

Definitely belongs to India's most beautiful states and for its romantic is often signed as Tuscany of India. Doesn't matter if you are an architecture lover or wildlife watcher, Rajasthan has to offer for all. Here even the most ambitious traveller will not be bored. 

Your trip to subcontinent will never be complete without visiting this vibrant state and any place in India you visit will be reminding you this part with its bright coloured clothes full of embroideries and mirror work, carved sandal wood and furniture and of course jewellery!! Remember anytime you see a man whose mustache goes from one ear to another (but can reach up to one meter from each side!!)and wears a turban must be one of  proud rajasthanis.

Here you find the city oases on camel routes crossing the state upside down.

Majestic forts which dominate the cities reminding its fame, carved temples, havelis - mansions and step wells are those main uniques of Rajasthan's architecture. Almost each town differentiates in the color of the buildings. For example in Jaisalmer which lies in the Thar desert near Pakistan border all the yellowstone houses have color of the sand. This mimic coluring was providing a smart protection in the time of battles.

Rajasthan's capital - Jaipur which is the destination for all the jewellers and gem seakers has the pink colored houses. Then the beautiful city of Udaipur which lies in the south of the state is based on the lake Pichola and maharaja still lives there. His palace area covers one of the lake's many islands. The houses of Udaipur are mostly white color.

The highest caste's - brahmin houses area in Jodhpur is painted cobalt blue.

And then theres's a holy town of Pushkar, which surrounds the squared lake basin. As a legend says the supreme god Brahma dropped a tear here and suddenly a lake arose.  The lake reflects Pushkar like a mirror and if you walk around in the main road you can see the lake from between the houses and by the stairs' 52 entrances you can easily access. 

Unfortunately last year we missed this wonderful picture of the town reflecting in the lake as there were new irrigation channels built. Instead of lake there was only empty basin with mud. 

Hopefully after the rainy season the lovely Pushkar ambience will return.

The one of few temples in India devoted to Brahma is located here. 

This sympatic town is also famous for its annual camel fair. You can meet individual backpackers from all around the world here and instead of buses with japanese tourists there are mostly indian pilgrims here as this place is proud to be one of five pilgrimmage musts for hindus.

Rajasthan was the seat of most influential Hindus - proud rajputs even in times when north India was under mughal emperors. They are famous for their martial reputation of ksatriyas - the warriors. Resisting also such a strong emperor as Akbar in middle ages when islamic power was on the top.

Here were the maharajas and colonists hunting for elephants and tigers. The forests used to be full. Until some animals were diminished almost to extinction, there were the nature reservations created.

The land of desert tribes migrating with their camels and cattle are still present. 

Our reccommends:

Visit Udaipur in March for Holi festival - the colorful spring welcome in the streets made in India.

Bikaner Rat Temple - caution!! only for mice lovers, here are rats sacred being fed with milk and sweets

Pushkar Annual Camel Fair

Yours Learn to Travel, Uccio

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